The Teaching of Mechanical Engineering Design at UCD,Dublin

The teaching of design to engineering students is a much discussed topic. Professor Timoney is of the opinion that a really good designer cannot be produced by teaching—good designers have natural talent, like good artists or good musicians. The best that can be done in educational institutions is to identify those students with talent for design and help them to acquire useful technique in synthesis as well as science-based technology. A part-time postgraduate design course for industrial-based graduates is described and its role and function is discussed.