| LC409Level 6 | | Technology, Media & Science |
Higher Certificate in Computing (Level 6)
| Programme Description | | This programme is designed to produce graduates with a broad knowledge of core aspects of Computing including; computer hardware and software, data communications, information management, mathematics and interpersonal skills. Graduates can expect to take up employment at entry level in industries ranging from the large multinational companies to small or medium enterprises. In addition to developing graduates’ Computing knowledge and creative awareness, this programme also provides graduates the opportunity to take part in a valuable work placement component.
Should a graduate wish to remain in the work place following their work placement,the Higher Certificate option allows them to do this while gaining certification for the studies completed so far. Should the student wish to return to study, they can build on their earlier studies as envisaged by the NQAI framework.
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| Entry Requirements: | | Leaving Certificate: A minimum of 5 Passes in Leaving Certificate subjects, including Mathematics and English/Irish. FETAC: A full FETAC Level 5 award or FETAC Level 6 award. Applicants must have passed a Mathematics module in their FETAC Award or have passed Mathematics at Leaving Certificate to qualify for entry to this programme. Mature: Refer to the admissions section.
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Modules: Year 1: | | Introduction to Computer Programming, Introduction to Systems Analysis and Design, Computer Architecture, Mathematics for Computing, Operating System Fundamentals, Organisations & Business Process, Introduction to Object Oriented Programming, Introduction to Object-Oriented Design, Computer Organisation, Mathematical Methods, Data Communications, Developing Your Potential, Management Principles.
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| Year 2:
| | Procedural Programming, Electronics for Computing, Statistical Data Analysis, Operating Systems Management, Professional Development & Employment Placement, Database Planning & Design, Data Structures, Human Computer Interface Design, Computer Systems Hardware, Internetworking, Database Systems Implementations.
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| Duration: | | 2 Years
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| Class Contact Hours: | | Year 1: 25 hours per week. Year 2: 22 hours per week.
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Top 3 Reasons to Choose:
| | 1 Our Computing programmes are designed specifically to bridge occupational gaps in a wide range of industries thereby increasing graduate employment potential.
2 The Higher Certificate allows students to familiarise themselves with various aspects of computing, thereby identifying future study specialisations such as Software Development, Games Design and Development or Smart Sustainable Energy.
3 Student driven culture with a friendly and constructive learning atmosphere.
| | What our Students say: | | “I really enjoyed the work placement aspect of the course. It was a great benefit to my course work to see how software is managed and developed in the real world and it gave me programming experience that would benefit not only my future college work, but also my CV.”
Peter McMillan, Graduate
| | Further Studies | | Graduates of the Higher Certificate in Computing are eligible to progress to LIT Tipperary programmes: Year 3 of Level 7
Year 3 of Level 8
Graduates of this programme will possess attributes which will make them suitable for employment in a range of positions that might include:
- Computer Programmer
- Desktop Support Technician
- Assistant Database Administrator, etc.
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| For Further Information Contact: | |
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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.}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.}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.}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.}
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Head of Department: James Greenslade | |
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