DT211, BSc in Computing
This is four year honours degree, with multiple optional exit points. Students can graduate after year two with a higher certificate, after year three with an ordinary degree and after year four with an honours degree. While there is no games programming route in this degree course, students can opt to take Game Worlds, Game Behaviour, Digital Audio or Music Technology as elective subjects in year four.
DIT student John Barret receives an Open Source award from IBM for his final year project
Game Worlds
This is a fourth year core subject. The computer games industry had an estimated worldwide value of over fifty billion euro. The games industry is considered a strategic growth area for Ireland and many students enjoy computer games on PC, console and mobile platforms. The purpose of this module is to introduce students to the core concepts required to develop modern 3D games in a PC environment. This course combines a foundation in maths and physics programming for 3D games, with 3D graphics. This course has a strong practical and technical focus and gives students the opportunity to learn practical games development at a low level.
The aim of this module is that students learn how entities are positioned and moved in modern 3D games. Students will learn how this is achieved using mathematics, algorithms and standard API’s, such as DirectX and OpenGL.
Game Behaviour
This is a fourth year core subject. The purpose of this module is to build on the skills learned in Programming Game Worlds so that students can learn how higher order behaviours are implemented in computer games. This course begins by exploring perception and path finding and continues with a comparison of techniques used to implement higher order NPC (Non Player Character) decision making. This course has a strong practical and technical focus and gives students the opportunity to learn practical games development at a low level.
Programme Description
The main aim of the programme is to produce graduates with the necessary skills to function as IT developers and network and system support staff in a broad range of commercial and industrial environments. The focus of the programme is to enable the graduate to apply networked solutions in organisational IT environments. To this end, the student needs to have an in-depth knowledge of network theory and practice and a solid understanding of software engineering and IT practices, with an emphasis on intranet applications and configuration. In the third and fourth stages of the programme, some of the students may be accepted into an internship pathway, involving two days per week paid internship in industry. ICT Ireland, the representative body for the Information and Communications Technology sector and the Higher Education Authority (HEA) have sponsored an internship programme that is aimed at addressing the problem of the growing shortage of students graduating in ICT programmes.
Stage One (Common)
Programming, Algorithms and Data Structures, Computer Technology, Information Technology, Building a PC, Introduction to Networking, Computer Physics, Communications Studies and Personal Development, Quantitative Methods for Computing.
Stage Two (Common)
Programming, Software Engineering, Databases, Practical Programming and Databases, Operating Systems, Internet Services & Web Development, Networking 1, Networking 2, Microprocessors, Discrete Mathematics for Computing.
Stage Three (Full-Time Pathway)
Core Modules
Programming, Information Systems, Systems Analysis and Design, WAN Technologies, Internet Application Development, Network Programming, I.T. Law and Professional Issues, Project.
Option Modules
IT Management, Assistive Technology, Human Computer Interface, Robot Technology, Systems Programming, Security, Set up your own Business, Operations Research. Students select one module from this list in addition to the core modules in Stage Three (Full-Time Pathway).
Stage Three (Internship Pathway)
Programming, Information Systems, Systems Analysis and Design, WAN Technologies, Internet Application Development, Network Programming, I.T. Law and Professional Issues, Internship. Internship: Students will be expected to work 2 days per week over the period of the academic year.
Stage Four (Full-Time Pathway)
Core Modules
Database Applications, Database Administration, System Integration, Enterprise Systems, Project.
Option Modules
Advanced Software Engineering, Assistive Technology, Knowledge Management, Games Programming, Music Technology, Advanced Internet Applications, Graphics and Image Technology, Spatial Databases. Students select two modules from this list in addition to the core modules in Stage Four (Full-Time Pathway).
Stage Four (Internship Pathway)
Database Applications, Database Administration, System Integration, Enterprise Systems, Project, Internship. Internship: Students will be expected to work 2 days per week over the period of the academic year.
General Structure
The full programme is a four-stage programme, which can be completed in four years of full-time study. Two pathways are available on this programme as illustrated below. One pathway will require full-time attendance by students at DIT. The second pathway (Internship Pathway) will entail an internship programme involving three days per week attendance at DIT and two days per week paid internship in a local computer company.
