Masters Degrees (Nuig)

About the Course

Water security is a major concern facing humanity and engineers are the primary professionals tackling this issue. Annually, more than 3.4 million people die from water related diseases while 1 in 9 people world-wide do not have access to safe and clean drinking water and 1 in 3 people world-wide are affected by water scarcity. In addition, population growth, urbanisation, climate change and increasing energy demands, are placing unprecedented pressures on our finite water resources. This 1-year MSc programme aims to equip students with the skills needed to design solutions to deliver safe/clean water. The programme will also give opportunities to students to study the economics and management of large projects.

Programme Objectives

The MSc in Water resources Engineering will provide students with the technical competences to provide solutions to water security issues. Core modules will address technical aspects of water provision, water resource management and water / wastewater treatment. A primary objective of the programme is to ensure that students have a thorough understanding of modern hydrological modelling tools. The programme has a strong emphasis on the design of hydrological systems, with students working in groups to solve real-world problems. Graduates of this programme will be in a position to make significant contributions to solving water resource problems in both industry and academic roles worldwide.

Programme Structure and Content

This is a 90ECTS programme, one full year in duration, starting in September and finishing August. The programme comprises an individual research project and thesis (30 ECTS), an integrated group design project (15 ECTS) and a number of taught (core and elective) modules (55 ECTS).

The core taught modules include: Hydrology & Water Resources Engineering, Hydrological Modelling, Design of Sustainable Environmental Systems, Water Quality, Water Resources in Arid Regions, and Applied Field Hydrogeology. Sample elective modules include: Computational Methods in Engineering, Global Change, Offshore & Coastal Engineering, Environmental Economics, Project Management, and Estimates and Costing of Engineering Projects.

The Integrated Group Design Project involves the design of components of a water supply and/or treatment system and will be typical of real-world water resources engineering project. Each student will also complete an individual minor research thesis in the area of water resources engineering. This thesis accounts for one third of the overall programme mark.

What’s Special About CoEI/NUIG in this Area

• Water engineering has been taught at graduate level at NUI Galway for over 40 years. During this period students from over 50 countries have graduated from NUI Galway.
• The MSc in Water Resources Engineering is a re-launch of NUI Galway's International Postgraduate Hydrology Programme established by the late Prof Eamonn Nash. Many of the staff who lectured on the Hydrology Programme contribute to the current programme; so the recognised tradition of world-class teaching in water engineering at NUI Galway continues.
• Currently NUIG staff are involved in large-scale funded research projects in water resources, facilitated by the world-class research facilities at NUI Galway.

Testimonials

"It was a privilege and a pleasure to participate in the Galway MSc programme with world renowned hydrologists, excellent technicians and support staff, and Irish and international students. The comprehensive programme provided an excellent basis for my subsequent career in hydrology."
Charles Pearson, MSc Hydrology, NUIG, 1990 Graduating Class
Regional Manager, National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, New Zealand

"I am fortunate enough to have completed a world-class course in Hydrology at National University of Ireland, Galway which was taught by world-leading academics and researchers. Since my course completion in 1990, I have been able to play a key role in hydrologic application and research in Bangladesh and Australia based on the knowledge I gained from my studies in Galway."
Professor Ataur Rahman, MSc Hydrology, NUIG, 1990 Graduating Class
Water and Environmental Engineering, School of Computing, Engineering and Mathematics, University of Western Sydney

"NUI Galway gave me priceless experiences; it was my first travel outside the Philippines. Being a graduate of NUI Galway opened doors of opportunities for me. My being who I am now started with my NUI Galway experience and I will always be grateful to the institution, to my friends and to my former professors."
Dolores San Diego-Cleofas, MSc Hydrology, NUIG, 1995 Graduating Class,
Assistant Professor at University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Phillipines

How to Apply

Applications are made online via the Postgraduate Applications Centre (PAC): https://www.pac.ie
Please use the following PAC application code for your programme:
M.Sc. Water Resources Engineering - PAC code GYE23

Scholarship Opportunities

There are a number of funding opportunities for International Students planning to attend NUI Galway. Information on these can be found at: http://www.nuigalway.ie/international-students/feesfinance/internationalscholarships/

The College of Engineering and Informatics will also award the Nash Scholarship in Water Resource Engineering. This is in memory of our deceased colleague, Eamonn Nash who was our Professor of Engineering Hydrology for many years, and was a well-known in the international engineering community. The “Nash cascade” and “Nash-Sutcliffe coefficient” were named after him, and these still feature in scholarly publications. Over four hundred senior hydrologists throughout the world received their post-graduate hydrological education at this University. Please visit our website for more information on scholarships: http://www.nuigalway.ie/engineering-informatics/internationalpostgraduatestudents/feesandscholarships/

The MSc in Water Resources Engineering is accredited by Irish Aid as an eligible course for their International Fellowship Training Programme (IFTP). Through the IFTP, Irish Aid provides funding for students from eligible developing countries to undertake postgraduate studies on selected courses in colleges and universities in Ireland. More information on Irish Aid Fellowships can be found on the website of the Irish Council for International Students at:
http://www.icosirl.ie/eng/irish_aid_fellowships/fellowship_training_programme

