Engineering - Instrument Engineering - Cork
Instrument engineering is the multidisciplinary specialisation centred on the principles of operation and applications of the diverse instrumentation used to measure, control and automate processes and systems throughout industry and society. Within process industries such as pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, food, beverages and water, instrument engineering contributes significantly to quality, safety, productivity, and efficiency.
| Award Name | Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | Munster Technological University |
| NFQ Level | Level 8 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) | Major | Munster Technological University | Level 8 NFQ |
Duration
4 Years (8 Semesters)
Specific Subjects or course requirements
Score the necessary CAO points and meet Leaving Certificate Minimum entry requirements
6 Subjects
Subjects O6/H7 4
Subjects H5 2
Maths Grade 06/H7
English or Irish Grade O6/H7
Leaving Certificate General Entry Requirements
Minimum entry requirements may be satisfied by the results of more than one Leaving Certificate. The minimum entry requirements may be varied for non-standard applicants and holders of QQI-FET awards.
2nd Chance Maths Exam
Some students who apply for MTU courses may not achieve the required entry standard in Maths through the Leaving Certificate examination. For such applicants, the University offers a second chance to reach the required entry standard through a MTU Maths Exam.
This second chance facility allows applicants (depending on their results in the MTU Maths Exam) to gain entry to courses with an Ordinary Leaving Certificate Maths entry standard and (with a higher level of performance) courses with a Higher Leaving Certificate Maths entry standard.
Common Bonus Points Scale for Higher Level Maths
A bonus of 25 points is awarded to applicants who achieve a grade H6 or above in higher level (HL) Maths.
Formula:
All students presenting H6 or above in HL Maths will have 25 points added to their score for Maths.
The six highest subject points scores will then be counted to achieve a cumulative points score, as is normal practice. The bonus points will only be relevant in cases where the subject HL mathematics (including bonus points) is scored as one of the candidate’s six best subjects for points purposes. Consequently, if HL mathematics (cumulative points score) is not among these six subjects, the bonus points will not be included in the total points score. Bonus points will be awarded irrespective of the year in which the examinations were taken.
Foundation Maths
A minimum grade of F2 in foundation level Maths fulfils the minimum entry requirements in Maths for the following programmes
MT 541 Bachelor of Business
MT 571 BA in Early Childhood Education and Care
MT 574 BA in Social Care
MT 654 HC in Arts in Hospitality Studies
MT 655 HC in Arts in Culinary Studies
MT 941 Bachelor of Business (Honours)
MT 971 BA (Honours) in Early Childhood Education and Care
MT 974 BA (Honours) in Social Care
Maths is not required for entry to:
MT 575 BA in Community Development
MT 572 BA in Early Childhood Education & Care
MT 820 BA (Honours) in Contemporary Applied Art (Ceramics, Glass, Textiles)
MT 821 BA (Honours) in Fine Art
MT 822 BA (Honours) in Photography with New Media
MT 823 BA (Honours) in Visual Communications
MT 931 BA (Honours) in Popular Music - Electric Guitar
MT 932 BA (Honours) in Popular Music - Electric Bass Guitar
MT 933 BA (Honours) on Poplular Music - Keyboards
MT 934 BA (Honours) in Popular Music - Drums
MT 935 BA (Honours) in Popular Music - Voice
MT 936 BA (Honours) in Music
MT 938 BA (Honours) in Musical Theatre
MT 939 BA (Honours in Theatre and Drama Studies
Although not a requirement, if an applicant achieves a minimum grade of F2 in foundation level Maths this grade is recognised for entry and CAO points are awarded as follows: F1 = 20 points, F2 = 12 points.
Full details of minimum entry requirements for courses are outlined in the relevant course webpage. Applicants are advised to check the relevant subjects, tests, portfolios, and dates very carefully. In particular, there are early assessment procedures for some courses.
Leaving Certificate Vocational Progamme LCVP
Holders of the LCVP apply in the normal way through the CAO. Points are awarded on the same basis as for the Leaving Certificate. The link modules ‘subject’ may not be used to meet the minimum entry requirements.
Leaving Certificate Applied Programme LCAP
The LCA subjects do not meet the minimum requirements for entry to MTU full-time courses. Holders of Leaving Certificate Applied qualifications may wish to proceed to a FET-QQI course and in turn apply to third level on the basis of their FET-QQI award.
