Introduction to Westerdals Oslo ACT Master programmes

Transcription

1 1

2 2

3 Contents Welcome to Westerdals Oslo ACT (p. 04) Master of Information Systems IS Management and Innovation (p. 06) Master of Information Systems Digital Business Systems (p. 08) Master of Applied Computer Science Software Integration (p. 10) Student reviews (p. 14) Industry testimonials (p. 20) Academic research (p. 24) Contact information (p. 26) Master Programmes

4 Introduction to Westerdals Oslo ACT Master programmes By programme leader Asle Fagerstrøm In order to remain competitive, the IT-industry look for employees with excellent information technology and business skills. To address this demand, Westerdals Oslo School of Arts, Communication and Technology (Westerdals Oslo ACT) offers two master s programmes; Information Systems, and Applied Computer Science. Both the private and public sectors increasingly require people with competencies beyond the purely technical. Analytical and methodical skills are key if you want to work at a higher level. A master s degree from Westerdals Oslo School of Arts, Communication and Technology will take you there faster. Today, information technology is not just a driver for innovation, but also an integral part of strategic and creative communication. A person with the required information technology skill set is a much stronger contender in the job market. Combining strategic, creative and technological competence, Westerdals Oslo School of Arts, Communication and Technology responds to society s needs for candidates with interdisciplinary skills. The three colleges NITH (The Norwegian School of Information Technology), NISS (Nordic Institute of Stage and Studio), and Westerdals all leading institutions in their respective fields, merged in July All existing study programmes are continued. We work closely with business and public institutions to ensure that our research and education is market relevant. The programmes are research-based, and our lecturers also conduct active research. As a master s student you will be immersed in a research environment, with close proximity between lecturers and students. Instruction is module-based, enabling students to hold a job while completing a master s programme. The second year Practice Period topic is designed as a master s thesis based in your own company (part time) or with a client (full time). The study will give you an analytical and technological approach to information technology, enabling you to make decisions that can save the company or organisation time as well as money. School facts A long and proud history precedes Westerdals Oslo ACT. Westerdals Reklameskole (Westerdals School of Advertising) was founded in 1965, NISS started in 1984, as Norsk Lydskole (Norwegian School of Sound), and NITH started in 1964, as NKI School of Engineering. Since then, all three branches grew in size and scope, and the merge of the three schools into Westerdals Oslo ACT is regarded as one of the most exciting developments in European education. 6 7

5 Master of Information Systems IS Managment & Innovation Course Structure Year 1 Introduction to IS Research IT Governance Innovation - Concepts & Perspectives IT Strategy and Architecture Agile project management Social media management Information risk and security Service Innovation Networks Year 2 Consulting and leadership Research methods Dissertation Course Facts Degree Master Duration Full time: 2 years / Part-time: 3 years Course start August 2015 Tuition fees per semester Full-time: , - NOK Part-time: , - NOK Admission requirement Bachelor degree Langauge English If you are interested in strategic use of information technology, management of large-scale agile projects, enterprise architecture, IT security, development of innovative IT solutions and creating business value with new types of IT applications, IS Management and Innovation is the master s programme for you. Perhaps you ve already worked a few years as a project manager, systems developer, or programmer, and now you want to add a managerial perspective to your technology competence. This master s programme gives you the opportunity to develop innovative IT solutions. At your chosen workplace, you will help set parameters of innovation and take part in decisions that affect the company s major future directions. Once you have completed your master s degree, an IT manager position should fit like a glove, though this expertise, which combines technology and business development, will enable you to fill a variety of different jobs. Learning outcomes Candidates will acquire practical skills in analysis of complex information technologies and software platforms, management of large-scale agile projects, evaluation and planning of IT security, risk management, implementation of enterprise architectures, planning and execution of IT strategies, planning of social media strategies, knowledge management practices and more. Candidates will learn to apply research methods and techniques, as well as to: Describe and discuss key theories on the role of information technology in business as well as private organisations Understand the role of IT in innovation processes and organisational change projects Analyse complex and real-life business cases Critically evaluate IT solutions and IT architectures Career options Successful solutions require both technology and business competence. With a master s degree in IS Management & Innovation you can work in a variety of functions, such as; CIO (IT Manager), Project manager, IT and Business Consultant, Enterprise Architect,Scrum master or functional advisor in agile software projects, IT security manager. 8 9

