UCD Innovation Academy
Undergraduate Electives 2020/21

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The world of work is changing faster than ever before. This change has been accelerated further by the Covid-19 Pandemic. Now, more than ever matter, employers of all sizes and in all sectors need agile graduates who are creative, collaborative and innovative. Our modules bring together hundreds of students from across UCD to build these skills by tackling real-world challenges in partnership with leading graduate employers.  Modules are open to all eligible UCD Undergraduate students.

Interactive Live Online Modules

We Offer UCD Undergraduate Students a choice of five interactive modules open to all UCD Undergraduates and delivered ‘live online.’ Over 500 students per year enrol in our modules.

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While each module explores a different aspect of innovation, all of our modules focus on learning by doing through workshop style classes delivered through a combination of ‘live online’ workshops, individual & team activities, tasks and project work. Students will focus on practical application of theory.

All of our modules are pass/fail and GPA Neutral meaning that you can really enjoy participating in class without the pressure of an end of trimester exam or essay.

Which module should I take?

If you have not taken an Innovation Academy Module:

We recommend to students who have not taken a module with us before to take IA20010: Creativity and Innovation first, as it gives a good grounding in the unique learning-by-doing approach of the Innovation Academy. (You are welcome to take other modules if they spark your interest!) Check out the video below to see what the module entails.

If you have already taken IA20010: Creativity and Innovation: 

You will have experienced Design Thinking and so you might be interested to ‘deep dive’ into Design Thinking by taking IA20080: Design Thinking. Here you will have the opportunity to apply Design Thinking to solve a real-world problem for an external company or organisation (e.g. Musgraves, PwC) thus building your CV in the process. Or you might like to apply Design Thinking to the problem of what you want to do with your life in IA20090: Design Your Life. If coming up with ideas to solve social challenges interests you, you may wish to explore IA20060: Social Entrepreneurship. Finally IA20200: Essentials of Entrepreneurship will look at how to identify opportunities and develop viable ideas to capitalise on them whether that is in the context of a start-up or within a large company or even within a not-for-profit organisation. If you have any questions or would like any advice about which module to take next, please don’t hesitate to reach out. 

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2020/21 Schedule:

All modules will be delivered online over five days. Classes will run from 9.30am – 4.30pm each day. Each day will be a combination of ‘live online’ workshops in the morning until 1.30pm approx. Individual & team activities, tasks and project work will take place in the afternoon. We appreciate that online learning can be intensive and you will not be online for the entire day. This work will take place remotely using a combination of Blackboard and Zoom. There are two intakes in Trimester 1 and one intake in Trimester 2. The dates are listed below. You may take up to one module in each intake (i.e. 3 in total). Modules are run on weekdays only and not on weekends.

Trimester 1

Modules Running in Trimester 1 – Intake 1 (14th – 18th September):

Modules Running in Trimester 1 – Intake 2 (7th – 13th January) :

Trimester 2

Modules Running in Trimester 2 – Intake 1 (8th – 12th March) :

Modules Running in Trimester 2 – Intake 2 (TBC) :

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How can I benefit from these modules?


“I improved my communication skills, my presenting skills, teamwork, problem-solving and much more. I feel that I have gained fundamental skills that will benefit me for my entire life.”

https://vimeo.com/352738645


“I made a whole bunch of new friends from all different backgrounds in UCD that I normally wouldn’t even have a chance to interact with.”

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How will I be assessed?

The assessment structure is the same for all UCD Innovation Academy modules.

Attendance
40%
Team Presentation (in class)
20%
Continuous Assessment
20%
End of Module Reflection
20%
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Who teaches these modules?

The UCD Innovation Academy Team includes academics, entrepreneurs, tech thinkers, agricultural innovators, and design thinking practitioners… and Pepper…our Robot in Residence! Learn more about our team HERE.

  • Jacinta Owens
  • Alan Morgan
  • Pepper
  • Dr. Eileen Diskin
  • Maurice Knightly
  • Kathleen Lonergan Erickson
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How do I register?

The window for registering for electives in Trimester 2 opens in early January 2021. You will be notified by your course programme office when this window is open. In the meantime you can register your interest to take part in an online information session.

We expect there to be a strong demand for these electives and places are limited. Places in our Trimester 1 modules were oversubscribed.

Please see below for steps to register and check out the video.

  1. Login to SisWeb
  2. Click MyRegistrations
  3. Select the option to register for an elective module. (Please check that registration has opened for your course first. You will have received an email from your School Programme Office).
  4. On the next screen type in Innovation Academy in the Subject Search box.
  5. Select the module you would like and the schedule offering option 
    • Trimester 2: Intake 1 (Mar 8-12) is Reading Week
    • Trimester 2: Intake 2 (TBC)
  6. Please note that because the electives run from 9.30am-4.30pm Monday to Friday, the module will display a little strange in your SisWeb schedule. This is ok and will not clash with your other modules. 
  7. If you have ANY issues registering to an Innovation Academy elective module please contact your individual school programme office to check that you are eligible to register for a general elective module at this time AND THEN contact innovation.academy@ucd.ie and mark your email ‘For the attention of Deirbhle Carroll’ in the subject line. 

Frequently Asked Questions

I am having trouble registering for a UCD Innovation Academy Elective Module. What can I do?

If, having read the instructions above and you are still having trouble registering, please contact your individual school programme office to check that you are eligible to register for a general elective module at this time. You may also contact Innovation.Academy@ucd.ie and mark your email ‘For the attention of Deirbhle Carroll’ in the subject line. 

What does it mean that UCD Innovation Academy modules are GPA Neutral?

GPA (Grade Point Average) Neutral Modules are pass or fail only. There are no particular grades awarded. You must pass the module to receive 5 ECTS. The module will not impact on your GPA positively or negatively. Your GPA will be calculated from your remaining core and elective modules. This may or may not work in your favour. The main advantage that students communicate to us is that it reduces the pressure of the module as there are no exams / essays. It means that students can really ‘get into’ the module and enjoy the learning experience rather than focusing on what’s going to come up in the exam. As the modules are delivered in a short period of time (ie 5 days), it means you have more time to devote to your remaining modules that carry a GPA score.

I am in 1st Year / 2nd Year / 3rd Year / Final Year. Can I take an Innovation Academy Module? 

First year students cannot register for an elective module such as UCD Innovation Academy modules in the Autumn Trimester and must wait until January 2021 to register. For all other students, you may need to check with your school programme office if you can take a general elective module and if so, how many you can take. Most courses allow students in 2nd and 3rd Year to take two electives in Trimester 1 and two in Trimester 2 but it can vary from course to course. 

Can I miss a day?

No. Due to the experiential nature of the Innovation Academy teaching approach, full attendance and engagement with the work is mandatory to pass this elective. The only exception is where there are extenuating circumstances and the student in question misses no more than 20% of the module and can provide evidence of their extenuating circumstances, that is acceptable to their module facilitator from UCD Innovation Academy.


I note that the classes run 9.30am to 4.30pm each day for five days. Will I be online for the entire day? 

All modules will be delivered online over five days. Classes will run from 9.30am – 4.30pm each day. Each day will be a combination of ‘live online’ workshops in the morning until 1.30pm approx. (this is subject to change and is at the discretion of your module facilitator) Individual & team activities, tasks and project work will take place in the afternoon. We appreciate that online learning can be intensive and you will not be online for the entire day.

Where is UCD Innovation Academy?

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