DT228 - Supplemental Course Information

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DT228 - Degree in Computer Science(Honours)

Description
The main aim of the course is to produce graduates with the necessary skills to function as soFTware developers, systems analysts and computer systems administrators in a broad range of commercial and industrial environments. A further aim of the course is that, in view of the rapidly changing nature of the computer industry, graduates are equipped with a wide and educationally sound theoretical background in order that they may possess the flexibility likely to be required in the future. The course emphasises practical work. As such, the course incorporates a wide range of computing skills together with mathematics of computing, business law and marketing skills. Important components of information systems and technical programming are included. All students undertake a final year project, which requires them to use those skills they have developed to research, design and implement a substantial soFTware system.

The course is structured into three routes offering the student the choice to specialise in one of three distinct disciplines of computing in years three and four.

All students will follow a common set of subjects in year one and two, which provide the students with a foundation on which years three and four are based.

The three routes offered are:

1. SoFTware Development and Internet Systems

The main aim of this route is to produce graduates with the necessary skills to function as soFTware application developers in a broad range of commercial and industrial environments with a focus on the development of Internet and Enterprise systems. Students will undertake a six-month work placement in the third year, where they will experience the role played by the various technologies they are learning in the course.

2. Computer Systems Architecture and Administration

The main aim of this route is to produce graduates with the necessary skills to operate in industry as developers operating in a systems role. This includes a thorough understanding of the design, development and maintenance of large scale distributed systems and information systems. This route includes a full third year, where students will learn about more advanced features, particularly appropriate for their role in industry upon graduation.

3. Data Knowledge and Management.

The aim of this route is to produce graduates who will have a high level of understanding of knowledge based systems and related areas. Students will learn about the role computer science can play in organising knowledge and making decisions based on this knowledge. As such a large part of this route focuses on database systems and artificial intelligence. Students will undertake a full third year, where they will learn about several advanced aspects of computer science, in preparation for their final year.

Course Outline

First Year (common to all routes)
Programming(C), Computer Technology, Problem Solving and Algorithic Design, SoFTware Technology. Mathematics (Algebra, Statistics, Number Systems, Set Theory, Logic and Boolean Algebra, Introduction to Calculus, Modelling and Mathematical Packages). Management Studies ( Management Functions, Decision Making, Organisations and Personnel), Communication Studies.

Second Year (common to all routes)
Object Oriented Programming(C++), Algorithms and Data Structures, SoFTware Engineering, Data Communications, Web Development, Databases, Operating Systems, Microprocessors, Applied Mathematics for Computing: (Relations, Logic, Formal Specifications, Graph Theory). Financial Accounting, Marketing.

Third Year
SoFTware Development and Internet Systems Route

First half of year:

User Interface Programming, Internet Development, Network Programming, SoFTware Engineering, Enterprise Systems, Database Technologies, Business Law.

Second half of year:

Work Placement: The student will complete a formal, monitored, six-month placement in the IT industry. The placement will be identified by the School of Computing or by the student (subject to School of Computing approval). If it is not possible to provide work placement to all the students choosing this route alternative courses and project work will be undertaken.

Third Year Computer Systems Architecture and Administration Route

User Interface Programming, Introduction to Shell Programming, Web Development 2, Web Development 3, Network Programming 1, Network Programming 2, SoFTware Engineering, Formal Methods, Computer Systems Architecture and Administration, Human Computer Interface Technology, Database Technology, Business Law.

Third Year Data And Knowledge Management Route

Artificial Intelligence and Neural Networks, Algorithms for Artificial Intelligence, Intelligent Systems Development, Statistics, Human Computer Interaction and Assistive Technology, SoFTware Engineering, Enterprise Systems, Enterprise Systems, Knowledge Management, Database Technology, Database Management, Business Law.

Fourth Year SoFTware Development and Internet Systems Route

Core Subjects: Advanced Databases, Distributed Systems, Advanced Internet Development.

