Course Details
† Indicates that students admitted to the programme are required to undergo a Garda Vetting process.
Admissions:
Tel: 00 353 61 202015
Queries: www.ul.ie/admissions-askus
About You
If you are interested in modern technologies and have a flair for working with people, then this programme might suit you.
Why Study Technology and Education in Materials and Engineering Technology at UL?
This degree with specialism in the teaching of Metalwork and Technology, is designed to produce graduates with technological and engineering skills to satisfy the needs of the Irish second level school system in relation to teaching Metalwork, Technical Graphics and Technology at Junior Cycle, and the subjects Technology, Engineering and Design & Communication Graphics at Leaving Certificate.
- This programme of study is unique to UL - the only degree course of its kind in Ireland
- The School of Education at UL is one of the largest suppliers of teachers in Ireland - the reputation of our graduates and their tradition of success are well established in schools around Ireland
- You can go straight into teaching after graduation, no further study at postgraduate level is required
- In this program, you will develop a wide range of skills and knowledge that will prepare you to shape the next generation of engineers
- You can avail of dedicated design and manufacturing facilities where you will develop your understanding of teaching in an applied environment, using mechanical design, manufacturing and robotics
- In the ‘Sumo-bot’ module you will design, manufacture, and program a robot to battle other robots
- A recent survey from the Higher Education Authority found that education graduates have the highest starting salary of any group of graduates
The programme is four years in duration, and is organised into streams in the following subject areas:
- Education
- Manufacturing Technology
- Technical Graphics
- Design
- Electronics and Information Technologies
- Materials and Engineering Sciences
The material in each stream has been carefully selected to be relevant to the requirements of the Leaving Certificate and Junior Certificate syllabi in the Technology subjects. An element of design is incorporated throughout, with emphasis on design-based activities and independent learning as the course progresses. Pedagogy, the theory of teaching, is incorporated throughout the programme.
Year 1
The first year concentrates on developing essential knowledge and skills in the key areas of Education, Manufacturing Technology, and Technical Graphics, in addition to the related areas of Mathematics, Materials Science, Electrotechnology.
Year 2
The start of year 2 sees preparation for Teaching Practice and introduces the concept of Design. Semester four features six weeks of Teaching Practice preceded by four weeks of preparation.
Year 3
The areas of Materials Technology, Electronics, Automation as well as advanced topics in Manufacturing Technology and Technical Graphics are the focus of Year 3. There is a particular emphasis on design-based learning and problem solving as well as the management of these activities in schools. Education & Society is also explored.
Year 4
In the fourth year of the programme, you will further develop your teaching skills and apply your knowledge and skills in a final year project. Semester seven includes ten weeks of teaching practice. The final semester deals with advanced topics in education and technology. Your final year project will be completed during this semester also.
To find more, click here.
| Year 1 | Semester 1 | Semester 2 | Summer | |
| PN4011 | Design and Communication Graphics 1 | PN4012 | Design and Communication Graphics 2 | |
| PN4021 | Process Technology 1 | PN4002 | Design and Technology 1 | |
| MA4701 | Technological Maths 1 | MT4002 | Materials 1 | |
| ET4003 | Electro Technology (Ed) | EN4022 | Educational Technology for Teaching and Learning | |
| EN4041 | Contemporary Understandings and Thinking on Education | EN4032 | Understanding Young People and how they Learn | |
| Year 2 | Semester 3 | Semester 4 | Summer | |
| PN4023 | Design and Communication Graphics 3 | PN4014 | Preparation & Planning for Technology Teaching (LM095) | |
| EY4013 | Subject Pedagogics 1 (LM095) | TP4014 | School Placement | |
| PN4033 | Process Technology 2 | EN4034 | Preparation for School Placement | |
| EN4043 | Understanding Classroom Practices | |||
| EN4033 | Planning for Learning |
| Year 3 | Semester 5 | Semester 6 | Summer | |
| PN4025 | Design and Communication Graphics 4 | PN4036 | Design and Communication Graphics 5 | |
| PN4035 | Process Technology 3 | EY4076 | Subject Pedagogics 2 (LM095) | |
| PN4045 | Design and Technology 2 | PN4056 | Design and Technology 3 | |
| EN4015 | Curriculum and Policy Studies | PH4032 | Physics for General Science 2 | |
| EN4025 | Inclusive Education 1: Contemporary Perspectives | EN4026 | Inclusive Education 2: Special Educational Needs | |
| Optional | ||||
| GA4006 | An Ghaeilge Ghairmiuil |
| Year 4 | Semester 7 | Semester 8 | Summer | |
| TP4017 | School Placement | PN4038 | Design and Communication Graphics 6 | |
| EN4017 | Understanding Schools | PN4048 | Technology Teacher as Innovator | |
| PN4108 | Manufacturing and Service Systems Design | |||
| ET4006 | Electro Technology (Ed) | |||
| EN4008 | Teacher as Professional |
Applicants are required to hold at the time of enrolment the established Leaving Certificate (or an approved equivalent) with a minimum of six subjects which must include: Two H5 (Higher level) grades and Four O6 (Ordinary level) grades or four H7 (Higher Level) grades. Subjects must include Mathematics, Irish or another language, and English.
