Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Electronics and Self Driving Technologies

Course Summary

The BEng (Hons) in Electronics and Self-Driving Technologies programme aims to prepare students to work in rapidly changing technology environments, in areas such as robotics/autonomous systems, computer vision, machine learning and extended realities. The up-and-coming area of autonomous devices (cars, trucks, forklifts, etc.) is an obvious fit for graduates of this course. The mix for theoretical and practical aspects of the programme will provide students with an understanding of the multidisciplinary engineering concepts required to progress future design in areas that requires skills in electronic, mechanical, mechatronics and embedded systems engineering.

Electronics technology is incorporated in almost all aspects in our daily lives and has led to the invention and enhancement of consumer technology, mobile phones, medical devices, computers, intelligent agriculture, musical equipment and entertainment. The BEng (Hons) in Electronics and Self Driving Technologies provides students with the skills required to invent the next generation of electronic devices for all sectors and applications by gaining engineering and electronic design skills while applying these skills to an exciting new chapter of automotive and robotic technologies – Self Driving Technologies.

Silicon Republic described Ireland’s west coast as being in the driving seat when it comes to autotech, and ATU Sligo as a leader of autonomous driving education. Valeo, Aptarus, General Motors and Jaguar Land Rover are just some of the companies located in Ireland within this exciting industry.

PROGRAMME OVERVIEW

This course brings together interdisciplinary concepts such as electronics design, artificial intelligence, robotics and augmented reality to provide future engineers with the skills required to design the next generation of electronics and self-driving technologies. A six-month work placement is built into the course and occurs during the second half of third year. Graduates of this course will gain employment as design engineers in a wide range of industries such as the automotive, health care, entertainment and advanced manufacturing industries.

YEAR ONE

First year modules are common across all Level 8 Engineering programmes, giving the students a taste for each of the engineering disciplines and also allows for friendships between courses to develop. Modules consist of the foundation blocks of engineering – the sciences, maths, graphic design, programming, mechanics and project work.

YEAR TWO

Students begin to specialise in electronics. They take modules such as Analogue and Digital Electronics, programming, networks and data communications, and control systems. All modules rely on problem solving skills, and many modules contain a high percentage of practical work.

YEAR THREE

In third year, students start to explore the exciting area of image processing, the first step to understanding how an autonomous vehicle/robot ‘sees’. The digital signal processing module explores how a computer/processor would process such signals, and extract intelligence from them. From January,  students go on a six-month work placement, where they get to put their newly acquired skills to practise.

YEAR FOUR

The final year allows students to explore and deepen their knowledge in relevant areas of electronics and self-driving technologies. Modules such as Cybersecurity, Virtual and Augmented reality, Sustainable Technologies, Machine Learning, Robotic  Path Planning are undertaken. The year culminates with  the development of a Capstone project.

CHECK IT OUT

Be sure to watch the two videos below. The first video is a Lane Detection Demo which took place on the N15 here in Sligo. This showcases how self driving technologies are applied. The second video looks at the challenge of building a self-driving car.

Entry Requirements

Entry requirements for CAO courses at ATU Sligo are available for download below:

• Download Entry requirements for just Level 8 programmes
• Download Entry requirements for all programmes

A H5 in Leaving Cert Mathematics is an entry requirement for this programme. Those who do not have a H5 grade in Mathematics may take the ATU Sligo Alternative Maths Exam, which is equivalent to Higher Level Mathematics.

The Alternative Maths Exam will take place in late August 2022. A date will be confirmed closer to the time. Please see below for more information and available resources.

ALTERNATIVE MATHS EXAM AND ONLINE RESOURCES

ATU Sligo offers a free online pre-degree Mathematics Open Course MOOC leading to a special Mathematics exam, equivalent to Leaving Certificate Higher Level. The MOOC provides on-line resources including revision notes and sample papers to support students taking the examination. 

The MOOC, launched in June 2017, is particularly suitable for CAO Leaving Certificate applicants who may not meet the Mathematics entry requirements for this Honours degree programme (minimum of H5 in LC) following the Leaving Certificate examinations or who are not taking higher level Leaving Certificate Mathematics. A pass in this special exam will be deemed equivalent to meeting the Mathematics entry requirement for this programme.

The Mathematics examination takes place at ATU Sligo and may also be available as an on-line proctored examination.

Current and prospective applicants can access the Mathematics MOOC as follows:

1. Register your name and email address on the Open Course (MOOC) website here: https://opencourses.itsligo.ie/login/signup.php

2. Once registered on the site enrol on the course here: https://opencourses.itsligo.ie/course/view.php?id=27 (the enrolment key is civil2017).

Career Opportunities

Graduates of this programme are in high demand. Companies such as Intel, Analog Devices, Abbott and Medtronic all hire graduates from ATU Sligo. In addition, the autonomous/robotic market within Ireland and Internationally is expected to reach $54.23 billion by 2026 – meaning graduates from a programme like this will be in high demand.

Upon completion, the graduates can work as an engineer in a wide variety of roles. Although primarily directed at robotics/autonomous systems, many of the skills gained from this Programme (such as Machine Learning, Pattern Detection, Computer Vision, Extended Realities) are highly sought after for R&D roles in industries such as the medical, agricultural and high-volume manufacturing.

Companies such as Intel, Analog Devices, Abbott and Medtronic all regularly hire our graduates.

Silicon Republic described Ireland’s west coast as being in the driving seat when it comes to autotech, and ATU Sligo as a leader of autonomous driving education. Valeo, Aptarus, General Motors and Jaguar Land Rover are just some of the companies located in Ireland within this exciting industry.

Further Study

The BEng (Hons) in Electronics and Self-driving technologies is the recommended direct route to the Masters of Engineering in Connected and Autonomous Vehicles. Both programmes were developed by German and Irish Industry to ensure they are a direct fit for what is required in today’s market.

Masters of Engineering in Connected and Autonomous Vehicles

Testimonials

Hear what employers have to say about our Engineering graduates. Plus, see some of the projects our students have worked on.

Did you know?

In third year, students go on a six-month work placement where they get to put their newly acquired skills into practise. Students can apply to complete their work placement in Kempten University in Germany, who have close links with car manufacturers such as BMW.

In fourth year, students combine all the skills they have acquired to complete a Capstone project.

Student projects are presented at The Sligo Engineering & Technology Expo. The Expo is attended by a range of companies including Fortune 500 industry leaders. This allows students to network with potential employers. View the 2021 Expo Catalogue

Valeo, Aptarus, General Motors and Jaguar Land Rover are just some of the companies located in Ireland within this exciting industry.

This course is designed to complement ATU Sligo's Level 9 in Connected and Autonomous Vehicles, creating a path for CAO students to gain a Master's degree. The level 9 first ran in 2018 with our new autonomous vehicles course being a first for Europe *, and Silicon Republic described Ireland’s west coast as being in the driving seat when it comes to autotech, and ATU Sligo as a leader of autonomous driving education in Ireland **. 

*https://www.siliconrepublic.com/careers/autonomous-vehicles-course-it-sligo

** https://www.siliconrepublic.com/machines/autotech-ireland-west-snapshot-galway-limerick-sligo

Students can also exit at the end of Year Two with a Higher Certificate Level 6 award or at the end of Year Three with a Bachelor of Engineering Level 7 award.

Enjoy a common first year across our Level 8 engineering degrees to give you an understanding of all aspects of engineering and the flexibility to change direction in Year Two if desired. Students can choose from Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Robotics and Automation or Electronics and Self Driving Technologies.

Course Format

Semester 1

Semester 2

Semester 3

Semester 4

Semester 5

Semester 6

Semester 7

Semester 8