Two option subjects chosen from available fourth year options and Project.

Fourth Year Computer System Architecture and Administration Route

Systems Programming, System Security and Cryptography, Distributed Systems.

Two option subjects chosen from available fourth year options and Project.

Fourth Year Data and Knowledge Management Route

Advanced Databases, Data Mining and Data Warehousing, Knowledge Based Decision Support Systems.

Two option subjects chosen from available fourth year options and Project.

Fourth Year Project:

Each student will undertake a substantial research/development project in one or more areas of the course.

Fourth Year Core Option Subjects

E-Commerce, Enterprise Engineering, Intelligent Agents, Human Computer Interaction and Assistive Technology, Management Information Systems, Advanced Databases, Advanced Internet Development, Information Retrieval, Neural Networks and Pattern Matching, Systems Programming, Distributed Systems, Graphics and Imaging Processing, OR/Simulation, Compiler Theory, Project Management for IT, Game Programming, Medical Informatics, Knowledge Based Decision Support Systems.

Note: Students may not take these subjects as options if they have already taken them elsewhere. Not all options will be available each year. A minimum number of students will be required for a particular option to be made available.

Entry Requirements for Year One

Leaving Certificate from the Irish Goverment's Department of Education in six subjects including a grade C3 or higher in ordinary level Mathematics or a grade D3 or higher in higher level Mathematics, English or Irish at ordinary or higher level, a grade C3 or higher in at least two subjects at the higher level which may include English, Irish or Mathematics.

Such qualifications as the Institute may deem equivalent to the above as determined by the Institute including NCVA/FETAC qualifications.

Mature Students may be offered places provided they meet certain criteria with respect to suitability, analytical skills and professional experience. Students may be requested to attend for interview.

Advanced Entry to Years Two and Three

Entry into year 2 may also be offered to suitably qualified students holding recognised certificates and diplomas and to students with NCVA/FETAC certificates at level 2.

Entry to year 3 may be offered to students holding recognised diplomas at upper-merit grade or pass level degrees in computing. Relevant work experience is an advantage. Applicants wishing to choose the SoFTware Development and Internet Systems route may be required to provide their own suitable work placement. Applicants with considerable work experience may be exempted from the work placement component.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the School of Computing have been very successful in pursuing quality careers in the Information and Communications Technology industries. The School has institutional links with many industrial and commercial leaders such as Oracle, The Educational Building Society, Datalex, Kindle Banking, Kerry Group, ESBI, Vodafone etc through sponsorship, project co-operation and work placement. The main thrust of the course is towards industrial and commercial applications. Recent government surveys have identified high-value opportunities in systems technology and data and knowledge management. This course embraces these new directions through it routes and will provide graduates with a unique and competitive skill base. The graduates of the course will also be uniquely qualified for employment in a wide range of computer development areas. These may be in the mainstream computer industry but will also occur in exciting emerging new applications such as Internet Application Development, E-Commerce, Assistive Health Care for the Disabled, Systems Technology, Graphics, Games Programming, Data Warehousing and Data Mining. Graduates of the course will be well qualified to pursue postgraduate studies to MPhil and PhD levels if they so wish.

Duration: 4 years

Award
BSc Computer Science of the Dublin Institute of Technology with grades of Pass, Lower Second Class Honours, Upper Second Class Honours or First Class Honours.

Location: DIT, Kevin Street, Dublin 8.

Further Information:

Information concerning application procedures and fees for Undergraduate Applications, Advanced Entry and International Students please refer to the DIT website at http://www.dit.ie/DIT/admissions/apply/ or send a query to admissions@dit.ie, or telephone admissions at +353-1-402-3445

Course contact:

Mr. Oliver O'Connor,
School of Computing,
DIT, Kevin Street, Dublin 8.
Tel. (01) +353 1 4024822
Fax (01) +353 1 4024994
E-mail oliver.oconnor@comp.dit.ie