Galway City

Java Programming

Network: 
ITAG Skillnet
Location of Course Galway City
Learning Outcomes On completion of this course, you will:
• Understand how to create, compile and run Java program
• Be able to describe object-oriented concepts
• Build non-trivial applications that perform meaningful functions
• Have used a wide variety of Java language features and API calls
• Appreciate the benefits of Test-Driven Development (TDD) and how to use this approach in developing Java applications
• Be able to create Java API documentation using the JavaDoc tool
• Know how to package up applications into JAR files for delivery or deployment
Further Enquiries Dee Timoney
Email: dtimoney@itag.ie
Entry Requirements Delegates must have some previous programming experience in a language such as C, Ruby or Python.
Course Content Introduction to Java
• Why Java?
• Java in the Real World
• The Java success story: The JVM
• The Java Ecosystem
• Integration across the Enterprise

Getting Started with Java
• Anatomy of a Java Program
• Setting Up a Bare Bones Development Environment
• Compiling and Running Your First Program

Language Basics - 1
• Legal Identifiers
• Code Conventions
• Types of Data – Primitive Types and Objects
• Literals
• Operators and Expressions
• Declaring Variables
• Declaring Constants
• Flow Control

Language Basics - 2
• Calling Methods
• Creating a Method
• Method Arguments
• Returning from a Method
• Overloading Methods
• Getting Keyboard Input
• Command-line Arguments
• Using an IDE

Testing
• Introducing Junit
• Test-Driven Development

Introducing Objects
• (Almost) Everything is an Object
• Objects as a Way to Represent Real-World Things
• Creating a New Object – Three Steps
• A Hierarchy of Objects
• The Object object
• A Tour of the Java API
• Packages
• Classpath

Object Construction
• Constructors
• Overloaded Constructors
• Constructor Chaining
• Superclass Constructors

Object-Oriented Programming
• Encapsulation
• Inheritance
• Polymorphism
• Abstract Classes
• Interfaces

Development Topics
• Debugging using an IDE
• JavaDoc
• Packaging Java Applications in JAR files

Access Control
• Access Modifiers on Classes
• Access Modifiers on Members

Statics
• Static Variables and Methods

Assignments
• The Stack and The Heap
• Basic Assignments
• Casting
• Initialisation
• Initialisation Blocks
• Using Wrappers
• Boxing
• Garbage Collection

Exceptions
• Checked and Unchecked Exceptions
• Dealing with Exceptions
• Declaring and Catching Exceptions
• Creating your own Exceptions

Working with Strings and I/O
• The String and StringBuilder and StringBuffer classes
• File I/O
• Dates, Numbers and Currencies
• Serialisation

Collections Framework
• Core Collection Types
• Common Collection Classes
• Sorting and Searching
• Utility Classes

Generics
• Why Generics?
• Using Generic Classes
• Declaring and Assigning Variables of Generic Types
• Declaring Methods that take Generic Types
• Compile-time versus Run-time
• Generics and Legacy Code

Threads
• Why use Threads?
• Defining, Instantiating & Starting a new Thread
• Thread States
• Putting a Thread to Sleep
• Concurrency Issues
• Thread Synchronisation
• Thread Interaction

GUI Programming
• Swing
• Using a GUI Builder

Enrolment and Start Dates Comment Enrolement ASAP.
Course dates: 17th - 21st June 2013
Duration 5 days
Comment Eligible jobseekers can attend free of charge.
Number of Places 10
Course Fee €660 per person
Available to Job Seekers: 
Yes
Certified: 
No

Project Management Professional

Network: 
ITAG Skillnet
Location of Course Galway
Trainer To be confirmed
Methods of Assessment Multiple choice exam
Eligibility To be eligible for the PMP® Credential, delegates must first meet specific educational and project management experience requirements and agree to adhere to a code of professional conduct.
Further Enquiries Dee Timoney
Email: dtimoney@itag.ie
Course Content • Applying for Project Management Professional (PMP®) Status:

• Overview of the exam:

 Tips to help you understand how the PMP® questions are written
 Tips for taking the exam
 Reasons people fail the exam and how to make sure you do not do the same
 Exercises to help you understand and memorise the information you need to know - including formulae such as Earned Value
• Understanding PMI terminology and Project Management acronyms
• Detailed coverage of:
- The process of project management
- The framework of project management
- Integration management
- Scope management
- Time management
- Cost management
- Quality management
- Human resource management
- Communications management
- Risk management
- Procurement management
- Professional and social responsibility

• Practice exams are presented before and after each module
• Delegates will be invited to join a dedicated ‘Yahoo Group’ – hosted by the tutor - which will serve as a forum for discussions on course topics and exam questions

Enrolment and Start Dates Comment 15th / 16th May 2013, 6th / 7th June 2013, 21st June 2013.
Subjects Taught Day 1 to Day 4
Introduction

