Module: INTRA 1

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	INTRA 1
Module Code	MEC1018 (ITS: MM312)
Faculty	Mechanical & Manufacturing Eng	School	Engineering & Computing
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	15

Description

The aim of this module is to introduce the student to the skills associated with an Engineer through the integration of theory with relevant practical work experience in companies and organisations in Ireland or abroad.

Learning Outcomes

1. Apply theoretical aspects of their programme to relevant practical work experience in companies/organisations based in Ireland or abroad.
2. Identify, describe and formulate solutions to real-world engineering problems.
3. Apply experimental, analytical and numerical methods to the design of solutions appropriate to product/process development.
4. Identify, interpret and evaluate unseen technical information.
5. Demonstrate initiative and ingenuity in deriving novel solutions to specific engineering problems.
6. Assess the importance of task management, planning, working in teams and interdisciplinary collaboration in Engineering practice .
7. Communicate engineering concepts and ideas with engineers and non-engineers by oral, written and graphical means, both within the placement period and subsequent to the placement.
8. Demonstrate professional attributes, such as courtesy, punctuality, reliability, etc.
9. Identify, evaluate and discuss, by written means, issues of sustainability as they relate to their work.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Seminars	8	Pre-INTRA talks
Assignment Completion	4	Assignments related to seminars
Integrated training (INTRA)	345	INTRA formally integrates the student's academic study with closely co-ordinated realistic jobs, based on the work abilities of the student and the objectives of each programme. The student develops an understanding of the professional, practical world of industry. Also, the blending of theory and practice increases student motivation and allows a clearer view of a career path. Students who do not obtain a company placement may be offered the possibility of working in research setting in D
Report	8	Report writing
Total Workload: 365

Section Breakdown
CRN	20159	Part of Term	Semester 2
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	INTRA	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC2	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Alan Kennedy	Module Teacher	Harry Esmonde, Lorna Galligan

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Performance evaluation	A site visit by an appointed academic tutor to the placement location, where the tutor will complete a form detailing the industrial performance of the student, the conditions of employment and the employer's perception of the student's performance. For students on INTRA abroad, this may take place by telephone/teleconference.	30%	n/a
Report(s)	The report will follow a clearly defined template and is submitted in August/September. This report is graded by the student's academic INTRA tutor and feedback must be provided to the student.	70%	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

Pre-INTRA Talks
Pre-INTRA talks given on ethics in Engineering, professional communication in the workplace, and on contract law for engineers.

Industrial Placement
Students will spend a minimum of 4 months on work placement in a company or organisation in Ireland or abroad for INTRA 1, and a minimum of 8 months (and up to 10 months) for INTRA 1 and 2 combined. It is usually expected that this will be a paid placement. In exceptional cases, where it has not been possible to secure such a placement, students will be expected to work in a research setting in DCU under the supervision of a member of DCU academic staff. The experience gained in the latter case must allow all of the normal INTRA learning outcomes to be achieved.

Indicative Reading List

Books:
None

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None