Engineering - Mechatronic Engineering

Mature applicants are those aged 23 years, or above, on 1 January in the year of entry. All candidates (presenting with EU/Non EU qualifications) applying on the grounds of mature years should apply ONLY through the CAO by 1 February.

For many DCU courses, mature application assessment is based on the CAO application and in some instances, an assessment and/or interview. ‘Other’ experience, apart from performance in examinations, may be taken into consideration - this may be work experience, further studies, or other such experience deemed to be relevant to the application. Interviews will take place in April either in person or remotely.

For more information, please contact the Mature Student Officer, orla.stafford@dcu.ie or dcu.ie/mature-students
For general and admission enquiries, please visit dcu.ie/registry/ug-admissions

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Entry 2024

Early online application (discounted): Fee €30 Closing Date: 20 January 2024 at 5pm

Normal online application: Fee €45 Closing Date: 1 February 2024 at 5pm

Late online application - restrictions apply (see page 3 2024 CAO Handbook): Fee: €60 Closing Date: 1 May 2024 at 5pm

Change of Mind - restrictions apply (see page 3 2024 CAO Handbook): Fee: Nil Closing Date: 1 July 2024 at 5pm

Exceptional online late application (see page 34 of the 2024 CAO Handbook): Fee €60 Closing Date: 22 July 2024 at 5pm

Be sure to complete any action well in advance of closing dates. You should avoid making an application close to a closing date. No extensions to closing dates will be allowed and all application fees are non-refundable.

LATE APPLICATIONS
Late Applications are those which are received after 5pm on 1 February 2024. The closing date for late applications is 5pm on 1 May 2024, subject to the restrictions listed on page 3 of the 2024 CAO Handbook. The online facility for late applications opens on the 5 March 2024 at 12:00 noon - a fee of €60 applies.

Exceptional Late Applications (Exception to the timetable)
The exceptional closing date of 22 July at 5pm applies only to applicants who are registered as an undergraduate student on 1 May 2024 in any year in any one of the participating HEIs (subject to the exclusions listed below). In order to avail of the Exceptional Late Application facility you must have entered the HEI through the CAO system. This is an exceptional late closing date and all steps must be completed by 5pm on 22 July. No changes may be made after this date.

If you did not enter your current course through the CAO system, you must first contact the Admissions Office of the HEI to which you wish to apply and they will inform you if you may submit an application direct to the institution.

Exclusions:
You may submit a late application only for entry to courses other than your existing course. If you wish to repeat the year in the same course you must arrange this within your HEI.

Mary Immaculate College Limerick, Marino Institute of Education, Trinity College Dublin, University of Limerick and Maynooth University have special procedures in place in the case of current or previous students who wish to apply for entry to another course in the same HEI. Such applicants must contact their Admissions Office to determine the application procedure. However, if you are a student in another HEI and you wish to apply to any of these five HEIs, you should apply through CAO.

Refer to page 34 of the 2024 CAO Handbook on how to make an Exceptional Late Application.

Restrictions
As a CAO applicant you may experience one or more of the following restrictions based on your course choices, your category of application, or restrictions imposed by the HEIs that you wish to apply to. Please read the section on 'Restrictions' on page 3 of the 2024 CAO Handbook carefully. This section includes information on:

General Restrictions
1. Making a late application
2. Making changes to your course choices

Restricted Courses
3. Applying for a restricted course

Mature Applicants
4. Mature applicants

Supplementary Admissions Routes
5. Applying for DARE and/or HEAR

Why DCU?
− This course will equip you with the skills and knowledge to design, develop, manufacture and operate the intelligent products and systems of today and tomorrow

− DCU is home to world-class engineering academics and state-of-the-art lecture theatres, workshops and labs

− The Faculty of Engineering and Computing educates a diverse student community, has strong industry links and a range of exciting scholarship opportunities

− 6 month paid work placement (INTRA) in Year 3

− Option to complete an additional year of study and graduate in Year 5 with a Masters of Engineering degree

− Internationally recognised qualification which enables graduates to work as professional engineers in the EU, Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Ireland, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, the UK or the USA

About You
Do you want to build the robots of the future? Are you a problem solver by nature? Do you have a natural ability in mathematics, which is the universal language of engineering? If you are fascinated by robotics and automation, and have a strong foundation in mathematics, this is the course for you.

Understanding: Mechatronic Engineering
Understanding: Mechatronic Engineering More and more aspects of the world around us are becoming automated, with labour-saving machines, ‘always on’ connected devices and robots able to perform tasks more quickly and accurately than humans. In these complex machines, huge numbers of finely tuned moving parts are precisely controlled on the instant by state-of-the-art electronics. Just consider the machines you use on a daily basis from cars to refrigerators and washing machines, how many moving parts are involved? Such machines are examples of mechatronic engineering, the science that combines mechanical engineering, electronic and computer engineering and software design to create intelligent machines.

Wherever your interests lie, mechatronic engineering has immense potential. You could soon be designing aircraft electronics for the aerospace industry or building robots to assist with complex surgeries, using simulation software to optimise Formula One cars or optimising the performance of wind turbines.