Module 1
Course outline
• PMP Certification
• Exam Structure and Format
• Understanding the PMBOK, Knowledge Areas, Process Groups
• Process Iterations – Inputs, Tools and Techniques, Outputs

Foundation (Project Management Essentials)
• Project Fundamentals
• The Project Context
• Project Stakeholders
• The Project Lifecycle
• Project Success Factors

Module 2
Project Integration Management
• Develop Project Charter
• Develop Project Management Plan
• Direct and Manage Project Execution
• Monitor and Control Project Work
• Perform Integrated Change Control
• Close Project or Phase

Project Scope Management
• Collect Requirements
• Define Scope
• Create WBS
• Verify Scope
• Control Scope

Module 3
Project Time Management
• Define Activities
• Sequence Activities
• Estimate Activity Resources
• Estimate Activity Durations
• Develop Schedule
• Control Schedule

Project Cost Management
• Estimate Costs
• Determine Budget
• Control Costs

Module 4
Project Quality Management
• Plan Quality
• Perform Quality Assurance
• Perform Quality Control

Project Human Resource Management
• Develop Human Resource Plan
• Acquire Project Team
• Develop Project Team
• Manage Project Team

Module 5
Project Communications Management
• Identify Stakeholders
• Plan Communications
• Distribute Information
• Manage Stakeholder Expectations
• Report Performance

Project Risk Management
• Plan Risk Management
• Identify Risks
• Perform Qualitative Risk Analysis
• Perform Quantitative Risk Analysis
• Plan Risk Responses
• Monitor and Control Risks

Module 6
Project Procurement Management
• Plan Procurements
• Conduct Procurements
• Administer Procurements
• Close Procurements

Professional and Social Responsibility
• Ensuring Individual Integrity
• Contributing to the Project Management Knowledge Base
• Enhancing Personal Professional Competence
• Promoting Interaction among Stakeholders

Day 5
Module 7
• Revision
• Practice Exam
• Scoring and Analysis
• Course Closure

Duration 5 days - split into 3 blocks
Number of Places 10
Course Fee €600
Available to Job Seekers: 
Yes
Certified: 
Yes

Time Management

Network: 
ITAG Skillnet
Location of Course Galway
Trainer Ablo Consultants
Learning Outcomes Training Objectives
On completion of the training, each participant will have 5 personal objectives to improve management of their time and energy.
• They will have a clear and simple methodology to plan every day.
• We offer practical tips on how to manage distractions and time wasters.
• Participants will be able to prioritise the ‘Important’ and ‘Urgent’ tasks in work and life and assign time and energy accordingly.
Further Enquiries Dee Timoney
Email: dtimoney@itag.ie
Course Content Course Outline
Workshop Aim
The aim of the workshop is to enhance the participant’s management skills of time, energy and people. This enables greater control, more enjoyment, further success and decreased stress.

Participant Profile
This workshop is designed for the following;
• Managers of all levels;
• People working in an office environment;

Training Resources
The participants are encouraged to use their current diaries or similar tools (e.g. Microsoft Outlook) to plan their upcoming weeks in accordance with the workshop guidelines.
• The workshop layout is in a boardroom style, with 8 participants max. sitting around communal table(s).
• The facilitator distributes prepared handouts and work sheets and requires only an A1 flip chart otherwise.

Enrolment and Start Dates Comment This course will take place on the 20th February 2013.
Subjects Taught Programme Outline
• Identifying the time stealers
• How Microsoft Outlook/Calendar can help us
• Workspace design
• Priority setting
• Being effective vs. being efficient
• Converting plans to actions
• Planning your day
• Assigning time to activities
• Managing time stealers
• Delegating effectively
• Feeling good about your achievements
• Improved habits to adopt going forward
Duration 1 day, 09:30 - 17:00
Comment Eligible jobseekers can attend free of charge.
Number of Places 10
Course Fee €130
Available to Job Seekers: 
Yes
Certified: 
No

ISTQB Foundation in Software Testing

Network: 
ITAG Skillnet
Location of Course Galway
Trainer Inspire Quality Services
Methods of Assessment A multiple choice exam will take place on the final day of the course.
Learning Outcomes Those attending the course will learn:
• The fundamental principles of Software Testing
• How testing fits into the development lifecycle
• The importance of test process, objectives, techniques and tools
• Essential functional and non-functional test methods
• Basic test design and measurement techniques
• Fundamental test management principles
• How to select and implement tools effectively
Further Enquiries Dee Timoney
Email: dtimoney@itag.ie
Entry Requirements No specific prerequisites are assumed. Attendees are expected to be ‘software knowledgeable’ with some minimal test of software experience.
Course Content Headline
This comprehensive introduction to software testing provides you with the knowledge and expertise to undertake the ISTQB examination for the Foundation Certificate offered at the end of the third day.