Further information is available on our website:
http://www.nuigalway.ie/engineering-informatics/internationalpostgraduatestudents/mscwaterresourcesengineering/

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PROGRAMME OVERVIEW

Galway’s identity is intertwined with the coast. The Discipline of Geography, with strong links with The Ryan Institute which identifies marine and coastal processes as a Priority Research Area, is delighted to offer a brand new structured postgraduate programme in NUIG. This programme is designed to train skilled personnel, who can advise on, organise and regulate an informed development of coastal and marine resources and activities in Ireland, the European Union and worldwide. Ireland’s coastal and marine environments are a vital natural resource. This value is reflected in a broad range of current EU directives and strategies aimed at taking full advantage of these resources while also enhancing our natural environments. The Irish Government has recently launched an integrated plan (Our Ocean Wealth), seeking to put into operation these EU policies for our coastal and marine resources. While rapid growth is expected as these new plans come into action, they are not without risks. A recent report by the Marine Institute outlined some challenges: a need to develop our environmental understanding; the challenge posed by climate change; protecting biodiversity; enhancing monitoring capability; greater integration of science, management and advice. The key to achieving the true sustainable development of our coastal and marine resources may be through new educational programmes. On the one hand, facilitating existing managers and planners through targeted learning in this expanding field, while on the other hand, training our current students to be the future decision-makers in these coastal and marine environments.

This is a highly opportune time for an MSc in Coastal and Marine Environments: physical processes, policy and practice. This MSc programme, theoretically informed and with a strong field-based and applied focus, is offered in direct response to newly emerging discourses on the long term health of coastal and marine environments. It seeks to challenge and facilitate students to engage with but go beyond established scientific conceptual and theoretical perspectives, engage new ways of understanding the complexities of our evolving physical coastal and marine environments, and develop critical insights that can support policy and practice in sustaining these increasingly vulnerable environments.

PROGRAMME STRUCTURE

The MSc in Coastal and Marine Environments is a full-time postgraduate course delivered over 3 semesters (12 months). The programme was devised by a team of academics from the Discipline of Geography who have been involved in priority EU-funded and US National Science Foundation (NSF) research on contemporary and future challenges facing coastal and marine areas, including the ANCORIM (Atlantic Network for Coastal Risk Management) (INTERREG) and MARNET (Marine Atlantic Regions Network) (FP7) projects, as well as local and national-level projects on the same. The team is engaged in a broad range of scientific investigation of the physical environment, with an excellent international publication record. Students will become active members of ongoing research programmes and will learn the research and publication process.

There is a strong focus on the formulation of coastal and marine policies and strategies; the identity and role of stakeholders; the nature and impact of local, national and European governance; and the historic and contemporary approaches used to understand the physical processes that control the characteristics of our coast. Development of skills is supported by a significant focus on practical and field-based learning, including short field courses in Ireland and work placements.

It is directed at graduates from Geography, Natural Sciences and other related disciplines in the social and natural sciences, and at professionals in the field who are interested in furthering their knowledge of coastal and marine environments. Students will be required to conduct socially relevant research that addresses the roles of agencies and policy structures in coastal and marine environments.

CAREER OPPORTUNTIES

With coastal and marine resources increasingly promoted as being central to revitalising the Irish economy, the coming years will require well-informed and educated leaders who understand the complexities of the interaction between the economy and health of these environments. This, added to the broader national and European focus on the coastal zone and the urgent need for more Higher Education courses which recognise the renewed importance of sustainability of coastal and marine activities and the multifunctional facets of these areas, should present graduates of this course with opportunities across various fields ( coastal and marine science, environmental consultancy, local/regional/state management agencies, government and policy institute research, politics and governance of the environment, sustainable energy, research laboratories and programmes, teaching, heritage, tourism, etc.). The work placement programme will aid in professional development and offer links with potential employers, giving our students realistic and desirable career opportunities, and built-in work experience upon graduation.

PhD Entry: the MSc Programme can be used as a platform for potential doctoral PhD candidates for research programmes in Geography and our partners in NUIG, especially the Ryan Institute, and abroad. This will encourage the growth and visibility, at home and abroad, of the coastal and marine priority theme research clusters in NUIG.

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Entry Requirements

Applicants must have the following academic qualifications:
(a) An honours Bachelor degree (major award at Level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications) or a major award at Level 9 or a major award at Level 10 on the National Framework of Qualifications, and

(b) one of the following sets of second level qualifications:

(i) in the Leaving Certificate Examination from 1969 onwards: a grade C3 or above in Higher Level Irish; a grade D3 or above in Mathematics (Ordinary or Higher level); and a grade C3 or above in English (Ordinary level) or grade D3 or above in English (Higher level); or

(ii) in the Leaving Certificate Examination prior to 1969, Honours in Irish and passes in English and Mathematics; or

(iii) in the Northern Ireland GCSE and GCE A Level Examinations: a Grade C at GCE A Level Irish; a Grade C at GCSE Level in both English and English Literature or Grade B at GCSE Level in either; and a Grade D at GCSE Level in Additional Mathematics or a Grade C at GCSE Level in Mathematics.

