Electronic and Computer Engineering

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View our video on our BEng and MEng in Electronic and Computer Engineering here:
An electronic and computer engineer is a problem solver by nature—a person who wonders about how things work and how to make things right. Mathematics is the universal language of engineering, and you’ll need to be comfortable with logical and methodical approaches to understanding real-world phenomena. Leaving Cert Honours in Mathematics and (where available) Leaving Cert in Applied Mathematics, when well understood, are excellent indicators of ability in the field of electronic and computer engineering.
Your thirst for knowledge and drive to contribute to society will lead to constant learning and innovation throughout your career. It’s no surprise then that 33% of the S and P 500 CEOs’ undergraduate degrees are in engineering—higher than any other discipline.
This single programme, with four major options in Year Four, replaces and combines the best of DCU’s previous offerings in Electronic Engineering, Digital Media Engineering and Information and Communications Engineering.
You’ll be taught through conventional lectures, extensive tutorials (particularly in Year One), laboratory exercises and projects. Through these you’ll develop the ability to model and analyse the dynamics of a wide range of technological systems, as well as learn a creative and innovative approach to problem solving. The curriculum of the first three years and the 22.5 credits of core modules in Year Four are common to all ECE students.
In addition to the traditional engineering focus on mathematics and design, there is a strong software and programming theme running through our ECE programme. You’ll learn about C, C++, Java, Embedded Systems, Linux and Windows Operating Systems, Data Structures and Algorithms, Hardware Description Language, Object-oriented Programming, and in two of the Year Four majors, Web Application Development.
In Year Three, you’ll participate in a six-month INTRA work placement. Most students choose a paid engineering internship with a business in Ireland, but some students may go abroad or be placed in research positions within DCU.
In Year Four, you’ll select a major option and gain relevant skills through major-specific modules and an individual undergraduate project. Currently the course offers the following four majors, which we’ll adapt over time so that our graduates have the most relevant and up-to-date technology and expertise:
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ECE with a major in Systems and Devices—This is a specialisation in core electronics and semiconductor technologies that underpin research priority areas from sensors, diagnostics, medical devices, digital control of mechatronic systems to optical communications and novel materials.
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ECE with a major in High-Speed Communication—This focusses on devices communicating to devices at high speed, for example, optical networks and high-speed wireless technologies. It underpins research priority areas in next-generation networks that support evolving demands from devices and applications.
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ECE with a major in Digital Interaction—This takes you into the realms of humans communicating to devices, and devices communicating to the world. It underpins research priority areas in human-machine interfaces. Key Year Four modules in this area include 3D Interface Technologies, Web Application Development and Image Processing & Analysis.
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ECE with a major in the Internet of Things—The Internet transformed the world of human access to knowledge and information in unimaginable ways; the Internet of Things is about to unleash an almost inconceivable transformation of the man-made environment in which we live. It focusses on devices communicating to and through the Internet. This major underpins research priority areas in smart cities and energy efficient devices and networks.
In Year Four you’ll also do an individual major-relevant project that will allow you to work in a specialist area of your choosing and apply the electronic and computer engineering skills that you will have acquired during your studies.
View the current course structure
Life on Campus
We have three academic campuses close to Dublin City centre - they are located in Glasnevin and Drumcondra, and can be reached by public transport (Dublin Bus).
Each campus has libraries, study spaces, restaurants, and on-campus residencies. Sports facilities are located on two of the academic campuses. We also have a dedicated sports campus in the form of St Claire’s.
Exceptional facilities
DCU students have access to exceptional teaching and learning facilities across our three academic campuses.
These include modern learning theatres, research centres, television and radio/podcast studios, classrooms, computer suites and advanced labs in the areas of languages, engineering, physics, chemistry and biotechnology, as well as a sports performance centre and training hospital ward. In 2021, we opened our first virtual reality ‘Leadership Lab’, which is located in our Business School.
Construction on our FutureTech building on the Glasnevin campus will get underway in 2022. Once completed, this facility will advance DCU’s international reputation for excellence in science, computing and engineering disciplines. It will have the capacity to accommodate an additional 3,000 STEM students on the university’s Glasnevin campus.
Campus life
Among the student facilities in DCU are a sports complex with a 25 metre pool, three libraries and The Helix, our renowned performing arts centre.
In 2018, a purpose-built state-of-the-art new student centre - The U - was opened. This centre serves the needs of a rapidly growing student body of 18,500 and is home to the Student Leadership and Lifeskills Centre, performing arts and cultural spaces for students and the wider community, and an Entrepreneurship and Innovation Hub.
DCU Students' Union and the Office of Student Life are also based in the U. The centre is a space for students where they can meet, with lots of charging points and isolation booths. Clubs and socs avail of meeting rooms here and it's also home to DCUFM. NuBar, Londis and the Venue are also located here.
There are more than 140 clubs and societies for students in DCU, with ‘Clubs & Socs’ days taking place on both the Glasnevin and Drumcondra campuses at the start of the academic year.
Student Supports
We have a number of academic, professional and social supports for students.
Student Advice Centre: Offers a wide range of supports and services to students
The Writing Centre - drop-in writing workshops for students through the academic year
Maths Learning Centre - provides maths support for students of all ability levels with maths modules
Student Learning: facilitate the transition from passive to active learning for students at DCU, by teaching study skills, nurturing critical thinking and building student confidence.
Careers work with students to help them on their professional journey into graduate employment.
Our student support team offers a comprehensive support programme, helping students make that all important transition into university life and focusing on building confidence and skills which are key to success at third level.
Electronic and computer engineers are sought by Irish and international organisations in the following areas and beyond:
Requirements
In addition to the general entry requirements for admission to the university the following entry requirements apply
Minimum of H4 Mathematics or H4 Applied Mathematics with H5 Mathematics
In addition to the general entry requirements for admission to the university the following entry requirements apply
GCE A Level C Mathematics
For details of QQI requirements and relevant codes please click here. Simply enter the DC code for the programme you are interested in or if you are not sure of the code enter DC in the Select by Institution option, then click on Go.
The engineering schools consider transfer requests based on the performance of the candidate. The overall
set of guidelines which is in use for equivalent qualifications is as follows:
Qualification Possible - Point of Entry
Relevant Higher Certificate/National Certificate |
First year | (Distinction) |
Relevant Higher Certificate/National Certificate | First year | (Merit plus Experience) |
Relevant Bachelor (Ordinary) Degree/National Diploma |
Second year |
(Merit or Better) |
Relevant Bachelor (Ordinary) Degree/National Diploma | Third year | (Distinction plus a possible interview) |
Applications are made via the CAO Advanced Entry route which will open on the 1st Feb to the 1st May 2022.
International candidates are expected to have educational qualifications of a standard equivalent to those outlined above. In addition, where such candidates are non-native speakers of the English language they must satisfy the university of their competency in the English language. For further information on international applications click here.