REPORT ON PROGRAMME VALIDATION
Part 1
Q 3 Report
Programme details
Proposed title
MSc in Sustainability, Technology and Innovation
Nature and duration
of programme
2 years full-time
DIT awards sought
Master of Science in Sustainability, Technology and
Innovation
Classifications of award
Award is unclassified
Parallel award sought from other award body
Graduates will also receive an MSc
in Technology from Purdue
University
Professional/external accrediting body
N/A
Background
The College of Engineering and the Built Environment has led the development of this dual
transatlantic Masters programme which focuses on sustainability, technology and innovation
and general innovative approaches to novel technology, its use and general sustainable
development. Successful completion of this collaborative four semester study programme on
the part of students registered either through DIT or Purdue University will lead to a DIT
MSc in Sustainability, Technology and Innovation and an MSc in Technology from Purdue
University. UPC students will receive an award from UPC and the MSc in Technology from
Purdue University, but will not receive a DIT award. The programme will involve one
semester at DIT, one semester at Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC) in Spain and
two semesters in Purdue University, Indiana, USA. The programme is supported by the
Educational, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) of the EU and the Fund
for the Improvement of Post Secondary Education (FIPSE) of the USA through the Atlantis
programme.
In addition to the well recognised benefits of international education and foreign language
proficiencies, it is also widely recognised that sustainability must be of high priority in all
developments. By combining knowledge of existing traditional technologies, state-of-the-art
technologies and approaches to innovation, the graduates of the programme will be able to
naturally integrate sustainability in the developments in which they are involved. In addition,
the hugely beneficial cultural experience gained through the embedded learner mobility
element of this programme also uniquely enhances the capabilities of the graduates. These
graduate abilities formed the rationale for the initial development of this programme.
Stated aims and learning outcomes of the programme
Programme aims
The primary aim of the programme is to provide Masters level education in the areas of
sustainability, technology and innovation, and a learning experience which includes
international mobility and language capability development.
Learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of the MSc, graduates will have demonstrated:
1. Enhanced capability with research and development. They will:
 be familiar with research and experimental design sufficient to apply it to real world
problems;
 be able to apply design and development procedures to real world problems;
 demonstrate the necessary professional, research and development skills common to
relevant disciplines, as evidences by successful completion of either a thesis or a
directed project, that are required for successful life long learning and professional
contribution.

2. Global perspectives on technology, technology management and sustainability. They
will:
 be able to employ project management, technology assessment, sustainability analyses
applicable both to their native culture as well as in other cultural settings;
 be able to establish the appropriateness of technology for specific cultural settings;
 use knowledge of how technology impacts society and organisations, from both a
technical as well as a leadership and management perspective, and demonstrate critical
thinking in these arenas.

3. Innovation and related process skills. They will:
 be able to employ key creative and innovation generation procedures;
 be able to sophistically retrieve information from databases and global sources;
 be able to exhibit advanced product realisation and commercialisation skills.
4. Awareness of, and capability with, entrepreneurship procedures. They will:
 be capable with entrepreneurial procedures and skills;
 be able to secure business start-up and related information from international sources.
5. Enhanced cross cultural communication and professional effectiveness. They will:
 be proficient in professional communication (reading, writing and speaking/presenting)
in at least two languages, English and Spanish;
 have demonstrated effectiveness in operating in a culture/country other than their
native one;
 demonstrate ethical leadership and a commitment to their personal professional
development and life-long learning.
6. A graduate level of technological expertise in one or more technology fields.
Programme structure
Students may enter the programme through the DIT or Purdue University. All students will
take one semester and DIT, one at UPC, Barcelona and two semesters at Purdue University.
All students agree a Study Plan which is agreed with representatives from each institution.
They must accumulate 120 ECTS through successful completion of their agreed plan of study
to be eligible for the awards. As well as taught modules, students also undertake a Joint
Directed Project which in most cases commences in semester two and is completed in
semester four.
Entry Requirements
Students enter the programme through either DIT or Purdue University. The Memorandum of
Understanding states that: ‘The participating institutions agree to admit students to the dual
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MSc graduate degree program that have been recommended for admission by an admissions
committee comprised of at least one appropriate representative from each institution. Such
recommendation must be pursuant to a mutually agreed upon set of admission requirements
that shall meet the minimum existing core requirements of each participating institution in
accordance with each institute’s admissions policies and procedures.’
Therefore, in all cases the DIT admission requirements must be met. In addition to these
requirements the following criteria:
 For entry through DIT, learners must be citizens of the European Union or thirdcountry nationals who had been legal residents in the EU for at least three years (and
for the purpose other than study). For entry through Purdue University applicants must
be citizens of the USA.
 For entry through either DIT or Purdue University applicants must hold an Honours
degree (level 8) in a relevant discipline at an award grade of not less than 2.2 or
equivalent.
 For entry through either DIT or Purdue University applicants must have no impediment
to acquiring an appropriate visa to allow transatlantic learner mobility.
Entrants are selected by the programme admissions committee. Advanced entry shall not
apply.
Student assessment
In accordance with DIT’s General Assessment Regulations in relation to DIT modules.
For some modules students must achieve a minimum threshold of performance in each
element of assessment (details are contained within module descriptors).
Derogations from the General Assessment Regulations
The award is unclassified.
