Prospective Students - How courses are taught at DCU

Prospective Students

How are Courses Taught

What is a lecture?

A lecture is learning by listening to the teacher. It is usually an hour long. You will be expected to take notes and there may be hand-outs. You will often be in a group of between 20 or 50 students but it may be much larger (100 or even 200).

What is a seminar or tutorial?

A seminar/tutorial is a discussion between groups of students, usually 10 to 20, and the lecturer or assistant lecturer. He/she will lead the discussion and the students will interact both with each other and the lecturer.

What is a lecturer?

A lecturer or senior lecturer has major teaching responsibilities and often research responsibilities in the department. These are the core academic staff in the department.

What is a professor?

A Professor is the most senior teacher in the department. He/she may teach any level of student. He/she will usually have a major research interest and will be pre-eminent in his/her field.

What is a personal tutor?

A personal tutor is the member of academic staff that is assigned to each student in the department on an individual basis. Personal tutorials are there to help students discuss their academic progress and any individual or personal difficulties that they wish to draw to the attention of the department.

How are courses assessed?

Your course will be constructed of modules. Each module has its own assessment. This can be an examination, presentation or a project. There can also be continuous assessment. The precise type of assessment and its contribution to the course is clear in the course regulations.

What degrees can I get?

Degrees for undergraduate students:

• BA Bachelor of Arts
• BSc Bachelor of Sciences
• BEng Bachelor of Engineering

Degrees for post-graduate students:

• MA Master of Arts
• MSc Master of Science
• MEng Master of Engineering

Awards for research work:

• PhD Doctor of Philosophy
• GDip Postgraduate Diploma

All university studies can lead to a First Degree, a Masters, or a research degree at PhD level

What is a first step in university qualifications?

If you have never been to university, the first level to aim for is a degree. To enter a degree course you need to have achieved an equivalent of the Leaving Certificate. You may be able to take a preliminary study skill course or a foundation year course to help you reach that standard, e.g FETAC level 5.

What is a Masters Degree?

Masters Degrees are often shorter in duration and assume a higher standard of previous knowledge and competence than honours degrees. Learning is more complex and your own research and analyses form critical parts of your degree.
Sometimes you can take a limited part of a Masters Degree course and that can be credited as a Postgraduate Diploma.

What is a PhD?

A Phd involves a substantial amount of your own study. You and your supervisor would select a field of knowledge, and a research of a significant topic that has not been covered by anyone before. Those who tackle these degrees already have significant research or academic skills.