This course perfectly blends mechanical engineering and electronic engineering. It offers classes in 3D modelling and design, for example, as well as circuit design and programming. Our students and staff are intrigued and inspired by the interplay between electronics and moving parts in connected devices and state-of-the-art machinery. Throughout the course, you will do lots of project-based learning where you use the latest real-world tools and technologies to solve problems and, of course, build robots. That’s not all. You will also take some business-based modules, so you can learn how to develop a business plan and work with other parts of an enterprise.

While you can go on from this course to work in either mechanical or electronic engineering, our graduates typically end up in roles where they incorporate one into the other. For example, they might put sensors into a machine to measure aspects of how it’s working or develop control systems for a lift or a car. Either way, mechatronics graduates are in huge demand as they are eligible for mechanical, electronic, and mechatronic roles.

Course Structure
This course brings together the disciplines of mechanical engineering and electronic engineering over the 4 years. Students have the option to undertake an integrated Masters degree from Year 3, subject to achieving a H2.2 or higher in Years 1 and 2. The course has 8 academic themes addressing a particular aspect of Mechatronic Engineering. It begins with fundamental scientific principles and leads through to a set of modules dealing with the design, analysis, manufacture and modelling of electromechanical products and systems.

Basic Science and Mathematics
You study the basic sciences and engineering mathematics that underpin mechatronic engineering.

Electronic Circuit and Systems Design
Electronic components and systems are explored through modules on electronics and on analogue and digital circuits and systems.

Mechanical Systems Design and Analysis
Materials engineering, fundamentals of mechanics, strength of materials and the mechanics of machines lay a foundation for the design and analysis of mechanical components and systems.

Software
Software design and analysis are an integral part of mechatronics. You take modules introducing general techniques of software development (using C, C++ and Python programming languages) in Years 1 and 2, with a focus on embedded systems in Year 2. You are also introduced to specific software tools (such as Matlab and Labview) throughout a range of modules and project work.

Mechatronic/Electromechanical System Design
A core area of mechatronic engineering is the design of electromechanical systems – systems that consist of both electrical and mechanical elements. A substantial part of the final year is devoted to the design, simulation, analysis and control of such systems. The mobile robotics module is entirely project-based and embodies the key principles of mechatronic engineering. It is organised around a specific robotic design challenge and will give you an opportunity to integrate and expand your knowledge in several different core areas: digital and analogue electronics, mechanics, software development and control systems.

Automated Manufacture
This area allows you to develop an understanding of how electronics, embedded systems and software are used in the automation of manufacturing.

Project-based Learning
You will complete various projects during your 4 years. Projects are designed to develop mechatronic skills and awareness culminating in major individual projects in Year 4. The projects will normally include elements of research, design, component sourcing, construction, testing and documentation. All projects must be based on at least 2 of the 3 core mechatronic elements (namely, mechanical, electronic and software design components).

INTRA
In Year 3 you undertake a 6 month paid work placement (INTRA or 10 months if you choose to do an extra year for a masters). This is usually with a business in Ireland, but opportunities may arise abroad and there are also some research positions within DCU. For more information, please visit dcu.ie/intra.

Internship: Yes.

What Will I Study?
Year 1
Engineering Mathematics | Engineering Mechanics - Statics | Project and Technical Drawing | Materials Engineering | Introduction to Electronics | Professional Development | Numerical Problem Solving for Engineers | Basic Sciences for Engineering | Software Development

Year 2
Engineering Mathematics | Mechanics of Materials | Digital and Analogue Electronics | C/C++ Programming for Engineers | Circuit Analysis Techniques | Engineering Mechanics: Dynamics | Energy: Thermodynamics | Design and CADD | Systems, Signals and Control Theory | Embedded Systems | Pneumatics and Control

Year 3
Product Design | Data Analytics for Engineers | Measurement and Signal Processing | Electromechanical Systems | Mechanics of Machines | New Enterprise Development Project | Analogue Circuits and Design | Mobile Robotics | INTRA

Year 4 (BEng)
Project | Manufacturing Automation | Control Systems Analysis | Image Processing and Analysis | Power Electronics | Project and Quality Management | Mechatronic System Simulation and Control | Robotics | Design for Manufacture and Assembly | Uaneen Award: DCU’s Leadership and Engagement Module

Year 4 (MEng)
Project Planning and Research | MEng Project Design | Entrepreneurship for Engineers | INTRA (part 2) | Design for Manufacturing and Assembly | Mechanical Engineering Systems Simulation | Uaneen Award: DCU’s Leadership and Engagement Module

Year 5 (MEng)
Image Processing and Analytics | Year 5 Project | Computer Vision | Robotics | Manufacturing Automation | Control Systems Analysis | Mechatronic Systems Simulation and Control | Data Analysis and Machine Learning | Power Electronics | Uaneen Award: DCU’s Leadership and Engagement Module

Contact Details
Tel: +353 (0) 1 7007984
E: brendan.hayes@dcu.ie
E: studenthelp@dcu.ie
Visit Us Online dcu.ie/DC193

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