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Accessibility & LanguageDigitally Enabled Connected Medical Devices
Digitally Enabled Connected Medical Devices
Centre for Adult Learning and Professional Development- Title of Award
- Diploma
- Course Code
- DEM1
- Delivery
- Blended Learning
- NFQ
- 8
- Award Type
- Minor
- Duration
- 1 year, part-time
- ECTS Weighting
- 30
Why Choose This Course?
Course Information
With a balance of theory and hands-on experience, students will develop the skills needed to work with cutting-edge medical technologies in a rapidly evolving field.
Students with an industry-based project in new medical devices are encouraged to apply. Participants will be given the opportunity to develop this project concept by taking modules in Materials Science & Processes, Regulatory Compliance, Design of Engineering Systems, and Scalable Science & Technology.
At the end of the course, students will be able to:
- Identify cases where an electronic functionality can be introduced to medical devices.
- Implement a solution incorporating an electronic functionality on a medical device.
- Extract and analyse real-time data from the device for further product improvement.
- Diagnose problems by thinking critically, innovating and collaborating through team-based work.
- Evaluate, through written and oral communication, technical findings concerning connected medical devices.
- Value life-long personal and professional attributes including communication, interpersonal, analytical, enterprising and problem-solving skills in vibrant, technologically advanced economies.
The Manufacturing Process
The manufacturing process involves transforming materials into functional components, which are assembled through sustainable, intelligent, manufacturing systems into products. These products are designed to meet specific market needs. Our new advanced manufacturing diplomas respond to employee skills needs at every stage of this process. See the chart below for an overview of related courses and how they align within the overall manufacturing process.
The course will consist of two 10 ECTS modules and two 5 ECTS:
10 ECTS modules:
- Materials Science & Processes with Project
This module is on the science of materials, from the small (atomic/nano level) through the micro-scale (grains, crystals, fibres etc.) to the macro or large scale (components, devices, etc.). The learner undertakes a project in materials science which includes the consideration of Atomic Bonding; Structure of Materials; Imperfections in Crystalline Solids; Diffusion; Phase Diagrams; Mechanical Properties of Materials; Failure Mechanisms & Corrosion; Processing of Materials – Polymers, Ceramics and Metals. - Design of Engineering Systems with Project
The aim of this course is to introduce the basic theoretical and practical concepts of engineering systems design. It lays out the fundamentals of a wide range of design-related activities. The module describes the major structure of design activity, highlighting the main stages of the design process, their significance, characteristics, requirements and methods of evaluation. The module describes both product and process design, design for high reliability and safety with practical emphasis on important modern problems, such as design for energy efficiency, design for low environmental impact and digitalisation. This module also aims to develop your skills in problem-solving, critical thinking, decision making, written and oral communication, teamwork and creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship.
5 ECTS modules:
- Scalable Science Technology & Innovation
This module introduces key insights on scalable science, technology and innovations. It promotes understanding of how science, technology and innovation intertwine. It helps participants to elicit the potential value of technology. A historical evolution of scientific thought and industrial development is first presented. The second part centres on understanding competition, analysing value chains, and the role of geography in innovation. The third part is technical and is focused on key technologies and patent literature. The fourth and fifth parts are strategic to the twin transition towards sustainability and digitalisation as it focuses on the formulation of a business hypothesis using approaches based on customer discovery. - Regulatory Compliance
This regulatory compliance module presents an overview of the regulations governing the development, manufacture and marketing of drugs and medical devices, inclusive of invitro diagnostic devices.
NB: You can take the modules listed above as individual standalone micro-credentials. Please see related courses section at the bottom of the webpage.
Curriculum Information
Curriculum information relates to the current academic year (in most cases).Course and module offerings and details may be subject to change.
Glossary of Terms
- Credits
- You must earn a defined number of credits (aka ECTS) to complete each year of your course. You do this by taking all of its required modules as well as the correct number of optional modules to obtain that year's total number of credits.
- Module
- An examinable portion of a subject or course, for which you attend lectures and/or tutorials and carry out assignments. E.g. Algebra and Calculus could be modules within the subject Mathematics. Each module has a unique module code eg. MA140.
- Optional
- A module you may choose to study.
- Required
- A module that you must study if you choose this course (or subject).
- Semester
- Most courses have 2 semesters (aka terms) per year.
Year 1 (30 Credits)
RequiredBS1181: Regulatory Compliance
BS1181: Regulatory Compliance
12 months long | Credits: 5
This regulatory compliance module presents an overview of the regulations governing the development, manufacture and marketing of drugs and medical devices, inclusive of invitro diagnostic devices.
