Today s Universities offer a wide selection of IT degrees Bachelor of Science (P.S.D.)

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1 Today s Universities offer a wide selection of IT degrees Bachelor of Science (P.S.D.) by Andrew Cain Introduction Welcome. In this presentation we will have a brief look at the exciting new degree program titled Bachelor of Science (Professional Software Development), also known as the PSD. Your presenter, Andrew Cain, is a lecturer in the Faculty of Information and Communication Technologies at Swinburne. He is primarily involved in the teaching of software development subjects, and has had a major role in the design and development of this new program. The Different Facets of ICT The Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) marketplace is diverse. Today s IT infrastructure and resources support us in all walks of life. This diversity results in a wide selection of potential careers, ranging from business analysis through to detailed technical positions. Universities offer a variety of different degree programs that are targeted at these different facets. The Business Information Systems degrees provide a path for those interested in both business and IT, technical degrees offer a path for the more technically minded, while broader degrees allow you to study different parts of this field as you choose. Information Systems Computer Science Software Engineering 1 2

2 Invest in a degree that prepares you for your future career The PSD course is a new and innovative technical degree Selecting a Degree Choosing a degree is an important decision. Your degree is an investment in your future. Making the right choice now will give you the best chance of achieving the career that you want. While some areas of the IT job market have suffered over the last few years, current trends indicate a strong IT recovery. Even during this downturn many companies have found it difficult to attract good people. If you are interested in a technical degree there will always be positions for good people with strong analytical and technical skills. If you think back ten years, most PCs ran DOS and Windows 95 was not yet released. The internet was something only few people knew existed, and no one had mobile phones. Change is the only constant in the IT industry. The New Degree The Bachelor of Science (Professional Software Development) is Swinburne s premier technical IT degree. The PSD will run for the first time in semester 1, Over the last few years the Faculty of Information and Communication Technologies (FICT) has been undergoing an extensive curriculum review process. While our previous degrees offered graduates good opportunities we wanted to do better. To this end a team (lovingly called the Gang of Geeks) was given the task of creating a new technical degree. We were given a clean slate, and asked to create the best technical degree possible. After much discussion with industry, students, and other staff, the PSD degree was born. NASDAQ index source WikiPedia 3 4

3 A PSD graduate is equipped for a rewarding technical career Join the PSD team at Swinburne for education that works Degree Outcomes Building a Strong Foundation In an industry that is constantly changing, only a strong foundation will provide lasting benefits. The main goal we had for the PSD was to create graduates with strong analytical, technical, and interpersonal skills. Graduates must have a strong grasp of the fundamentals, with an appreciation and understanding of current best practices. With such a strong foundation, graduates will be able to look forward to a career that lasts a lifetime. PSD graduates are destined for technical roles within organisations. Architects who design, implement and deploy business applications within large enterprises. Designers who craft technical solutions to a range of possible problem domains. Consultants who help clients achieve the results they require. PSD graduates will be responsible for crafting the technology solutions of the future. If you are interested in a technical IT career, the PSD program will provide you with a strong foundation to work from. Three of the key advantages of the PSD program are: Streams: Subjects are divided into streams which focus on different areas of study. Specialisations: Tailor the PSD to your individual interests by choosing your own specialisation. Industry: Industry links and PSD projects give you knowledge and experience that places you ahead of the competition. 5 6

4 The programming stream gives you the skills to solve problems Streams develop your skills in different technical areas Stream 1 Subject Streams Solving Problems When we created the PSD we wanted to build a structure that clearly indicated the focus of each subject. We wanted a degree where each subject builds upon the foundations set in earlier subjects. To this end we designed four streams. Each stream contains a number of related subjects, where each subject builds on top of previously delivered subjects. By designing the degree as an entire program we are able to help build new knowledge, while reinforcing previously covered material. The result is a program where the outcomes are more than just the sum of learning from the individual subjects. The streams in the PSD are: Programming and projects where you learn to solve problems. Supporting tools and technologies covers best practices and professional tools. Fundamentals and computing in context streams cover the fundamentals of computing, and place IT within a broader context. As IT professionals we bring value to our clients by creating solutions to their problems. Graduates of the PSD stream will have mastered techniques that allow them to create viable solutions to any problem. Within the programming and projects stream you will learn how to approach a problem, analyse it, and then create a solution. The early subjects focus on problem solving techniques and programming practices. As you progress through the subjects in this stream, the focus moves to tackling larger problems using professional tools and techniques. By the end of this stream you will have been exposed to a number of programming languages and environments. You will have the skills that are required to quickly learn new development approaches, and to pickup new tools. Not only will you be able to use current tools, you will be prepared for the inevitable changes that will occur throughout your career. 7 8

