An Coiste Feabhais Acadúil
The Committee on Academic Quality Improvement
The Academic Quality Assurance Programme 2004-2005
Report to Údarás na hOllscoile
Review of
Department of Engineering Hydrology
Self-Assessment
Review Group Visit
Follow Up Meeting
Sept 2004 to Jan 2005
1st February 2005
18th May 2005
This Report was compiled for members of Údarás na hOllscoile, NUI Galway and its
committees as a readily accessible but comprehensive source of information on the above
review, its context and its outcomes.
Professor Jim Gosling, Director of Quality, February 2006
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Report to Údarás – Review of Department of Engineering Hydrology 2004–2005
1. Overview of Department
1.1 Aims of the Department
The general Aims of the Department are
• To provide and foster an environment for learning, research and teaching in
the area of hydrology and related fields for academic and research staff,
visitors and students of the university
• To earn the respect of students, graduates, fellow academics world wide and
the public as a results of high quality work carried out in an atmosphere which
encourages the development of all who work in the Department and of those who have
contract with it.
These are the same aims which [were] enunciated in 1999 and [the Department saw] no reason
to change them [in 2005].
1.2 Background
The Department of Engineering Hydrology has no degree programme but provides important
service teaching to a wide range of programmes in the Faculties of Science and Engineering. It
is accepted by Civil Engineering that the subjects of hydraulics and hydrology are essential
planks of its Civil and Environmental degree programme.
1.3 Student numbers
The total number of fulltime equivalent (FTE) students in the Department was 35.2 in the year
2003/04, representing a decrease of 33% in the five years since 1998–1999.
1.4 Staff to Student ratio
In 2003–04, the number of fulltime equivalent (FTE) academic staff in the Faculty was 2.1,
giving a student: staff ratio of 17 in year ending 2004. This ratio was 26 in 1998–99.
1.5 Accommodation and Facilities
The core facilities of the Departments are located in a prefabricated, temporary building (Block
R) on Earls Island with a separate hydraulics laboratory in the old Royal Yacht Club Building.
File name, Print date
EngHydrolUdarasRep4
4/25/2007
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Report to Údarás – Review of Department of Engineering Hydrology 2004–2005
2. Review Group Visit and Report
The Review Group consisted of: Mr Tony Smyth, Director of Engineering Services,
Office of Public Works, Dublin (Chairman); Dr Michael Bruen, Senior Lecturer, Department of
Civil Engineering, University College Dublin; Dr Pieter de Laat, Associate Professor in Land
and Water Development, UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education, The Netherlands; and Dr
Kathryn Moore, Lecturer in the Department of Earth and Ocean Sciences acting as Rapporteur.
The Department prepared and submitted a 'Self Assessment Report' that, with other
documentation, was made available to the review team in advance of their visit.
2.1 Summary, and Main Recommendations from Report
Since the support of the Department for Foreign Affairs ceased in 2000, the Department no
longer organizes a postgraduate programme and the staff is reduced to two professors and three
supporting staff. Despite this reduction, the atmosphere in the department is excellent and the
commitment and dedication of all the staff to carrying out their duties is very obvious. The
Department of Hydrology provides a large number of service lectures to various undergraduate
programmes in the University. The courses are considered important or essential by the
academic staff of the Faculties of Science and Engineering, and are generally well appreciated
by the students. With the growing number of students the workload for providing service
lectures and laboratory workshops is extremely high.
The Review Group found the Self-Assessment Report and the additional material,
provided prior to the start of the visit, informative and of great assistance for critical evaluation.
Missing data were supplied during the day upon request. The report signals various small and
larger problems, but it does not always indicate the way in which they could be solved. The
Review Group suggests the following actions to be taken by the Department:
• It is urgent that a new strategic plan for the future of hydrology/hydraulics in NUIG is
drafted in consultation with other departments and this plan be forwarded to the
Academic Planning and resource Committee for consideration as to its implementation.
•
More time should be spent in the pursuit of research funding at the cost of service
lectures in order to maintain the international reputation of the department.
