Streams

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Year 4

Programming

Introduction to Computer Programming
(5 ECTS)

Introduction
to OO Programming
(5 ECTS)

Procedural Programming
(5 ECTS)

Data Structures
(5 ECTS)

Enterprise Client Server Programming
(5 ECTS)

Computer Graphics
(5 ECTS)

Advanced OO Programming
(5 ECTS)

Language Design & Implementation 1
 (5 ECTS)

Concurrent Programming
(5 ECTS)

Language Design & Implementation 2
(5 ECTS)

Distributed Programming
(5 ECTS)

Software Development

Introduction to Systems Analysis
& Design
(5 ECTS)

Introduction to OO Design
(5 ECTS)

Human Computer Interface Design
(5 ECTS)

Software Security & Testing
(5 ECTS)

Advance Methods in Systems Design
(5 ECTS)

Software Project Management
(5 ECTS)

Software Quality
(5 ECTS)

Hardware

Computer Architecture
(5 ECTS)

Computer Organisation
(5 ECTS)

Electronics for Computing
(5 ECTS)

Computer Systems Hardware
(5 ECTS)

Embedded Systems
(5 ECTS)

Advanced Embedded Systems
(5 ECTS)

Analytical Skills

Mathematics for Computing
(5 ECTS)

Mathematical Methods
(5 ECTS)

Statistical Data Analysis
(5 ECTS)

Algorithms
(5 ECTS)

Artificial Intelligence
(5 ECTS)

Systems

Operating System Fundamentals
(5 ECTS)

Operating System Management
(5 ECTS)

Internetworking (5 ECTS)

Network Services & Applications
(5 ECTS)

Personal Development

Developing your Potential
(5 ECTS)

Professional Development & Employment Placement
(10 ECTS)

Team & Self Management
(5 ECTS)

Reflective Self Development
(5 ECTS)

Information Management Development

Organisations & Business Processes
(5 ECTS)

Database Planning & Design
(5 ECTS)

Database Systems Implementation
(5 ECTS)

Management & Control
(5 ECTS)

Project
(10 ECTS)

Advanced Database Systems
(5 ECTS)

Project
(10 ECTS)

Semester 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

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 Organization

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

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

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 Implementation

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.

Semester 5

Enterprise Client Server Programming

This module strengthens software development skills and students will be exposed to the analysis, design and development of large scale enterprise applications. They will have an insight into how enterprise applications are developed using frameworks. They will also integrated applications with business objects and persistence systems.

Software Security and Testing

The aim of this module is to introduce the student to the different approaches and guidelines associated with the development of secure software. The student is also given an overview of standards, techniques and tools used in software testing.

Algorithms

An algorithm is a set of step by step instructions to carry out a particular task. Tasks performed by computer programs often fall into certain categories that have well known solutions. This module examines solutions to frequently occurring programming tasks and develops methods for evaluating their efficiency.

Network Services and Applications

The uses of the Internet, and the applications developed to harness its power, are varied and continually developing. This module concentrates on the technologies that allow us deliver this power to the end-user and therefore the knowledge and skills learned are essential for the modern day technologist.   

Computer Graphics

This module introduces the basic concepts of computer graphics and raster based methods. It also provides the necessary theoretical background for computer graphics and demonstrates the application of computer science to graphics. It also offers the opportunity for students to formulate and implement applications of computer graphics.

Semester 6

Advanced OO Programming

This module aims to advance students programming abilities with a primary focus on OO Programming. The core elements include applied case study based system analysis design and development using practical OO design patterns. On completion of this module students will appreciate how to model a solution using OO techniques and implement the solution in an OO programming language.

Embedded Systems

The approach taken for this course is practical and hands-on and focuses on real-world examples. To achieve this, the core and peripheral features of a specific microcontroller architecture are studied in detail. Hardware interfacing techniques (keypads, liquid crystal displays, external memory etc) and associated software routines (assembler and C) are dealt with in a practical sense to allow for the development of creative projects. Other architectures and devices (such as rfID, rfPIC etc) are also touched on, to also ensure a broad overview perspective of the subject.

Artificial Intelligence

Artificial Intelligence is the field of study devoted to using computers (‘artificial’) to emulate intelligent thought or behaviour (‘intelligence’). This module looks at various techniques that are used to achieve this aim and the types of problems that are thought suitable for this approach. Applications of AI include speech recognition, personal identification systems and medical diagnosis.