5 The supporting stream teaches tools and best practices The fundamentals and context streams ensure wider awareness Stream 1 Stream 2 Stream 1 Stream 2 Stream 3 Professional Tools and Techniques Fundamentals and Context Knowing the right tools and techniques are essential when it comes to solving problems. The supporting tools and technologies stream aims to introduce you to a wide variety of professional tools and techniques. While you will learn about important historical approaches, the focus of these subjects will be heavily guided by current practices. This stream keeps you in touch with industry and best practices. Early subjects in this stream introduces you to the main tools that you will need to work with, including databases, internet architectures and technologies. Later subjects will concentrate on best practices, showing you how software projects are run and managed. The final subjects in this stream focus on large scale application development, as well as application installation and evolution. The last two steams in the PSD cover the fundamentals of computing, and help place IT within real contexts. These streams help ensure that graduates have a deep technical knowledge and an understanding of how IT helps businesses and organisations. The fundamentals stream contains foundation technical subjects. Subjects in this stream examine computing fundamentals, hardware and systems, communication and security, and language design. Graduates will be able to better meet their clients needs by understanding the technical details of the environment in which they work. The information technology context stream helps you place IT within a broader environment. You will learn about how IT fits into organisations, and how to better match user requirements by focusing on user needs. This stream ends with a subject that reinforces your understanding of the role of an IT in our world, and what it means to be a professional. 9 10

6 Specialisation subjects provide a powerful learning opportunity Specialisations give you the flexibility to study areas of interest Choose an Area of Specialisation Building In-depth Knowledge Within the PSD degree you have the option to specialise in a number of fields. The specialisations are a set of elective subjects that together provide you with a good understanding of a particular field. Within the PSD there are a number of specialisations that you can choose from. If you want to develop deeper technical IT skills you can choose an IT specialisation. Alternatively you can choose a specialisation in a non-it field and broaden your horizons. Specialisations give you the flexibility to customise the PSD to your own personal interests. Each specialisation is made up of three related subjects. These subjects are taken during second and third year as part of the information technology context stream. The key advantage of the specialisation structure is the relationship between subjects. A specialisation is not merely a set of electives, but coordinated set of subjects that really add value to the graduate. In addition to the specialisations, you also have the option to take a number of elective subjects. Elective subjects may be taken from a range of areas and allow you to focus either on furthering your technical expertise or extending your specialisations

7 Technical IT specialisations allow you to develop deeper skills Non-IT specialisations broaden your horizon Advanced Programming Artificial Intelligence Accounting Engineering Marketing Science Enterprise Applications Games Programming Database Development Robotics Information Systems Technical IT Specialisations Each of the technical IT specialisations aim to further your understanding of IT, and to provide you with domain specific knowledge and skills. The technical IT specialisations currently available in the PSD include: Enterprise systems development: Focuses on building large scale business applications. This includes the development of desktop-based and browser based applications. Multimedia and games development: Allows you to learn how to develop multimedia content, as well as focusing on game design and development. This specialisation provides a grounding in these areas and can be further enhanced by taking addition multimedia and games electives. Artificial intelligence: Takes problem solving to the next level and allows you to build a degree of intelligence into computers. This specialisation includes subjects related to intelligent agents, AI for games, and intelligent systems. Database: is a specialisation where you learn about designing, developing, optimising and administering databases. While everyone gets an introduction to databases this specialisation allows you to further extend your skills. Other Specialisations As part of the university wide strategy for better education, each faculty provides a sets of three related subjects, giving you the opportunity to study another area of interest. If you want to diversify your education you can opt to take one of these subject sets as part of your specialisation. This will allow you to study within any area offered by the wider university resources. Within the ICT faculty you will be able to take subjects related to our business or networking areas. Business Analysis: Be exposed to the strategic importance of ICT within industry. You will learn how to evaluate and manage risks related to ICT based decisions. Networks: Work with network hardware infrastructure. In this specialisation you get to work with internet infrastructure technologies, and network programming. You can also choose to take specialisations from other areas of the university such as Accounting, Marketing, Foreign Languages and many other areas

