GA015 FURN
Aims
To provide students with the essential skills and capabilities to design and make high quality furniture and to provide a seed ground for the development of an indigenous furniture industry in Ireland which will be committed to quality products. This course is provided by RTC Galway in partnership with Connemara West and operates at Letterfrack, Co. Galway.
Applicants for this course should be interested in problem solving and manufacturing process techniques and should be comfortable with Mathematics and Analytical subjects generally. Those who have already studied Science subjects, Computing, Engineering, Construction, Technical Drawing or Art will find their knowledge advantageous on the course.
Entry Requirements
MINIMUM entry requirements is: Pass(Grade D3 or better) in five Leaving Certificate subjects including Mathematics and English or Irish. Points will be calculated from the six best subjects. All applicants will be sent further information by the College on the course and assessment procedures. Those who return the documentation by the required closing date will be invited to attend for assessment at Letterfrack in April/May. Applicants will be expected to demonstrate an interest in and an ability to work with materials. The invitation letter will indicate the work which should be presented for assessment along with detailed assessment procedures to be carried out on the day. Places are awarded on the aggregation of Leaving Certificate points and assessment points.
Course Duration
Two years full-time. Also available under ACCS.
Career Outlets
Graduates are equipped to work in the wood and furniture industry whether involved in production furniture, batch runs or specialist products. Related businesses which also seek these skills are shopfitting, interior design and architectural practices. After gaining some industrial experience, graduates may establish their own small business for which advice and assistance is available.
Course Content
This course is semesterised and progress to each semester is dependant on each previous semester performance.
The following A, B, C etc. are the study areas, and the subjects of the four semesters:
A. Furniture Production - Manufacturing Processes and Systems, Production Management
B. Furniture Materials - Timber and manufactured boards, Metals, Plastics and Allied materials, Finishing Materials.
C. The Regulatory Environment - Health and Safety, Furniture Standards and Quality systems.
D. Furniture Projects - Origination, Development and Manufacture of Furniture.
E. The Product/Design/Market Interface - Design Methods and Application of Visual Principles, Technical Communications, Culture, Planning and Innovation Processes.
F. Management and Enterprise - Quantitative techniques, Management, Administration and Finance.
Recognition by Professional Bodies
Under negotiation
Opportunities for Further Studies.
Students who obtain a distinction or merit in this programme may apply for entry into the Bachelor of Science Degree in Furniture Technology.
Restricted Applications Course
Applications for this course will not be accepted after 1st February, 1996 and cannot be introduced as a new choice by an applicant after this date.
Further Information
Jim O�Connor, RTC Galway Tel: 091 753161 Fax: 091 751107
or
Kieran O�Donohue, Connemara West Centre, Letterfrack, Co. Galway. Tel: 095 41047/4 Fax: 095 41112
Aims
To equip students with the theoretical and practical techniques which will enable them to function as professionals within the Furniture manufacturing industry. The degree is characterised by a vocationally oriented approach to the theoretical foundations of human resource management, materials, plant, design, product development and market influences in a modern Irish furniture industry.
Entry Requirements
1. A merit or distinction in the National Certificate in Furniture Design and Manufacture
Or
2. A merit or distinction in a relevant and related National Certificate or Diploma.
Or
3. Mature students with relevant cognate experience will be eligible for admission to the degree
as long as they agree to undertake the required preparatory studies and show evidence of the
required skill level and academic background through assessment and interview
Plus
All applicants will be required to present for a personal interview and assessment.
Successful applicants will be required to undertake and pass a period of bridging studies.
Course Duration
Two years full-time including 4 month work placement over summer period.
Course Content
This course is semesterised and progress to each semester is dependant on each previous semester performance.
The following A, B, C etc. are the study areas, and the subjects of the four semesters:
A. Furniture Production - Mathematics, Production Management and Planning, Quality Management, Automation Systems and Control.
B. Furniture Materials - Furniture Materials, Materials Science, Applied Science.
C. The Regulatory Environment - Irish & European Furniture Standards, Performance Testing and Safety.
D. Furniture Projects - Process Applications, Major Project, Supporting Project.
E. The Product/Design/Market Interface - Applied Structural Systems, Computer Applications, Innovation Theories and Strategies, Organisational Culture and Change.
F. Management & The Enterprise - Management Control, Marketing Management, Human Resource Management, Strategic Planning, Co-operative Education
Recognition by Professional Bodies
To be negotiated.
Opportunities for Further Studies
Graduates may progress to post graduate studies at colleges and universities in Ireland and the EU.
Career Outlets
Graduates will be employed in responsible positions in the Furniture and Wood manufacturing industries and related areas. Typical areas of activities are production management, plant design and layout, machine selection and purchase, furniture production including finishing and upholstery, the application of design and product development and the implementation of quality systems.
Further Information
Jim O�Connor, RTC Galway Tel: 091 753161 Fax: 091 751107
or
Kieran O�Donohue, Connemara West Centre, Letterfrack, Co. Galway. Tel: 095 41047/4 Fax: 095 41112
