Electrical/Electronic Engineering  (NES1)

Purpose

This major includes stages 2 and 3 of the BE (Bachelor of Engineering) degree programmes in Electronic Engineering and in Electrical Engineering.  Stage 1 is common to all the BE degree programmes, and is in major NUS1.  After stage 3, the two programmes diverge: stage 4 is in major NES2 for Electronic Engineering and in NES3 for Electrical Engineering.

BE Electronic Engineering

The BE degree in Electronic Engineering is intended to produce graduates who can work as professional engineers across the broad spectrum of electronic engineering.  With this in mind, the programme develops the design and problem-solving skills that are essential in a professional engineer, and equips graduates with a good knowledge of a wide range of electronics technology.  The programme also provides a strong understanding of the fundamental principles on which the technology is based, so that graduates will be able to adapt to future technologies and perhaps develop some of those technologies during their professional careers. Individual modules within the programme are designed and delivered by academic staff with expertise in the relevant areas. 

The methods of teaching and assessment vary, to suit the needs of the different subjects.  Most modules include traditional lectures and a written exam at the end of the semester.  Many modules also have a laboratory component, allowing students to experience the practical side of electronic engineering.  Assignments provide design and problem-solving challenges, and also form part of the assessment.

BE Electrical Engineering

The BE degree in Electrical Engineering is intended to produce graduates who can work as professional engineers across the broad spectrum of electrical engineering, including renewable generation, power electronics, integrated energy systems and smart grid initiatives.  The programme is designed to provide students with a strong understanding of the fundamental principles, analytical techniques and technologies involved, while also developing their design and problem-solving skills.  Subsequently, as graduates, they will be able to adapt to the rapidly changing fields of modern sustainable power systems, smart grid applications and power electronics technologies, and perhaps inspire and develop some of the future technologies that will be developed during their professional careers.

Individual modules are taught by a strong cohort of experienced and internationally recognised academic staff (forming part of the world-leading Electricity Research Centre for the integration of renewables into power systems), with expertise in all the core areas of Electrical Engineering.  Teaching methods and assessment procedures vary across the programme to suit the wide range of subjects made offered.  There is a strong laboratory component, allowing students to experience the practical aspects of electrical engineering, while assignments provide design and problem-solving challenges.  In the final year, a substantial project draws together many of the separate strands of learning, with an emphasis on independent learning, technical design & analysis, and communication skills.

This BE programme is accredited by Engineers Ireland, partially satisfying the educational requirements for Chartered Engineer.

BSc Engineering Science

The BSc degree in Engineering Science provides an alternative to the traditional BE degree, based on the first three years of the BE programme.  Graduates should have a strong understanding of the fundamental scientific and mathematical principles on which electrical and electronic engineering are based, as well as a good knowledge of the relevant engineering technology and the necessary design and problem-solving skills.

The BSc programme is not accredited, as it is not intended to be a professional qualification in engineering.

1 - Demonstrate good knowledge and understanding of a range of electrical and electronic engineering technology and the underlying mathematics, science, data science and analytics.
2 - Identify, formulate and analyse problems in electrical and electronic engineering.
3 - Design solutions to problems in electrical or electronic engineering.
4 - Investigate, experiment and conduct guided research.
5 - Show an understanding of and commitment to professional and ethical responsibilities towards people and the environment in the practice of electrical and electronic engineering.
6 - Work effectively, both independently and in diverse and inclusive teams, and prepare for lifelong learning.
7 - Communicate effectively, to diverse audiences, on topics related to electrical or electronic engineering.
8 - Graduates should have good knowledge and understanding of a range of electrical and electronic technology and the underlying mathematics and science, and be able to apply this to real-world problems.
9 - Graduates should be able to analyse and model an electrical or electronic system, identify problems and solve those problems.
10 - Graduates should be able to design an electrical or electronic system to meet a given specification.
11 - Graduates should be able to design an algorithm to solve a given problem, and write a program to implement that algorithm
12 - Graduates should be able to acquire knowledge by investigation or experiment.
13 - Graduates should be able to write a technical report on a topic related to electrical or electronic engineering, and present the results of their work.

