Instrument Engineering

Bachelor of Science (Honours)

Instrument Engineering student working with equipment
Instrument Engineering student working with equipment
Type of Programme
Full-time
Number of Places
20
Duration
4 Years
Course Code
MT 833
Entry Requirements
331 Points in 2023 and meet minimum entry requirements as listed below.
Application Deadline
See CAO for details
Location(s)
MTU Bishopstown Campus, Cork
Course NFQ Level
Level 8

Aidan O’Connell

T: 021 433 5595

Email: (email)

Overview

Instrument engineering is the multidisciplinary specialisation centred on the principles of operation and applications of the diverse instrumentation used to measure, control and automate processes and systems throughout industry and society. Within process industries such as pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, food, beverages and water, instrument engineering contributes significantly to quality, safety, productivity, and efficiency.

This multidisciplinary course provides a comprehensive foundation of physical science, mathematics, electronics, measurement technology and information technology on which a range of specialist instrument engineering modules are developed. There is a continual emphasis throughout the course on the design standards and best practice relevant to instrument engineering.

During the work placement in year 3, students will gain direct experience in the practice of instrument engineering within an industry, organisation or research group in Ireland or abroad.  In year 4 there is a major project where students will be able to design, develop and implement measurement and control systems. Students will also manage, evaluate and critically analyse complex instrumentation and process control installations.

What will I study?

First year at a glance

  • Computing: enabling students to use technology for instrumentation
  • Mathematics: developing the tools for instrument calibration and automation
  • Chemical Principles: physical sciences to the fundamentals of atomic theory, chemical bonding, the periodic table, physical states of matter, and stoichiometric calculations
  • Fundamental Physics: an introductory course comprising foundation physics topics relevant to all fields of science
  • Sensors and Systems: the components of measurement systems using a variety of sensors
  • Measurement and calibration of sensors used for industry
  • Creativity, Innovation and Teamwork: team building, independent working and communication skills development

Modules

What is a Module?

A module is a standalone unit of learning and assessment and is completed within one semester. A full-time student will normally study six modules in each semester; part-time and ACCS (Accumulation of Credits and Certification of Subjects) students will have flexibility as to the number of modules taken.

The button below provides a link to all of the University's approved modules for this programme.

View Modules

Entry Requirements

Entry 2024

For admission to a programme, standard applicants must

  • score the necessary CAO points and
  • meet the minimum entry requirements

Leaving Certificate in six subjects i.e. H5 in two subjects and O6/H7 in four other subjects. The six subjects must include Mathematics and either English or Irish grade O6/H7.

 

For Non-EU International Entry Requirements please visit https://www.mtu.ie/international/non-eu/.

Career options

Employment Opportunities

Graduates typically work as instrument engineers, automation engineers or control engineers within chemical, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, oil/gas, food, beverage and water treatment companies that use instrumentation to improve productivity, safety, reliability, quality, etc.

Significant employment opportunities exist for graduates in design, manufacture and supply instrumentation to the above industries. Opportunities are also available within the engineering consultancies and systems integrators who provide such industries with turn-key solutions to their manufacturing challenges.

Progression

Further Studies

MTU offers opportunities for suitably qualified graduates to proceed to postgraduate study with research teams based at MTU’s Centre for Advanced Photonics and Process Analysis, CAPPA (www.cappa.ie), the Tyndall National Institute (www.tyndall.ie), and elsewhere.

Question Time

While the qualification is that of a science degree (BSc), graduates find employment in a range of scientific and engineering roles. This is a multidisciplinary course with a mix of science and engineering modules. This broad base provides graduates with a skill set that provides a wide range of employment opportunities and the ability to adapt to rapidly changing technologies.

Honours mathematics is not required, but as with all physical science and engineering courses numeracy is essential and you need to be comfortable with mathematics.

Motivation, initiative, dependability, commitment, and analytical ability.

How things work, problem-solving and meeting technical challenges.

There are excellent employment opportunities locally, nationally and internationally for graduates. These opportunities are in biopharmachem, biotech and other process industries. Employment is either directly with these companies or in the systems integrators and engineering consultancies that support these companies.

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