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Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title EcoTech Challenge: Pioneering Innovative Technologies for a Sustainable Future
Module Code BAA1092
Faculty DCU Business School School DCU Business School
NFQ level 8 Credit Rating 5
Description

This module is designed to future-proof students with the competencies and skills required to leverage digitalisation, address societal challenges and provide unique value to organisations. Students will be presented with a real-world technology and sustainability-based challenge that reflects the realities of industry and society. Learners will be required to engage with the problem, immerse themselves in primary and secondary data to investigate and sense check potential solutions to provide tangible, supported and viable recommendations. On completion of the challenge students will present their key findings and action recommendations to company representatives (who have introduced the challenge) and will complete a detailed report outlining ideas and action points of direct relevance for the organisation. This module provides an opportunity for learners to exercise their creative, problem-solving, critical thinking and collaboration skills in a practical and focused manner while gaining formative feedback from industry mentors and academic leads.

Learning Outcomes

1. Identify and engage with strategies to leverage digitalisation, address societal challenges and provide unique value to organisations.
2. Demonstrate the ability to effectively engage with digital and AI‑based technologies and their applications to address societal challenges and provide unique value to organisations.
3. Demonstrate a capacity to evaluate and apply different research tools, theory, frameworks and tools to resolve real‑world sustainability problems
4. Critically explore policies, principles and regulations to promote responsible behaviour.
5. Demonstrate an innovative and creative mindset when engaging with challenges and opportunities.
6. Collaborate within a team to provide tangible solutions to a real‑world problem
7. Demonstrate clear communicative competency to clearly present key recommendations to industry partners, academic leads and stakeholders


WorkloadFull time hours per semester
TypeHoursDescription
Lecture22Introduction to the module, CBL framework, sustainability challenges. Digitalisation, AI, and technology applications. Lectures by Module co-ordinator with some guest industry speakers. Guided in‑class activities that support each CBL stage.
Seminars8Meetings with Client representatives. Q&A with industry mentors. Feedback sessions after Engage and Investigate stages.
Group work45Defining the challenge statement (Engage stage). Conducting fieldwork (e,g, interviews, questionnaires). Developing evidence‑based solutions. Preparing group presentations and final report Collaborative planning and peer meetings
Independent learning40Conducting scholarly research - reviewing academic literature, theories, frameworks. Interpreting data gathered from field interviews and questionnaires. Developing "act" recommendations
Assignment Completion10Online Engage Stage presentation preparation. On‑campus Act Stage presentation preparation. Drafting, writing, editing the final group report
Total Workload: 125
Section Breakdown
CRN11796Part of TermSemester 1
Coursework100%Examination Weight0%
Grade Scale40PASSPass Both ElementsN
Resit CategoryRC1Best MarkN
Module Co-ordinatorMaura McadamModule Teacher
Assessment Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
Group presentationGroups present concrete challenge statement to industry client. Group presentation (online)10%n/a
Group assignmentGroup submission. Signpost for recommendation. Will include scholarly research and voices from the field. Guiding activities40%n/a
Group presentationGroup Presentation for client showcasing evidence-based solutions. This assessment will be held in person during the on campus activity week25%n/a
Group assignmentFinal report – group – key stages in CBL approach to address problem – key findings/action recommendations for company25%n/a
Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories;
RC1: A resit is available for both* components of the module.
RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module.
RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element.

* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite None
Co-requisite None
Compatibles None
Incompatibles None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Digitalisation & Technology in Problem-Solving
Leveraging digitalisation Use of digital and AI‑based technologies Technology applications for societal and organisational value

Sustainability & Societal Challenges
Real‑world sustainability issues Addressing environmental and societal challenges Developing responsible, ethical, and sustainable solutions

Challenge‑Based Learning (CBL) Framework
Engage stage (defining the challenge) Investigate stage (research, field insights, evidence gathering) Act stage (developing and presenting solutions)

Innovation & Creativity
Creative thinking in solution‑building Innovation mindset development Generating unique and value‑adding recommendations

Industry Engagement
Interaction with Client representatives Incorporating industry insight into research Presenting solutions directly to Client

Collaboration & Teamwork
Working in teams to solve complex problems Collective decision‑making Co‑creating solutions for industry clients

Indicative Reading List

Books:
  • Kenan Dikilitaş, Tim Marshall, Masoumeh Shahverdi: 2025, A Practical Guide to Understanding and Implementing Challenge-Based Learning, Springer Nature, 30316701169783031670114


Articles:
None
Other Resources

None

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