Applicants must provide evidence to the Higher Education Institution that their degree is placed as a major award at the appropriate level on the National Framework of Qualifications. Applicants must meet all entry requirements by Friday 3rd July 2016 and provide documentary evidence of meeting these requirements.

Please note that a minimum entry requirement of a H2.2 Bachelor Degree at Level 8 will apply from September 2016.

Alternatives to second-level qualifications in Irish, English or Maths:
A Pass in a University First Arts Examination in Irish, English or Mathematics will be accepted in lieu of the Leaving Certificate Examination GCE/GCSE requirement for the relevant subject.

In the case of Irish, a Grade C in the Matriculation Examination (which existed up to 1992) will also be accepted in lieu of the Leaving Certificate Examination/GCE/GCSE requirement. In addition, the following are accepted as satisfying the Leaving Certificate Examination/GCE/GCSE requirement:
· Dioplóma sa Ghaeilge, Level C1, NUIG

· Dioplóma sa Ghaeilge, Level B2, NUIG

· Dioplóma sa Ghaeilge, NUI Maynooth

· Teastas Eorpach na Gaeilge (TEG) at Level B2, NUI Maynooth

· Diploma in Arts (Applied Irish), University College Cork

· Dioplóma sa Ghaeilge Fheidhmeach, UCD

· Dioplóma sa Ghaeilge (An Ghaeilge sa Saol Comhaimseartha), University of Limerick

· Diploma in Irish at the University of Ulster

In the case of Mathematics, a Pass in that subject in the Matriculation Examination will also be accepted in lieu of the Leaving Certificate Examination/GCSE requirement.

Eligible applicants will be required to undergo an Interview and an Oral Irish Examination. Applicants who get a "fail" grade in either the Interview or oral Irish Examination will be eliminated from the competition. The purpose of the Interview is to ascertain the suitability of the applicant for participation in a primary teacher education programme.

The Oral Irish Examination will comprise:
- conversation on everyday topics and on books read by the applicant; and
- reading correctly and intelligently a suitable passage of prose or poetry and explaining the matter read.

Applicants should note that a high standard of fluency is required in the Oral Irish Examination and should prepare for the examination accordingly.

Applicants will be advised by the relevant Centre (Dublin and/or Limerick) of the date, time, venue, etc, of their Interview and Oral Irish Examination and must attend these examinations at their own expense. The location will be either Dublin and/or Limerick.

Overview

The Professional Masters of Education (Primary) is a full-time, two year course designed to equip student-teachers with the range of knowledge and skill related to the profession of primary school teaching and its curriculum. The course structure enables student-teachers to make real connections between the theory and practice of education. This is achieved through the blend of methodology and foundation discipline courses on offer.

See the website https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/froebel-department-primary-and-early-childhood-education/our-courses/professional-master-education-primary

Course Structure

The course comprises aspects of teacher education such as foundation studies (e.g. psychology, sociology, history and philosophy of education), professional skills development (e.g. developing high levels of competency in professional English, Mathematics and Irish) and curriculum and methodology (e.g. pedagogy associated with the primary school curriculum).

Career Options

The Professional Masters of Education (Primary) is designed to prepare students to be primary school teachers in the Republic of Ireland.

How To Apply

Applications to Froebel Department of Primary and Early Childhood Education, Maynooth University and Marino Institute of Education, Dublin should be completed online at maestro.mie.ie/appcentre this system will open at 5pm on January 30.

The closing date for receipt of completed applications is 5p.m. on Friday, 10th March.

All applicants should also note the selection procedure detailed here https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/froebel-department-primary-and-early-childhood-education/professional-masters-education-primary-teaching

Find information on Scholarships here https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/study-maynooth/postgraduate-studies/fees-funding-scholarships

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About the Programme

The MSc in Biomedical Science (via Distance Learning) is ideal for those interested in earning a Master’s degree while continuing to work. Developed for working graduates of engineering, technology or science who wish to upskill or change career direction, the 14 module course will introduce students to interdisciplinary research using technologies and skills from scientific, engineering and clinical disciplines. Modules include: Molecular & Cellular Biology, Anatomy (gross and histology), Innovation & Technology Transfer, Biomaterials, Molecular & Regenerative Medicine, Pharmacology & Toxicology, Tissue Engineering, Stereology, Biomechanics, Project Management, Experimental Design and Data Analysis, Monitoring for Health Hazards at Work, Lasers & Applications, Product Development, Validation and Regulation. Course contributors include senior academics, industry experts and scientists who are actively engaged in research in all areas of biomedical science.
The NUI Galway programme is based within the National Centre for Biomedical Engineering Science (NCBES), an interdisciplinary centre of research excellence with a primary focus on five research themes that include; Biomedical Engineering, Cancer, Infectious Disease, Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine (see http://www.ncbes.ie for more details).

