STREAMS

YEAR 1

YEAR 2

PROGRAMMING

Introduction to Computer Programming
(5 ECTS)

Introduction to OO Programming
(5 ECTS)

Procedural Programming
(5 ECTS)

Data Structures
(5 ECTS)

SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT

Introduction to Systems Analysis & Design
(5 ECTS)

Introduction to OO Design (5 ECTS)

Human Computer Interface Design
(5 ECTS)

HARDWARE

Computer Architecture
(5 ECTS)

Computer Organisation
(5 ECTS)

Electronics for Computing
(5 ECTS)

Computer Systems Hardware
(5 ECTS)

ANALYTICAL SKILLS

Mathematics for Computing (5 ECTS)
Mathematical Methods
(5 ECTS)

Statistical Data Analysis
(5 ECTS)

SYSTEMS

Operating System Fundamentals
(5 ECTS)

Data Communications
(5 ECTS)

Operating Systems Management
(5 ECTS)

Internetworking
(5 ECTS)

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

Developing your Potential (5 ECTS)

Professional Development & Employment Placement (10 ECTS)

INFORMATION MANAGEMENT FOR BUSINESS

Organisations & Business Processes
(5 ECTS)

Database Planning & Design
(5 ECTS)

Database Systems Implementation
(5 ECTS)

Semester 1 (Year 1)

Introduction to Computer Programming

Introduces students to the theory and practice of computer programming concepts. It also introduces students to basic program design concepts. The module enables students to write computer programs consisting of up to several hundred lines of well designed code in a modular fashion.

Introduction to Systems Analysis and Design

The overall aim of this module is to introduce the student to techniques used in systems analysis and design. The software development lifecycle is examined and the student is also introduced to a range of skills needed to facilitate problem solving.

Computer Architecture

In this module, students are introduced to the components of a computer system. They learn how data is manipulated and stored in a digital computer and they are introduced to the main memory technologies. The ‘8086 family of microprocessor is used to provide students with knowledge of the inner workings of a PC.  In the laboratory, students write simple programs for the D6 educational computer.

Mathematics for Computing

In this module students are introduced to some of the fundamental mathematical concepts which a computer science student will need.  The aim of the module is to develop the mathematical ability of the students in the areas of geometry, algebra, matrices, vectors and set theory.  The principles will be reinforced with practical examples and also through the use of a mathematical software package

Operating System Fundamentals

This module introduces the fundamentals of memory, virtual memory, and processor management. Students study the algorithms used to control processor scheduling, memory management, and strategies designed to provide a secure computing environment. The course explores techniques for modelling, detecting, and recovering from deadlock. Students gain practical experience by installing, executing DOS commands, and using the Windows operating system.

Organisations & Business Process

This module introduces students to fundamental business concepts such as sales, management, personnel and production. Students will learn how organisations are structured and how they operate. From this module, students will gain an appreciation of how information systems link the parts of an organisation together and the challenges that modern IT specialist face in designing and managing systems in the real world.

Semester 2 (Year 1)

Introduction to Object Oriented Programming

The module provides an introduction to the concepts behind object-oriented programming. Students gain a thorough understanding of incremental programming, type-safety, polymorphism, encapsulation, and inheritance and apply these concepts through a variety of programming projects. The module also develops students programming and problem solving skills.

Introduction to Object-Oriented Design

The module examines the concepts used in Object-Oriented Software Development and the Object-Oriented Development Lifecycle. The student is provided with an understanding of the concepts and advantages of the object-oriented approach to system development and how such systems may be implemented.

Computer Organisation

Students learn the basics of Assembly Language programming in this module.  They are taught the basic rules of Boolean Algebra and they learn how digital logic can be applied to the design of various arithmetic, memory and logic circuits.  They also study the operation of some of the most widely used peripheral devices.

Mathematical Methods

The focus of this mathematics module is in the areas of functions and calculus which are necessary for tackling a wide range of real world problems.  The properties of many of the standard mathematical functions will be analysed before moving on to differentiation and integration.  Practical examples will be used to demonstrate the concepts and where appropriate mathematical packages will be used.

