Department of Computing and Maths
Head of Department : T. Parslow
Departmental Staff
Courses:
National Certificate in Computing (Analyst Programmer Option) - 2yrs
National Certificate in Computing (Business Applications Option) - 2yrs
National Diploma in Computer (Software Development - 1yr
B.Sc in Software Development - 1yr
Third Year Computing Home Page
GA008 COMP
Aims
To prepare candidates for careers in computing largely in a commercial environment. The course has a heavy practical element which involves programming in depth in a variety of languages. Students work, individually and in groups, on a wide variety of projects and acquire the techniques involved in all stages of Systems Development.
Entry Requirements
MINIMUM entry requirement is: Pass (Grade D3 or better) in five Leaving Certificate subjects including Mathematics and English or Irish. In practice, entry levels are significantly above the minimum and points are calculated from the SIX best subjects.
Course Duration
Two years full-time study.
Career Opportunities
The range of employment is very wide. It has expanded beyond the traditional fields of large and small computer installations, software houses and computer service companies.
Many graduates now find employment as the single computer specialist in a firm where activities include in-house programming/package support/hardware and software purchasing advice.
Course Content
Year 1
Programming Practical, Program Development, Computer Technology, Mathematics and Statistics, Business Administration, Business European Language (French, German or Spanish).
[Semester I is common to the Business Applications Option].
Opportunities for Further Study
Graduates achieving Merit level are eligible for entry to the National Diploma in Computing in this College and to Computing Diploma courses in other RTCs. Graduates may progress to honours degree programmes either at Galway RTC or at other institutions. The normal route is via the National Diploma in Computing.
The School is actively involved in joint course development with institutions in the UK and other EC states.
Further Information
Eleanor Kelly or Ted Parslow.
Year 2
Semester III
Computer Applications, Computer Architecture and Operating Systems, Business Communications, Systems Analysis and Design I, Projects I, Business European Language.
Semester IV
Accountancy, Programming and Communications Theory, DB/SQL, Systems Analysis and Design II, Probability and Statistics, Projects II, Business European Langauge.
GA008 COMP
Aims
To prepare candidates for careers in computing largely in a commercial environment. The course has a heavy practical element and the graduate will be trained in the provision of computerised solutions using a wide range of methods. Students work, individually and in groups, on a variety of projects and acquire the techniques involved in all stages of Systems Development.
Entry Requirements
MINIMUM entry requirement is: Pass (Grade D3 or better) in five Leaving Certificate subjects including Mathematics and English or Irish. In practice, entry levels are significantly above the minimum and points are calculated from the SIX best subjects.
Course Duration
Two years full-time study.
Career Opportunities
The computing market-place has expanded enormously in recent years and there is a growing need for implementators of computerised solutions in addition to technical developers.
Course Content
Year I
Semester I
Programming Practical, Program Development, Computer Technology, Mathematics and Statistics, Business Administration, Language (French, German or Spanish).
[Semester I is common to the Analyst Programmer Option].
Semester II
Problem Solving by Computer, Software Usage and Development, Computer Technology, Mathematics and Statistics, Business Administration, Elective (French, German, Spanish, Structured Programming).
Year 2
Semester III
Commercial Applications, Personal Computer Systems, Business Communications, Systems Analysis and Design, Individual Project, Elective.
Semester IV
Accountancy, Business Software Implementation, Database Management, Information Technology, Group Project, Elective.
Opportunities for Further Study
Graduates achieving Merit level are eligible for entry to the National Diploma in Computing in this College and to Computing Diploma courses in other RTCs.
In keeping with this new option of Business Applications, an appropriate option is being developed in the National Diploma in Computing.
Further Information
Ted Parslow or Head of School.
SDCP3
Aims
To prepare the student to be immediately productive in the small to medium sized software house or to act as software support in a company selling microcomputer hardware, both of which are areas of expanding employment opportunities, and to function as analyst/programmer in the IT department of a large company. Graduates are encouraged to develop qualities of leadership through the application of management and communication principles and through supervision of Certificate students in project work.
Entry Requirements
National Certificate in Computing with Merit or Distinction, or equivalent qualification. Applicants holding a National Certificate with one year�s post Certificate experience will also be considered for admission. Where demand exceeds the number of places available, allocation of places will be based on academic achievement and the relevance of courses studied. Applicants wishing to be considered eligible to proceed to the BSc in Software Development should contact the College for details on any additional bridging studies requirement.
Course Duration
One year full-time.
Career Outlets
Graduates of this course will function as computer professionals in all areas where software may profitably be developed, including the commercial and financial sectors and software houses where new system software is produced and existing systems enhanced.
Course Content
Semester V
Operating Systems Design, Systems Programming, Object-Oriented Development, Software Quality Management, Graphics, Elective (Business European Language or Business Mathematics).
Semester VI
Database Management Systems, Computer Related Technology, Knowledge Representation, Human Computer Interaction, Project, Elective (Business European Language or Mathematical Modelling).
Opportunities for Further Study
Progression to Honours B.Sc. (Software Development). Graduates of this course have also entered degree programmes at other Irish Universities and Colleges and at institutions of higher education in the UK with which this College has links. Graduates have entered a two year FAS sponsored programme of work placement in Japan.
Further Information
Anthony McDonald or Head of Department.
SBSD4
Aims
To equip students with the theoretical and practical techniques which will enable them to function as computer professionals in all areas where software may be profitably developed. Such areas will include the commercial and financial sectors where the graduate may function in the roles of analyst and/or designer and software houses where new system software will be produced and existing systems will be enhanced.
Entry Requirements
National Diploma in Computing with Merit or Distinction. Prospective entrants area also required by the NCEA to pass additional/bridging studies. Currently these modules are held as additional studies during the academic year rather than as free-standing preliminary courses in September.
Course Duration
One year full-time study.
Career Opportunities
Professional careers in Software Development and related areas, including third level education. A degree is now a standard requirement in many companies offering computer-related jobs.
Further Information
Tony McDonald or Ted Parslow.
Course Content
Semester VII
Artificial Intelligence
Software Engineering
Functional and Logic Programming
System software
Data Communications and Networks
Elective (Business European Language or Computer Law)
Semester VIII
Theory of Algorithms
Real-time Systems Design
Project
Elective (Business European Language or Network Design)
Opportunities for Further Study
Graduates may proceed to higher degrees and/or membership of professional bodies.