6 Master of Information Systems Digital Business Systems Course Structure Year 1 Introduction to IS Research IT Governance ERP and Supply Chain Digital marketing Agile project management Social media management Internet of Things in business Business intelligence & dashboards Year 2 Consulting and leadership Research methods Dissertation Course Facts Degree Master Duration Full time: 2 years / Part-time: 3 years Course start August 2015 Tuition fees per semester Full-time: , - NOK Part-time: , - NOK Admission requirement Bachelor degree Are you interested in information technology, information systems and economics? Would you like a career in technology and business development? Or do you already have a technology or economics background that you want to develop further? If so, this may be just the master s programme you are looking for. Once your master s degree is completed, you will be a highly relevant candidate for a position as business developer, though with an expertise that intersects business and technology, you could fill a number of different jobs. You will be taking on projects related to the development of business solutions. A vital part of this role is to help assess such concepts as mobile payment solutions, social media marketing, or the shops of the future. Candidates will be responsible for solving complex tasks and conducting a research project of a high standard in an organisation. This includes the ability to choose the appropriate research approach, select or develop a solution, handle relationships ethically and professionally, and evaluate and communicate the results in a systematic way. Learning outcomes Candidates will be able to describe and discuss key theories for how business systems support value creation in organisations, and to understand the role of information technology in business innovations. Candidates will, in addition to acquiring strong skills in the application of research methods and techniques, learn practical skills in: Analysis of complex IS problems Configuration and implementation of key business systems Evaluation of business systems solutions Design or recommendation of digital business solutions Career options A successful solution requires both technology and business competence. With a master s degree in Digital Business Systems you can work in a variety of functions, such as: CIO (IT Manager), Project Manager, Business Analyst, Consultant, Systems Developer, IT Security Expert

7 Master of Applied Computer Science Software Integration Course Structure Year 1 Systems development Big Data Visual analytics Service & integration orientated architecture Agile project management Mobile computing Architecting Internet of Things Interactive technologies Year 2 Consulting and leadership Research methods Dissertation Course Facts Degree Master Duration Full time: 2 years / Part-time: 3 years Course start August 2015 Tuition fees per semester Full-time: , - NOK Part-time: , - NOK Admission requirement Bachelor s degree Applied Computer Science is both a professional discipline and an academic field, aiming to link the technical capabilities of IT with industry needs. If you are interested in information technology, have a good command of programming, and want to further develop your expertise in the field of applied computer science, you will want to consider our Software Integration programme. You will develop skills and knowledge that enable you to create the smart IT solutions of tomorrow, and will find yourself building technical solutions such as GPS localisation of dementia patients, visual decision support systems for business leaders, or mobile payment solutions. Learning outcomes Candidates will acquire practical skills in analysing complex applied computing problems, designing, recommending or implementing solutions, and in measuring and evaluating results. Candidates will also have strong skills in applying research methods and techniques. You will also learn how to: Analyse and deal critically with complex organisational problems, research issues and technology innovation opportunities for software integration Understand how IT can bridge the gap between academia and industry Analyse existing theories, methods, designs and solutions from applied computer science Carry out independent, limited research or development projects Contribute to new thinking and innovation processes Career options Successful solutions require tools, technology and business competence. With a master s degree in MACS Software Integration, you may find yourself working as: Chief Technology Officer (CTO), Project Manager, Architect, Consultant, Systems Developer, or as an IT expert

8 Oslo is the fastest growing city in Europe. The city s new skyline rises above the fjord, while the surrounding forest and hill tops remain intact. Oslo offers a unique Oslo Barcode area combination of vibrant city life and easy access to the the great outdoors

9 MAGNUS VIERMYR APPLIED COMPUTER SCIENCE STUDENT Student reviews Why did you choose to study MACS? - I d already worked for a couple of years, and had found that project managers didn t understand programming and development, and, as a result, projects took too long and the outcome suffered. As I am passionate about technology, and especially about software, I decided to go for a master s degree in IT. I haven t found another school in Norway that provides a more relevant course offering. Here, you get skilled lecturers, and an open and social study environment. In addition, the school has a very good reputation among business and industry. What do you like best about your studies? First and foremost, I learn a lot of useful and exciting stuff about relevant topics that are of great interest to me. MACS provides highly proficient lecturers from around the world, challenging subjects, and a very wide variety of teaching methods. My programming skills were self-taught, and I wasn t sure I could cope with the master s programme without a bachelor s degree in technology. So I spoke with an advisor here and decided to have a go. The first two months were very demanding, but after that it has been progressively easier; I have had an amazing learning curve. I really enjoy my time here, and have super-cool and helpful co-students, which I think is imperative for learning as much as possible. IDA BERGUM DIGITAL BUSINESS SYSTEMS STUDENT Why did you choose to study Digital Business Systems? - The course is a specialisation in both business and IT. That combination is rare and important, both for the present and future IT-industry. I have a bachelor s degree in Digital Marketing and wanted to develop and expand my skills to a higher level. A master in Digital Business Systems gives me knowledge, practical experience and analytical skills within the leading teachnology field