(Language of instruction: English)
Learning Outcomes
- Examine the regulatory framework pertaining to the pharmaceutical and medical device industries
- Recognise how regulatory issues impinge upon the development, manufacture and marketing of pharmaceutical and medical device products
- Apply concepts that enable individuals to work effectively with regulatory affairs personnel
- Describe the assembly of a technical dossier supporting a marketing authorisation application
- Identify and source specific regulations
Assessments
- Continuous Assessment (100%)
Teachers & Administrators
Click a name to search for their researcher profile. Note: Only teachers publish research profiles.
The above information outlines module BS1181: "Regulatory Compliance " and is valid from 2025 onwards.Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.
RequiredBS1191: Design of Engineering Systems with Project
BS1191: Design of Engineering Systems with Project
12 months long | Credits: 10
The aim of this course is to introduce the basic theoretical and practical concepts of engineering systems design. It lays out the fundamentals of a wide range of design-related activities. The module describes the major structure of design activity, highlighting the main stages of the design process, their significance, characteristics, requirements and methods of evaluation. The module describes both product and process design, design for high reliability and safety with practical emphasis on important modern problems, such as design for energy efficiency, design for low environmental impact and digitalisation. This module also aims to develop your skills in problem solving, critical thinking, decision making, written and oral communication, teamwork and creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship.
(Language of instruction: English)
Learning Outcomes
- Identify engineering design principles to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of health and safety, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, digital and economic factors
- Apply principles of the systematic design to help identify, define and eliminate known or potential failure modes in designing products, processes and manufacturing systems.
- Analyse engineering problems in industrial settings and apply appropriate techniques and design processes to resolve issues
- Formulate a list of requirements, a design concept and an evaluation of a detailed design
- Critically evaluate all parts of design process by the development of design for a product, process or manufacturing system from ideation through to specification.
Assessments
- Continuous Assessment (80%)
- Oral, Audio Visual or Practical Assessment (20%)
Teachers & Administrators
Click a name to search for their researcher profile. Note: Only teachers publish research profiles.
Reading List
- "Engineering Design" by Gerhard Pahl,W. Beitz,Jörg Feldhusen,Karl-Heinrich Grote
ISBN: 9781846283185.
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Chapters: 12 - "The Engineering Design of Systems" by Dennis M. Buede
ISBN: 9780470164020.
Publisher: Wiley
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.
RequiredBS1192: Scalable Science, Technology and Innovation
BS1192: Scalable Science, Technology and Innovation
12 months long | Credits: 5
This module introduces key insights on scalable science, technology and innovations. It promotes understanding of how science, technology and innovation intertwine. It helps participants to elicit the potential value of technology. A historical evolution of scientific thought and industrial development is first presented. The second part centres on understanding competition, analysing value chains, and the role of geography in innovation. The third part is technical and is focused on key technologies and patent literature. The fourth and fifth parts are strategic to the twin transition towards sustainability and digitalisation as it focuses on the formulation of a business hypothesis using approaches based on customer discovery.
(Language of instruction: English)
Learning Outcomes
- Recognise the historical evolution of scientific thought and the periods of major industrial development
- Interpret the five forces of competition by assessing the competitive position of a person, business, product, or process.
- Construct a technical value chain for a simple product or enterprise
- Apply learning gained from two or more published patent filings to compare technical concepts to formulate and appraise the scalability of an innovative concept using the system model.
- Evaluate a business hypothesis by using in-person communication skills and assess the scalability in practice of an emergent business model.
Assessments
- Continuous Assessment (80%)
- Oral, Audio Visual or Practical Assessment (20%)
Teachers & Administrators
Click a name to search for their researcher profile. Note: Only teachers publish research profiles.
Reading List
- "Scalable Innovation" by Eugene Shteyn, Max Shtein
ISBN: 9781466590977.
Publisher: CRC press
Chapters: 30 - "On Competition" by Michael E. Porter
ISBN: 1422155625.
Publisher: Harvard Business Press - "The Mom Test" by Rob Fitzpatrick
ISBN: 9781492180746.
Publisher: Robfitz Ltd - "Sapiens" by Yuval Noah Harari
ISBN: 9780099590088.
Publisher: Vintage Books
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.
