Computing for Business (DC120)
Throughout the four years of the Computing for Business (Enterprise Computing) degree, there are formal lectures, with a strong emphasis on the practical applications in the computer labs, tutorials, ongoing assessments and projects drawn from real-world situations.
Your first year will be devoted to gaining a strong overall competence in computing technologies, such as computers themselves, operating systems, web systems and the Internet, and to acquiring fundamental mathematical skills.
In subsequent years, by specialising in information technology, web systems or networking technologies, you’ll be equipped with the necessary skills to work with computing technology across a broad spectrum of business enterprises. You’ll be able to manage, improve and re-design the way businesses use computing systems.
In Year Three, you’ll have the opportunity to spend seven months on our INTRA paid work placement programme, which integrates academic study with a closely related job. It will give you an understanding of the professional and practical business world and will help you to stand out in the graduate employment market. Indeed, many companies recruit their INTRA students on graduation.
In final year, you’ll study advanced modules in information systems, business strategy and management. In addition, you’ll complete a major team-based project. Practical experience is a principal component of your learning.
Applied Physics
This degree combines lectures, tutorials and stimulating laboratory work and projects with fundamental physics concepts and exciting, real-life technological skills and applications.
The basic foundations of physics will be laid in Physics General Entry (Year One) and Year Two, while in Years Three and Four, you can choose to study from a range of specialist topics, such as instrumentation, nanotechnology, semiconductor materials, plasma physics, computational physics, elements of data science, and microfluidics.
In Year Three, your paid INTRA work placement will give you the opportunity to experience the industry for up to eight months. If you wish to pursue a research career, you will have the option of spending your placement working in one of the research groups in the School of Physical Sciences, where you’ll assist with cutting-edge research projects.
You’ll conduct your Year Four project in DCU’s world-class laboratories, experiencing the excitement and personal achievement associated with scientific research. On several occasions, final-year physics students have received national and international awards from the Undergraduate Awards, the Institute of Physics and the International Society of Automation on the basis of their project work.
During the course, you’ll be encouraged to apply for scientific internship schemes, including visiting fellowships in organisations such as the European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN) and the European Space Agency (ESA).
Physics with Astronomy
Over the duration of this course, you’ll work with real astronomical data from a variety of telescopes and observatories worldwide. Throughout the degree, there is an emphasis on laboratory and project work (both individually and in groups) and IT skills, which are valuable skills for your future.
The first two years focus on classical and modern physics, combined with various aspects of astronomy, as well as mathematics, electronics and computing.
In Year Three, you can take a five-day field trip to a foreign observatory or choose to work in industry or a research group as part of your INTRA placement.
In the final year of the course, you’ll have a choice of topics, allowing you to concentrate on various applied aspects relating to physics and astronomy.
A major element of Year Four is your individual laboratory-based project that gives great scope for individual initiative. It also entails working with professional astronomers on the academic staff at DCU, whose work is at the forefront of international astronomical research. On several occasions, final-year physics students with exceptional project work have received national and international awards from the Undergraduate Awards, the Institute of Physics and the International Society of Automation.
During the course, you’ll be encouraged to apply for scientific internship schemes, including visiting fellowships in organisations such as the European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN) and the European Space Agency (ESA).
Physics with Biomedical Sciences
This course combines lectures, tutorials and modern laboratory work with fundamental physics concepts and exciting, real-life technological skills and applications in the biomedical area. This will develop your analytical and problem-solving skills. Throughout your course, you will work in a custom-designed physics building equipped with state-of-the-art undergraduate and research laboratories. Seminars are delivered by international experts and eminent DCU researchers. Visits to internationally renowned biomedical research institutes will also be important parts of the course.
In Years One and Two, you’ll learn the basic foundations of physics and the fundamentals of chemistry, cell biology, anatomy and physiology.
In Years Three and Four, you’ll study a selection of more advanced physics topics, such as Quantum Mechanics or Laser Physics, which underpin applications in the biomedical sciences. Application courses at the interface between the physical and life sciences, such as Biomechanics of Human Movement, will also be offered. In Year Four, expert academic staff will teach medical physics subjects such as Medical Imaging or Medical Applications of Lasers.
In Year Three, INTRA will be an important opportunity for you to work for an extended period in a hospital and experience a real medical environment. INTRA placements in private companies with business interests in medical/biological instrumentation, Biotechnological applications or optical medical diagnostic applications, for example, are also possible.
Your Year Four project is an opportunity to experience first-hand the excitement and personal achievement associated with scientific research. On several occasions, final-year physics students with exceptional project work have received national and international awards from the Undergraduate Awards, the Institute of Physics and the International Society of Automation.
Chemistry with Artificial Intelligence (DC163)
The Chemical Sciences General Entry programme will provide you with the opportunity to study different types of chemistry, so that you can discover which aspects of chemistry inspire you most before choosing your degree specialism.
The programme ensures you will gain excellent hands-on laboratory experience in our award winning undergraduate laboratories (Education lab of the Year-Irish Laboratory Award). Small student groups within the laboratory assisted by a fully trained laboratory Tutors helps to ensure an excellent student-centred laboratory learning experience for each student.·
You will have the opportunity to study dynamic and interesting Chemistry topics and some Biology focused modules before you select your preferred degree programme and the end of year one. Topics include drug design, analytical techniques as applied to industry and forensics, environmental chemistry and biomolecules
Upon successful completion of year one the degree choices are:
BSc in Analytical Science, or
BSc in Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences
BSc in Chemistry with Artificial Intelligence (run by the DCU School of Chemical Sciences in collaboration with the DCU School of Computing.)
