BSc or BEng honours degree?

Ging Ging

Hi, I'm currently studying electronic and control systems BEng ordinary degree at DKIT. I'll hopefully graduate next year and am now looking for honours degree courses that might appeal to me. One in particular that appeals is the Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Energy Systems & Industrial Automation at Blanchardstown IT.

http://www.itb.ie/StudyatITB/bn122.html
or
http://www.itb.ie/StudyatITB/bn425.html

Hopefully I could go straight into the final year. Looking at the modules and my previous experience that is what I would hope for anyway.

What I am wondering is what peoples views are on the higher degree being a BSc rather than a BEng. What determines this and what would be the industry view of such qualifications? Bear in mind that I will already hold a BEng ordinary degree from Dundalk -touch wood:)

2011

Ging Ging wrote: »

Bear in mind that I will already hold a BEng ordinary degree from Dundalk -touch wood:)

I hate to be pedantic, but if you hold an ordinary degree (level 7) then you technically have a "BEng Tech" as far as I know.

Ging Ging

I understand people who have studied hard to get an honours degree level 8 and then other people confusing the level 7s with them as they are both now called degrees. I know they are not the same.

However my level 7 course is accredited by Engineers Ireland to the level of Associate Engineer. So I think I am correct saying BEng. We never refer to it as a BEng Tech anyway. I'm open to correction.

http://www.engineersireland.ie/services/accredited-courses.aspx

From Engineers Ireland site it appears level 6 higher certificates that are at the level of technician.

But anyway what is your opinion on BSc? Would an employer look down on that or would it matter that much if you had a good grade and knew your stuff?

2011

Associate Engineer is AEng MIEI

Ging Ging

Fair enough 2011, but thats a professional title awarded to the graduate not the title of the degree is BEng as written here and elsewhere http://www.engineersireland.ie/services/accredited-courses/associate-engineer.aspx?institute=Dundalk+Institute+of+Technology+(DKIT)&programme=BEng+in+Electronic++and+Electrical+Systems.

It seems I can't apply for this AEng MIEI title until I have 4 years post graduate experience so I'm not really concerned about my title, or lack of for now. More the title of the course.

If I graduate as planned I can apply to become an AEng MIEI in the future but for now I'd like to know what determines a degree to be in the category of BSc rather than BEng. Are they equally respected?

Should I really be looking at doing a level 8 Bachelor of Engineering similar to http://www.itb.ie/StudyatITB/bn105.html rather than a level 8 Bachelor of Science like http://www.itb.ie/StudyatITB/bn122.html ?

2011

Either way, I always liked this course.

Ging Ging

2011 wrote: »

Either way, I always liked this course.

Thanks 2011. Everything is on the table at the moment, Im just trying to weigh up different options as its an important decision and will ultimately decide my future career.

mdd

I would recommend a BEng level 8 degree - that is accredited by Engineers Ireland for CEng status - (although you will need to do a Level 9 in the future to get CEng) If you want to be a professinal engineer in the future this is the way to go - if you go down the BSc route (that is non accredited by EI) you are closing this door behind you now.

Also on the "BEng" vs "BEng Tech" at Level 7 - As far as I am aware DIT is the only IoT that awards a "BEng Tech" at level 7 all the other IoT's award a BEng at level 7 (referred to as an ordinary degree) - So indeed you are correct you have a BEng. At level 8 you would have a BEng (Hons).

Turbulent Bill

Ging Ging wrote: »

But anyway what is your opinion on BSc? Would an employer look down on that or would it matter that much if you had a good grade and knew your stuff?

Employers won't care what the letters are. Their only concerns will be whether the course (and hence your degree) is of a decent standard and relevant to the job you're going for.

mdd wrote: »

I would recommend a BEng level 8 degree - that is accredited by Engineers Ireland for CEng status - (although you will need to do a Level 9 in the future to get CEng) If you want to be a professinal engineer in the future this is the way to go - if you go down the BSc route (that is non accredited by EI) you are closing this door behind you now.

This is a much more important point, especially as so many grads have to emigrate for work. You should pick an EI-accredited course so you've a chance of your degree being recognised internationally.

2011

mdd wrote: »

I would recommend a BEng level 8 degree - that is accredited by Engineers Ireland for CEng status

+1, hence my recommendation.

Also on the "BEng" vs "BEng Tech" at Level 7 - As far as I am aware DIT is the only IoT that awards a "BEng Tech" at level 7 all the other IoT's award a BEng at level 7 (referred to as an ordinary degree) - So indeed you are correct you have a BEng.

That makes sense.
Thanks for the clarification.

Ging Ging

mdd wrote: »

I would recommend a BEng level 8 degree - that is accredited by Engineers Ireland for CEng status - (although you will need to do a Level 9 in the future to get CEng) If you want to be a professinal engineer in the future this is the way to go - if you go down the BSc route (that is non accredited by EI) you are closing this door behind you now.

