Computing - Software Development

Students who are applying to programmes as mature applicants will be required to be over the age of 23 as on 1st January in the year of entry. Mature students may apply through the CAO or directly to the college. They are not required to do both. Mature students are assessed on basis of age, educational standard and work experience to date.

All applicants presenting other qualifications should contact the Admissions Office directly to discuss their eligibility criteria.

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Please note DBS is an independent college and therefore fees apply.

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Entry 2024

Early online application (discounted): Fee €30 Closing Date: 20 January 2024 at 5pm

Normal online application: Fee €45 Closing Date: 1 February 2024 at 5pm

Late online application - restrictions apply (see page 3 2024 CAO Handbook): Fee: €60 Closing Date: 1 May 2024 at 5pm

Change of Mind - restrictions apply (see page 3 2024 CAO Handbook): Fee: Nil Closing Date: 1 July 2024 at 5pm

Exceptional online late application (see page 34 of the 2024 CAO Handbook): Fee €60 Closing Date: 22 July 2024 at 5pm

Be sure to complete any action well in advance of closing dates. You should avoid making an application close to a closing date. No extensions to closing dates will be allowed and all application fees are non-refundable.

LATE APPLICATIONS
Late Applications are those which are received after 5pm on 1 February 2024. The closing date for late applications is 5pm on 1 May 2024, subject to the restrictions listed on page 3 of the 2024 CAO Handbook. The online facility for late applications opens on the 5 March 2024 at 12:00 noon - a fee of €60 applies.

Exceptional Late Applications (Exception to the timetable)
The exceptional closing date of 22 July at 5pm applies only to applicants who are registered as an undergraduate student on 1 May 2024 in any year in any one of the participating HEIs (subject to the exclusions listed below). In order to avail of the Exceptional Late Application facility you must have entered the HEI through the CAO system. This is an exceptional late closing date and all steps must be completed by 5pm on 22 July. No changes may be made after this date.

If you did not enter your current course through the CAO system, you must first contact the Admissions Office of the HEI to which you wish to apply and they will inform you if you may submit an application direct to the institution.

Exclusions:
You may submit a late application only for entry to courses other than your existing course. If you wish to repeat the year in the same course you must arrange this within your HEI.

Mary Immaculate College Limerick, Marino Institute of Education, Trinity College Dublin, University of Limerick and Maynooth University have special procedures in place in the case of current or previous students who wish to apply for entry to another course in the same HEI. Such applicants must contact their Admissions Office to determine the application procedure. However, if you are a student in another HEI and you wish to apply to any of these five HEIs, you should apply through CAO.

Refer to page 34 of the 2024 CAO Handbook on how to make an Exceptional Late Application.

Restrictions
As a CAO applicant you may experience one or more of the following restrictions based on your course choices, your category of application, or restrictions imposed by the HEIs that you wish to apply to. Please read the section on 'Restrictions' on page 3 of the 2024 CAO Handbook carefully. This section includes information on:

General Restrictions
1. Making a late application
2. Making changes to your course choices

Restricted Courses
3. Applying for a restricted course

Mature Applicants
4. Mature applicants

Supplementary Admissions Routes
5. Applying for DARE and/or HEAR

Overview
The Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Computing (Software Development) programme aims to provide the academic knowledge and practical skills needed for a foundational computing qualification with specialisation in the area of software development. The programme focuses on theoretical knowledge and practical skills in core areas such software development, database technology, computer networking, operating systems, computer security and web technologies while also offering applied skills in contemporary topics such as processing big data, cloud platform development and problem solving and algorithms.

The programme objectives are to create a critical understanding of core computing concepts and practices as well overall enterprise ICT design, development and management aspects, while also enhancing the practical, transversal, vocational and soft skills of the learners to ensure the success of graduates in the corporate environment and the attributes acquired prepare the graduates for the needs of ICT industry.

Programme Objectives
The specific aims of the programme are to:
• Provide learners with the underpinning academic knowledge to enhance their educational and employment opportunities and provide computing skills that will be of lasting value in the dynamic field of computing.
• Guide the learner through a programme of study, which allows them to develop an understanding of the theory and practical applications of the essential computing disciplines.
• Provide the learner with an overall grounding in computing in order to lead to a variety of pathways in this discipline.
• Develop in learners a methodical and rational approach to problem solving and decision making, with the capability to apply acquired knowledge and skills to practical business situations.
• Provide learners with a substantial opportunity to apply learned knowledge and skills in a business environment and to reflect on the relevance of prior learning to the real world of work via a work placement in an IT role.
• Develop in learners a range of intellectual skills, encompassing team work, reasoning and evaluative skills, reporting, presentation and communication skills that develop as fully as possible their interpersonal abilities.
• Supervise the full-time learner in carrying out a capstone project, gaining experience in the research, formulation, implementation and evaluation of a problem and its solution.
• Help address the ICT national skills shortages by providing honours degree graduates with the necessary skills to begin to work effectively in a variety of IT roles, or progress to further study in their chosen area.

Structure
It’s a full-time four year programme delivered across 8 semesters comprised of twelve weeks each. It is also offered as a part-time five year programme comprised of ten semesters of twelve weeks each.

Year one lays the groundwork for the programme and encompasses mostly foundational modules that focus on providing a solid and comprehensive understanding of the relevant concepts such as programming fundamentals, computer architecture, information systems and mathematics and statistics for computing, introduction to web development and cloud computing.
Year two will build on the knowledge developed in year one in object-oriented programming, data communications and networks, algorithms and data structures, database systems, software engineering, web development and operating systems.

Year three will further advance learners’ knowledge and practical skills in advanced web design, systems analysis and design and introduction to data science. Year three includes a work placement component.

Year four (Award) will complete learners instruction with Cyber Security plus two modules (Mobile & Social Computing and Cloud Platform Development). In the final year, learners will complete a capstone project.

The Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Computing (Software Development) has the following content:
Year 1
• Introduction to Cloud Computing
• Information and Communications Technology Essentials
• Programming Fundamentals
• Mathematics and Statistics for Computing
• Fundamentals of Information Systems
• Computer Architecture
• Introduction to Web Development
• Logic & Problem Solving

Year 2
• Software Engineering
• Web Development
• Object-Oriented Programming
• Algorithms and Data Structures
• Data Communications & Networks
• Database Systems
• IT Project Management
• Operating Systems

Year 3
• Advanced Web Development
• Foundations in Data Science
• Systems Analysis & Design
• Work Placement

Year 4
• Cyber Security
• Mobile and Social Computing
• Cloud Platform Development
• Project

Teaching and Assessment
This variety of learning approaches noted above can be offered including face-to-face, live online, recorded online, and directed e-learning. While modules will be delivered through a mix of lectures, workshops, tutorials, and practical sessions, teaching and learning will focus on the learner applying problem-solving skills and undertaking critical reflection and critique of case studies.

Formative assessment will form an integral part of the learning journey for learners with feedback provided on the solutions to problems posed in class, and through assignments being critiqued and challenged in the educational environment. Assessment will reflect the applied nature of the programme and will include a combination of group projects, practical assignments, e-portfolio, case studies, skill based assessments, presentations and lab exams.

Awarding Body: Quality & Qualifications Ireland (QQI)
Award: Honours Bachelor Degree
NFQ Level: Level 8
Award Title: BSc (Hons) Computing
Award Type: Major

T: +353 (0) 1 4177500
E: admissions@dbs.ie

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