BSc (Hons) in Computer Science (Internet of Things)

Program Overview

The BSc (Hons) in Computer Science (Internet of Things) at SETU Waterford equips students with the skills and knowledge to become IoT practitioners. Through hands-on experience, students learn to design, interface, and operate complex IoT devices and systems, empowering them to create innovative solutions that integrate hardware, software, data, and cloud technologies. The program features industry-informed curriculum, open-source technology, and project-based learning, preparing graduates for diverse career pathways in the rapidly expanding IoT sector.

Program Outline

Extracting Program Information: BSc (Hons) in Computer Science (Internet of Things)

Degree Overview:

Overview:

The BSc (Hons) in Computer Science (Internet of Things) is a cutting-edge four-year honours program, designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge required to become Internet of Things (IoT) practitioners. Developed in collaboration with SETU Waterford's research groups - Walton Institute, ACG, and CTRG - the program emphasizes hands-on practical experience through programming diverse devices, including embedded sensors, mobile phones, single-board computers, and cloud systems.

Objectives:

• Equip students with a broad range of programming and problem-solving skills relevant to the IoT domain.
• Enable graduates to design, interface and operate complex devices and systems through insightful understanding of underlying hardware and software principles.
• Provide graduates with practical experience and a deep understanding of the protocols, networks, and cloud environments used in IoT solutions.
• Empower graduates to create novel solutions through effective integration of diverse IoT components, including hardware, software, data, and cloud technologies.

Description:

This program uniquely blends expertise from SETU's Department of Computing & Mathematics, Department of Engineering Technology, and the research community. Graduates gain proficiency in programming and hardware, allowing them to create not just software solutions but innovative physical and virtual products for a diverse range of applications.

Outline:

Program Content:

The curriculum delves into core areas like data science, mathematics, networks & clouds, programming and devices & systems. A central project in each year integrates these elements, challenging students to combine knowledge, solve complex problems, and design impactful solutions.

Program Structure:

• Year 1 focuses on fundamentals like programming, web development, electronics, and physics.
• Year 2 explores data structures, algorithms, computer systems, networking, and applied cryptography.
• Year 3 covers developer operations, embedded systems scripting, data science, mobile app development, and project management.

Course Schedule:

Students can access the full course schedule, including semester dates, module specific schedules, and examination timetables through SETU's website or student portal.

Assessment:

Assessment Methods:

The program utilizes diverse assessment methods to measure student understanding and achievement in various domains. These include:

• Exams: Traditional written or online assessments covering theoretical and practical knowledge within each module.
• Assignments: Practical tasks, problem sets, and projects requiring students to apply learned concepts to specific scenarios.
• Project Presentations: Presentations of students' project work to demonstrate their ability to integrate knowledge, conduct research, and communicate effectively.
• Continuous Assessment: Ongoing monitoring of student engagement, participation, and contributions within classroom or online activities.

Assessment Criteria:

Each module and assignment carries specific assessment criteria outlining expected learning outcomes, grading policies, and the relative weightage of various components within the final grade. Students can access these criteria through their module documentation or online platforms.

Teaching:

Teaching Methods:

The program uses diverse teaching approaches to cater to individual learning styles, fostering student engagement, and promoting active participation.

• Lectures: Traditional lectures present key concepts, theories, and frameworks within specific modules, often supplemented with visual aids, demonstrations, and case studies.
• Practical Labs: Hands-on sessions allow students to gain practical skills by applying theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios using laboratory equipment, coding environments, and industry-standard tools.

Unique Approaches:

The program features several distinctive approaches that foster an engaging, stimulating, and practical learning environment:

• Industry-Informed Curriculum: Course content remains current, relevant, and adapted to meet evolving industry requirements through constant review and feedback from leading experts within the IoT domain.
• Open and Accessible Technology: Students are encouraged to leverage a wide spectrum of open-source technologies, promoting independent exploration, experimentation, and collaboration, enabling a high degree of personalization in the learning journey.
• Connecting Personal Devices: Students are encouraged to integrate their devices into project work to cultivate hands-on experience, explore diverse applications, and foster individual ownership over learning outcomes.
• Industry Partnerships: The program leverages close ties with prominent national and international industries through guest lectures, project collaboration opportunities, and potential internship placements, connecting students to real-world challenges, potential employers, and relevant networks within the IoT ecosystem.
• Project-Based Learning: Project modules in each year serve as critical components of the program, enabling students to integrate their acquired knowledge, apply skills to solve complex challenges, and develop innovative solutions to address significant societal or industrial needs.

Careers:

Career Profiles:

Upon successful completion of this program, graduates possess the knowledge and skills to pursue diverse career pathways within the rapidly expanding Internet of Things sector. Some potential profiles include:

• Programmer and Maker:
With strong programming abilities and hardware design comprehension, graduates can create both software solutions and innovative products, blending the physical and virtual worlds.
• Embedded Systems Engineer:
With expertise in programming, understanding of hardware design and signal processing, graduates can build embedded systems, sensors, and devices, finding opportunities in various industries like manufacturing, medical, and agricultural applications.
• Data Scientist:
Ability to handle large data volumes from IoT devices, alongside data management and analytics tools, opens possibilities in various sectors including manufacturing optimization, supply chain management, and personalized healthcare applications.
• Web and Mobile App Developer:
Graduates can develop interactive web-based dashboards or mobile apps for analyzing IoT data, user interfaces for controlling IoT devices, or user-friendly platforms for engaging with connected systems in their daily lives.

Opportunities:

• Graduates find rewarding careers across a spectrum of industries relying on IoT, including manufacturing, logistics, agriculture, energy, healthcare, smart homes, smart cities, environmental monitoring, and transportation.
• Start-ups, established enterprises, and research organizations actively seek talented graduates, offering promising careers in areas like product development, data management, research & development, and consulting, among others.
• Opportunities in the international labor market are abundant, as the global demand for IoT specialists continues to rise with the constant growth of the connected world.

Other:

International Study Opportunities:

This program provides students with various international opportunities through collaborative partnerships, allowing for:

• Study Abroad programs, where students can immerse themselves in diverse cultures at partner universities worldwide, broaden their perspectives, and enrich their educational experience with an enriching global outlook.