UNIVERSITY OF DUBLIN

Trinity College

EXTERNAL EXAMINER’S ANNUAL REPORT

Name of External Examiner: Prof CG Armstrong Year of Appointment: 3

Name of University/ affiliated institution: Queen’s University, Belfast

Course Title: Bachelor in Engineering Academic Year: 2010/2011

Subject(s): Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering

Please comment under the seven headings below and on any aspect which you feel is worthy of
comment (use a continuation sheet if necessary).

1. Comment on the information provided to you in advance of canying out your duties.
Please make reference to the provision of course outlines and draft examination papers.

The draft papers sent to me had few typographical errors and clear solutions.

The transfer of responsibilities to a new Head of Department worked smoothly. The retirement of Ms
Gillen from the Mechanical Engineering office will mean the loss of many years’ experience and
knowledge.

My thanks to all the members of staff who have made my participation in the examination process
interesting and rewarding over the last three years.

2. Comment on standards set in examination papers, quality of candidates, the pass rates
and the distribution of results in terms of degree classes.

The standard of the examination papers was comparable to other good institutions. The mark
distributions were entirely reasonable and there was no significant variation between subjects. The
distribution of degree classifications was not contentious.

The sample of students I interviewed was of high quality, see below.

3. Comment on the marking schemes and assessment procedures adopted.

The marking schemes supplied with the draft exam papers and their solutions were clear and fair. A
 External Examiner’s Annual Report Page 2

broad range of assessment methods was used in addition to conventional examinations: open-ended
independent research reports, design studies, case studies, laboratory reports etc.

I commented last year that it was difficult to determine how the project mark was arrived at, and
especially how a given written report matched the characteristics expected from a report of that standard.
I didn't see any evidence of movement towards achieving that goal. That said, I had occasion to review a
number of projects and I am content that the marks awarded were realistic. I still would be more
comfortable with a better method of recording how the marks were arrived at and moderating marks for
similar projects.

4. Please comment on the curricula: their content, structure and resourcing.

I interviewed a group of 9 students, who were highly supportive of the department and its staff. They
were articulate and thoughtful in their analysis of their education. They felt that they were now in the
enviable position of being able to educate themselves - an excellent outcome both in itself and because
the students recognised the achievement.

The students identified the material on patents and new product development in the bioengineering
options as being particularly valuable. It was suggested that this could be taught in Management for
Engineers, so that it would be available to those who have not chosen the bioengineering options.

In my report last year I highlighted the benefits of introducing students at an early stage to modem CAD
tools such as Solidworks. Without any prompting from me, the students raised the lack of this experience
as something that was constraining their employability and to an extent I agree.

I was surprised at how few of these very good students had obtained industrial experience through
summer or year-long placements. This is probably the greatest factor limited their competitiveness in the
graduate job market. My university operates a student ‘job shop’, see
http://www.qub.ac.uk/directorates/sgc/careers/
which makes it easy for employers to find placement students and students to find placement
opportunities. This requires no resources from any of the academic departments and is relatively
economical to operate.

5. Aspects worthy of special commendation.

Some of the best elements of the assessed work were beautifully calculated to inspire students, illustrate
the application of the techniques they are learning, develop their critical skills and encourage confidence.
The Materials case studies, the assignments on acoustics, renewable energy and new biomedical device
development were all noteworthy.
External Examiner’s Annual Report Page 3

6. Are there any examples ofgood practice relating to the area you have examined to which
you would like to draw attention?

The best final year project reports were of textbook quality, showing great insight and originality.
Most had a nice mix of theory, numerical modelling and experimental work.

7. Are there any other comments you wish to make?

The Trinity graduate brand is distinctive and should be highly valued.

I have seen a significant evolution of the course during my three years as an External Examiner. The
university is fortunate to have the programme delivered by a group of talented staff who strive for
improvement whilst retaining the best of traditional academic values.

Signed Date:
:

External Examiner
External Examiner’s Annual Report Page 4

NOTES:

1. External Examiners are asked to send this completed form (Annual Report) to the Senior
Lecturer, West Theatre, Trinity College, Dublin 2 (undergraduate courses), or to the
Dean of Graduate Studies, Arts Building, Trinity College, Dublin 2 (postgraduate
courses).

2. Travel and related expenses will be paid immediately upon receipt of the appropriate
claim form, which should be forwarded to the Treasurer’s Office by the Head of School.
The fee for examining will be paid following receipt of this report. Where there are
supplemental examinations, the fee will be paid following confirmation from the Head of
School that the External Examiner has completed all duties.

3. The Senior Lecturer/Dean of Graduate Studies will forward a copy of the External
Examiners Report to the Head of School and the Faculty Dean. Reports are discussed
within the School and follow-up action taken where appropriate in response to the
External Examiner’s recommendations. Reports of a confidential nature are discouraged.

4. This form should be used for the External Examiner’s Annual Report. In the last year of
their term, and in addition to the Annual Report, External Examiners are invited to
submit a final summary report, which may take the form of a latter or report under
various headings. Final Reports should be sent to the Senior Lecturer (undergraduate
courses), or the Dean of Graduate Studies (postgraduate courses).

5. For undergraduate courses, this form can be e-mailed as an attached Microsoft Word for
Windows document. Please address your request to exreport@tcd.ie. ensuring that the
subject is External Examiner. For postgraduate courses, this form can be obtained
electronically via http://www.tcd.ie/Graduate Studies/Examiners/gl-ext-form.litml

6. Freedom of Information Act: External Examiners are invited to note that their reports
and other correspondence may be requested under the Freedom of Information Act.

Please do not email the completed form, but instead please send a signed paper copy to the Senior
Lecturer/Dean of Graduate Studies, as appropriate. ______________________________________

March 2009