Robotics & Intelligent Devices
Robotics and Intelligent Devices focuses on the design, implementation, and use of intelligent physical things in the environment. These include robots, autonomous vehicles, smart sensors, and internet-of-things devices. In the modern world, many of these things are the basis for brand new services or service improvements in areas such as health and wellbeing, assistive living, safety, smart manufacturing, retail and hospitality, among others.
| Award Name | Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | National University of Ireland |
| NFQ Level | Level 8 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) | Major | National University of Ireland | Level 8 NFQ |
Duration
4 years
Erasmus/Study Abroad Option: Subject to availability
Placement Option: Yes - subject to availability
Specific Subjects or course requirements
Leaving Certificate: 2H5 & 4O6/H7, Irish, English & O3/H7 Mathematics
Leaving Certificate General Entry Requirements
In general, students must be 17 years or older by 15th January in the year after entry to the University. If you are younger, you must make a special application to the University’s President.
All Leaving Certificate subjects carry equal points with the exception of *Mathematics (details below). Points are awarded for your six best subjects in any one year. These do not have to include subjects needed to meet general minimum entry requirements. Minimum entry requirements and course requirements may be satisfied by an accumulation of subjects over more than one year. As well as achieving the required points, you must have a minimum of six subjects in your Leaving Certificate, with two Higher Level papers at grade H5 and four Ordinary or Higher Level papers at grade O6/H7.
The requirements for each course are shown above.
* 25 bonus points will be added to the points score for a Leaving Certificate Higher Level Mathematics grade H6 or higher.
The bonus points are included in the overall points calculation only when Mathematics is one of the applicant’s best six subjects following the addition of the bonus.
Foundation level Mathematics is accepted for matriculation (i.e. can be counted as one of the six subjects required - grade F6 or higher), but does not meet the requirement for degrees where Mathematics is a special programme requirement. Points are not awarded for this subject.
Foundation level Irish is not accepted for matriculation. Points are not awarded for this subject.
Leaving Certificate Vocational Progamme LCVP
Points are awarded as follows:
Distinction 66
Merit 46
Pass 28
Applicants can use their points allocation for the Link Modules as one of their best six subjects for the purpose of calculating points, but the Link Modules do not qualify as a subject for minimum entry requirement purposes.
QQI FET Applicants General Information
Click on the 'QQI FET Applicants Information link' below for specific course entry requirements.
QQI FET General Information Link
Careers / Further progression
Options after graduation?
- The development of Robotics, AI, and intelligent device technologies is progressing at a rapid pace and creating demand for new skills. Employment opportunities may be found in sectors such as manufacturing, food science, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, energy, communications, research and less obvious areas such as finance.
- Possible graduate roles may include robotics engineer, software engineer/developer, embedded systems engineer/developer, intelligent systems architect, and intelligence analyst.
- Students of this programme will benefit from a work placement opportunity in their 3rd year and a portfolio of projects to show to potential employers.
- Once a student has completed the degree in Robotics and Intelligent Devices they may continue their education in Maynooth through postgraduate studies and PhD programmes.
Further information
Maynooth University greatly values the particular contribution of mature students to the academic and social environment of the University. A mature student is 23 years or older by 1st January in the year of entry to the University. For part-time degrees the mature age is 21. There is no upper age limit; we currently have students who range in age from 23 to over 70. Up to 200 mature students begin their studies here each year. Many of our mature entrants undertake preparatory studies in advance of gaining admission.
The Mature Student Office is committed to supporting the learning experience of our mature students. A certain number of places are reserved for mature students on all undergraduate courses. We offer a range of supports for mature students including an advisory service, tailored information sessions during Orientation/Welcome Week, academic advisors, the Student Budgeting Advice Service and a technology skills programme. There is also a Mature Student Society on campus providing a continuation of peer support, both academic and social, to incoming mature students.
See the Mature Student handbook for detailed information about applying as a mature student. Call, email or drop in to meet us in MAP Lodge on the North Campus or to request a mature student information pack. If the opportunity to return to education has presented itself to you, we hope you’ll choose Maynooth University.
Emer Sheerin, Mature Student Officer
+ 353 1 708 3307
emer.sheerin@mu.ie
2023: 35
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
- In addition to strong software skills, students completing the degree in Robotics and Intelligent Devices will develop strong competencies in systems and knowledge of how systems fit together, through areas such as electronic hardware design, signal processing, and system control.
- Blending Electronic Engineering and Computer Science, we focus on adding intelligence to every day systems and developing robots that can interact with humans and our environment. Through project work, students will explore robotics and intelligent devices and may focus their project work throughout the programme in a specific area of their interest or blend thematic areas.
- There is a transfer pathway from 1st year MH306 Robotics & Intelligent Devices to 2nd year MH304 Engineering. Students must attain 50% in Mathematics and pass the year. There is no limit on places.
Why choose this degree?
- You will have the opportunity to work with multiple robotic and intelligent device platforms and you will develop a portfolio of projects over the course of your degree programme.
- You will be taught by world-class experts in the area of robotics, mobile communications, biomedical diagnostics and technologies.
- You have an interest in some or all of the following: smart homes and smart cities, enabling assisted living in the home, mobile phone and communications technology, collaborative robotics, the use of devices in the medical world including prosthetics and the latest developments in car design.
- Students will combine their work in hardware and software, equipping them with a blend of skills which will lead them to work on items such as music devices, physical computer interfaces, mobile phones, healthcare systems and more
Course structure
1st Year
Students take a range of modules covering mathematics, physics, programming, electronic fundamentals and project work
2nd & 3rd year
> Over these 2 years you will develop a strong basis in robotics and intelligent devices
> Complete a work placement (subject to availability) or a design challenge in third year.
> Students are encouraged to compete in high profile robot competitions and other competitive challenges
Final year
Students choose between robotics and intelligent device thematic large projects.
Possible topics:
1st year
> Electronic Fundamentals
> Statics & Dynamics
> Mathematics
> Physics
> Programming
> Systems & Control
> Project Based Learning
2nd year
> Computing for Engineers
> Analogue Electronics
> Intelligent and Connected Machines in Society
> Sensors and Signals
> Mathematics
> Programming (C++)
> Algorithms and Data Structures 1+2
> Operating Systems
> System Dynamics
3rd year
> Software Engineering
> Systems and Signals
> Embedded Real-time Systems
> Control System Design
> Mathematics
> Robotics and Automation
> 6 month work placement or Design Challenge (subject to availability)
Final year
> Digital Signal Processing
> Computer Control Systems
> Machine Learning and Neural Networks
> Computer Communications Networks
> ASIC, FPGA and High Performance Systems
> Autonomous Mobile Robotics
> Robotic actuation and sensing
> Computer Vision
> Large Project
Contact us
Maynooth University Department of Electronic Engineering,
Engineering & BioScience Building
+ 353 1 708 6057 / + 353 1 708 6976
electronic.engineering@mu.ie
www.maynoothuniversity.ie/electronic-engineering
Twitter/X: @MaynoothEEng