• » Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Applied Computing

     Programme Title  Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Applied Computing
     CAO Code  LY708
     LYIT internal code  LY_KCOMP_B
     Duration  4 Years ab initio
     Standard Code Places:  48
     National Framework Level  8
     Award Type  Major
     Awarding Body  LYIT, under Delegated Authority from HETAC
    "From the high standard of computing graduates employed from LYIT since 2004 we have been able to successfully grow our development team and increase our capabilities into the future. We see our links with LYIT, playing a major part in our success in the years to come." Eamon Foy, SITA, Letterkenny.
    SITA have recently announced plans to significantly expand their current operations in Letterkenny.
    Is this Programme for Me?
    This level 8 programme is designed to give the graduate experience with a wide range of fundamental computing skills from computer programming where you will learn to give the computer instructions to tell it what you want it to do to computer architecture where you will learn how to install and maintain computers. In addition it will develop the students knowledge in later years to give them a strong set of management skills required to work in and manage modern I.T. organisations. All students will complete a major project which may be industry related. For Testimonials from a number of former students of the course follow this link.
    Note that this course is approved by the Teaching Council on its list of Degree/Teacher Education Programmes Recognised for Post-Primary Registration Purposes. Go to TC Publications and click on List of Recognized Qualifications (Post-Primary).
    For some general information about why you might consider a career in computing: Careers Evenings and Computers.
    If you would like more information about computer programming (OO Programming) click on What is Computer Programming?
    Minimum Academic Entry Requirements
    Applicants must pass 6 subjects in the Leaving Cert, achieving at least 2 honours i.e. Grade C3 in two Higher-Level papers. The six subjects must include Mathematics, and either English or Irish. Alternative mathematics is not acceptable as a basis for entry. It is anticipated that 48 places will be available on this programme.
    • FEATC applicants click FETAC
    • Applicants presenting non-Irish exams as a basis for entry, please check the IOTCEF listing to search for the entry relevant to your country
    • Applicants who are interested in taking selected modules only from this programme and/or those interested in studying this programme in a part-time mode, click Part-time Study
    What will I have to study?
    Year/SemesterModulesMandatory/
    Elective    		No of creditsClass hours per week
     1/1  Introduction to OO Programming I Mandatory  10  8
     Personal and Professional Development Mandatory  5  4
     Mathematics for Computing Mandatory  5  4
     Student Development Mandatory  5  4
     Operating Systems I Mandatory  5  4
     1/2  Introduction to OO Programming II Mandatory  10  8
     Problem Solving with Robots Mandatory  5  4
     Introduction to the Web Mandatory  10  8
     Computer Architecture Mandatory  5  4
     2/3  Maths for Computer Graphics Mandatory  5  4
     Visual Programming Mandatory  10  7
     Operating Systems II Mandatory  5  4
     Object Oriented Programming Mandatory  10  7
     2/4  OO GUI Programming Mandatory  5  4
     Network Technologies Mandatory  5  4
     Database Technology Mandatory  10  7
     Smart Devices Mandatory  10  7
     3/5  Software Implementation Mandatory  5  4
     Object Oriented Analysis & Design Mandatory  10  6
     Technical Writing Mandatory  5  4
     Server Administration Mandatory  10  6
     3/6  Algorithms & Data Structures Mandatory  5  4
     Client/Server Database Architecture Mandatory  5  4
     Team Project Mandatory  10  6
     Web Applications Programming Mandatory  10  6
     3/7(s)  Certificate in Industry Studies Elective  15  Summer Period
     4/7  Performance Based Programming Elective  5  3
     Interactive Design Elective  5  3
     Project Preparation Mandatory  5  3
     Software Engineering Mandatory  10  6
     Emerging Technologies Mandatory  10  6
     4/8  Legal, Ethical & Social Issues in Computing Mandatory  5  3
     Computer Science Mandatory  5  3
     Development Project Mandatory  10  6
     Thin Client Mandatory  10  6
    Learning Outcomes
    On completion of the course the graduate will be able to:
    • The ability to demonstrate specialist skills required for working in a range of key ICT sectors including software development, visual programming environments, software engineering, web application development, smart devices and emerging technologies;
    • The ability to apply and integrate conceptual and theoretical information relating to the skills above;
    • An understanding of emerging technologies and the factors driving these developments;
    • The ability to review available technologies, implement system modelling techniques, design and implement computer systems applying critical decision making skills in the selection of appropriate solutions with an emphasis on high-quality solutions and their limitations;
    • The ability to analyse and evaluate information and based on that information be able to formulate and appraise solutions;
    • The skills required to carry out bounded research and make decisions and justify those decisions in relation to the task;
    • The ability to recognise and apply best-practice across a range of legal and ethical areas as part of their decision making process;
    • The ability to design and computer systems applying critical selection and decision making skills to arrive at appropriate solutions under a variety of circumstances;
    • The ability to plan and organise work and interact effectively as part of a team;
    • The ability to manage small but potentially diverse teams in a constructive leadership role;
    • The ability to research, develop, formalise and critique original ideas using a range of tools;
    • The ability to work in a team on the planning, management and implementation of all aspects of a diverse range of ICT systems.
    Are there follow-up Programmes Available?
    Progression to programmes leading to Masters Degree (by research) or a Doctoral Degree (by research), are available internally at LYIT or through a range of other Institutes of Technology and Universities in Ireland and abroad. There are also a wide range of opportunities to progress to a taught masters programme in areas s uch as Computer Games Development for example.
    Progression internationally to some second cycle (e.g. 'Bologna Masters') degree programmes is possible.
    Career Opportunities
    Current forecasts about the future of the computing industry in Ireland are excellent. It is projected that students who enter third level colleges this year are likely to find there are more professional computing jobs available when they graduate than there are computing graduates to fill them.
    During the past decade, Ireland has gained increasing recognition as Europe’s premier location for software development. Since the 1980s, most leading US software vendors, including Microsoft, Oracle, Google, Facebook and Symantec, have based their European operations centres in Ireland. The country has also become the number one site for software development in Europe. All the big players such as Microsoft, Google, EBay, Symantec and Amazon are now based in Ireland.
    Alongside the big international players Ireland also has a thriving software development industry that has been created in Ireland by Irish computer graduates. It comprises of over 600 companies, about 250 of which have significant levels of overseas sales. Ireland has now overtaken the USA as the biggest exporter of software in the world. 60% of all software sold in Europe originates in Ireland.
    In addition to the national demand for computing graduates there are several large computing companies in the Northwest such as Pramerica which is based in Letterkenny, Northbrook which has operations in Derry and Strabane and SITA which is owned by the air transport industry and has recently announced a major jobs expansion.
    So what kind of job would you like to do? Manage large computer systems, manage computer security to stop computer hackers and viruses, be a software engineer, be a project manager, develop internet applications. All of these careers are open to our computing graduates; it's your choice.