RequiredBS1183: Materials Science & Processes with Project
BS1183: Materials Science & Processes with Project
12 months long | Credits: 10
This is module is on the science of materials, from the small (atomic / nano level) through the micro-scale (grains, crystals, fibres etc.) to the macro or large scale (components, devices, etc.). The learner undertakes a project in materials science which includes the consideration of Atomic Bonding; Structure of Materials; Imperfections in Crystalline Solids; Diffusion; Phase Diagrams; Mechanical Properties of Materials; Failure Mechanisms & Corrosion; Processing of Materials – Polymers, Ceramics and Metals.
(Language of instruction: English)
Learning Outcomes
- Identify features and structures of materials at the atomic and microstructural level
- Explain and interpret material phase diagrams
- Compare and contrast different material failure mechanisms (brittle, ductile, fatigue, creep, corrosion)
- Analyse and generate stress-strain graphs
- Solve problems relating to material properties of stiffness, stress, strain, toughness, fatigue and material sustainability.
- Critically assess the impact of manufacturing methods and processes on materials
Assessments
- Continuous Assessment (70%)
- Department-based Assessment (30%)
Teachers & Administrators
Click a name to search for their researcher profile. Note: Only teachers publish research profiles.
The above information outlines module BS1183: "Materials Science & Processes with Project" and is valid from 2025 onwards.Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.
Each module features a substantial workplace project component, and students are encouraged to join the course with an industry-based project concept. This approach provides valuable opportunities to build transferable skills that can be applied directly in professional settings.
This course will suit professionals in R&D roles within the medical device sector. This course provides the commercial acumen and leadership skills needed to drive innovation and connectivity in the medical device industry by focusing on the digital transformation of manufacturing.
It is designed to equip professionals with specialised technical and soft skills for the evolving medical device sector, with a focus on connected, data-driven, and sustainable device design and manufacturing. It has been preparing learners for leadership roles in this field since 2009 and continues to evolve to meet industry demands.
The identified career pathways specific to this course include:
- Medical Device Engineer
- Healthcare Technology Specialist
- Regulatory Affairs Specialist
- Medical Device Product Manager
Dr Adam Collins
Lecturer, School of Natural Sciences, Physics
Dr Gerard O'Connor
Personal Professor, School of Natural Sciences, Physics
Dr Aidan Toner
The course is delivered part-time through a blended learning approach. Learners will be provided with online materials for each module, specifically developed for independent study. These will be complemented by recommended readings and interactive resources where relevant. In-person attendance is required for approximately 10 hours per module, typically scheduled on Saturdays.
Assessment is carried out through a combination of assignments, written examinations, and, where applicable, practical laboratory work. Examinations are scheduled at the end of each semester, and each module is assessed individually.
If you do not meet the standard entry criteria for this course, you may gain entry through our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy. Applicants may also be able to earn module exemptions based on their prior learning. Find out more here.
Job readiness is integrated across all modules through group work, problem-solving assignments, conflict resolution discussions, and leadership opportunities in team projects.
Experiential learning, including immersion in labs and opportunities for work-based projects, helps learners develop essential transversal skills such as teamwork, communication, creativity and innovation.
Accreditations & Awards
Meet our Employers
Entry Requirements and Fees
Applicants should have a Diploma at NFQ Level 7 of 90 ECTS minimum, in a Science, Engineering or Technical area, or otherwise prove that they satisfy the modules' prerequisites as listed in the course outline section.
Entry requirements for part-time students can be found here (i.e. Age, English language requirements, etc.).
This course is funded through Springboard+, you can apply for this course here.
NB: Applicants should have a Diploma at NFQ Level 7 of 90 ECTs minimum, in a Science, Engineering or Technical area, or otherwise prove that they satisfy the prerequisites of each of the modules as listed in the course outline section.
Fees for Academic Year 2026/27
| Course Type | Year | EU Tuition | Student Contribution | Non-EU Tuition | Levy | Total Fee | Total EU Fee | Total Non-EU Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UG Diploma | 1 | €2,720 | €3,220 | €- | €2,720 | €3,220 |
Course Administrator
Tel: 091 493909
Email: sciencetech@universityofgalway.ie
Why University of Galway?
World renowned research led university nestled in the vibrant heart of Galway city on Ireland's scenic West Coast.
Centre for Adult Learning & Professional Development
Education Building, Nuns' Island, Galway
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Meet Our Alumni
Introduction
The Diploma in Digitally Enabled Connected Medical Devices prepares students to meet industry demands by enhancing the connectivity of modern medical devices. Learners will gain essential knowledge of simple electronic systems used in medical device manufacturing while exploring smart technologies and printed electronics.
This course is funded by Springboard+.