Background & Objectives
The ISTQB was officially founded as an International Testing Qualifications Board in Edinburgh in November 2002, by members of the ISEB Software testing Board together with representatives from other countries. The idea and proposal for the ISTQB, stemmed from the original ISEB view of Software Testing and the need for an international Software Testing Qualification. The International Software Testing Qualifications Board (ISTQB) role is to support a single, universally accepted, international qualification scheme, aimed at software and system testing professionals.

The ISTQB Foundation certificate is awarded to all those who successfully complete a one-hour, multiple choice examination. The examination is externally set and invigilated by ISEB. In the future it is anticipated that there will be an advanced ISTQB level comparable to ISEB Practitioner but for now the ISEB Practitioner remains as the key advanced test certification.

Who Should Attend
- Quality analysts
- Testers
- Developers
- Systems analysts
- Project leaders
- Users
- Data administrators

Enrolment and Start Dates Comment 12 - 14 March 2013
Subjects Taught Introduction
• Fundamentals of Testing
• Why is testing necessary?
• What is testing?
• General testing principles
• Fundamental test process
• The psychology of testing

Part Two: Testing through the lifecycle
• Software development models
• Test levels
• Test types – the targets of testing
• Maintenance testing

Part Three: Static Reviews
• Reviews and the test process
• Review process
• Static analysis by tools

Part Four: Test design techniques
• Identifying test conditions and designing test cases
• Categories of test design techniques
• Specification-based or black-box techniques
• Structure-based or white-box techniques
• Experience-based techniques

Part Five: Test Management
• Test Organisation
• Test planning and estimation
• Test process monitoring and control
• Configuration Management
• Risk and Testing
• Incident Management

Part Six: Tool Support for Testing
• Types of test tool
• Effective use of tools: potential benefits and risks
• Introduction of a tool into an organisation

Examination Coaching
• ISTQB examination - Externally invigilated by ISEB

Duration 3 days
Number of Places 10
Course Fee €660
Available to Job Seekers: 
Yes
Certified: 
Yes

Introduction to HTML 5

Network: 
ITAG Skillnet
Location of Course Galway
Trainer To be confirmed
Further Enquiries Dee Timoney
Email: dtimoney@itag.ie
Entry Requirements Delegates should have experience of web application development in a modern environment such as JEE, ASP .NET, Ruby on Rails or Django. They must be very familiar with HTML4 and/or XHTML and the fundamentals of programming in JavaScript. If this is not the case then an additional 'primer' day can be added to the delivery.
Course Content Review of the Evolution of HTML
• The origins of HTML in SGML and publishing
• The development of browsers, JavaScipt and 'Tag Soup'
• Why the attempt to recast HTML as an XML standard failed
• Issues with HTML4 and the rise of Flash and Silverlight
• How HTML5 meets the needs of todays software projects

New Ways of Structuring the Document
• Problems caused by the overuse of div and span
• Structuring the page using the section and article elements
• Adding headers, footers and asides to content
• Directing the users attention with mark and output
• Grouping related headers, images with captions and labels with form controls

Better Support for Data Entry
• Overview of the new data entry controls
• Entering emails, telephone nos, URLs and numbers
• Widgets for entering dates, times and colours
• Declaring and styling the range element
• Using content editable to alter non-form elements

Support for Drawing Images and Diagrams
• The canvas element and CanvasRenderingContext2D interface
• Creating drawings using CanvasRenderingContext2D in JavaScript
• Using libraries such as RGraph to create complex charts and reports
• Adding animations to canvas based drawings

Playing Audio and Video
• Overview of the audio and video elements
• Loading and playing multimedia content across browsers
• Manipulating audio and video content in JavaScript

Hosting Clients in HTML5
• Using custom data attributes to embed application specific data
• Support for caching application data within the browser
• Using manifests to preload content for offline usage

Standards Related to HTML5
• New ways of positioning and styling content in CSS3
• Receiving updates from the server via Web Sockets
• Using Web Workers to run JavaScript code asynchronously
• Embedding SQL databases within the browser

Enrolment and Start Dates Comment This course is due to run in June 2013
Duration 2 days
Number of Places 10
Course Fee €300
Available to Job Seekers: 
Yes
Certified: 
No

Project Management Professional - PMP

Location of Course Clayton Hotel, Galway
Trainer Velopi
Learning Outcomes On completion of this course, participants will be able to:
• Apply PMI recognised project management tools, techniques and methods for during the 5 process groups of planning, execution and monitoring and controlling and closing
• Comprehend and appreciate PMI® methodologies and definitions
• Demonstrate project management skills at a professional level
• Appreciate and manage the Triple constraints of Time, Cost & Quality with respect to project performance
• Exhibit the essential skills necessary for project managers
• Evaluate the importance of effective management of the project life cycle
• Apply methods, tools and techniques for planning, monitoring and controlling projects and for managing risk
• Demonstrate the core project management competencies
• Satisfy the 35 hour formal project management training requirement for PMI®’s PMP® professional certification.
• Be comfortable with the examination format and typical question styles
• Pass the PMP® exam
Further Enquiries Michelle Reinecke-Quain
Life Sciences Skillnet Administrator
Email: michelle.reinecke-quain@ibec.ie
Phone: 061 431802
Entry Requirements This Project Management Professional training course is aimed at experienced Project Managers. If you meet any one of the following, then this (PMP® preparation) course is the perfect choice for your path to Project Management Professional Certification with the PMI®.

