Engineering in Tralee Institute of Technology
The School of Engineering was one of the first schools established in the Institute. It is based at present in the South Campus close to the centre of Tralee town.
It is divided into 2 departments:
Introduction
Engineering plays a vital part in our lives, from the processing and transportation of electricity to the delivery of drinking water right to our taps.
Engineering is described as "the application of scientific and mathematical principles to problems in order to find a practical solution".
It is concerned with creating and building "things" - or systems - in the service of mankind. Engineering is about solving problems using a systematic approach and giving consideration to environmental, social and economic factors. It deals with finding solutions to problems that matter to ordinary people, from hip replacements to microwaves, from roads to natural gas, from chemicals to a cleaner environment, from the Internet to pop videos, engineers are always involved.
Engineering is the hidden face of public utilities, transport systems, buildings, computers and the Internet, food production, diamond rings, racing cars and fizzy drinks - we all know the end product, but never see the person working in the background.
In the background it is this "application of scientific and mathematical principles" which distinguishes engineering from other professions - the engineer is seldom seen or heard, they work quietly away from the glare of publicity focussing on finding better solutions to problems affecting all our lives.
The diverse engineering industry provides a support infrastructure within which other industries and businesses function and develop. It has provided a framework within which the Irish economy has been able to flourish.
Further Information
Both Departments offer a variety of courses geared towards the Civil, Construction. Agricultural and Manufacturing industries. Graduates from both Departments, whether at Higher Certificate, Ordinary Bachelor Degree, Honours Bachelor Degree or postgraduate level, all find suitable gainful employment in their chosen fields. There are progression paths within the School from Higher Certificate through to Honours Degree level. If students so wish they have the option to pursue Honours Degree level courses in other Higher Education Institutions.
The Institute and the Engineering School over the years has forged strong links with industry. This can be seen from the courses offered that meet industry needs. Courses such as Facilities Management, Mechanical & Electronic Engineering and the Higher Certificate in Precision Engineering were all developed at the Institute in response to industry requirements.
Over the years ties with industry have developed considerably both through the graduate placement programs and through the linkages developed by former students of the college. Graduate recruitment sees companies such as Intel, Hewlett Packard from Dublin, EMC and Logitech from Cork, Analog Devices and Dell from Limerick annually visiting the college competing to recruit engineering graduates. These and other companies such as Amman, Beru Manufacturing, Alps Electric, Dairy Master, Sara Lee etc. ensure that there is a strong local and national demand for our graduates.
The Civil and Construction Department has developed liaisons with companies such as Sisks, McNamara, M.C. O Sullivan, Malachy Walsh & Partners, all excellent civil engineering companies, and with County Councils, Urban Councils and Government Agencies. Some of the liaisons developed have seen ITT engineering students receive scholarships to fund their studies particularly in their final year of college.
The Engineering School has over the years built up good laboratory and workshop infrastructure catering for the students' needs. These laboratories and workshops equip the students with the necessary skills and practical hands-on experience to get their chosen career off to a good start. Coupled with the theoretical knowledge provided this ensures that the graduates can progress onto engineering ladders in their chosen fields at an early stage. The staff at the Engineering School believe that the continuous learning approach instilled in students at the Institute leads to a life long learning aptitude which is necessary in today's environment where graduates are required to be multi-skilled.
The State of the art laboratories and workshops available to the students include:
-Computer Based Training Laboratories
-Computer Aided Design laboratories
-Agricultural Engineering Workshops
-Structures Laboratory
-Concrete & Asphalt testing Laboratory
-Soils testing Laboratory
-Fluids Laboratory
-Engineering Science Laboratory
-Process Control Laboratories
-Computer Laboratories
-Electronic Engineering Laboratories and Workshops
-Mechanical Engineering Workshop
-Precision Engineering Workshop
Incorporated in the Engineering School courses are various projects and practical assignments, which include assignments in surveying, traffic management, robotic control, sewerage design/treatment projects and in the redesign of existing farm machinery products to make them more efficient and safer. Projects such as these as well as serving to better the community also form an integral part of the education process at IT Tralee and contributes to the life long learning process.
HEAD OF SCHOOL John Murphy
HEAD OF DEPARTMENTS Tim Segal
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Civil Engineering and Construction Studies
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Agricultural and Manufacturing Engineering
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Apprenticeship