Career Opportunities

Current participants work in medical device and pharmaceutical companies including Boston Scientific, Abbott, Medtronic, Elan, Stryker, Allergan, Advanced Surgical Concepts, Pfizer, and Tyco Healthcare. Whether industry- or healthcare-based, precise job descriptions vary from sales, to R&D engineers. Completion of this new distance-learning biomedical science programme will broaden career prospects of new graduates and those who have already joined the work force.
As a current participant has said, “I feel the course has enhanced my position in my company, as well as opening up other career opportunities. It is a course well-worth pursuing,” Dermot, Senior Process Development Engineer.

A Prime Location

The NUI Galway campus offers students the vibrancy and activity of a bustling community with over 40,000 students. Offering an extensive range of academically-challenging undergraduate and postgraduate degrees and diplomas of international quality, NUIG’s programmes provide students with opportunities for personal and academic development, as well as equipping them with the skills and knowledge necessary to embark on successful careers. The University's long-standing policy of innovative programme development ensures that the teaching programmes respond to the ever-changing needs of employers and of the economy.
Being a University City, Galway is a lively energetic place throughout the year. The University, situated close to the heart of Galway, enjoys an intimate relationship with the city and during the academic year, 15% of the population of the city are students. A compact, thriving city, Galway caters to youth like few other places can. The University's graduates have played a pivotal role in all areas of the development of Galway, including the arts, industry and commerce.

Programme Delivery

The course is delivered over two years, based on a blended learning format; a mixture of face-to-face contact (approximately 9 hours per module) in addition to 12-18 hours per week of self-directed study combined with e-tutorial on-line support. Students attend on-campus lectures/tutorials on a Friday afternoon and/or Saturday, approximately once every 5 weeks. The final module of year one consists of practical experimentation, when students obtain hands-on experience of a range of biomedical and engineering techniques. Students are required to attend 3-4 practical sessions during this module. Completion of a research project (preferably at place of work) is also required. Semester 1 exams are held in January and Semester 2 exams are held in June. Students will also be required to produce a thesis based on a research project preferably carried out at their place of work.

Minimum entry requirements

Second Class Honours in any science, engineering, medical or technology discipline. Candidates with a general (ie non-honours), or third class honours, B.Sc./B.E. can still apply provided they have at least three years relevant work experience.

Apply

Apply online at http://www.pac.ie (look for college of science postgraduate course code GYS19). Selection is based on the candidate’s academic record at an undergraduate level and their relevant work experience.

First-hand Testimonials

“The masters in distance learning is ideal for anyone who wants to continue with their education without having the full time commitment of other courses that are 9-5, 5 days a week. The modules undertaken during the courses are varied and regardless of a physics or biology background the work is challenging without being too involved. The lab work is excellent-getting to work with new and exciting technologies the module notes are excellent and the tutors and lectures are brilliant.” Sinead, Physicist, self-employed
"A great course. Hard work, but fun. Well designed to meet the needs of the biomedical/medical device industry. It has added hugely to my understanding of the body, its function and the requirements of medical devices and the materials which go into them. I feel that it has expanded my horizons hugely." Martin, Senior Quality Engineer, Boston Scientific

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The M.Sc. in Medical Physics is a full time course which aims to equip you for a career as a scientist in medicine. You will be given the basic knowledge of the subject area and some limited training. The course consists of an intense program of lectures and workshops, followed by a short project and dissertation. Extensive use is made of the electronic learning environment "Blackboard" as used by NUI Galway. The course has been accredited by the Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine (UK).

Syllabus Outline. (with ECTS weighting)
Human Gross Anatomy (5 ECTS)
The cell, basic tissues, nervous system, nerves and muscle, bone and cartilage, blood, cardiovascular system, respiratory system, gastrointestinal tract, nutrition, genital system, urinary system, eye and vision, ear, hearing and balance, upper limb – hand, lower limb – foot, back and vertebral column, embryology, teratology, anthropometrics; static and dynamic anthropometrics data, anthropometric dimensions, clearance and reach and range of movement, method of limits, mathematics modelling.

Human Body Function (5 ECTS)
Biological Molecules and their functions. Body composition. Cell physiology. Cell membranes and membrane transport. Cell electrical potentials. Nerve function – nerve conduction, nerve synapses. Skeletal muscle function – neuromuscular junction, muscle excitation, muscle contraction, energy considerations. Blood and blood cells – blood groups, blood clotting. Immune system. Autonomous nervous system. Cardiovascular system – electrical and mechanical activity of the heart. – the peripheral circulation. Respiratory system- how the lungs work. Renal system – how the kidneys work. Digestive system. Endocrine system – how hormones work. Central nervous system and brain function.