•
The department should consider including field teaching as part of the hydrology
courses.
•
The questionnaires for the evaluation of the service courses should be reformulated in
consultation with CELT.
The Review Group suggests the following actions to be taken by other sectors of the University:
• The Curriculum Review Committee of the Department of Civil and Environmental
Engineering must involve the Department of Engineering Hydrology in any quality
assessment and curriculum change of all programmes to which DEH contributes.
•
The Research Office and the University Management support the research initiatives and
applications of the Department.
•
The University management should support the Department in its drafting of a Strategic
Plan for the future of the discipline and help to formulate ways in which the Plan may be
implemented.
File name, Print date
EngHydrolUdarasRep4
4/25/2007
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Report to Údarás – Review of Department of Engineering Hydrology 2004–2005
3. Action Plans
Follow up Meeting 9.30 a.m. Wednesday, 18th May 2005
in Block R, Earls Island
Present: Professor J Browne – Registrar, Professor J Gosling - Director of Quality (Chair), Dr K Moore
– Review Group Rapporteur, Mr T Smyth – Review Group, Professor P O’Donoghue – Dean of
Engineering, Professor C Cunnane - Head of Department, Ms M Hiney – Research Office, Professor K
O’Connor, Ms C King, Mr D McDermott, Ms Maureen Linnane (in attendance). Apologies: Dr Michael
Bruen
Action Plan for the Department:
Drafting of a new strategic plan for the future of hydrology/hydraulics in NUI Galway has
already commenced in consultation with other departments and this plan will be forwarded to
the Academic Planning and Resource Committee for consideration as to its implementation.
1. In support of the identification of worthwhile new strategic directions, the Department will
pursue all avenues that may lead to material support for research and new programme
development.
2. Strategic planning for engineering hydrology at NUI Galway will be given the highest
priority by the Department and a full draft Plan will be completed by December 2005.
3. With respect to the courses that it teaches, the Department will:
ƒ Implement in 2005–06 more systematic mechanisms for obtaining and acting on student
feedback, in cooperation with CELT.
ƒ Revise the approach to publicising and explaining optional courses to prospective
students.
ƒ Review each course with respect to:
o Structure and the mix of lectures, tutorials and practical classes,
o The inclusion of field-teaching elements were this would benefit learning and
smaller student numbers make it feasible,
o Notes and other documents provided,
o The exchange of teaching roles among staff (where possible) and other measures to
expose students to a greater variety of styles and approaches.
Action Plan for University Management:
1. The Registrar will provide support to the Department to facilitate development of the
Strategic Plan for the future development of the discipline of Hydrology in the University.
In this regard, hydrology must be considered in its broadest context.
2. The Dean of Engineering is conscious of the fundamental importance of hydrology and will
work with and support the strategic development of the discipline.
3. The Director of Quality will work with and support the strategic development of the
Department.
4. The Dean of Engineering (who is also Professor of Civil Engineering) supports the full
involvement of the Department of Engineering Hydrology in the Curriculum Review
File name, Print date
EngHydrolUdarasRep4
4/25/2007
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Report to Údarás – Review of Department of Engineering Hydrology 2004–2005
Committee of the Department of Civil Engineering with respect to relevant curriculum
change in all programmes to which it contributes.
5. The Research Office will support the Department in any proposed research related initiative.
6. The Director and staff of CELT will aid the Department in improving the learning and
teaching by the provision of generic and specific training and other supports.
Approved by: Head of Department, Professor C Cunnane, 7th September 2005
Approved by: Dean of Engineering, Professor P O’Donoghue, 29th June 2005
Approved by: Registrar, Professor J Browne, 12th September 2005
Approved by: Director of CELT, Dr I MacLaren, 9th November 2005
Approved by: Research Office Administrator, Dr M Hiney, 28th October 2005
Approved by: Dean of Science, Dr G Morgan, 27th September 2005
Finalised: 9th November 2005, Jim Gosling, Director of Quality
File name, Print date
EngHydrolUdarasRep4
4/25/2007