Module: Nanotechnology & Photonics Masters Project

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Nanotechnology & Photonics Masters Project
Module Code	EEN1065 (ITS: EE5007)
Faculty	Electronic Engineering	School	Engineering & Computing
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	15

Description

To allow the student to put theoretical knowledge of engineering to use in a practical project related to the Nanotechnology and Photonics and to document the project outputs to research publication standard. In this module students will use and develop knowledge and skills in planning and managing projects, risk and health & safety assessments, reviewing literature, analysing, defining and implementing an engineering solution, documenting and presenting outcomes and key findings.

Learning Outcomes

1. Design and implement a test-bed or prototype of a novel solution to an electronic and/or computer technology challenge, allowing for identified technical requirements, health and safety, ethical issues and practicality.
2. Devise appropriate tests or experiments in order to allow exploration, analysis and evaluation of a proposed solution.
3. Use statistical approaches, critical analysis, quantitative and/or qualitative comparisons to evaluate the quality of their own work and that of others and to draw concrete conclusions as to the effectiveness of their design.
4. Document their work in a well structured portfolio (consisting of a conference paper, a presentation/demonstration, reflective journal etc.), where the contents communicate technical concepts, ideas and outcomes at the correct level of technical detail to suit the intended reader, and where the student's own work is distinguished from that of others in a proper manner.
5. Apply and adapt appropriate project planning and reflective journal approaches in the execution of the project in order to undertake all project implementation and development work, and to produce a complete RD&I project to a deadline, whilst taking responsibility for managing their interactions with other project stakeholders.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Directed learning	15	Initial project implementation and technical set up
Independent Study	300	Technical Implementation
Portfolio Preparation	60	Final Portfolio Production & Assessment
Total Workload: 375

Section Breakdown
CRN	11043	Part of Term	Semester 1 & 2
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC2	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Marissa Condon	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Presentation	The presentation should describe the value of the project work. The presentation should describe the work completed and the proposed plan of work. The presentation should discuss findings from literature searches and reviews and their relationship to the project topic and implementation.	7.5%	n/a
Report(s)	Status report. Students will give an update on their work at the end of semester one or at the beginning of the second semester. Students will maintain a record of all work performed throughout the project that aligns with the project plan that is developed in the preceding EE5RDI module. All source code (where present) and development materials (e.g., pcb designs, script files, system designs) will be maintained in a suitable repository with regular commit histories and versioning. This can all be viewed by the assessors and mid-term feedback can be given.	7.5%	Other
Project	Conference Paper and associated appendices and Interview. Assessment will take the form of a research conference submission, where students submit their work in the form of a conference paper. All supporting materials or links to such materials shall be included in the portfolio. An interview with the assessors shall take place.	85%	Other

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

Implementation of Solution
Activities carried out to fulfill the project plan. May take many forms - laboratory work, computer based analysis, cognitive reasoning etc.

Testing & Analysis of Results
Designing appropriate tests and evaluating the outcome from these and the new information developed during the project in a critical and insightful manner.

Documentation of Outcomes
Production of a portfolio which should document key aspects and findings of the project and reach conclusions. Production of a video demonstration of the project outcomes.

Communication
Arranged communications with industry stakeholders, technical support and assessors to discuss the advancement of the project and the technical resources/inputs required.

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Hannah Spring, Barbara Sen and Maria J. Grant: 2013, Research, evaluation and audit: key steps in demonstrating your value, [eBook], Facet, London, UK, 9781856049719
Paul D. Leehy and Jeanne Ellis Ormrod: 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