Occupational Hygiene (5 ECTS)
Historical development of Occupational Hygiene, Safety and Health at Work Act. Hazards to Health, Surveys, Noise and Vibrations, Ionizing radiations, Non-Ionizing Radiations, Thermal Environments, Chemical hazards, Airborne Monitoring, Control of Contaminants, Ventilation, Management of Occupational Hygiene.

Medical Informatics (5 ECTS)
Bio statistics, Distributions, Hypothesis testing. Chi-square, Mann-Whitney, T-tests, ANOVA, regression. Critical Appraisal of Literature, screening and audit. Patient and Medical records, Coding, Hospital Information Systems, Decision support systems. Ethical consideration in Research.
Practicals: SPSS. Appraisal exercises.

Clinical Instrumentation (6 ECTS)
Biofluid Mechanics: Theory: Pressures in the Body, Fluid Dynamics, Viscous Flow, Elastic Walls, Instrumentation Examples: Respiratory Function Testing, Pressure Measurements, Blood Flow measurements. Physics of the Senses: Theory: Cutaneous and Chemical sensors, Audition, Vision, Psychophysics; Instrumentation Examples: Evoked responses, Audiology, Ophthalmology instrumentation, Physiological Signals: Theory Electrodes, Bioelectric Amplifiers, Transducers, Electrophysiology Instrumentation.

Medical Imaging (10 ECTS)
Theory of Image Formation including Fourier Transforms and Reconstruction from Projections (radon transform). Modulation transfer Function, Detective Quantum Efficiency.
X-ray imaging: Interaction of x-rays with matter, X-ray generation, Projection images, Scatter, Digital Radiography, CT – Imaging. Fundamentals of Image Processing.
Ultrasound: Physics of Ultrasound, Image formation, Doppler scanning, hazards of Ultrasound.
Nuclear Medicine : Overview of isotopes, generation of Isotopes, Anger Cameras, SPECT Imaging, Positron Emitters and generation, PET Imaging, Clinical aspects of Planar, SPECT and PET Imaging with isotopes.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging : Magnetization, Resonance, Relaxation, Contrast in MR Imaging, Image formation, Image sequences, their appearances and clinical uses, Safety in MR.

Radiation Fundamentals (5 ECTS)
Review of Atomic and Nuclear Physics. Radiation from charged particles. X-ray production and quality. Attenuation of Photon Beams in Matter. Interaction of Photons with Matter. Interaction of Charged Particles with matter. Introduction to Monte Carlo techniques. Concept to Dosimetry. Cavity Theory. Radiation Detectors. Practical aspects of Ionization chambers

The Physics of Radiation Therapy (10 ECTS)
The interaction of single beams of X and gamma rays with a scattering medium. Treatment planning with single photon beams. Treatment planning for combinations of photon beams. Radiotherapy with particle beams: electrons, pions, neutrons, heavy charged particles. Special Techniques in Radiotherapy. Equipment for external Radiotherapy. Relative dosimetry techniques. Dosimetry using sealed sources. Brachytherapy. Dosimetry of radio-isotopes.

Workshops / Practicals
Hospital & Radiation Safety [11 ECTS]
Workshop in Risk and Safety.
Concepts of Risk and Safety. Legal Aspects. Fundamental concepts in Risk Assessment and Human Factor Engineering. Risk and Safety management of complex systems with examples from ICU and Radiotherapy. Accidents in Radiotherapy and how to avoid them. Principles of Electrical Safety, Electrical Safety Testing, Non-ionizing Radiation Safety, including UV and laser safety.
- NUIG Radiation Safety Course.
Course for Radiation Safety Officer.
- Advanced Radiation Safety
Concepts of Radiation Protection in Medical Practice, Regulations. Patient Dosimetry. Shielding design in Diagnostic Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Radiotherapy.
- Medical Imaging Workshop
Operation of imaging systems. Calibration and Quality Assurance of General
radiography, fluoroscopy systems, ultrasound scanners, CT-scanners and MR scanners. Radiopharmacy and Gamma Cameras Quality Control.

Research Project [28 ECTS]
A limited research project will be undertaken in a medical physics area. Duration of this will be 4 months full time

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This Masters Programme is extremely timely as it comes when there is increasing attention being placed upon the role and function of rural economies and societies. The development agenda for rural areas within a rapidly-changing context for agriculture and the broader countryside sees pressures to achieve economic competitiveness and efficiency balanced with concerns relating to food security, environmental protection and climate change, and where questions of equality, social inclusion, quality of life and the public good are central. Reflecting particularly the globalizing nature of agriculture and rural development processes, the MA in Rural Sustainability addresses the nature of rural and agricultural change not only across a range of dimensions (economic, social, political, cultural), but also scales (local, national, global), locations (Europe and beyond), and interfaces (e.g. human and non-human). As such, it situates itself within the context of leading contemporary and emerging thinking and research on the rural, drawing on concepts and theories, as well as methodologies and practices that critically engage with these varied dimensions of the rural.

