Software Development

Bachelor of Science (Honours)

Class of Software Development students coding
Class of Software Development students coding
Type of Programme
Full-time
Number of Places
40
Duration
4 Years
Course Code
MT 800
Entry Requirements
498 CAO Points in 2023 and meet minimum entry requirements as listed below.
Application Deadline
See CAO for details
Location(s)
MTU Bishopstown Campus, Cork
Course NFQ Level
Level 8

Dr Christian Beder

T: +353 (0)21 433 5160

Email: (email)

Overview

The first year curriculum is common for all degrees in the Department of Computer Science, MTU Bishopstown Campus. All first year students study the same modules and this means that students can transfer to another programme within the Department in year two if they meet the CAO entry requirements for that programme when they enter MTU Bishopstown Campus, Cork. This offers great flexibility for qualifying students who may wish to change programmes after year one. This flexibility allows a student to make a more informed decision one year into their studies.

This programme gives you the skills and knowledge you need to design and build applications that people use every day, for the desktop computer, for the web and for mobile devices (such as smart phones and tablets). You will become proficient in the application of state-of-the-art technologies in areas such as cloud computing, machine learning, big data and data analytics. As a

Software Developer, you will be involved in all stages of the application from start to finish. You will be taught how to take a concept/ idea from a description and develop it to make a fully working application. You will develop problem solving and programming skills to solve simple (and eventually complex) real-world problems using computers.

One of the benefits of this honours degree is that it has a broad range of modules. The main focus of the degree is programming, so you will learn languages such as Python, Java, C, JavaScript and PHP. You will also learn about databases (where and how data is stored), operating systems, object-oriented programming, application development, software testing, data analytics and many more topics. You can also take elective modules in a selection of areas. You will complete projects on your own and in groups  throughout the degree, which will prepare you for working in industry.

In Year 3, students go on work placement from January. Placements for students are organised on a country-wide basis with a particular focus on Cork and Dublin. Students have also obtained placement in other countries such as France, Germany, Sweden and the USA.

What will I study?

First year at a glance

The first year curriculum is a common curriculum for all students and focuses on the fundaments of Computer Science. Modules include:

  • Programming Fundamentals
  • Web Development Fundamentals
  • Computer Architecture
  • Computer Security Principles
  • Maths for Computer Science
  • Modular Programming
  • Introduction to Databases
  • Operating Systems in Practice
  • Networking Fundamentals
  • Physical Computing
  • Discrete Mathematics

Modules

What is a Module?

A module is a standalone unit of learning and assessment and is completed within one semester. A full-time student will normally study six modules in each semester; part-time and ACCS (Accumulation of Credits and Certification of Subjects) students will have flexibility as to the number of modules taken.

The button below provides a link to all of the University's approved modules for this programme.

View Modules

Entry Requirements

Entry 2024

For admission to a programme, standard applicants must

  • score the necessary CAO points and
  • meet the minimum entry requirements

Leaving Certificate in six subjects i.e. H5 in two subjects and O6/H7 in four other subjects. The six subjects must include O3/H7 Mathematics and either English or Irish grade O6/H7.

 

For Non-EU International Entry Requirements please visit https://www.mtu.ie/international/non-eu/.

Career options

Employment Opportunities

Software Development graduates work in a diverse range of roles. You will have career opportunities in Cork, Ireland and abroad, with large multinationals (such as IBM, Dell EMC, McAfee, Johnson Controls), and also with smaller Irish companies. Graduates have also found employment within large IT departments in companies within the Chemical, Pharmaceutical or Food Industry. Graduates have also moved into roles in System Administration and Software Testing. A percentage of graduates from the programme chose to take up jobs in the Software Industry abroad.

  • Application developer
  • Applications engineer
  • Software engineer
  • Software developer
  • Java developer
  • Mobile app developer
  • Full-Stack developer
  • Software Project manager

Progression

Further Studies

Suitably qualified graduates may apply for postgraduate research degrees at master (MSc) or doctoral (PhD) level where further specialisation in your preferred area of Computer Science is possible. Suitably qualified graduates may also apply for these taught programmes:

  • MSc in Software Architecture and Design
  • MSc in Cybersecurity
  • MSc in Information Design and Development
  • MSc in Cloud Computing
  • MSc in Artificial Intelligence

Question Time

The focus is on acquiring the skills and knowledge required to become a software  developer.

Yes, there are two scholarships. The McKesson Women in IT Scholarship is awarded each year to the female Leaving Certificate student with the highest CAO points entering a programme. Registered students who successfully complete Year 2 of this programme may apply for the Alejandro de la Flor Memorial Scholarship which is funded by McAfee.

Programming and Software Development are a crucial part of the programme, accounting for roughly a quarter of the mandatory modules.

There is a massive, global need for software development skills across all industries including financial, consultancy, software houses, data, communications, MNC’s, governmental agencies, universities and hospitals. Due to the huge demand for qualified staff, pay for software developers in Europe start at €35k per annum (€75k + after 5 years).

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