8 IBL provides a chance to practice what you have learnt Industry links help keep you ahead of the competition Industry Based Learning Industry Partnerships Working in Industry One of Swinburne s key advantages has always been its relationships with industry. This continues as an integral part of the PSD program. There are three main areas where these links have been incorporated within the degree. Industry Based Learning (IBL). As part of your PSD degree you have the option to undertake a one year placement in industry. The PSD Project. In the third year of the degree you will participate in a large team projects under the close guidance of staff. The Studio Project. If you continue with the PSD degree and complete the honours year you will undertake a large studio project where you work with staff on real projects for real clients. Taking these opportunities places you ahead of the competition in the market place. The Industry Based Learning (IBL) program gives you the opportunity to work in industry for one year, as a recognised part of your degree. This is a great way to reinforce your understanding of IT, and improves your awareness of the issues involved when working in industry. Research shows that IBL is a valuable addition to your education. IBL also greatly enhances your employment opportunities. Historically, 100% of students who have undertaken IBL are employed within a few month of graduation. In fact around 75% of students with IBL experience will have accepted a job offer before they graduate

9 Mentoring in the PSD project helps you learn from professionals The studio project gives you a chance to work for real clients Studio Project PSD Project PSD Project Industry Based Learning Industry Based Learning The PSD Project The Honours Year Students find working together on a large project very rewarding. These capstone projects are usually undertaken in final year, and involve large teams working together to achieve a common goal. The one year project will be guided by staff, and the projects are designed to polish your technical and analytical abilities. You will learn how to be an effective team member, and how to lead small teams. Seminars throughout the project will help you to further develop awareness and skills. The project develops not only your technical skills but also your interpersonal and communication skills. The PSD degree is a three year program with an optional honours year. In the honours year you will have the chance to work on the Studio Project. While the PSD project in third year is large (it has a weighting equivalent to two subjects), the studio project is huge (it has a weighting equivalent to six subjects). There are two types of studio projects; industry focused and research focused. In the industry focused studio project, you will work alongside Swinburne staff, delivering solutions to real clients. You, along with other students, will be responsible for the success of these projects. If you are more interested in cutting-edge research, then the research studio project will be for you. These projects involve smaller teams, or individuals, working on research projects with other researchers in the ICT faculty. In either case the studio project is a valuable learning experience. Often students find that some of the most valuable skills they learn are from working with others. The studio projects has been designed to maximise these learning opportunities. I strongly recommend you do the additional year if you have the opportunity

10 Will you be equipped for a rewarding technical career? The best preparation is the PSD degree Professional Software Development A Bright Future Be Prepared Choosing a degree is an important decision. Making the right choice now will maximise your chance for a long and rewarding career. Are you interested in a technical career? Will the degree you choose maximise your chances? If you are interested in a technical IT degree then the PSD program is your best preparation. The industry of tomorrow requires professionals with extensive technical skills. Graduates wanting a technical career will need a good starting point. The PSD provides you with the strongest foundation upon which to build your career

11 Join the PSD team at Swinburne for education that works Make the PSD degree your number one choice 1 Professional Software Development Study with us The Bachelor of Science (Professional Software Development) is Swinburne s premier technical degree. Three of the key advantages of the PSD program are: Coherent subject streams Flexible specialisations Industry links and real world experience Investing in your future is important. Don t settle for anything but the best. We believe the PSD degree is the best technical IT degree that is available and we hope that you will make the PSD degree your number one choice

12 Bachelor of Science (Professional Software Development) Programming and Projects Supporting Technologies and Practices Fundamentals Information Technology Context Year 1 Algorithmic Problem Solving Object Oriented Programming Database, Analysis and Design Internet Technologies Computer and Logic Essentials Computer Systems Organisation Processes and Systems Usability Further information Please feel free to talk to us today. We have staff and students in EN405 who are eager to answer your questions. Year 2 Data Structures and Patterns Database Programming Software Development Practices Software Project Practices and Management Optional Industry Placement Data Communication and Security Languages in Software Development Specialisation: - Games - Enterprise Apps. - Advanced Prog. -AI - Networks - Information Sys. - Database -Other You can find additional information by: Visiting the faculty s web site: Calling our course hotline on Contacting me by at acain@swin.edu.au Year 3 Professional Software Development Project Software Architectures and Design Software Deployment and Evolution Elective Elective Professional Practices in IT Honours Year Studio Project / Research Project Elective Elective 23