€3000 Award for Best Student Performance in MA in Rural Sustainability

The Dr. Patrick Commins Rural Research Award, valued at €3,000 per annum, for the best overall MA student performance was announced at the official launch of the MA in Rural Sustainability in December 2012. Dr. Maura Farrell, Director of the MA, spoke of her delight at the announcement of this prestigious award, and praised Teagasc for their generous sponsorship and their support of the programme. Dr Farrell described the award ’as a considerable incentive for current and future students interested in rural studies and a real vote of confidence in the quality and importance of the Masters programme’. In particular Dr Farrell felt that in these economically stringent times, the award was a statement about the importance of rural issues in broader global economic recovery and the need to develop well-informed and educated leaders who understand the complexities of rural economy and society. The award is a tribute to Dr. Commins who was a leading academic and researcher in rural issues and had a long and distinguished career with their organisation. His reputation as an expert on rural affairs extended well beyond Ireland, and his knowledge and experience was regarded as key to informing EU and wider international academic and policy debates.

Launch of the Master of Arts in Rural Sustainability

NUI Galway has officially launched a new Masters Programme in Rural Sustainability. The full-time, one year postgraduate programme is being co-ordinated by the Discipline of Geography within the School of Geography and Archaeology, and it already has a full complement of students in place for the first year of its operation. The Programme has been devised in response to increasing attention nationally and internationally on the role and function of rural economies and societies. NUI Galway holds a distinguished tradition of rural research and teaching. As a European University that is itself situated in a rural and peripheral location, it seeks to continue its leadership role in rural affairs through providing a postgraduate career path in rural studies. The Programme was officially launched by Professor Gerry Boyle, Director of Teagasc. This association with Teagasc, particularly with its own strong leadership in rural research, is an important component of the programme as it unites expertise in rural theory, research and practice, ultimately benefiting the student experience and future employability.

Why Choose this Programme?

If you are interested in rural sustainability, rural innovation, multifunctionality and agriculture, and you wish to contribute in a meaningful way to rural affairs and potentially influence the contribution rural areas can make in revitalizing the economy at national and European level, this MA Programme can support such an ambition. This MA will enable students to develop theoretical competencies and independent research capacities, with the ability to transfer and apply these to real world contexts and settings.

The programme is delivered by a team of dedicated and highly respected academics and researchers from the School of Geography & Archaeology and by motivated contributors from other associated Schools, from other Universities and from Research Institutions; by individuals drawn from policy and practice-based domains.

This MA situates itself within contemporary and forward-looking perspectives on the rural; however, it also builds on a long-established track record of rural studies and rural research conducted at NUIG, with strong networks of collaboration at national, European and wider international levels across academic and research institutions, as well as the Institutions of the European Union.

In particular, this MA expands on a highly successful EU-funded Framework 7 research project (DERREG), exploring contemporary and future challenges facing rural areas in an era of globalization. It thus represents an important transfer of knowledge from research that has been built on relevant international case-study examples from 6 EU member states and which has informed critical theoretical discussions and policy debates on the rural at EU level. This development to a taught programme offers students an opportunity to benefit from such knowledge and expertise drawn from widely differing rural contexts.

Career Opportunities?

As a graduate of this programme, you will possess a depth of rural-specific knowledge combined with a host of transferrable skills. This combination will equip you to work in a selection of contexts that require the ability to think at conceptual levels about rural-related issues and transfer this knowledge into practical applications and solutions in policy, management and consultancy domains. Among the potential employment settings are national and international organizations and agencies with a rural development remit, groups and consultancies related to a range of government programmes, government departments and other public sector organizations concerned with the rural sector.

The MA is Rural Sustainability is also designed to enhance students’ prospects for undertaking further research at PhD level, with our students being well placed to pursue PhD studies in universities nationally and internationally.

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About the Programme

This MSc in Biomedical Science, a two-year, part-time course introduces students to an interdisciplinary approach to research, which utilises technologies and skills from a wide spectrum of scientific, engineering and clinical disciplines to address fundamental questions originating in biology and medicine. Aimed at individuals employed in the biomedical device, pharmaceutical and diagnostic sectors, this course has been developed to meet the needs of working graduates who wish to update their knowledge and/or change careers.

A Prime Location

The NUI Galway campus offers students the vibrancy and activity of a bustling community with over 40,000 students. Offering an extensive range of academically-challenging undergraduate and postgraduate degrees and diplomas of international quality, NUIG’s programmes provide students with opportunities for personal and academic development, as well as equipping them with the skills and knowledge necessary to embark on successful careers. The University's long-standing policy of innovative programme development ensures that the teaching programmes respond to the ever-changing needs of employers and of the economy.
Being a University City, Galway is a lively energetic place throughout the year. The University, situated close to the heart of Galway, enjoys an intimate relationship with the city and during the academic year, 15% of the population of the city are students. A compact, thriving city, Galway caters to youth like few other places can. The University's graduates have played a pivotal role in all areas of the development of Galway, including the arts, industry and commerce.