• 3 + years Industry experience of involvement in Project
• Experienced Project Managers with no formal PM qualifications
• Project Managers looking for professional PM Certification
• Professionals from a Construction, Information Technology, pharmaceutical, medical devices, Engineering or Service Industry etc. who are seeking to expand or develop their career into Project Management.

Course Content Day 1
Introduction
• Welcome & Introductions
• The project life cycle
• Key stakeholders
• Exercise: Review of well known project failures
• PMI® requirements of candidates
• The PMP application process
• Exercise: Start experience calculation required for PMP application
• Exam makeup & Format
• Question Types
• Exercise: Identification of areas of weakness & analysis

Project Integration Management
• Develop project charter
• Exercise: Create Project Charter
• Develop project management plan
• Direct and manage project execution
• Monitor and control project work
• Perform Integrated change control
• Close project
• 20 Question Exam Project Scope Management
• Collect Requirements
• Define Scope
• Create Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)
• Exercise: WBS
• Verify Scope
• Control Scope
• 20 Question Exam

Day 2
Project Time Management
• Define Activities
• Sequence Activities
• Exercise: Critical Path
• Estimate Activity Resource
• Estimate Activity Duration
• Exercise: Estimation
• Develop Schedule
• Exercise: Crashing and Fast Tracking of schedules
• Control Schedule
• 20 Question Exam Project Cost Project Cost Management
• Estimate Costs
• Determine Budget
• Control Costs
• Exercises: Earned value
• 20 Question Exam

Project Quality Management
• Plan Quality
• Exercise: Quality Planning
• Perform quality assurance (QA)
• Perform quality control (QC)
• Exercise: Quality Assurance & Control
• 20 Question Exam

Day 3
Project Risk Management
• Plan Risk Management
• Identify Risks
• Exercise: Risk Identification
• Qualitative Risk Analysis
• Exercise: Qualitative Risk Analysis
• Quantitative Risk Analysis
• Plan Risk Responses
• Exercise: Risk Response Planning
• Monitor & Control Risks
• 20 Question Exam

Project Communications Management
• Identify Stakeholders
• Plan Communications
• Exercise: Communication Planning
• Distribute Information
• Manage stakeholders
• Report Performance
• Exercise: Project Progress Report
• 20 Question Exam

Project Human Resource Management
• Develop HR Plan
• Acquire project team
• Develop project team
• Manage project team
• Exercise: Managing teams
• 20 Question Exam

Day 4
Project Procurement Management
• Plan procurements
• Exercise: Contract Types calculations
• Conduct procurements
• Administer procurements
• Close Procurements
• 20 Question Exam

Project Professional Responsibility / Ethics
• Ensuring individual integrity and professionalism
• Contributing to the project management knowledge base
• Enhancing individual competence
• Balancing stakeholders’ interests
• 10 Question Exam

Review
• Recap / Q&A session
• Plan from here to certification exam
• Close

Enrolment and Start Dates Comment Enrol by Monday 2 September 2013
Course starts Wednesday 4 September 2013
4 days - 4, 5 & 11, 12 September 2013
Duration Four (4) Days
Course Fee €560 per person for Life Science Skillnet members
Non members additional 25%
Free of charge to Job Seekers
Available to Job Seekers: 
Yes
Certified: 
No

Lean & Quality Systems

Network: 
ULearning Skillnet
Location of Course NUI Galway
Trainer AUA/NUI Galway
Methods of Assessment Assessment of the taught modules is through continuous assignments, written examinations and in some cases practical laboratory sessions. Exams take place at the end of each semester.

The project is assessed through staged delivery of a project report. The award mark is based on an average result of all five modules.

Further Enquiries ULearning Skillnet:
Phone: 086 0214825
Email: info@ulearning.ie
Entry Requirements Applicants must be in receipt of the Diploma in Science & Technology Studies or a related Diploma or higher qualification.
Careers or Further Progression The course is intended for those who wish to focus their skills with a view to moving into specialist and hybrid lean roles e.g. internal lean consultants, waste minimisation specialists, process optimisation advisors. It will allow those with basic engineering qualifications to up-skill and specialise in lean engineering if taken as a ‘top up’ course. It will also allow those in declining sectors to convert their skills and transfer their experience to the sector e.g. unemployed manufacturing managers, operatives and technicians.

Expertise in Lean and Six Sigma is currently in strong demand across all sectors.