    And for an idea of what computing might look like in the future see the following video by Microsoft on YouTube: Microsoft Future of Computing or see Microsoft's Future Vision 2019 You can be part of it.

    For independent information on employment and salaries in the IT industry see the following report which covers 2010-2011: Jobs and Salaries in IT. For the latest update on employment in the IT Sector see 2,500 Unfilled Jobs in Irish Tech Sector.
    For articles from 2012/13 which you might find helpful see:
    High-tech sector better for jobs than traditional areas, says IDA
    Increase in demand for IT professionals at the end of 2011 - report
    State ignoring tech skills gap at its peril
    Tech sector upbeat on jobs and revenues – survey
    IDA welcomes strong demand for science and technology courses
    IT crisis: The €70k a year jobs we just can’t fill in Ireland
    77 new jobs as five emerging tech firms locate across Ireland
    Apple creating 500 new jobs in Cork
    Niall Quinn to kick off Irish IT recruitment campaign
    High-tech sector scores substantial job gains
    Irish IT industry could scale five times its current size
    New roles, opportunities and further business alignment for IT
    ICT skills gap key to EU employment strategy
    Grand Coalition for Digital Jobs aims to fill 900,000 predicted European ICT vacancies
    RE: Bruton: Ireland can put a further 11,000 people into IT sector
    Digital skills still in demand as Irish jobs market increases 9pc
    8 out of 10 companies on happiest young professionals list have Irish operations
    This course begins in September each year. How to Apply
    If you would like to learn more about computing attend our Summer Computing Camp.
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
    • Contact Thomas Dowling, Head of Department of Computing, Letterkenny Institute of Technology by
    • E- Mail: thomas.dowling@lyit.ie
    • Telephone: (074) 918 6304