Course Title: Higher Certificate in Electronic and Information Engineering
Note: This course is open for Advanced Entry applications only.
To qualify for Advanced Entry applicants must be currently studying, completing, or have successfully completed, studies at Level 6, 7 or 8 in a Higher Education Institution (HEI) or an equivalent, in a related area. You must demonstrate by providing transcripts of results that you have achieved the learning outcomes for each stage you wish to advance past, for example:
- To enter Year 2 via Advanced Entry, you must demonstrate that you have met the learning outcomes for Year 1.
- For entry to Year 3, you must demonstrate that you have met the learning outcomes for Years 1 and 2.
- For entry to Year 4, you must demonstrate that you have met the learning outcomes for Years 1, 2, and 3.
If English is not your first language you will need to provide evidence of your English language proficiency as detailed on our website.
Technicians are required to complete two years of specialised education, leading to a Higher Certificate in Electronic and Information Engineering. You’ll be introduced to the fundamentals of electronics, computers, networking, data, and software systems. You will learn about capturing data, using data to control systems, information communications systems, as well as network engineering and programming.
In Year 2, working on a hands-on project and solving a real engineering problem, will help you to develop strong design and practical skills. Finding solutions to problems is a major part of any engineering job. At the end of the course, you’ll understand the operation of computer based systems and be ready to work at technician level in an advanced and modern industry or stay on to achieve further academic awards. A typical week consists of 24 contact hours. You’ll spend around 60% of this time working with advanced equipment and software development systems in our laboratories. And you’ll work with lecturers on real problems from industry, allowing you to develop professional engineering skills.
Electronic engineering technicians work in various settings, including research, engineering, manufacturing and maintenance. They may use their skills to repair, test and evaluate a wide variety of electronic equipment. Popular career options include:
- Electronic Engineering Technician
- Hardware Repair Technician
- Electronics Installer and Rebuilder
- Industrial Electronics Technician
- Computer Networks Technician
- Electro-Mechanical Engineering Technician
Semester 1:
- Critical Skills Development
This Module will focus, in particular, on the development of critical skills such as research skills, learning skills, the skills of academic writing and referencing, critical thinking, communication and interpersonal skills/teamwork.
- Electrical Circuits 1
This Module aims to cover the basic elements of direct current circuits, using components, measurement techniques and important issues surrounding electrical safety when constructing and testing DC circuits.
- Electronic Workshop
The aim of Electronic Workshop is to enable the student to acquire competency in the safe use of electronic laboratory test equipment and to acquire competency in constructing and testing electronic assemblies.
- Interactive Computer Programming
This module is a practical introduction to the basics of computer programming. Students will learn to write simple programs using the Processing programming language which is based on Java.
- Mathematics 1
This subject supports other Electronic Engineering subjects in year 1 by covering algebra, coordinate geometry of the plane, right angled triangles, oscillations and complex numbers.
- Physics
This subject is an introduction to the basic principles of physics and aims to provide student with skills necessary to apply concepts in the areas of mechanics, heat, waves and light to Engineering.
Semester 2:
- Analogue Electronics Fundamentals
The student is familiarised with a range of semiconductor components and the relevant measurement techniques involved in constructing and testing simple analogue circuits.
- Computer Aided Design
This module provides the student with the opportunity of using an industry standard application providing for schematic capture, simulation and design of a printed circuit board (PCB).
- Digital Systems 1
The purpose of this module is to provide an understanding of digital combinational logic design techniques, synchronous design, use of timing diagrams and test and debug of digital circuits.
- Electrical Circuits 2
This module aims to provide an introduction to AC signals and the basic elements of AC circuits, and the concept of a phasor is introduced and applied to solve a variety of reactive circuits.
- Interactive Embedded Systems
This module is a practical introduction to embedded computer programming and computer interfacing.
- Mathematics 2
This subject aims to make the student highly proficient in a range of mathematical techniques in linear algebra, analysis and calculus required to support Electronic Engineering subjects.
Semester 1:
- Computer Network Fundamentals
The aim of this module is to give the student an introduction to the fundamentals of computer networking including an introduction to the physical layer, the concept of framing, the role of the network layer, an introduction to IP, the role of the Transport layer and example protocols.
- Digital Systems 2
This module provides an understanding of digital sequential logic design practices as well as the construction of sequential circuits, and the test and debug of digital circuits.
- JAVA
The aim of this module is to teach the student how to implement an algorithm in Java source code
- Introduction to Smart Sensors(Elective)
In this module the emphasis is on wireless integration and embedded software using a low cost microcontroller platform.
- Smart Wireless Communications(Elective)
This module introduces the concepts of wireless communications with specific focus on devices having network connectivity for sending and receiving data.
- Mathematics 3
This Module aims to equip the student with the skills to apply probability theory and statistical distributions to Electronic Engineering problems.
- Project 1
The Project Module aims to equip the student with the skills necessary to research, construct and troubleshoot a basic electronic\electrical circuit.
Note: The student must select only one Elective Module
Semester 2:
- Control Systems
The aim of this module is to introduce the key concepts of control systems to the student and aspects of digital control are introduced using PLC and digital sensors
- Microprocessor Fundamentals
The module emphasis is on understanding the hardware architecture, instruction set and assembly language programming.
- Routers and Switches
The aim of this Module is to provide the student with the skill-sets required to configure routers and switches in computer networks.
- GUI Development (Elective)
The aim of this module is to build on the previous Java module and provide the student with the fundamental skills for the development graphical user interfaces (GUIs) for applications and applets using Java.
- Solid State Electronics (Elective)
The aim of this module is to provide the student with a broad knowledge of analogue circuit techniques including the design of amplifier circuits.
- Mathematics 4
This Module builds on the student’s ability to use calculus, to introduce more advanced techniques of integration and their application to separable differential equations, and to analogue signals via Laplace transforms and digital signals via Fourier coefficients.
- Project 2
The Project 2 Module is a continuation of Project 1 and equips the student with the skills necessary to research, construct and troubleshoot a basic electronic\electrical circuit.
Note: The student must select only one Elective Module
Advanced Entry applications are accepted to this course. For further information on how to make an Advanced Entry application, please visit our CAO Hub. A full list of courses open for Advanced Entry is detailed on the CAO website.
The Higher Certificate in Engineering helped start me on the path to gaining a career in engineering.
The Higher Certificate in Electronic Engineering gave me the opportunity to enter third-level education and progress to the B.Eng, B.Eng(Hons) and Master’s qualifications.
When I finished the Higher Certificate in Electronic Engineering I was able to apply for a technician post with Intel Ireland. I can now continue my B.Eng studies on a part-time basis.