Certificate in Preparatory Study for Third Level

Take Control of your future with the support of ITT Dublin.

(With the support of the Higher Education Authority) Institute of Technology Tallaght has developed a new and innovative programme for people who are unemployed and are seeking to retrain and upskill. Take the opportunity to experience what studying at third level in 2009 is like. Apply now for our new programme - Certificate in Preparatory Study for Third Level - Special Purpose Award Level 6.

Course Aims:

To provide an initiative to support the community in the current economic recession to build participant confidence and encourage and support their to return to education. To provide participants with:

  • The necessary skills for studying at third level (e.g. study skills,  communications, ICT and maths)
  • An introduction to the type of content and activities inherent   in studying a range of subject areas –Business, Marketing, Accountancy, Humanities, Computing, Engineering (Electrical and Mechanical) and Science.
  • Practical information relating to returning to education, including financial and personal implications, supports available, and students’ experiences

You choose which subjects you would like to try – you can choose  four of the following:

Accountancy
The purpose and role of accounting information.  Accounting terminology – accounting elements – asset, liability, income, expense, capital: Definitions and an understanding of what is meant by each element.  Books and records of account including an introduction to double entry book-keeping and presentation of the income statement and balance sheet.

Mechanical Engineering
Students consider all aspects on engineering safety.  Computer Aided Design  will be used to develop engineering graphic design skills.  Engineering practice including milling and material density will also be covered.  Students will also be introduced to Robotics.

Electronic Engineering
Students will build a robot and use graphical programming to manoeuvre the robot.  It will be programmed to respond in different ways based on proximity to objects, different sounds and colours it senses as well as when it touches other subjects. Population of boards with electronic components through hole PCB to enable a flashing LED circuit, Lie detector of Musical Bagpipe.  Computer communications, how a Packet Tracer simulator can be set up to form a simple network with IP addressing.  A demonstration of ITT Dublin FM Transmitter (ITTFM) and Antenna Trainer will also be included.

European Politics
History of the European Union from the end of the WW11 to the present including  The European Institutions, The Member States, The decision making process.  Challenges to European Integration such as Enlargement, The Citizenship debate, The Democratic deficit, European Identity.

Computing
A problem based learning approach will be used to require students to develop, solutions to basic programming questions as part of a team. Initial solutions will be developed on paper/whiteboard, i.e. not using computers.  Proposed solutions will then be tested on a visual, logical programming interface for rapid development and testing of programming concepts.

Marketing
Understanding the customer, customer relationship management, segmentation targeting and positioning.  Identify and profile their  target market and draw up a positioning map which they feel is appropriate for their product or service.  Corporate social responsibility, the marketing environment.  Identifying the key environmental factors for their product and how they would influence the marketing of this produce.  Branding and Packaging.  Marketing communications.

Science
Introduction to Science.  This module contains an overview of some major scientific discoveries and how ultimately scientific research and development affect the every day lives of the population of the world today.  Explanation of transferable skills that scientists develop. Chemistry – Cancer and Platinum: Microbiology – The story of Penicillin:  Physics – Gravity, the Universe and You: Maths – A Beautiful Mind and the Genius of Game Theory: DNA – Watson and Crick and The Human Genome Project: Practical Course – lab sessions to introduce the essential skills and techniques of practical chemistry.

Management
Planning: Components of Planning, Strategic Planning, Operational Planning, Types of Plants, Forecasting
Organising: Job design, Co-ordination
Directing: Directing, Leadership, Motivation
Controlling: Dimensions of Control, Control Problems, Financial and Non-Financial Control Methods
Entrepreneurship: The meaning and importance of Entrepreneurship, Enterprise Support Agencies, Feasibility studies and business plans, Sources of Finance, Barriers to Entrepreneurship.
Managing Human Resources and Industrial Relations: HRM function, roles of the specialist and line manager, staffing, training and development, Performance Appraisal, Trade Unions and Industrial Relations Institutions

You will also study Academic English, Communications, Maths, Study skills and  ICT.

Duration: Approximately 100 hours

APPLY NOW TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT -
Download application: Application form_Cert. in Preparatory Studies and return to the address below.

For Further Information please contact:
Part-time Information Desk, Institute of Technology Tallaght
Phone 01 404 2101: Email lifelonglearning@ittdublin.ie