Software Development

Software development is the creation and maintenance of software products. These products range from mobile phone apps to highly complex software control systems such as those found in self driving cars. In the broad sense, it includes everything from initial concept identification and design through to the final production of software. It can include identification of required software, analysis of software requirements, system design, programming, testing and maintenance.

Course Structure
This course equips students with the range of skills required to become competent software developers. Students follow our new ‘learning-by-doing’ model in first year with continuous assessment replacing final exams. Modules for the first three years include a broad range of subjects and an industry work placement. Year 4 concentrates on state-of-the-art, high-level software development topics such as: secure app development, data science, distributed systems and an extensive project.

Is this course for you?
Always on the cutting edge and working with the new ideas and technology, software developers enjoy working in diverse teams and solving novel problems with practical solutions. If you have an open, logical and enquiring mind, then software development may be the profession for you.

Computing in Interactive Digital Art and Design

Interactive Digital Art and Design is one of the most creative careers within the technology industry. As concept creators, graduates will have direct influence on product design. User-focused design is critical in industries such as games, application development, entertainment media, simulation, virtual reality, animation and film production.

Course Structure
This course provides graduates with the skills required to become a professional digital artist and application developer. They will acquire skills in concept design, art production and graphics programming. On completion, you will have produced numerous concepts for games, applications and entertainment media.

Lectures and course practicals cover industry-standard tools and technologies including:

Concept Design: Balsamiq, Sketch and Invision
2D Art: Photoshop, Illustrator
3D Art: 3D Studio Max, Blender, Maya, Zbrush
Programming Languages: C++, Javascript, Python and HTML5.
Collaboration is actively encouraged throughout this course. Collaboration, beginning in first year, with students from Computer Games Development will result in the creation of numerous portfolio titles, game projects and technical demonstrations.

Is this course for you?
Are you interested in creating interactive digital art for applications, games, film and media?
Students of this course will explore the world of design and digital art for technology applications used in technology and entertainment industries.
Design and Interactive Digital Art are pivotal to simplifying complex interfaces and enabling audience immersion.

Computer Games Development

Games Development is one of the most exciting and dynamic areas of software development that one can work in. Graduates of this course are sought after by both multinational and indigenous industry leaders such as Microsoft, Demonware, Aeria Games and Viridian Software.

The games industry continues to grow rapidly and Ireland is gaining international recognition as a centre of excellence due to the calibre of graduates in this field.

Course Structure
This course provides students with the skills they need to become professional games developers. Students will acquire skills in software design and programming, game design, graphics programming, and artificial intelligence. On completion, students will have produced several complete game concepts in a playable form.

Lectures and course practicals cover game industry development technologies, including: programming languages (C++, C#, Javascript, Python and HTML5) game engine and frameworks (Unity 3D, Unreal Engine, SFML, SDL, OpenGL and DirectX) peripheral technology (Oculus Rift and
HTC Vive).

Collaboration is actively encouraged throughout this course. Collaboration, beginning in first year, with students from Interactive Digital Art and Design will result in the creation of numerous portfolio titles, game projects and technical demonstrations.

Applied Computing (Games Development)

What is the Course about?
Games Development is one of the most exciting and dynamic areas of software development that one can work in. Graduates of this course are sought after by both multinational and indigenous industry leaders such as Microsoft, Demonware, Aeria Games and Viridian Software.

The games industry continues to grow rapidly and Ireland is gaining international recognition as a centre of excellence due to the calibre of graduates in this field.

Course Structure
This course provides students with the skills they need to become professional games developers. Students will acquire skills in software design and programming, game design, graphics programming, and artificial intelligence. On completion, students will have produced several complete game concepts in a playable form.

Lectures and course practicals cover game industry development technologies, including: programming languages (C++, C#, Javascript, Python and HTML5) game engine and frameworks (Unity 3D, Unreal Engine, SFML, SDL, OpenGL and DirectX) peripheral technology (Oculus Rift and
HTC Vive).

Collaboration is actively encouraged throughout this course. Collaboration, beginning in first year, with students from Interactive Digital Art and Design will result in the creation of numerous portfolio titles, game projects and technical demonstrations.

Is this course for you?
Have you a deep interest in how things work? Have you the persistence to see a task through to completion? Are you creative and proud of your work, willing to go the extra mile to get it just right? Have you a passion for learning new things? You are not just a consumer of content but also a creator.

Data Science

Data scientists are in great demand nationally
and internationally in all domains where data
are collected. As the application areas for
data science are very broad, you can work
in a field that sparks your own personal
interest such as healthcare, social science,
entertainment, sports, genomics, business,
intelligence, security and academia.

Digital Arts and Technology

• Our lives are increasingly shaped
by digital technologies. But how
can new technologies be used
constructively and creatively? What
are the impacts, both positive and
negative, of the new technologies?
• You will gain up-to-date
practical skills in the creative
and professional use of digital
technologies, including coding,
database construction, web design,
and digital content creation.
• The course allows you to complete
one full course in an Arts subject,
combined with training in relevant
aspects of information technology
(IT) and data science.
• 90% of employers now look for
advanced IT skills in potential
employees (Irish Times,
22 February 2017).

Digital Media

Students are given practical training across a range of digital
media practices, including programming fundamentals, whilst
also developing their creative, critical and entrepreneurial skills
within small-group classes. Classes contain a mix of graduates
from relevant academic backgrounds and industry professionals
who want to develop or extend existing skills.
Modules may include: Creative Practice for Digital Makers,
Interactive and Immersive Media, Moving Image Techniques,
Digital Sandbox, Publication: Perspectives and Professionalism,
Digital Play and Practice, Online and Mobile Media, Creative Arts:
Idea Lab, Generative Art and Media, Digital Media: Final Project.

Education Computer Science and Mathetical Studies

This course allows you to combine
the study of mathematics with
computer science and post-primary
teaching education.
• This is a four-year, concurrent initial
teacher education programme
and includes a number of school
placement opportunities throughout
the course.
• At the end of this four-year course
graduates will be eligible to teach
computer science and mathematics.

Software Design & Development

This two-year (Level 9) MSc is aimed at candidates with little or
no information technology (IT) experience who want to pursue a
career in the IT industry. The skills developed in this programme
include the core software development tools and techniques
as well as a solid grounding in research and its application in
a specific information and communications technology (ICT)
domain.
The first year follows the normal academic cycle of lectures
and laboratory sessions/tutorials, and provides students with
a thorough foundation in IT skills. Time will also be spent on
developing research interests/skills to prepare students for their
second year, during which they will conduct a research project
and submit a thesis on their findings.
The programme’s modules comprise:
• Databases;
• Software Engineering;
• Algorithms and Logical Methods;
• Object-Oriented Programming;
• Internet Programming;
• Computer Architecture and Operating Systems;
• Computer Communications.

Software Design & Development External Stream

This course is aimed at students who have already obtained a
Level 8 postgraduate qualification in information technology (IT)
and are interested in pursuing an MSc qualification. A distance
learning programme, it suits candidates who are in full-time
employment and/or living abroad. The programme is in line with
the University Policy for Recognition of Prior Learning in that it
recognises prior academic qualifications.