The dynamic range of labwork you will conduct ensures you will develop your problem solving skills while conducting innovative experiments that reflect the needs of the Pharmaceutical, Biopharmaceutical and broader Chemical industry.
Analytical Science (DC161)
Year One will provide you with the essential background knowledge of mathematics, chemistry, physics and biology. These are of vital importance in later years. Thought-provoking laboratory work is an integral part of the course in all years of the course.
The major emphasis in Years Two and Three is on analytical science, with chemical and biological aspects being developed in parallel. In Year Three, you can choose between a chemistry stream or a biology stream. Both streams cover the major, modern state-of-the-art analytical techniques, and you’ll enjoy plenty of hands-on experience in our exceptionally well-equipped facilities.
Your period of industrial placement (INTRA) before your final year ensures that you gain valuable work experience in a real-life setting, putting the many things you have learned on the course to the test.
Year Four covers more specialised methods and applications of analytical science, which, when integrated with the basic analytical techniques you’ve already learned, present you with the opportunity to develop your own analytical approach to solving complex problems. Chemistry and biology specialist options are maintained, ensuring that you still gain the multidisciplinary education that modern employers demand. The final part of your course is the full-time project taken in the last semester.
Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences (DC162)
Working in the laboratory plays a vital role in your learning, and because our laboratory facilities are among the most up-to-date, you’ll get the most practical experience possible.
Year One of this course is common with other DCU science courses.
In Year Two, the mainstream chemistry lectures and laboratories are developed in parallel with relevant topics in physics, mathematics, computing and biochemistry.
An integral part of third year is INTRA, which ensures you gain first-hand experience in the applications of chemistry during a period of industrial placement.
The final year of the course concentrates on your knowledge and development of more advanced topics. A major element in this final year is your individual research project, which consists of a literature survey on a particular topic, followed by laboratory-based research work in your general area of interest.
Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (DC001) Professional practice
All students take required early childhood education and care modules and spend approximately 1,000 hours on professional placement related experiences.
In Year One, you will cover the core information needed to understand young children and how they develop.
Year Two focuses on the ECEC environment. Students learn how to create settings that support and challenge young children.
Diversity, equality and inclusion are key themes in Year Three. You’ll discover how to support and engage with the rich culture, languages, traditions and needs of a diverse range of children and their families through respectful relationships.
The final year focuses on leadership, ethics and research—you’ll complete a dissertation in an area of professional interest to you. Students can also select from a range of relevant specialisms in final year.
Throughout the course, theory is put into practice through placement in a range of different early education settings such as community-based crèches and privately run preschools. You’ll work with children from a variety of linguistic, social, ethnic and cultural backgrounds. You’ll also work with children who have special educational needs.
Our programme aims to develop well-informed, articulate professionals who are passionate about and hold a personal stance on key issues in early childhood education and care (ECEC).
Prepare for the working world by spending around 1,000 hours on professional placement during your course.
Opt to take an elective module that will prepare you to teach Irish as a first or second language in Naíonraí, or specialise choose from a range of other specialisms.
You’ll be part of a small study group that will give you peer feedback and support.
Education and Training (DC235) Professional practice
The B.Sc. in Education and Training will develop your skills in teaching and training by:
Developing your understanding of all aspects of education and training, both in the formal and informal sectors (adult education, community education and workplace education and training) as they have evolved in the social and historical context in Ireland
Enhancing your understanding of the key theories underpinning education, community development and organisational learning
Providing you with the practical and theoretical skills necessary to deliver quality education and training
Enhancing your abilities to communicate effectively in a learning environment
The course focuses on the development of specialist knowledge and skills in:
Social and personal development
Practice based teaching and learning
Curriculum design, implementation, assessment and evaluation
Instructional design
Interpersonal communications and education for multicultural and diverse societies
Information and communications technology applications in education and training
Learning styles, group development and special educational needs
Policy and practice in education and training contexts
Electronic and Computer Engineering (DC190)
This single programme, with four major options in Year Four, replaces and combines the best of DCU’s previous offerings in Electronic Engineering, Digital Media Engineering and Information and Communications Engineering.
You’ll be taught through conventional lectures, extensive tutorials (particularly in Year One), laboratory exercises and projects. Through these you’ll develop the ability to model and analyse the dynamics of a wide range of technological systems, as well as learn a creative and innovative approach to problem solving. The curriculum of the first three years and the 22.5 credits of core modules in Year Four are common to all ECE students.
In addition to the traditional engineering focus on mathematics and design, there is a strong software and programming theme running through our ECE programme. You’ll learn about C, C++, Java, Embedded Systems, Linux and Windows Operating Systems, Data Structures and Algorithms, Hardware Description Language, Object-oriented Programming, and in two of the Year Four majors, Web Application Development.
In Year Three, you’ll participate in a six-month INTRA work placement. Most students choose a paid engineering internship with a business in Ireland, but some students may go abroad or be placed in research positions within DCU.
In Year Four, you’ll select a major option and gain relevant skills through major-specific modules and an individual undergraduate project.