In addition, applicants must hold an O3/H7 grade in Mathematics and an O4/H7 in at least one of the following: Applied Mathematics; Biology; Physics; Chemistry; Construction Studies; Engineering; Physics with Chemistry; Agricultural Science; Technology; Design & Communication Graphics /Technical Drawing.
The University’s Special Mathematics Examination is not applicable to this programme.
We welcome applications from mature students. Mature applicants must apply through the Central Applications Office (CAO) by 1 February.
As a teaching degree, graduates of this programme are eligible for appointments to all second level schools (vocational, secondary, community and comprehensive schools) and for admission to the open register for Secondary Teachers. The graduates of the programme will be able to teach Engineering, Design and Communications Graphics & Technology.
Follow-On Study
Graduates from the programme have the opportunity to pursue further study in the disciplines of Engineering or Education. There are a number of taught masters degree programmes in UL that can be taken up by graduates of the programme. In addition, graduates can register for higher degrees by research in either engineering or education that lead to masters or PhD qualifications.
Want to find out more about possible careers with this degree? Click Here
Student Profile - Keith Young
My interest in technical graphics and working with young people is what interested me in this course. I chose UL because it is a vibrant campus full of student-driven activities.
The course caters for absolutely everyone. You don’t need to have strong backgrounds in drawing or engineering to do well. There are so many supports in place to make sure you succeed.
There’s great variety in the classes I take, from education to material sciences to technology in which we got to build a robot. The projects we make are amazing and really help to develop our skills in a meaningful way.
I went on two teaching practice placements. These practical classroom experiences were so beneficial to me; working with other teachers, working with the students and just deciding what type of teacher I’m actually going to be.
The facilities at UL are great, including the climbing wall, the Arena, the Boathouse…...........everything is here! All these amenities, coupled with some very memorable events makes for an amazing student life experience.
Student Profile - Eoin Smyth
This course is very broad - in a single day, you could program a robot, learn a new method of teaching and design a new project. Material science is explored, electronic circuits are designed, detailed technical drawings are produced, and each opportunity adds to your development as a teacher. Having never studied technical graphics in school, I was able to develop my skills in this area while never feeling I was behind anyone of my colleagues.
The projects here are really interesting - I designed and made a robotic aluminium scorpion which I will program and control remotely either using a smartphone or a laptop - something I would only have dreamed of before entering the course. So far, I’ve been on two blocks of teaching practice. These classroom experiences give you the opportunity of dealing with new pupils and colleagues. I’ve realised that even as a teacher, you are constantly learning, as you deal with new situations every day.
Student Profile - Diarmuid McCarthy
Since I graduated from UL, I’ve been teaching at a post-primary school where my task was to introduce the new subject Technology at both Junior and Leaving Certificate.
Teaching Technology is most enjoyable as we cover the subject through a mix of theory and practical classes. The subject is taught to all pupils, so I have all 6 different year groups at various times during the week. Part of my job is to manage the material and component stocks that are involved in teaching this practical subject. This involves managing the budget and ordering from a range of suppliers to ensure best value can be obtained.
Our school encourages teachers to get involved in extra-curricular activities and I am involved with two GAA teams in the school. This often involves taking the pupils to matches. I really enjoy this and it is a great way of building up a rapport with the students. As the school teams train outside of school hours, teachers will remain back after school on certain evenings to put the students through their paces.
Diarmuid’s tip: Choose a career that will play to your strengths. Don’t settle for a career that you are not truly happy in; retirement will be a long time coming!