Programme Delivery

The programme provides you with the means of achieving the mathematical, computational, and instrumentation skills required in this field. The programme covers modules in Cellular Biology, Innovation and Technology Transfer, Anatomy (Histology & Gross), Biomaterials, and a practical module. Additional modules offered include Molecular and Regenerative Medicine, Applied Pharmacology and Toxicology, Monitoring for Health Hazards at Work, Lasers, Stereology and Tissue Engineering and Biomechanics.

Students attend lectures once every 5 weeks, with distance learning supported by Echo360 Lecture Capture and Blackboard technologies. Product Development, Validation and Regulation, as well as Project Management, Experimental Design and Data Analysis, are also covered. Students complete a research project worth a third of the final grade. The research may be done in-house at the student’s place of work or it may be done in collaboration with NUI Galway based researchers.

Students who are unable to complete a research project have the option to leave with a PDip Biomedical Science (Level 9). The PG Cert (Level 8) caters for those not in a position to commit more than one year to postgraduate studies. However, following successful completion of the PG Cert, students may request a transfer into the second year of the MSc programme, assuming numbers permit it. Alternatively, students may choose to leave with a PG Cert, but may request entry into the MSc programme two or four years later, joining a subsequent student cohort.

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About the Course

1. Big Challenges being addressed by this programme – motivation

• Globally, there is a reported shortage of data analytics talent, particularly of individuals with the required deep technical and analytical skills.
• Accenture, Gartner and McKinsey have all identified Data Analytics as one of the fastest growing employment areas in computing and one most likely to make an impact in the future.
• The Irish Government’s policy is for Ireland to become a leading country in Europe for big data and analytics, which would result in 21,000 potential new employment opportunities in Ireland alone.
• CNN has listed jobs in this area in their Top 10 best new jobs in America.

2. Programme objectives & purpose

This is an advanced programme that provides Computing graduates with advanced knowledge and skills in the emerging growth area of Data Analytics. It includes advanced topics such as Large-Scale Data Analytics, Information Retrieval, Advanced Topics in Machine Learning and Data Mining, Natural Language Processing, Data Visualisation and Web-Mining. It also includes foundational modules in topics such as Statistics, Regression Analysis and Programming for Data Analytics. Students on the programme further deepen their knowledge of Data Analytics by working on a project either in conjunction with a research group or with an industry partner.

Graduates will be excellently qualified to pursue careers in national and multinational industries in a wide range of areas. Our graduates currently work for companies as diverse as IBM, SAP, Cisco, Avaya, Google, Fujitsu and Merck Pharmaceuticals as well as many specialised companies and startups. Opportunities will be found in:
• Multinational companies, in Ireland and elsewhere, that provide services and solutions for analytics and big data or whose business depend on analytics and big data technologies;
• Innovative small to medium-sized companies and leading-edge start-ups who provide analytics solutions, services and products or use data analytics to develop competitive advantage
• Companies looking to extend their research and development units with highly trained data analytic specialists
• PhD-level research in NUI Galway, elsewhere in Ireland, or abroad

3. What’s special about CoEI/NUIG in this area:

• The MSc in Computer Science (Data Analytics) is being delivered by the Discipline of Information Technology in collaboration with the Insight Centre for Data Analytics (http://insight-centre.org) and with input from the School of Mathematics, Statistics and Applied Mathematics in NUI Galway
• The Discipline of Information Technology at NUI Galway has 25-year track record of education, academic research, and industry collaboration in the field of Computer Science
• The Insight centre at NUI Galway is Europe’s largest research centre for Data Analytics

4. Programme Structure – ECTS weights and split over semester; core/elective, etc.:

• 90ECTS programme
• one full year in duration, beginning September and finishing August
• comprises:
- Foundational taught modules (20 ECTS)
- Advanced taught modules (40 ECTS)
- Research/Industry Project (30 ECTS).

5. Programme Content – module names

Sample Foundational Modules:

• Tools and Techniques for Large Scale Data Analytics
• Programming for Data Analytics
• Machine Learning and Data Mining
• Modern Information Management
• Probability and Statistics
• Discrete Mathematics
• Applied Regression Models
• Digital Signal Processing

Sample Advanced Modules:

• Advanced Topics in Machine Learning and Information Retrieval
• Web Mining and Analytics
• Systems Modelling and Simulation
• Natural Language Processing
• Data Visualisation
• Linked Data Analytics
• Case Studies in Data Analytics
• Embedded Signal Analysis and Processing

6. Testimonials

Ms. Gofran Shukair, MSc, Research Engineer at ZenDesk, Ireland

After graduating with an MSc at NUI Galway, Gofran worked with Fujitsu’s Irish Research Lab as a research engineer before moving to a software engineering position at Zendesk, Ireland.

“The mix of technical and soft skills I gained through my Masters studies at NUI Galway is invaluable. I had the chance to work with great people and to apply my work on real world problems. With the data management and analysis skills I gained, I am currently pursuing my research in an international research project with one of the leading IT companies. I will be always thankful for studying at NUI Galway, a great historic place based in a culturally-rich vibrant city with an international mix of young and ambitious students that made me eager to learn and contribute back the moment I graduated.”

