Key Enabling Technologies - Structured

Course Overview

Key Enabling Technologies are recognised by the European Union to be the building blocks for future product and process technologies. Europe’s future competitiveness depends on how its labour force will apply and master the fusion of two or more key enabling technologies on advanced manufacturing test-beds. This interdisciplinary programme prepares technologists for this societal challenge.



The following are the six key enabling technologies:

• Photonics;

• Advanced Materials;

• Industrial Biotechnology;

• Advanced Manufacturing;

• Nanotechnology;

• Micro-/Nano-Electronics.



The MSc programme provides students with structured training in Scalable Innovation and Laser-enabled bioprinting. This training is underpinned by advanced courses in Optical Design, Advanced Materials, and Tissue Engineering. The programme is particularly focused on digital additive and subtractive processes—targeting personalised medical devices and sensors—pivotal for addressing future key healthcare challenges. Students will gain hands on experience on state of the art manufacturing research platforms enabling them to demonstrate their research potential.

Year 1 (90 Credits)

Optional PH430: Biophotonics - 5 Credits - Semester 1

Optional PH502: Scientific Programming Concepts - 5 Credits - Semester 1

Optional MP410: Non-Linear Elasticity - 5 Credits - Semester 1

Optional PH424: Electromagnetism and Special Relativity - 5 Credits - Semester 1

Optional PH422: Solid State Physics - 5 Credits - Semester 1

Optional BME500: Advanced Biomaterials - 5 Credits - Semester 1

Optional GS536: Communication & Outreach - 5 Credits - Semester 1

Optional GS511: Research Placement 1 - 5 Credits - Semester 1

Optional GS502: Journal Club Programme - 5 Credits - Semester 1

Optional GS513: Research Placement 2 - 10 Credits - Semester 1

Optional GS530: Graduate Research Information Skills - 5 Credits - Semester 1

Optional EE445: Digital Signal Processing - 5 Credits - Semester 1

Optional EE411: Power Electronics - 5 Credits - Semester 1

Optional BES508: Project Management, Experimental Design & Data Analysis - 5 Credits - Semester 1

Optional BES503: Principles of Cell & Molecular Biology - 5 Credits - Semester 1

Optional AN506: Anatomy 2 - Gross Anatomy - 5 Credits - Semester 1

Optional GS518: Industry Placement 3 - 15 Credits - Semester 1

Optional GS517: Industry Placement 2 - 10 Credits - Semester 1

Optional GS516: Industry Placement 1 - 5 Credits - Semester 1

Optional GS514: Research Placement 3 - 15 Credits - Semester 1

Optional ELP650: Electrical & Electronic Engineering and Physiology - 5 Credits - Semester 1

Optional AN505: Anatomy 1 - Histology - 5 Credits - Semester 1

Optional PH5116: Scalable Innovation - 5 Credits - Semester 1

Optional BES519: Scientific Writing - 5 Credits - Semester 1

Optional PH506: Principles of Optical Design & Image Formation - 5 Credits - Semester 1

Optional GS507: Statistical Methods for Research - 5 Credits - Semester 1

Optional EE502: Bioinstrumentation Design - 5 Credits - Semester 1

Optional GS5108: Work Based Placement 2 - 10 Credits - Semester 1

Optional GS5107: Work Based Placement 1 - 5 Credits - Semester 1

Optional GS5109: Work Based Placement 3 - 15 Credits - Semester 1



Optional ME516: Advanced Mechanics of Materials - 5 Credits - Semester 2

Optional ME431: Systems Reliability - 5 Credits - Semester 2

Optional PH5108: Graduate Workshop on Key Enabling Technologies - 5 Credits - Semester 2

Optional PH504: High Performance Computing and Parallel Programming - 5 Credits - Semester 2

Optional MP491: Non Linear Systems - 5 Credits - Semester 2

Optional MP365: Fluid Mechanics - 5 Credits - Semester 2

Optional ME572: Human Reliability - 5 Credits - Semester 2

Optional PH508: Biophotonics and Imaging Graduate Summer School (BIGSS) - 5 Credits - Semester 2

Optional PH429: Nanotechnology - 5 Credits - Semester 2

Optional PH425: Lasers and Spectroscopy - 5 Credits - Semester 2

Optional PH423: Applied Optics and Imaging - 5 Credits - Semester 2

Optional BME502: Advanced Tissue Engineering - 5 Credits - Semester 2

Optional UL_PH5093: Advanced Characterisation Techniques - Credits - Semester 2

Optional ME426: Turbomachines and Advanced Fluid Dynamics - 5 Credits - Semester 2

Optional EE442: Advanced Power Electronics - 5 Credits - Semester 2

Optional CH508: Nanobiomaterials - 5 Credits - Semester 2

Optional CH505: Masterclass: Quantitative analysis of solid-state pharmaceuticals - 5 Credits - Semester 2

Optional CH503: Masterclass in Carbohydrate Chemistry - 5 Credits - Semester 2

Optional BI504: Advanced Molecular Cell Biology - 5 Credits - Semester 2

Optional AN507: Stereology - 5 Credits - Semester 2

Optional EE449: Power, Machines & Control - 5 Credits - Semester 2

Optional GS506: Teaching & Learning - 5 Credits - Semester 2

Optional EP526: Monitoring for Health Hazards at Work - 5 Credits - Semester 2

Optional EP525: Lasers and Applications - 5 Credits - Semester 2

Optional PH5115: Laser-enabled bioprinting - 5 Credits - Semester 2

Required PH5109: Research Project - 60 Credits - Semester 2

Students with a 2.1 honours degree, or higher, in science or engineering (Level 8) will be considered for this programme.

Closing Date: No set closing date. Offers made on a continuous basis.



Applications must be completed online at: https://nuigalway.elluciancrmrecruit.com/Apply/Account/Login.



An application requires a registration fee of €35. You will be asked to upload proof of identification, academic transcripts, a personal statement, an academic reference and documentation to fulfil the English requirement (where English is not your first language).

1 year full-time

2 years part-time

Next start date September 2025

Career Opportunities

Graduates from this programme find employment in advanced manufacturing industries or continue on to pursue PhD studies centred on realising the next generation of biomedical devices. The programme is strategically positioned to produce graduates capable of realising a new generation of medical and electronic devices based on biomaterials activated by electrical, optical, and thermal stimulation. Hands-on and taught modules will provide expertise in printed electronics and biomaterials giving students access to many opportunities in the development of future medical and pharmaceutical devices, and in tissue engineering.