Part 2
Validation details and membership of panel
Friday 30th April
Venue: Boardroom, Linen Hall
09.00 hrs
Introductory meeting of Validation Panel with Head of School and key
members of the programme committee.
09.30 hrs
Private meeting of Panel.
10.30 hrs
Meeting of Panel with Head of School and appropriate members of the
Programme Committee to discuss specific issues raised by the Panel.
11.30 hrs
Meeting of Panel with staff teaching on the programme to discuss such
matters as syllabi, teaching methods and assessment issues.
12.30 hrs
Panel visits facilities available to the programme at DIT Bolton Street.
13.00 hrs
Lunch.
13.30 hrs
Private meeting of Panel to consider draft report.
14.30 hrs
Video call between Panel and representatives of Purdue University and UPC.
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15.30 hrs
Final meeting of Panel with the Head of School, Chairperson of the
Programme Committee and other appropriate staff to present orally the
Panel’s findings.
Panel membership
Internal Members
Dr Siobhán Daly (Chair)
Assistant Head, School of Physics, DIT Kevin Street
Dáire MagCuill
School of Hospitality Management and Tourism, DIT Cathal
Brugha Street
Dr Ken Boyle
School of Spatial Planning, DIT Bolton Street
External Members
Larry Staudt
Director, Centre for Renewable Energy at Dundalk Institute
of Technology
Justin Tallon
Manager, Standards
Authority of Ireland
Publications,
National
Standards
Officer
Jan Cairns
Part 3
Quality Assurance Officer, Office of the Academic Registrar
Comments on documentation and arrangements for event
Documentation provided
The documentation provided for the Validation Panel included Part A Self-Study document,
and Part B, the Programme Document. Documentation in respect of Purdue University’s
project was tabled.
Briefing notes provided
Extracts from the Handbook for Academic Quality Enhancement setting out procedures and
other matters associated with the validation of programmes.
Part 4 Findings of the Panel
Findings and Recommendations of Panel in relation to awards sought
The Panel is pleased to recommend to Academic Council approval of the Master of Science
in Sustainability, Technology and Innovation, at level 9 within the National Framework of
Qualifications, subject to two conditions, with several recommendations and with other
observations.
The Panel is most impressed with the collaboration that has resulted in the development of
this exciting programme which it believes will be innovative, unique and attractive to
potential students and it recognises the benefits that graduates will potentially bring to both
national and international economies.
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Conditions
i)
The Programme Document must contain all DIT modules that are available to students on
this programme and there must be consistency between module codes referred to in the
Programme Document, the module descriptors and the Plans of Study.
ii)
The Panel believes that the transnational aspect of the Joint Directed Project is a key
element of the programme, however it considers that the Programme Committee should be
mindful of practical considerations in relation to the successful completion of projects by
all students. The Programme Document must include a DIT module descriptor for the
Joint Directed Project, which is in line with that which is in operation at Purdue University
and UPC. This must include a detailed description of the management, supervision and
assessment of the project. For the purposes of gaining a DIT award the project mark must
be considered at a DIT Module and Award Board.
Recommendations
iii)
The programme should provide for the possibility of an exit award of Postgraduate
Diploma for students who leave the programme without completing the MSc award (120
ECTS) and who have obtained at least 60 ECTS from the taught modules.
The
Programme Committee should give particular consideration to the title of the Postgraduate
Diploma that might apply for each student, given the suite of modules the student will
have taken.
iv)
The Programme Document should include a statement that the DIT’s General Assessment
Regulations (June 2009) apply to the modules completed at the DIT and should specify in
particular as to how compensation might or might not apply.
v)
The Programme Document should state that, where minimum thresholds of performance
exist for each element of assessment within particular modules, the individual module
descriptors will specify where these thresholds apply.
vi)
The entry requirements within the Programme Document should be amended to indicate
how the DIT’s policy for Recognised Prior Learning may apply to entry/advanced
entry/exemptions for this particular programme.
vii)
The Programme Committee should ensure that, in Plan of Study 8, the sequence of
delivery of modules TECH 646 and TECH 621 is switched so that students can evolve
their project proposal in line with the commencement of the Joint Directed Project.
viii)
The Programme Committee should consider, as part of the ongoing development of the
programme, the inclusion of modules from other programmes within the DIT as electives
within the programme, such as modules from the MSc in Sustainable Development which
is now within the College of Engineering and the Built Environment’s portfolio of
programmes.
ix)
The Programme Committee should consider where modules might include greater
emphasis on Standards, particularly in the international context, in terms of awareness,
access, use and development, together with the relationship between standardisation and
regulation.
x)
The module descriptor for the Artificial Intelligence module should be reviewed in order
to ensure that it is up-to-date in terms of content and appropriate for a Masters level
programme.
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xi)
The Programme Committee should revisit the Irish Cultural Studies modules and consider
the appropriateness of these in a Masters level programme.
xii)
The Programme Committee should monitor and continue to develop mechanisms for
building a strong learner community among the students of this programme.
Other observations
 The Panel notes that there is a discrepancy in proposed student numbers between the
institutions involved and it proposes that this is resolved.
 The Panel notes that successful completion of the programme will lead to two MSc awards
for one programme of study and that as yet the Institute does not have a clear policy in
relation to such awards.
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