Undergraduate Programmes

BUSINESS COMPUTING / RÍOMHAIREACHT GHNÓ DT354

Qualification awarded: BSc (BUSINESS COMPUTING) Level 8 / BSc (RÍOMHAIREACHT GHNÓ) Leibhéal 8
Duration of programme: 4 years
Type of programme: Honours Degree
Number of places: 40 approx.

What is Business Computing?

This programme will develop the knowledge and skills necessary for a challenging and rewarding career in information systems. It is a course of study that covers computing from a commercial or business perspective that opens up a wide range of career opportunities in either IT or general management as well as in a wide range of specialist software development roles.

Students are exposed to concepts and ideas that will allow them to develop the necessary skills to launch a career in an area that continues to show significant growth and where relevant skills are in short supply. The skills that are demanded by industry are changing, with increased emphasis on soft skills, business skills for IT, marketing and sales, business strategy and entrepreneurship. These skills complement a central focus on business software development. With this additional aspect of the programme, students will be equipped with the skills that are consistently in demand from industry.

Students will also have opportunities to apply their learning through practical course exercises and projects. They will also receive extensive exposure to real world business problems through their class work, the work placement and their final year project, where a real world business problem is addressed through the development of a software solution.

What will I study on this programme?

Unlike many other IT courses, this degree is designed specifically for a career in business IT, where most IT graduates obtain employment. The programme covers all of the technical, managerial and interpersonal skills necessary for a successful career in IT. The programme is the most technical programme offered by the College of Business, and would suit students who have a strong interest in computing but do not want to commit to a science or engineering degree.

The syllabus is regularly updated to take account of changing IT world/environment to reflect best practice, while still ensuring fundamental principles of computing underpin the syllabus.

In the first two years, core business subjects are studied along with a significant amount of software development and related computing modules. The first two years are the foundation for the specialist skills acquired in the later stages of the programme.

The key soft skills and business related skills identified by the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs are covered, as are the most current software development topics such as Object-Oriented Systems Design and Development, Software Design Patterns and Distributed and Mobile Systems Development.

In the second semester of third year work placement or study abroad options are available to the student, offering a richer student experience and allowing the acquisition of relevant real world skills and experience.

The final year project is a hands-on implementation project, demonstrating skills and technologies that are in demand by industry. This can be used as a showcase for what you can do for your employers.

The School of Management welcomes applications from mature applicants, International applicants and those holding approved professional or third-level qualifications who wish to enter the programme in a year other than first year (Advanced Entry).

What are my career opportunities?

The BSc in Business Computing opens up a wide range of career opportunities in software development, or more general IT roles, which can lead to Project Management, IT and general management as well as a wide range of specialist technical roles. Career possibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

Chief Information Officer
IT Manager/Director
Business Development Manager
Applications Development Manager
IT Architect
Information Systems Consultant
Business Process Analyst

Module listing

Year 1	Object-Oriented Software Development, Sales and Marketing, Financial Accounting, Principles of Management, Quantitative Methods, Statistics, Multimedia, Networks in Business.
Year 2	Advanced Object-Oriented Software Development, Algorithms and Data Structures, Management Accounting, Supply Chain Management, Database Systems, Organisational Behaviour, Finance, Advanced Statistics.
Year 3	Semester One: Communication and Teamwork, Project Management, Web Development, Business Modeling, Enterprise Databases, Dynamic Programming Languages. Semester 2: Component Based Software Development, Web Development 2, Management of Information Systems, Work Placement/Study Abroad
Year 4	Semester One: Strategic Management (Part 1 of 2), Software Patterns (Part 1 of 2), Distributed Information Systems, Mobile Application Development, Final year Software Development Project. Semester 2: Strategic Management (Part 2 of 2), Software Patterns (Part 2 of 2), Software Quality Assurance, Strategic Information Systems, Final year Software Development Project.

What other options do I have after completion?

Students who have reached the appropriate honours standards may have access to a range of Masters Degrees in DIT and elsewhere in Higher Education. Graduates have registered on business as well as technical computing Masters programmes, highlighting the dual career paths available.

Are there study abroad opportunities?

Students are encouraged to take one semester abroad as part of the Erasmus exchange programme.

Scholarship

First year students enrolling on this programme who have obtained 500 points or more in their Leaving Certificate, will be awarded a first year entrance scholarship of €2,000 in recognition of their outstanding performance in the Leaving Certificate Examination

Entry Requirements

Minimum no of		Minimum Grade in
Subjects	Honours	Maths	English/Irish
6	2	OD3	OD3

Further information

School of Management

T: 01 402 7106 (Hugh O’Donnell, Head of Dept)

E: DT354-info@dit.ie