ATHLONE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
External Evaluation Report for / BSc in Polymer Processing Technology Level 7
(Apprenticeship)
Provider / Athlone Institute of Technology
Programme Title / BSc in Polymer Processing Technology Level 7
(Apprenticeship)
Award Type / Bachelor of Science
Level / 7
Award Type / Major
Embedded Award / No
Number of ECTS Credits / 180
First Student Intake / May 2017
Date of Panel Visit / Wednesday, 07 December 2016
Venue / Engineering Boardroom
PANEL MEMBERS
Chairperson of Panel / Dr Dermot Douglas,
Higher Education Consultant/Former Director of
Academic Affairs, Institutes of Technology Ireland,
email:
Secretary to Panel / Dr Tony Johnston,
Head of Department of Hospitality, Tourism & Leisure,
Athlone Institute of Technology.
email:
Other Panel Members / Claire Horner, Chargee de developpement international,
Institute Superieur De Plasturgie D’Alencon,
Normandy, France.
email:
Mr Paschal Meehan,
Head of Faculty of Applied Science, Engineering and
Technology,
Limerick Institute of Technology
email:
Mr Gerry McNally, MSc, CSci, FIOMM, MSPE,
Director of Polymer Research, Innovation & Competence, Northern Ireland Polymers Association,
The Innovation Centre, Northern Ireland Science Park,
Queens Road, Belfast, BT3 9DT
email@
Mr Brendan Boland,
Principal Plastics Engineer,
Bausch & Lomb, Cork Road Industrial Estate,
Cork Road, Waterford.
email:
Introduction:
The programme being proposed is a Bachelor of Science at level 7 on the National Framework of Qualifications. The area of study is Polymer Processing Technology. The programme is designed as part of a State initiative to offer higher educational awards through the apprenticeship model. The full title of the programme is a Bachelor of Science in Polymer Processing Technology Level 7 (Apprenticeship). The first intake of students is proposed for May 2017.
The qualification is underpinned by an Occupational Profile that was created by a consortium comprising key stakeholders, as follows:
  • Plastics Ireland (a representative group under IBEC for the polymer and plastics industry in Ireland).
  • SOLAS (the National Further Education and Training Authority responsible inter alia for registering apprentices and approving companies to host apprentices).
  • ETBI (Education and Training Board of Ireland).
  • IMDA (Irish Medical Device Association is a representative group for the medical device industry and a subgroup of IBEC).
The programme will be offered over seven phases; a model that aligns with the traditional apprenticeship model. Four of these phases will be completed on-the-job, where the student will be employed within a relevant approved company. The additional three phases will be completed in the academic setting of the coordinating educational institute, Athlone Institute of Technology. Online learning modules will also be undertaken by the student during their time on-the-job. These modules will predominantly be offered by the collaborating Institute of Technology, IT Sligo, who have established a national and international reputation for on-line teaching and learning.
Commendations
The panel commended the institutes involved and their staff for developing this programme,
which, evidence indicates, is urgently needed by industry.
CONDITIONS
  1. The Institute, in addition to the standards mapping already carried out, inserts a column in the relevant table to match the programme learning outcomes to the ProfessionalAwardtypedesignedbyQQItocaterfornewApprenticeshipawardsat Levels 5 to 9. This will clearly demonstrate that the programme, as well as meeting the standards set for academic awards in science also meets the standards set in respect of this new method of delivery. These standards are available at Award-types PS32014.pdf
  1. That the School of Engineering agrees with the Academic specific Marks and Standards for this programme that will deal with issues of aggregation of marks/grades;pass/failcriteria;repeatexaminations;compensation;exemption;rules for classification of awardsetc.
  1. That the programme documentation and information made available to learners and the public be revised in connection with minimum entry requirements, and to include further education awards, alternative qualifications, awards from other jurisdictions, etc. in order to fully satisfy the institute' s legal obligation s in terms of access, transferand progression.
  1. Entry requirements should clearly state the minimum English language competence required for participation in the programme especially as the initial selection of studentswillbedonebyemployersandSolas.
  1. Where RPL is being used for entry, it is necessary to state the criteria that will be used.Itshouldbeclearthatthelevelofachievementexpectedwouldbeequivalentto atleastLevel4(i.e.equivalentto5OrdinaryLeavingCertificatesubjects).
  1. TheInstituteshouldlistatleasttwoclearprogressionroutesforthegraduates.
  1. That the programme adopts a common standard across the whole programme of the numberofnotionalhoursoflearnereffortfor1ECTScredit.
  1. That the companies involved in the apprenticeships are visited at least once a year, or as appropriate, to mitigate any adverse outcomes to the apprenticeship or breakdown inrelationshipbetweenlearners,mentorsandsupervisors.
9. Thedocumentneedstobeeditedtoremoveerrors,inconsistenciesandomissions.
RECOMMENDATI0NS
1. To ensure that the following themes are covered in the programme: tool maintenance, tool steels (steel type co-efficient of thermal expansion, thermal conductivity);
2. To ensure that graduates of the programme are competent to an advanced level in MS Excel.
3. To be cognizant of the workload required for the delivery of the programme and the academic supervision of apprentices while in the workplace.
4. As the programme progresses to ensure that appropriate processes and quality assurance systems are in place to evaluate the ongoing quality of apprenticeship and mentorship experience of the student.
Signed : Dr Dermot Douglas
Chairman of Panel
Dated: 12th December 2016