For further details

visit http://www.nuigalway.ie/courses/taught-postgraduate-courses/msc-in-computer-science-data-analytics.html

How to Apply:

Applications are made online via the Postgraduate Applications Centre (PAC) https://www.pac.ie
Please use the following PAC application code for your programme:

M.Sc. Computer Science – Data Analytics - PAC code GYE06

Scholarships :

Please visit our website for more information on scholarships: http://www.nuigalway.ie/engineering-informatics/internationalpostgraduatestudents/feesandscholarships/

Visit the M.Sc. Computer Science – Data Analytics page on the National University of Ireland, Galway web site for more details!

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About the Course

1. Big Challenges being addressed by this programme – motivation

• Human health and quality of life is one of the most critical challenges facing humanity.
• The challenge is all the greater due to a rapidly increasing and rapidly aging global population that now exceeds 7 billion.
• Biomedical Engineering addresses these issues directly, with engineers innovating, analysing, designing and manufacturing new medical implants, devices and therapies for the treatment of disease, injuries and conditions of the human body, to restore health and improve quality of life.
• CNN lists Biomedical Engineering as No. 1 in the “Best Jobs in America” 2013.

2. Programme objectives & purpose

The objective of the programme is to generate graduates with a sound grounding in engineering fundamentals (analysis, design and problem solving), but who also have the multi-disciplinary breadth that includes knowledge of human biology and clinical needs and applications, to be able to make an immediate impact in the field on graduation, in either the academic research or medical technology industry domains. Ultimately the programme aims to generate the future leaders of the national and international medical technology industry, and of academic research and teaching in biomedical engineering.

3. What’s special about CoEI/NUIG in this area:

• NUI Galway pioneered the development of educational programmes in Biomedical Engineering in Ireland, introducing the country’s first bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Engineering in 1998, that was the first to achieve professional accreditation from Engineers Ireland in 2004, and at the graduate level with the Structured PhD programme in Biomedical Engineering and Regenerative Medicine (BMERM) in 2011.
• NUI Galway has been at the forefront of world-class research in biomedical engineering for over 20 years and has pioneered multi-disciplinary research in biomedical engineering and science, with the establishment of the National Centre for Biomedical Engineering Science (NCBES) in 1999, and up to the present day with the announcement of NUI Galway as the lead institution in a new Science Foundation Ireland funded Centre for Research in Medical Devices (CÚRAM).
• NUI Galway has a very close and deep relationship with the medical device industry locally, nationally and internationally, at many levels, from industry visits, guest lectures and student placements, up to major research collaborations.
• Many of our engineering graduates now occupy senior management and technical positions in the medical device industry nationally and internationally.

4. Programme Structure – ECTS weights and split over semester; core/elective, etc.:

• 90ECTS programme
• one full year in duration, beginning September and finishing August
• comprises:
- Foundational taught modules (20 ECTS)
- Advanced taught modules (40 ECTS)
- Research/Industry Project (30 ECTS).

5. Programme Content – module names

Sample Modules:

Advanced Finite Element Methods
Advanced Computational Biomechanics
Advanced Biomaterials
Mechanobiology
Bioinstrumentation Design
Medical and Surgical Practice
Stem Cells and Gene Therapy
Translational Medicine
Polymer Engineering
Advanced Engineering Statistics
Systems Reliability
Lean Systems
Research Methods for Engineers
Financial Management
Regulatory Affairs and Case Studies
Technology, Innovation and Entrepreneurship

6. Any special funding arrangements – e.g. Irish Aid

Comment (PMcH): CoEI scholarships a great idea.

7. Opportunity for number of Industrial & Research internships.

Students enrolled on this programme will have an opportunity to apply for a one-year post-graduation internship in either a related industry or research group in Ireland.

8. Testimonials.

“The Biomedical Engineering programme at NUI Galway has given me the fundamental engineering skills and multi-disciplinary background in biology and clinical application that I needed to be able to make an immediate impact in industry and to be able to design and develop new medical implants and devices. My graduate education through my PhD in bone biomechanics was also very important in this because I directly combined engineering and biological analysis techniques to better understand how stem cells generate new bone, showing me how biomedical engineers can play a critically important role in generating new knowledge on how the body works, and how new treatments can be developed for diseases and injuries, such as osteoporosis.” Evelyn Birmingham, BE Biomedical Engineering (2009), PhD Biomedical Engineering (2014), R&D Engineer, Medtronic Vascular, Galway.

For further details

visit http://nuigalway.ie/engineering-informatics/internationalpostgraduatestudents/

How to Apply:

Applications are made online via the Postgraduate Applications Centre (PAC): https://www.pac.ie
Please use the following PAC application code for your programme:

M.Sc. Biomedical Engineering - PAC code GYE24

Scholarships :

Please visit our website for more information on scholarships: http://www.nuigalway.ie/engineering-informatics/internationalpostgraduatestudents/feesandscholarships/

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