This stream is for students studying either electrical engineering or electronic engineering - further specialisation comes later.

Electrical engineers work with electricity and magnetic fields to design electrical machines, either to generate electrical energy or to convert electrical energy to some other form. The scale can vary from a conversion rate of a few watt (W) in a small robot, to 10s of kW in an industrial machine or an electric vehicle, or 100s of MW in an electrical power station or a wind turbine. Electrical engineers are also concerned with controlling those electrical machines, either individually or as an entire interconnected electricity grid, and with storing electrical energy.

Electronic engineers also use energy in electrical form, but usually in much smaller quantities and for different purposes - mostly to represent information, either for computing, communication or entertainment. Some electronic engineers design the micro-electronic circuits that are at the heart of computers and all other electronic devices, while others design those devices (hardware and software), or design networks to connect those devices and move information between them.

As in all branches of engineering, design and problem solving are key skills. As a professional engineer, you will be expected to solve problems that you have never seen before, or to design something completely new - maybe starting with an abstract idea and turning it into a product or a system that works safely and reliably, and does something useful for people.

The first year of study is common to all the UCD engineering degree programmes. This stream is one of the choices available to students at end of that year. It can lead towards either electrical engineering or electronic engineering, depending on the options chosen.

In second year (Stage 2), the curriculum is the same for both electrical engineering and electronic engineering, as the fundamental principles are the same in both areas.
In third year (Stage 3), some of the modules are shared, but students have to choose two option modules and start to specialise in either electrical engineering or electronic engineering.

At the end of Stage 3, students can choose to continue towards the Bachelor of Engineering (BE) degree in electrical engineering (see NES3) or the BE in electronic engineering (see NES2). At this point, students can aslo choose to graduate with a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in engineering science, or, if eligible, to transfer into one of the ME degree programmes in UCD.

Students have the opportunity in their thirdyear to spend either one or two trimesters studying abroad in a partner University. There are  options to study in countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Canada, USA, Singapore, France, Germany, Switzerland.

UCD is Ireland’s Global University and its largest university with a track record in empowering students to enter a diverse range of careers that reflects the most diverse curriculum on the Island of Ireland. Consistently, over 90% of graduates are employed or in further study or training 9 months following course completion. The QS World Ranking on Graduate Employability has placed UCD at number 1 in Ireland for Graduate Employability since 2018. On the global stage UCD leads the Irish higher education sector and is the only Irish university to be ranked inside the world’s top 80 for Graduate Employability.

At University College Dublin we are aware that for many students, programme outcomes in terms of graduate jobs and career options is important. The purpose of this statement is to help you understand and appreciate the range of skills you may develop during your time at UCD and how you may develop your employability. Visit the UCD Careers Networks website and MyCareer, the UCD Career management Platform, to access career information, internships and graduate roles as well as information about the range of initiatives, supports and events available to you.

You will be involved in projects that make a difference to the world, e.g. harnessing new sources of energy or developing advanced digital technologies. Exciting opportunities exist in areas such as designing new means of communication, novel transportation systems or the next generation of multimedia devices, studying the human brain, working with electrical energy systems or developing new imaging techniques.

You can also pursue graduate study internationally or as part of a UCD’s accredited Masters degree, e.g. ME in Biomedical Engineering, ME in Electronic & Computer Engineering, ME in Electrical Power Engineering, ME in Engineering with Business, ME in Energy Systems Engineering.

UCD Engineering and Architecture College Office

Tel: +353 1 716 1916
e. katie.oneill@ucd.ie

Stage 2

Stage 2 Electronic and Electrical Engineering has 10 core modules. You must choose one elective module in the autumn trimester and one in the spring trimester. These electives can be chosen from the option modules or from anywhere in the University.

Stage 3

Stage 3 Electronic and Electrical Engineering has 8 core modules. You must choose two Option Modules from group A - this choice will determine your path towards Electrical Engineering or towards Electronic Engineering. You must also choose one Elective Module in the autumn trimester and one in the spring trimester. These electives can be chosen from the option modules (group A or group B) or from anywhere in the University.

See the UCD Assessment website for further details, including worked examples of how degree award GPAs are calculated

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Module Weighting Info