Course Content This one-year, part-time Diploma programme aims to promote an in-depth knowledge of the thinking and techniques behind Lean and Quality Systems in industry. These systems are particularly important in the current economic situation as they focus on ways to minimise expenditure and waste and simultaneously maximise returns.

Delivered via blended learning the course will equip participants with state-of-the-art reference materials to support module topics. Participants will gain knowledge of the Lean, Six Sigma and various other techniques and systems for streamlining products, processes and services. Problem solving skills will be developed and honed. A focused project module will require participants to apply their knowledge to real-world scenarios and engage in discussions with fellow students and module tutors which explore the key concepts in Lean and Quality Systems.

Financial Support This course may be approved by ULearning Skillnet for a fees subsidy of up to 20% for students whose company is a member of the ULearning Skillnet Network.

The following fee subventions may be available for this course:

European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) for ex. Dell workers (100%)

ULearning Unemployed Subvention (100%). Please see www.ulearning.ie for further details

NUI Galway Adult Education Unemployed Scholarship (50%). Please contact martha.higgins@nuigalway.ie for further information

Enrolment and Start Dates Comment 1 Year Course enrolment in September
Subjects Taught This Specialist Diploma consists of four inter-related taught modules and a project, each worth 6 ECTS, giving a total of 30 ECTS. The course allows students to develop specialist knowledge of lean and quality systems and to hone relevant technical and soft skills.

The four taught modules are:
Problem Solving Tools & Techniques
Enterprise Modeling & Simulation
Lean Thinking & Lean Tools
Quality Science-Six Sigma

The project topic is chosen by you in consultation with your supervisor and will be company based where possible.

Duration 1 year
Course Fee €2,000 for EU students €2,500 for non-EU students.
Available to Job Seekers: 
Yes
Certified: 
Yes

Software Engineering & Database Technologies

Network: 
ULearning Skillnet
Location of Course NUI Galway
Trainer NUI Galway
Methods of Assessment MScSED programme is delivered entirely using online learning technology so students can study when and where they want. Course materials are easy to follow and are accompanied by continuous assessment exercises, research/review questions and recommended course textbooks.

Each module is delivered over an eight-week period via asynchronous online technologies using web-supported learning. The programme coordinators provide a recommended outline of study for each of the eight-week modules to ensure students keep their progress on track. Course tutors are highly experienced in facilitating online programmes and will provide all the support students need with the programme content, as well as giving feedback on weekly assignments.

Each module is individually assessed. Students are assessed by online examinations, online assignments and a Software Development Project and Thesis or an IT Research Project and Thesis in year 2 of the programme.

Further Enquiries ULearning Skillnet:
Phone: 086 0214825
Email: info@ulearning.ie
Entry Requirements The MScSED Degree is open to honours degree graduates (minimum 2nd class honours) in Science, Engineering or other relevant discipline, and to other degree graduates with three or more years of relevant experience, and to those otherwise satisfying the MSc entry standards (degree equivalent qualifications).

Applicants with an ordinary or pass degree or Level 7 diploma must have at least three years relevant experience to be considered for the programme. If the applicant has no formal qualification at all then he/she is not eligible to apply.

Course Content This programme aims to provide a flexible, part-time, blended learning route for students to gain the necessary professional skills, conceptual frameworks, methods, technologies and hands-on experience of software development as a basis for a career in the IT industry. Students also acquire specialised knowledge of specific IT topics, particularly in the area of software development and database systems, and develop advanced research and/or development skills. The programme is offered jointly by NUI Galway and Regis University, Denver, USA.

Who is the course for?
This is an ideal programme for students who wish:
· to update their Information and Communication Technology development skills

· to learn about information technology with a specific emphasis on software development or database technologies while gaining advanced research skills

· who already work in the area, but would like to gain a recognised Masters qualification

Financial Support This course has been approved by ULearning Skillnet for a fees subsidy of up to 25% for students whose company is a member of the ULearning Skillnet network.

There are also a limited number of free places available for unemployed students who meet the required criteria by ULearning Skillnet.

Please note there are only a limited number of subsidies available for both employed and unemployed students.

Jobseekers please be advised that the Department of Social Protection (DSP) has no mandate to extend welfare support to clients undertaking NFQ Level 9 Programmes. Such programmes cannot be approved by DSP, and on that basis are designated SKN-E. Notwithstanding the above, we may offer a NFQ L.9 place to a welfare recipient. This is conditional on our network informing the individual, during the recruitment & selection phase, that the:

Welfare payment must be relinquished should he/she wish to pursue the programme

Trainee must inform the Social Welfare Local Office (SWLO), prior to commencement, about his/her intention to undertake an SKN-E programme, so that the Office can take the necessary steps to review/withdraw payment

Unfortunately, Skillnets cannot seek exceptional approval from DSP for any jobseekers that wish to accept a place on one of the ULearning Skillnet Level 9 courses.

