COURSE CURRICULUM

The BEng (Hons) in Polymer and Mechanical Engineering combines mechanical engineering fundamentals with specialised knowledge in polymer science, preparing graduates for careers in high-demand industries such as medical devices, pharmaceuticals, automotive, aerospace, packaging, electronics, and advanced manufacturing. In the first year, students build a strong foundation in mathematics, engineering science, mechanics, materials, workshop practice, CAD, communication, and basic electronics, alongside introductory polymer processing. The second year develops core engineering and polymer knowledge through subjects such as thermofluids, control systems, organic chemistry, microstructure of polymers, CAD for design, manufacturing processes, and analytical techniques. Students also study operations management, statistics, and process control to understand industrial systems. In the third year, learners advance into topics such as mechanical systems design, polymer materials, sustainability, lean manufacturing, experimental design, and project management, while preparing for a significant 24-week industrial placement in companies within medical devices and advanced manufacturing sectors. The final year focuses on advanced polymer engineering, product and component design, regulatory compliance, validation, materials science, and emerging technologies such as IoT and sustainable manufacturing. Students complete a major final-year research project that applies their technical and analytical skills to real-world engineering problems. Overall, the program develops highly skilled engineers with expertise in polymer processing, mechanical design, materials selection, sustainability, and industrial practice, making them well suited for employment in Ireland’s strong global polymer and medical device industries or for postgraduate study.