Careers / Further progression
Further Studies
MTU offers opportunities for suitably qualified graduates to proceed to postgraduate study with research teams based at MTU’s Centre for Advanced Photonics & Process Analysis, CAPPA (www. cappa.ie), the Tyndall National Institute (www.tyndall.ie), and elsewhere.
Career Opportunities
Graduates typically work as instrument engineers, automation engineers or control engineers within chemical, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, oil/gas, food, beverage and water treatment companies that use instrumentation to improve productivity, safety, reliability, quality, etc.
Significant employment opportunities exist for graduates in design, manufacture and supply instrumentation to the above industries. Opportunities are also available within the engineering consultancies and systems integrators who provide such industries with turn-key solutions to their manufacturing challenges.
Further information
20
Entry 2025
Early online application (discounted): Fee €30 Closing Date: 20 January 2025 at 5pm
Normal online application: Fee €45 Closing Date: 1 February 2025 at 5pm
Late online application - restrictions apply (see page 3 2025 CAO Handbook): Fee: €60 Closing Date: 1 May 2025 at 5pm
Change of Mind - restrictions apply (see page 3 2025 CAO Handbook): Fee: Nil Closing Date: 1 July 2025 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 2025. The closing date for late applications is 5pm on 1 May 2025, subject to the restrictions listed on page 3 of the 2025 CAO Handbook. The online facility for late applications opens on the 5 March 2025 at 12:00 noon - a fee of €60 applies.
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 2025 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
Overview
Instrument engineering is the multidisciplinary specialisation centred on the principles of operation and applications of the diverse instrumentation used to measure, control and automate processes and systems throughout industry and society. Within process industries such as pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, food, beverages and water, instrument engineering contributes significantly to quality, safety, productivity, and efficiency.
This multidisciplinary course provides a comprehensive foundation of physical science, mathematics, electronics, measurement technology and information technology on which a range of specialist instrument engineering modules are developed. There is a continual emphasis throughout the course on the design standards and best practice relevant to instrument engineering.
During the work placement in year 3, students will gain direct experience in the practice of instrument engineering within an industry, organisation or research group in Ireland or abroad.
In year 4 there is a major project where students will be able to design, develop and implement measurement and control systems. Students will also manage, evaluate and critically analyse complex instrumentation and process control installations.
First Year at a Glance:
• Computing: enabling students to use technology for instrumentation
• Mathematics: developing the tools for instrument calibration and automation
• Chemical Principles: physical sciences to the fundamentals of atomic theory, chemical bonding, the periodic table, physical states of matter, and stoichiometric calculations
• Fundamental Physics: an introductory course comprising foundation physics topics relevant to all fields of science
• Sensors and Systems: the components of measurement systems using a variety of sensors
• Measurement and calibration of sensors used for industry
• Creativity, Innovation and Teamwork: team building, independent working and communication skills development
Accreditation
This honours degree is recognised by the Institute of Physics. Graduates of recognised degrees qualify for associate membership upon graduation and may apply for full membership after appropriate work experience. The Institute of Physics provides routes for suitably qualified and experienced members to become Chartered Physicists and Chartered Engineers. Further details can be found on the Institute of Physics website. This degree is also currently in review for accreditation by the Institute of Measurement and Control.
Question Time
Is this a science course or an engineering course?
While the qualification is that of a science degree (BSc), graduates find employment in a range of scientific and engineering roles. This is a multidisciplinary course with a mix of science and engineering modules. This broad base provides graduates with a skill set that provides a wide range of employment opportunities and the ability to adapt to rapidly changing technologies.
What level of mathematics is recommended?
Honours mathematics is not required, but as with all physical science and engineering courses numeracy is essential and you need to be comfortable with mathematics.
What personal skills are most suited to the course and subsequent careers?
Motivation, initiative, dependability, commitment, and analytical ability.
What should my interests be?
How things work, problem-solving and meeting technical challenges.
Where am I likely to work?
There are excellent employment opportunities locally, nationally and internationally for graduates. These opportunities are in biopharmachem, biotech and other process industries. Employment is either directly with these companies or in the systems integrators and engineering consultancies that support these companies.
Aidan O’Connell
T: 021 433 5595
E: aidan.oconnell@mtu.ie