Module: RD & I Training & Project Planning

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	RD & I Training & Project Planning
Module Code	EEN1060 (ITS: EE5002)
Faculty	Electronic Engineering	School	Engineering & Computing
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	7.5

Description

The aim of this module is to introduce and improve the specific skills needed for research (reading, critical analysis of literature), writing, communication, development, and innovation (identifying challenges and potential solutions). It will also address the need for careful and considered project planning, which can be applied to both the MSc learning outcomes and to industry projects. Students are expected to engage with this online module using a variety of activities.

Learning Outcomes

1. Conduct the required secondary research related to a specific and appropriate industrial context, and be able to search for, access, review and evaluate published materials on related topics.
2. Identify opportunities for innovative system/device development or improvement, based on a critical assessment of current technologies and challenges, and secondary research.
3. Display a level of ingenuity in devising novel solutions to an electronic and/or computer technology challenge, identify technical requirements, health and safety and ethical issues for possible solutions, and assess the practicality of implementing these solutions.
4. Demonstrate a critical appreciation of project planning approaches and apply these approaches to create a project plan for the development of a potential solution to an identified technological problem.
5. Take responsibility for progression of their own work within an industrial context and resolve differences of opinion on technical matters between themselves and other project stakeholders.
6. Effectively communicate technical concepts and ideas orally, in writing and graphically, whilst distinguishing between their own work and that of others in an appropriate manner.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	36	Online presentations
Online activity	12	Discussions and peer review
Assignment Completion	100	Report, plan, presentation
Independent Study	40	No Description
Lecture	36	Online lectures
Online activity	12	Discussions and peer review
Assignment Completion	100	Report, plan, presentation
Independent Study	40	No Description
Total Workload: 376

Section Breakdown
CRN	11388	Part of Term	Semester 1 & 2
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Robert Sadleir	Module Teacher

Section Breakdown
CRN	21342	Part of Term	Semester 2
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Noel Murphy	Module Teacher	Xiaojun Wang

Section Breakdown
CRN	21504	Part of Term	Semester 2
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC2	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Noel Murphy	Module Teacher	Xiaojun Wang

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Completion of online activity	Engagement in module discussions and peer reviews	15%	n/a
Report(s)	Focussed literature review on specific, approriate technological topic.	25%	n/a
Assignment	Detailed project plan to include project definition, project scope, resources, schedule and proposed outcomes.	35%	n/a
Presentation	Online presentation of project plan to peers	25%	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

Research
Individual secondary research is carried out using a variety of search, analysis and citation methods.

Design and Innovation
Design and innovation strategies across a range of service and organisational contexts.

Project Planning
Project Planning techniques, approaches and tools.

Communication
Communicating research, documenting plans and presenting ideas to a varied audience.

Indicative Reading List

Books:

David V Thiel: 2014, Research Methods for Engineers, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1107610192
Larry Keeley: 2013, Ten types of innovation: the discipline of building breakthroughs, eBook, Wiley, Hoboken, N.J. USA, B00DZLBHU8
Paul D. Leedy and Jeanne Ellis Ormond: 2015, Practical Research: Planning and Design, Global Edition, 11th [eBook], Pearson, Edinburgh, UK, B019CQ9F0I
Ann Pilkington: 2013, Communicating projects: an end-to-end guide to planning, implementing and evaluating effective communication., [eBook], Gower, Farnham, Surrey, UK, 9781409453208

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None