Computing / Riomhaireacht DT211
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Qualification awarded: BSc (Computing) Level 8 / BSc (Riomhaireacht) LeibhÊal 8
Duration of programme:
4 years
Type of programme:
Honours Degree
Number of places:
70 approx.
What is Computing?
Did you ever wonder how you can sit in your own home and play a console game with your friends who are in their own homes? Or how you can check the bus timetables online as you walk around the streets? From a business and leisure perspective, computing is about systems, networks, applications, data, cooperative working, automation and communication. There are fundamental skills that allow graduates to work with all the different aspects of computing; basic skills such as programming and networking are essential for enabling communications, both for business and pleasure. More advanced skills, such as systems integration, data management and security give the graduate the ability to design and implement the optimal IT infrastructure both for large businesses and for leisure communications over complicated and varied networks, without danger of identity theft or loss of data. This programme aims to provide all of these skills.
ICT Ireland, the representative body for the ICT sector and the HEA recognise the value of this programme in meeting the shortfall of skills within the ICT sector by sponsoring an internship pathway in the third and fourth year of this programme.
What are my career opportunities?
Our graduates have been extremely successful in the indigenous IT industry. The school has an industrial liaison team that maintains strong links with industry and arranges internship, sponsorship and guest speakers from large and small IT organisations in Dublin. This programme produces graduates with the knowledge and practical hands-on expertise to take care of an organisation’s information technology infrastructure and software applications, as well as the needs of the people who use them.
Graduates initially work as IT developers and network and system practitioners, but have a sufficient professional grounding to encourage advancement to more senior positions in the computing industry within a few years. A number of the modules in the earlier part of the programme broadly follow syllabi similar to some external international certification bodies. Students graduating from the programme will be familiar with the material required to pass examinations leading to Cisco Certified Network Associate, and Oracle Certifications.
What other options do I have after completion?
The vast majority of our students exit with a BSc (Hons) in Computing and may apply for entry into the postgraduate programmes offered in the School of Computing
Students who do not wish to progress to third year have the option of exiting with a Higher Certificate after successfully completing the second year.
Students who do not wish to progress to fourth year have the option of exiting with a BSc (Ord) in Computing on successful completion of Year 3 of the full-time pathway with an individual project.
What will I study on this programme?
First year students build a personal computer and install software on it; they spend a lot of time learning to write computer programs for different types of platforms and study basic network skills. They solve technical problems and communicate solutions efficiently and professionally, both individually and in teams. In year 2, programming and network skills are further developed; operating systems, databases, web development and system infrastructure are studied as well as ethical and legal issues surrounding the IT profession.
In year 3, students broaden and deepen their knowledge and skills in networking, programming and web development. They study infrastructure in more detail, paying particular attention to security aspects related to the field. They also choose one of two pathways to follow through the final two stages; the Full-time pathway and the Internship pathway.
Year 3 full-time students attend DIT on a full-time basis, studying further modules including options that vary from robotics and cloud computing to applied intelligence, assistive technology or mathematics. At this stage, students are ready to undertake a project that will lead to the development of a substantial artefact.
The internship pathway involves working with a company in the IT sector for two days each week, throughout years 3 and 4. Students undergo experiential learning while working in the IT sector.
In the fourth and final year, all students continue their studies in data management, security, enterprise infrastructure and architecture and system administration. All students undertake a major project. Internship students continue their Internship for two days a week, whilst Full-time students can choose to study in other areas such as games programming, music technology, the storage and management of spatial data such as maps and advance their internet development skills.
Module listing
Year One (Common)
The concepts and practices involved in programming are covered extensively, with underlying algorithms and mathematics covered. Programming is practiced both as part of the programming syllabus and also using robots, in teams. The students build a computer and install and learn to use and understand operating systems. Networking is introduced.
Year Two (Common)
Students continue to study networks; routing and switching and microprocessors. Students’ knowledge of operating systems is extended into system administration. Programming extends to objects and databases and web development are studied. Students design the architecture of a software system and its interaction with humans.
Year Three (Core)
Both Full-time and Internship students continue to study programming and networks, expanding their skills in system infrastructure and software installation and maintenance. A security module gives the students the knowledge required to protect an organisation’s infrastructure from attack and further work is done on databases and web development.
Year Three (Full-time students)
These students also spend time programming with distributed objects and take part in a software development project. They also study an optional subject, chosen from cloud computing, robotics, universal design and assistive ICT, applied intelligence or computational mathematics.
Year Three & Four (Internship students)
These students spend two days a week in industry, as well as studying the core subjects.
Year Four (Core)
All students study advanced security and data management. They expand their skills in enterprise systems infrastructure and architecture and administration. All students undertake a major fourth year project.
Year Four (Full-time students)
Full-time students take extra modules on security and systems integration. They also choose two modules from a variety of areas including games development, music technology, geographical information systems, web technologies and computer graphics.
Are there study abroad opportunities?
DIT has been an active participant in the Erasmus programme since its inception. This programme allows DIT students to study or work for between 3 and 12 months in another EU state (or in Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway or Turkey).
What our students say!
- 3rd year full-time student: “DT211 is an amazing course, there’s so much to learn from the staff teaching our course and even the staff teaching other courses! It is a course that will set you up for life. You can learn all the skills required in an IT workplace and any extra stuff can be found in the library. It’s accredited by the British Computing Society.”
- 3rd year internship student: “I appreciate the ability to attend college part-time and work in a college relevant job (internship) for the final two years of my degree. Not only does this paid position allow me to give up my evening and weekend job (I get paid to be in college!) but also provides me with further training, experience and hopefully a full time job straight from college.”
Entry Requirements
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Minimum no of |
Minimum Grade in |
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|
Subjects |
Honours |
Maths |
English/Irish |
|
6 |
2 |
OC3 |
OD3 |
Further information
School of Computing
T: 01 402 4821 (Ms. Patricia O’Byrne)
E: dt211@dit.ie