Enrolment and Start Dates Comment 2 Year part-time. Enrolment in late August
Subjects Taught The core syllabus of the MSc in Software Engineering and Database Technologies comprises equally Software Development and Information Systems modules. Students undertake a number of optional modules during the second year allowing them to specialise in advanced software development and other computer science disciplines. Students also undertake a major research and/or development project, leading to a thesis.

The programme content is extensive and varied, and includes modules on:
o Computer Architecture & Operating Systems
o Application Programming
o Software Engineering
o Database Administration
o Database Concepts
o XML Concepts for Database Development
o Middleware Architectures and Database Applications
o Object Oriented Design
o Artificial Intelligence
o Real-Time Systems
o Graphics Programming
o Distributed Systems
o Object Oriented Programming
o Database Architecture

Duration 2 Years Part-Time
Course Fee €4,250
Available to Job Seekers: 
Yes
Certified: 
Yes

Science & Technology Studies

Network: 
ULearning Skillnet
Location of Course Galway, Cork, Limerick
Trainer AUA (Atlantic University Alliance)
The Atlantic University Alliance (AUA), is a consortium of three Universities on the Atlantic coast of Ireland - NUI, Galway, the University of Limerick and University College Cork.
Methods of Assessment This part-time programme is delivered using a blended approach. This means that you
can study using a combination of distance and online materials, as well as attending
face-to-face tutorials and lab sessions where you meet up with tutors and fellow
students. You will have approximately ten contact hours of tutorials for each module
being studied, normally on Saturdays.
Learning Outcomes The programme aims to:
• Provide you with a comprehensive grounding
in the theoretical foundations of Science
and Engineering.
• Introduce you to areas of applied and specialist
knowledge found in today’s high-tech
environments.
• Develop important managerial tools such as
problem-solving, decision-making and advanced
communication skills
Further Enquiries ULearning Skillnet:
Phone: 086 0214825
Email: info@ulearning.ie
Entry Requirements Applicants under 21 years of age on 1 January in the
year of application must have a minimum of 2
honours and 4 passes in the Leaving Certificate or
equivalent. Other applicants may enter as mature
students in which case the Leaving Cert may not be
required, but a pass standard in Maths at Leaving
Cert level is desirable.

Those who have successfully completed the Diploma can automatically progress to the Degree. Direct entry to the Degree cycle may also be possible for those with a Diploma in a related area and will be considered on a case by case basis.

Course Content Diploma / BSc Science & Technology
Core Modules Diploma Cycle
1. Introduction to Learning
2. Maths 1
3. Maths 2
4. Statistics
5. Physics 1
6. Physics 2
7. Chemistry
8. Biology & Biotechnology 1

Compulsory - Diploma Cycle
9. Information Technology
10. Organisational Behaviour
11. Intro to Management
12. Intro to Environmental Science
13. Intro to Operations Engineering
14. Operations Engineering
15. Project 1
16. Project 2

Elective
Analytical Chemistry
Intro to Quality Management
Intro to Management Science
Design of Engineering Systems
Science, Technology & Innovation

Choose
Biology & Biotechnology 2
Database Applications
Molecular Medicine
CAD Modelling

Core Modules - Degree
1. Product & Process Development
2. Health & Safety Systems
3. Project Management
4. Applied Innovation
5. Management Information Systems
6. Materials Science & Processes

Compulsory Modules - Degree
7. Research Methodology
8. Environmental Science
9. Regulatory Compliance
10. Technology Innovation & Entrepreneurship
11. Project 3

Elective Streams
Mechanical Design
Automation & Control
Lean & Quality Systems

4 Modules Per Stream Choose
Medical Device Science
Environmental Sustainability
Form & Function of the Human Body

Financial Support This course has been approved by ULearning Skillnet for a fees subsidy of up to 25% for students whose company is a member of the ULearning Skillnet network.

There are also a limited number of free places available for unemployed students who meet the required criteria by ULearning Skillnet.

Please note there are only a limited number of subsidies available for both employed and unemployed students.

Enrolment and Start Dates Comment Enrolment late August.
Subjects Taught See Course Content
Duration The Diploma consists of 20 modules to be completed over a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 4 years. 2 - 4 years for Diploma / Degree.
Course Fee The EU fee is €380 per module. The fee for the Specialist Diplomas is €1,900. Fees cover learning material, tuition and exams. The non-EU fee will include an additional payment of €500 per year.
Available to Job Seekers: 
Yes
Certified: 
Yes

Technology Management

Network: 
ULearning Skillnet
Location of Course Galway, Limerick, Cork
Trainer AUA - Atlantic University Allicance
The Atlantic University Alliance (AUA), is a consortium of three Universities on the Atlantic coast of Ireland - NUI, Galway, the University of Limerick and University College Cork.
Methods of Assessment The programme is offered over 2 years (4 semesters) on a part-time basis. Students will have a formal assessment at the end of each semester and will be required to produce a thesis based on a project carried out within their company.
Learning Outcomes Develop knowledge and understanding of the increasingly important area of technology management

Build the management and leadership capabilities of companies and individuals in this area
Enable graduates to facilitate organisational change and sustainable improvements at the enterprise level through competitive work systems and effective knowledge management

In order to achieve these aims, module assignments and the final year thesis are company-based to enhance their benefit to the company and to the student.

