IT Carlow Announces New STEM Degree Courses

IT Carlow has announced two new innovative STEM degree courses that will provide skilled graduates in biomedical electronics, and in robotics and automated systems.

Both courses have been welcomed by the industry, with the Irish Medtech Association citing Ireland’s position as one of the top five global medtech hubs and describing the Bachelor of Engineering in Biomedical Electronics as “preparing the next generation for the demands of tomorrow”.

Adrienne McDonnell, a senior executive with the Irish Medtech Association said, “This programme comes at a time when the medical technology industry is looking to address current skills shortages and prepare the next generation for the demands of tomorrow.

“These new programmes are a blended mix of physiology and cell biology and applied electronics for medical devices, and really complement the fostering of collaboration between education institutions and the medtech industry to strategically enable lifelong learning and develop the workforce with the skills areas that are in most demand now and in the future.

“Ireland is one of the top five global medtech hubs, with over 450 companies, and is ranked as the most innovative in the EU with 14,200 EU patent applications in 2020.”

The Bachelor of Engineering in Biomedical Electronics is suitable for students interested in the high-tech industry, advancing medical devices for state-of-the-art healthcare.

The course is a combination of theory classes, practical experiments, projects and laboratory sessions, and will include work placement and project collaboration with leading global medical device companies based in Ireland.

“Biomedical electronics involves the application of electronic circuits and technologies for treating medical conditions, monitoring health problems and improving the quality of life for patients. Ireland is one of Europe’s largest medical technology hotspots.

“All of these companies require a continuous supply of graduates with skills in electronics and domain knowledge and expertise of medical devices and healthcare applications”, commented Dr Kavanagh, programme director and lecturer at IT Carlow.

The other new entry, the Bachelor of Engineering in Robotics and Automated Systems, has been designed in collaboration with experts to meet the needs of the industry.

Due to the level of technicality involved in robotics and automated systems, which combines electronic engineering, mechanical engineering and computer science, there is a shortage of qualified graduates and personnel in this area and it is anticipated that graduates of the course will be highly sought after.

“Covid 19 reminded us that technology plays an important part in our daily life. Robotics and automated systems is a growing industry, therefore the demand for careers in robotics and automation engineering and jobs in the virtual and physical world will be on the rise over the next few years.

“This degree will produce an adaptable graduate capable of working across developing industries where robotic and automated systems are employed”, commented Dr Picovici, programme director and senior lecturer at IT Carlow.

The Bachelor of Engineering in Biomedical Electronics and the Bachelor of Engineering in Robotics and Automated Systems are currently open for applications via the CAO and will be delivered at the Carlow campus.

Further information is available at www.itcarlow.ie.