Data Communications

This module introduces students to the concept of computing devices communicating with each other, over wired and wireless media.   It covers in detail the media employed and the major issues relating to connecting the devices to a shared communications system. There is a nice balance between theoretical content and practical laboratories.

Developing Your Potential

This module is designed to equip participants with an understanding of their own skills and capacities. It will include an exploration of learning styles, identifying and learning how to articulate their own strengths and capacities. The module allows participants the opportunity to develop their own interpersonal skills and capacities and the skills to articulate a message to others using effective presentation techniques.

Semester 3 (Year 2)

Procedural Programming

This module builds on the programming skills learned in semester 1 and introduces more advanced concepts that are widely used when developing practical procedural programs. For practical examples the module focuses on programming stand-alone devices such as a microprocessor or microcontroller.

Electronics for Computing

Design and building of useful and interesting circuits are integral to the course. A range of practical skills are introduced (for example: circuit simulation using CAD, circuit building using discrete components and breadboards, circuit testing using oscilloscopes and multimeters). Knowledge developed is tailored in such a way as to complement subjects such as Embedded Systems and Games Technology. In this way, useful skills for realising hardware-style projects are developed.

Statistical Data Analysis

This module aims to familiarize the student with some of the basic statistical concepts which they will require.  The topics covered will include the summarisation, analysis and presentation of data, designing a survey or questionnaire, calculating probability for uncertain events and the properties of a number of widely used probability distributions.  Mathematical software will be used to reinforce the concepts.

Operating Systems Management

This module introduces the fundamentals of device and file management, and the UNIX operating system. Students study disk scheduling algorithms, the management of data on secondary storage, and file protection strategies. They learn to compare and evaluate operating systems. Students install the UNIX operating system, combine simple commands to create powerful pipelines, and use a UNIX editor to create simple programs.

Professional Development & Employment Placement

This module consists of both a taught and work experience element. In the work placement element participants will get relevant practical work experience in companies and organisations in Ireland and overseas over a three month period. The placement is a partnership between the employer, the student and the college, ensuring proper supervision, evaluation and relevancy to the degree programme.
The taught element of the programme is designed to improved the employability skills of participants through the developing an understanding of the skills required to be successful in the work environment including CV and interview preparation and the skills of working effectively with others.

Database Planning & Design 

Database Planning and Design introduces database technologies focusing on the importance of controlled management, deployment and development of database systems. It aims to develop a variety of design skills including the ability to analyse requirements and to produce a well-structured relational database schema. A number of mainstream database platform are introduced as are a number of systems management concepts including database security and multiuser contention.

 Semester 4 (Year 2)

Data Structures

This module deals with the fundamentals of organising and manipulating data efficiently using clean conceptual models. Students study many of the important conceptual data types and their realisation through implementation. The module also reinforces students programming skills and further develops student’s problem solving skills.

Human Computer Interface Design

This modules aims to teach students the principles involved in designing interfaces for computer systems that are easy to use and understand. The student learns usability principles and implements these principles in a practical setting by developing web pages that adhere to best practice.

Computer Systems Hardware

This module introduces the Motorola 68000, thus further developing the students’ Assembly programming skills and deepening their knowledge of microprocessor architecture.  Students also learn to evaluate some popular CPUs. They are then introduced to the features of a microcontroller and write programs to control hardware components such as push buttons.

Internetworking

Internetworking Protocol, or as it is more commonly called IP, is ubiquitous. All forms of communication service, including TV, Phones, CCTV, Telemetry, Radio and Mail, have converged and are increasingly being delivered over IP-based networks, namely the Internet. The need for experts in the structure and management of this system is essential and this module fills this need.

Database Systems Implementations

The Database Systems Implementation module aims to equip students with the skills to code and implement a relational database design and to query a database. The module also introduces secure data access and the planning and documentation of a Data Access Strategy. The learner is also exposed to the usage of SQL to manage data access through the creation of roles and users and the granting and revoking of permissions thereto.