10 ANTHONY KALINDE IS MANAGEMENT & INNOVATION STUDENT Why did you choose to study IS Management & Innovation at Westerdals? - I chose Westerdals because I wanted to take advantage of the qualified and experienced professors, as well as the flexible course structure and most of all, the industry-orientated courses which I find highly relevant to my career goals and current industry trends. Do you have any tips for applicants applying for this programme? The studies are intensive and demand a high level of commitment. The studies are research-based and as such the direction and depth of the studies are really up to the student. I believe having a clear goal at the start will allow one to get the most from the programme. I would also advised taking advantage of the highly expert personnel at Westerdals Oslo ACT, as their knowledge is very useful. What is it about your studies that you enjoy the most? I especially enjoy the instruction by experienced professors with an industry background. The mix of academia and industry provides a uniquely nuanced and prctical perspective into the concepts and perspectives and their applications. What is your dream job? The challenge is to find a role that will consolidate the skill set I have acquired so far. My dream job is to be working as an IS consultant in IS Strategy and Architecture and at the moment I am pursuing a career in Service Orientated Architecture with a focus on Innovation. 19

11 Westerdals Oslo ACT works closely with business and public organisations to ensure that our research and education is relevant to the current market. Bachelor students interning at VG The programmes are research-based and are taught by active researchers

12 MARIUS VOLDEN SENIOR CONSULTANT CAPGEMINI NORGE AS Industry testimonials A master s degree paves a highway into business and industry, and allows you to approach a broad market. Careerwise, you can go into project management, while still working on technology. With a bachelors s degree only, you feel less ready to take on large projects in a major consultancy. I m an ambitious person, and after a few years of working, I realized that a bachelor s degree was not enough. With a master s degree, you can provide input at a higher level. The study programme gave me a broader business perspective, and my theoretical knowledge saves us a lot of testing and failing. I have i.a. worked on a major IT restructuring, where I helped shape both the technology and the business processes that enabled the change. The outcome of this restructuring streamlined the way they worked, saving the company major expenses. Some people fear that jobs will disappear in Norway, as Indian IT consultants can be obtained at a fraction of the cost of Norwegian consultants. Because of price pressure in this market, parts of the industry are migrating from technical tasks to project management and consulting. In such projects, communication between business and outsourcing will be key. How will Indian technicians understand the Norwegian client s needs? I have the technical background to enable me to understand the technicians and to communicate with them on behalf of the client, and vice versa. Because a vital part of my job is about communicating IT to people that lack the essentials to understand IT. MADS MOBÆS FAGLEDER WEBARKITEKTUR BEKK CONSULTING With a master s degree you are more likely to attract attention in an application process and in the job market in general. During the master s programme you will acquire many analytical skills that are of vital importance to be able to work at a higher level. You need to be able to justify the choices you make, much in the same way as in a master s thesis. 90 per cent of Bekk s 370 employees have master s level education

13 EIRIK NORMAN HANSEN MARKEDSDIREKTØR CREUNA With a master s degree, you progress further at a faster pace, and you are far more attractive as a job candidate. I have spoken to students at NITH on several occasions, and I have always started by congratulating them on their choice of education because it is a smart choice! And as NITH has merged with Westerdals, their choice has become even smarter. The ability to understand how to work with other specialist functions is vital in our industry. That is precisely what we do in Creuna, the largest digital agency in the Nordics. We combine strategic, creative and technological competence. In a master s programme, you learn methods, and you learn to approach new issues, to acquire new knowledge and to transform this knowledge into an applicable format, which enables you to solve the given problems. This may be one of your most important learnings. The further you get the more strategy and methodology you learn. It is obviously important that you learn to be a proficient designer, developer or whatever discipline you have chosen, but it is actually also very important to understand the surrounding landscape of other disciplines: to be able to survey and find knowledge of relevance to this specific case. We have seen numerous people that are self-taught and have excellent skills in their fields, but they do not measure up to people with other methodologies or a different academic background. While we don t exclusively hire people with master s degrees, we find that master s candidates show the most rapid progression. They also are more business critical both to us and to our clients, because they have that extra dimension. Individuals with high and relevant qualifications are the most attractive candidates us as well as for our clients. With a master s degree, you progress further at a faster pace, and you are far more attractive as a job candidate. - Eirik Norman Hansen. Creuna

14 Academic Research Westerdals Oslo School of Arts, Communication and Technology conducts research and development in several fields in order to: Provide an academic basis for innovative and relevant programmes, in cooperation with the IT industry and employers Provide research-based education, in line with the requirements of the authorities and the Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education Participate in international knowledge networks Communicate research and findings to the general public Recruit and retain proficient lecturers Our research is mainly related to the topics Information Systems and Applied Computer Sciences. Westerdals Oslo School of Arts, Communication and Technology conducts research projects in close collaboration with business and industry, public institutions, and national and international academic institutions, and the work of our research staff has been published in numerous international professional journals and at conferences. Technology is nothing. What s important is that you have a faith in people, that they re basically good and smart, and if you give them tools, they ll do wonderful things with them. - Steve Jobs 26 27

15 Contact information Address Campus Galleriet Schweigaardsgate Oslo Social media Facebook: fb.com/woact IMAGES: Westerdals Oslo ACT, Astrid Storkås. PRINT: Fladby AS All rights reserved subject to printing or pricing errors. 28

16 31

17 32