Further Enquiries ULearning Skillnet:
Phone: 086 0214825
Email: info@ulearning.ie
Entry Requirements Applicants are expected to hold a primary honours degree or equivalent and have at least 3 years of industrial experience. Candidates who do not meet the minimum entry criteria may apply for the postgraduate Diploma in Innovation Management or the postgraduate Diploma in Technology Commercialisation. On successful completion of either of these programmes, students may apply for entry to the MSc Technology Management with exemptions.
Course Content MSc in Technology Management - Masters Major Award Level 9
The MSc in Technology Management is a distance learning masters programme. It will provide participants with an insight into the role of technology management within the Irish and international economy. The MSc is a targeted response to a clearly identified need in specific occupations and sectors of the economy. The programme aims to develop students’ knowledge of product innovation, technology transfer, and research &, development (R&,D) processes, thus enabling participants and companies to gain competitive advantage through their technology.

The programme will bring together lecture material on strategy, policy (both national and international), recognised methodologies and skills and exploitation processes to enable participating companies to make fully informed decisions relating to all aspects of technology. Graduates of the programme will be able to guide their companies to exploit technology effectively. In so doing, it is expected that graduates will aspire to the highest level of management.

The programme aims to:
Develop knowledge and understanding of the increasingly important area of technology management

Build the management and leadership capabilities of companies and individuals in this area

Enable graduates to facilitate organisational change and sustainable improvements at the enterprise level through competitive work systems and effective knowledge management

In order to achieve these aims, module assignments and the final year thesis are company-based to enhance their benefit to the company and to the student.

Financial Support This course has been approved by ULearning Skillnet for a fees subsidy of up to 25% for students whose company is a member of the ULearning Skillnet network.

There are also a limited number of free places available for unemployed students who meet the required criteria by ULearning Skillnet.

Please note there are only a limited number of subsidies available for both employed and unemployed students.

Jobseekers please be advised that the Department of Social Protection (DSP) has no mandate to extend welfare support to clients undertaking NFQ Level 9 Programmes. Such programmes cannot be approved by DSP, and on that basis are designated SKN-E. Notwithstanding the above, we may offer a NFQ L.9 place to a welfare recipient. This is conditional on our network informing the individual, during the recruitment & selection phase, that the:

Welfare payment must be relinquished should he/she wish to pursue the programme

Trainee must inform the Social Welfare Local Office (SWLO), prior to commencement, about his/her intention to undertake an SKN-E programme, so that the Office can take the necessary steps to review/withdraw payment

Unfortunately, Skillnets cannot seek exceptional approval from DSP for any jobseekers that wish to accept a place on one of the ULearning Skillnet Level 9 courses.

Enrolment and Start Dates Comment 2 Years part-time, enrolment September each year
Subjects Taught Innovation Management
• To understand innovation as a management process and determine how innovation an be identified Analysed, monitored and implemented within organisations.
• To develop critical understanding of the techniques for diagnosing the need for innovation and change.
• To identify what is required to empower individuals in the area of innovation.

Managing Technology Projects
• To gain an understanding of the systems approach to management and balance traditional problem solving with systemic thinking.
• To understand project management through handling technology-related work as project work.
• To apply the tools and techniques of project management to maximise the successful delivery of technology.

Product Design and Development
• To provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of process and product development from concept to implementation **or** market introduction in the case of new products. This understanding should be based on knowledge of the various methodologies and tools used by product **or** process development teams. The methodologies and tools will be presented in the context of various models of the overall process and will be illustrated with industrial case studies.
• To provide an overview of today’s process and product development environment, including consideration of Extended Enterprise, Virtual Enterprise, Vendor-Customer co-design and co-makership issues. The nature and operation of shared design and manufacturing partnerships.

Innovation and Technology Transfer
• To provide the student with the knowledge and skills necessary to forecast the future technological needs of their organisations, to evaluate the possible sources of new technology, and to manage the transfer of new products and processes, into *or* out of their organisations.

• Participants will develop the ability to identify new technology platforms of potential strategic importance and to successfully assimilate such platforms into their firms.
• The module will also address the different mechanisms through which firms can gain the maximum return from technologies that they have developed. These include patents, licensing, and trading in technical know-how.

Marketing Technology Products
• To provide an understanding of the key marketing concepts in business generally and technology in particular.
• To be capable of analysing markets for technology products/services.
• To produce a marketing plan for a technology company (their own *or* another actual company).
• To provide the participant with an understanding of the selling process.

Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship
• Present a curriculum in the area of Technology Innovation &, Entrepreneurship that reflects the needs of the user.
• Provide easy to access, state of the art reference material in the area of Technology Innovation &, Entrepreneurship to help learners to understand the essential fundamental concepts involved in the discipline.
• Equip participants with the values, best practices, skills and supporting tools necessary to effectively design, develop and deploy technical projects in their organisations and to empower users to autonomously apply these concepts and tools.
• To provide information on project managing an innovative idea
Technology Finance and Capital
• To ensure that participants understand how investment decisions are made in large corporations and in SMEs. This is a key issue for executives seeking to persuade their superiors *or* Boards of Directors of the efficacy of particular investments in equipment and other assets. It is also a key issue for producers of equipment and other assets since these tools are generally used to guide investment (and hence purchasing) decisions.
• To ensure that participants understand how financial assets (debt and equity claims) are priced in order to build credible proposals for bank and venture capital investment.
• To develop an appreciation of the relation between new manufacturing technologies and cost structures. New manufacturing technologies result in a radical realignment of cost structures and hence impact upon many operational and strategic decisions.

Strategy ,&, Management of Technology
• To introduce participants to the basic theoretical and empirical contributions of management theory and practice, including operations management.
• To provide participants with an overview of the strategy process from conceptual and applied perspectives, introducing the concepts, theories and techniques of strategic management.
• To investigate the main components of strategic management, product life cycles and new technological developments.
• To provide insight into the impacts of value chain analysis, supply chain management and first mover advantages on the competitive dynamics of an industry.
• To highlight the impact of strategic alliances, licensing agreements and corporate venturing on technology leadership.
• To introduce participants to the nature, functioning and evolution of manufacturing, communications, information and emergent technologies in todays global society, allowing participants to assess the impact of technological change.
• To outline the importance of national and international technology policy in the pursuance of a technology driven core competence, including the impact of innovation systems on national and regional groupings.
• To equip participants to contribute effectively to the strategy process and operations function from a direct line *or* staff position.

People Management for Technology Organisations
• To understand the human resource contribution to organisational effectiveness and culture management.
• To evaluate the range of internal and external factors shaping group dynamics, management choice and organisational development.
• To understand the dimensions of the psychological contract and its implications for organisational effectiveness.
• To create awareness of the relationship between quality systems and the development of world-class competitive capabilities: speed, cost, dependability, quality and innovation.
• To develop understanding of HRM problems associated with delayering, team working, re-engineering, downsizing and the introduction of technical change.
• To provide a range of tools and techniques useful to diagnose, audit and resolve human resource problems associated with technology management initiatives.
• To equip participants with an understanding of the complexity of mobilising change initiatives within organisations.
• To equip participants in understanding and utilising the political and power bases within organisations and the role of leadership in managing innovation and implementing change.

Information System &, Software Management
• To consider the role of information technology in actual product development. The material covered here would include prototyping, product data management systems, workflow systems and case-based reasoning (CBR).
• To develop a knowledge about electronic commerce and electronic work and discuss its application to supply chain management.
• To consider how information technology might support the actual management of product development. The material covered would include knowledge management systems, computer-mediated communication, intranets, groupware, and issues to do with knowledge creation, storage, transfer and reuse.
• The objective of this module is: to consider the role of information technology in organisational development, to consider how information technology might support the actual management of continuous improvement in a process/service life cycle, to consider how IT can support the development of the organisation.

Lean Tools &, Techniques
This module will explain the concepts behind the Lean tools, and will examine the various elements involved in effectively using these tools to support the organisation''s Lean transformation. The aims of this module are:
• To describe what Lean actually means
• To inform you of its contextual perspective
• To provide students with a working knowledge of many of the main tools available within the Lean toolbox
• To describe Organisation Planning approaches
• To explain and provide students with Process techniques to support Lean implementation
• To explain how to build quality into the manufacturing process
• To describe and explain the extended Lean enterprise.

Six Sigma
This module will introduce and use the Statistics appropriate for master black belt level Six Sigma. Delivery will include a practical application of software tools to undertake statistical analysis.

Areas covered include:
• History and development of traditional quality control techniques, Statistical quality control, inspection and detection methods, Taguchi and the design of metrics
• Fundamental Statistics, Basic distribution theory, Graphs, histograms, location, spread, Box-plots
• Statistical Process Control, Various types of control charts for both variable and attribute data
• Basic Six Sigma Statistics, T-tests, Regression, Decision making under uncertainty, hypothesis testing and analysis of variance
• Introduction to Design of Experiments
• Advanced Six Sigma Statistics
• Process capability indices
• Introduction to Reliability Theory
• Design of Experiments Fractional and factorial designs
• Taguchi methods, EVOP (evolutionary operation) experimentation.

Duration 2 years (4 semesters)
Course Fee €7,900 each year for two years. The fee includes registration, exam and tutor fees, course material, meals and refreshments during seminars held at the distance education locations.
Available to Job Seekers: 
Yes
Certified: 
Yes
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