From what I hear the accreditation for chartered engineer status has already gone up to masters level 9 already. So a BEng honours degree wouldn't get me any higher up Engineers Ireland's accreditation scale than the level 7.

I agree that it would be preferable to have a level 8 that was accrediated by EI though. I'm going to see can I get some time off to attend their open day next week and see what other information I can acquire.

I doubt if I would have the prerequisits for advance entry onto a mechatronics degree. The Energy Systems and Industrial Automation suits better.

I wonder would having a level 8 Bachelor of Science in this engineering orientated course obstruct me from doing a Masters in Engineering in the future...I've been told it wouldn't necesscaily but it would obviously depend on the course.

misnormer

In terms of titles what does a level 8 bachelor of engineering Attain is it a "BEngTech" Through engineers ireland

kevohmsford

misnormer wrote: »

In terms of titles what does a level 8 bachelor of engineering Attain is it a "BEngTech" Through engineers ireland

BEng Tech is level 7

Ging Ging

As stated by others previously BEng Tech is only awarded for people with DIT qualifications, other institute's level 7 BEng degrees are normally eligible for Ascociate Engineer status after a period of work. Previously a level 8 graduate could attain Chartered status after suitable period of work but due to Engineers Ireland raising the standard a Masters degree is needed (level 9).
I've been looking into this a lot recently, they could have made it clearer.

misnormer

Ging Ging wrote: »

As stated by others previously BEng Tech is only awarded for people with DIT qualifications, other institute's level 7 BEng degrees are normally eligible for Ascociate Engineer status after a period of work. Previously a level 8 graduate could attain Chartered status after suitable period of work but due to Engineers Ireland raising the standard a Masters degree is needed (level 9).
I've been looking into this a loort recently, they could have made it clearer.

I see what you mean and the period of work i presume is 3 years..
seems to be engineers ireland want more people to do a masters even though level 9 knowledge of a particular engineering field isnt of much practical use on a building site.

00MARTZ00

Just out of curiosity why is it that only DIT has the BEng Tech and other institutes have BEng?

Tar.Aldarion

So what is this CEng chartered engineer and what does it do for you? and should I bother applying for it? BEng degree, and MSc.

gOst

misnormer wrote: »

I see what you mean and the period of work i presume is 3 years..
seems to be engineers ireland want more people to do a masters even though level 9 knowledge of a particular engineering field isnt of much practical use on a building site.

I think EI are coming in line with rest of the world who adopt a 3 year undergraduate course and a 2 year masters (Bologna Agreement)

Also I don't understand how you came to the conclusion that a level 9 qualification is any less practical than a level 8. By that reasoning, people shouldn't bother with the degree, just work on a building site and then after 4 years, buy a van and print engineer on the side. Sure you won't know jack about the fundamentals of engineering or critical thinking but you'll be handy with shovel...

misnormer

gOst wrote: »

I think EI are coming in line with rest of the world who adopt a 3 year undergraduate course and a 2 year masters (Bologna Agreement)

Also I don't understand how you came to the conclusion that a level 9 qualification is any less practical than a level 8. By that reasoning, people shouldn't bother with the degree, just work on a building site and then after 4 years, buy a van and print engineer on the side. Sure you won't know jack about the fundamentals of engineering or critical thinking but you'll be handy with shovel...

Maybe you got a belt of a shovel... . Never mentioned anything about "any less practical that a level 8" ,couldnt be bothered explaining this to you.

Gumbo

Ging Ging wrote: »

As stated by others previously BEng Tech is only awarded for people with DIT qualifications, other institute's level 7 BEng degrees are normally eligible for Ascociate Engineer status after a period of work. Previously a level 8 graduate could attain Chartered status after suitable period of work but due to Engineers Ireland raising the standard a Masters degree is needed (level 9).
I've been looking into this a lot recently, they could have made it clearer.

+1

I started my national certificate in civil engineering in 2002 (part time) and immediately registered as a student member with EI (IEI at the time).

Got my level 6 in 2005 and continued part time to get my level 7 in 2007 in structural engineering. Immediately got the the title of BEng Tech from EI but in 2012, EI marked my 10 years of work experience with cert confirming Associate membership. Hope that helps.

gOst

Maybe you got a belt of a shovel... . Never mentioned anything about "any less practical that a level 8" ,couldnt be bothered explaining this to you.

From my interpretation of your post, you questioned why EI have a policy of requiring level 9 qualification to be eligible for CEng status in future. You questioned the merit of this, as you stated "seems to be engineers ireland want more people to do a masters even though level 9 knowledge of a particular engineering field isn't of much practical use on a building site".

You seemed to suggest additional education (Level 9) is a bad thing because you think it cannot be applied to a "building site". I'm sorry if I caused you any offence, I was simply trying to convey how I think your opinion (the way i've interpreted it) is idiotic.