AIT Academic Structures
Academic Structure
Traditionally the Institute offered a range of courses on a full and part-time basis
at the following levels: National Certificate, National Diploma, Bachelor Degree,
Graduate/Postgraduate Diploma, Master’s Degree, professional accountancy, and
postgraduate research programmes. In March 2003, NQAI and HETAC agreed to
the placement of the existing and former awards [previously made by HETAC
and/or by the former NCEA] in the National Framework of Qualifications as
follows: Higher Certificate, ordinary Bachelor Degree, Honours Bachelor Degree,
Higher Diploma, Postgraduate Diploma, Master’s Degree and Doctorate Degree.
All accredited programmes being offered at the Institute have been mapped
within the framework.
Many of the courses at the Institute are offered under different learning modes.
These include: full-time; part-time; ACCS; open learning; distance learning.
TEACHING
The teaching methods used at third-level are significantly different to those used
at second-level. In addition to lectures, there is an emphasis on practical
applications, with workshop/laboratory-work being central to the learning process.
Lecturers present their material with analysis and critical questions, and students
are encouraged to enlarge their knowledge through their own reading. Classes are
timetabled at the discretion of the Institute. Practical industrial placements are
arranged for an expanding number of courses.
MODULARISATION
Modularisation is the division of programmes into discreet but related units
known as modules, which are delivered within a specified teaching period, known
as a semester. Modularisation offers the student more flexibility, mobility and the
control over the what and when of their learning.This system makes it easier to
accumulate credit for the modules successfully passed and makes it easier for to
transfer between programmes and between colleges.
A module is a self-contained unit of a programme that when successfully completed
and combined with other successfully completed modules leads to an award. Each
module has specific aims, workloads, credits attached, learning outcomes and
assessment schedules. Assessment takes place either during and/or at the end of the
learning period. Learning outcomes are measured by the student’s knowledge,
understanding and ability on completion of a particular module.
Each module is valued in terms of credits. You gain credits for every module
successfully completed and the number of credits allocated to each module varies
depending on the workload. The norm for a 5 ECTS (European Credit Transfer
System) credit module reflects a workload of approximately 125 hours. However,
the value of an undergraduate module may vary, in the main, from between 5 to
20 credits. Each year of a programme requires 60 credits.
Modularised programmes will be taught and assessed in the following periods:
Semester 1: September-December (15 weeks inclusive of assessment)
Semester 2: January-May (15 weeks inclusive of assessment)
A fundamental concept of modularisation is credit accumulation. This means that
the student gains credit for the successful completion of a module. In some
circumstances, they may be able to proceed to the subsequent year of a
programme carrying a failed module and have the opportunity to be reassessed
or retake the module. However, this would normally only be possible if the failed
module was not a prerequisite for a module being offered in the next year of the
programme and where the student is not seeking to attempt to gain more credit
than is advisable in a session.
Prerequisites are those modules which have to be passed before the student can
progress to a subsequent module. Co-requisites are modules that must be taken
in conjunction with another related module.
Full-time student would normally expect to gain 30 ECTS credits in a semester or
60 ECTS credits in a full academic year.To support lifelong learning, however, AIT
will facilitate registration within a range of ECTS credits and it is proposed that a
student can register on as little as 5 ECTS credits. Students will be facilitated to
register for additional modules beyond the normal requirements of a programme
provided they do not exceed the acceptable course loads of 40 ECTS credits in a
single semester and 75 ECTS credits in a two-semester academic session.
INDUSTRIAL AND CLINICAL PLACEMENTS (PRACTICA)
Placements are a common (and sometimes mandatory) feature of many of the
educational programmes at the Institute.These work experience opportunities
provide academic and employment benefits not possible in an exclusively college
environment. As well as offering exposure to current work practices in industry,
placements provide a means by which students can practise the skills and apply
the knowledge they have acquired in college, as well as undertake structured
research within a teamwork situation.
ASSESSMENT
The Institute employs a variety of assessment methods. Staff within the Schools
will make students aware of the method that attaches to a given course.Terminal
examinations are employed, while some courses involve continuous assessment
including tests, assignments and project or essay submission. Such assignments
normally form part of the overall final grade. Students who are completing
courses for which, if successful, they receive an accredited award, should read the
relevant edition of the Examination Marks and Standards document, as adopted
by the Institute’s Academic Council on 18 June 2001 (copies are available in the
Institute Library or at www.hetac.ie).
Work submitted by students as part of their year’s work requirements, such as
laboratory reports, assessments, etc. remain the property of the Institute. It is the
responsibility of each student to retain copies of their continuous assessment
work, where required, before submission.
LANGUAGES
At present, registered students at the Institute may choose from French, German
and Spanish. Students with no previous knowledge of a language will have the
opportunity to study either German or Spanish at beginners’ level. Students may
choose to study a language at the Institute in one of two ways:
• Via a dedicated languages and business honours degree course
• By taking a language as an elective subject as part of their own course.
ELECTIVES
Students’ choice of elective subjects for the academic year 2009/2010 must be
made at the commencement of the academic year.