Team & Self Management

The focus of this module will be on developing an understanding of, and the skills associated with the challenge of working in a team environment. This will build on the skills developed during work placement and will look at the challenges faced in managing effective teams. In addition this module is designed to develop the skills of participants in the work environment such as setting and achieving goals, career planning, motivation of self and others.

Management & Control

This module enables students to understand the theory and practice of management and control of organisations.  The students will develop skills in a variety of costing techniques and the understanding of budgeting and standard costing and variance analysis as an essential tool for planning and controlling business costs.  The student will also be introduced to key issues in the study of management.

Project

This module aims to provide students with the opportunity to plan, design, implement, test and document a significant computing project that draws from all areas of study completed to date. Furthermore, students will be expected to extend their existing knowledge by researching project specific knowledge where appropriate.

Semester 7

Language Design & Implementation 1

This module is the first of two modules which studies how compliers work. When you write a computer program it must be complied before it can be run. It is a program called a compiler that compiles your program. The compiler “translates” the program you wrote into a set of instructions that the computer understands. It is analgous to writing a recipe in English and then translating it (compiling it) to French so that the French chief can cook it. The first step in compiling a program is checking that the program is gramatecially correct (i.e. that the English you used to write the recipe is grametically correct). This module studies how a compiler achieves this.

Advanced Methods in Systems Design

This module introduces the student to advanced aspects of systems design. Design patterns are examined in detail and how they may be applied to real-world situations. The student is introduced to further design techniques used for different problem domains.

Advanced Embedded Systems

This course builds on the 3rd year Embedded Systems module. The design cycle from concept through to integrated hardware/software product is explored. A comparative and critical study of devices such as (a) microcontrollers, (b) microprocessors, and (c) digital signal processors is also carried out. Advanced hardware interfacing methods, and associated code development, are explored. Specialist areas such as control theory and embedded internet are touched on. The course also ensures students are able to evaluate and critically appraise latest trends in embedded systems devices.

Concurrent Programming

Concurrent Programming teaches the student how to write computer programmes that can do many things at the same time. For example, how to write a program that can check the spelling of a piece of text while, at the same time, read new text being typed in by the user. The effect would be a programme that can check spelling while you type, as opposed to having to type everything first and then check the spelling.

Software Project Management

Effective management of the software development process is critical to the successful completion of software projects. The student is provided with the skills required to successfully manage a software development project, taking into consideration software metrics, risk management and the need for teamwork.

Semester 8

Language Design & Implementation 2

This module is the second of two modules which studies how compliers work. The first module studies how a compiler ensures that a program is grametically correct, this module studies how the compiler actually translates the program into a set of instructions the computer can understand.

Software Quality

The definition and nature of quality is examined as it applies to the software development process. The student is provided with the ability to quantify and measure the quality of a given software product. A critical awareness of the relationship between software engineering, quality management and process improvement is also given.

Reflective Self Development

This module is offered in fourth year as an opportunity for participants to develop their reflective skills with the purpose of develop as self-aware and self-critical people, honest about themselves, and open to criticism and feedback, objective in weighing up evidence, open to, and prepared to try different approaches to work and living. The module offers an opportunity to develop an understanding of their impact on others, the implication and challenges for the IT professional with regards to information access as a source of power and to create an understanding of the ethical challenges when operating in a Software environment.

Advanced Database Systems

The Advanced Database Systems module addresses the improvement of the run-time performance of the database. The learning will gain an understanding of the underlying database architecture, and then focus on capacity storage management, parameter tuning, critical evaluation of access methodologies and SQL execution plans. A wide variety of database programming skills are imparted including the ability to write user defined procedures and triggers. The module also introduces the concepts and issues around data warehousing.

Distributed Programming

Distributed Programming teaches the student how to write a computer program that is divided up into “parts” with each part running on a different computer. For example, if you wanted to write a program that would (1) read a temperature from a thermometer, (2) store the temperature in a file and (3) display the temperature on a web site. You could divide the programme into three parts. One part would run on a computer that is connected to a thermometer and read the temperature from the thermometer; another part would run on a computer that has a file into which it can write the temperature value; and the final part would run on a computer that is connected to a web site. All three parts would have to communicate between each other in order for the program to work.

Project

The student is given the opportunity to research, specify, design and implement a medium-to-large scale practical project. The project is the culmination of the student’s work throughout the programme.