ICT Education Options at The University of Malta, and Career Paths in ICT

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1 ICT Education Options at The University of Malta, and Career Paths in ICT Compiled by Dr. Ernest Cachia Dean of the at the University of Malta

2 What is Information and Communication Technology (ICT)? The convergence of computing and computerbased systems, information systems, communication and miniaturisation technology is what is shaping our world, and our lives, today. Today it is impossible to separate these components in any technological solution. They form a distinct and self-contained discipline. ICT is that area of endeavour that pertains to development within this field. Background 2 / 30

3 Background The Modern Business Scenario Software Solution Development Project Management Computing & Programming Enterprise Support Office Automation Data Management Hardware Communications Portability & Miniaturisation Intelligent Systems 3 / 30

4 Background The Faculty s Context Socio-Economic realities Technology confluence What the country needs Faculty of ICT Application of modern technologies Modern business requirements People with the right knowledge and skills International standards Global educational landscape 4 / 30

5 Structure Current ICT Faculty Structure Intelligent Computer Systems Faculty of ICT Micro and Nano- Electronics Communications and Computer Engineering 5 Departments Computer Science Computer Information Systems 5 / 30

6 Directions Intelligent Computer Systems (ICS) Machine learning Adaptive systems Human Language Technology Bioinformatics Intelligent searching techniques Agent technology 6 / 30

7 Communications and Computer Engineering (CCE) Directions Communication systems Computer networks Computer architecture Radio (mobile) systems Signal processing Microprocessor embedded systems 7 / 30

8 Directions Computer Information Systems (CIS) Enterprise computing Data mining and management systems e-business systems Database technology Information systems technology Information system quality control 8 / 30

9 Directions Computer Science (CS) Formal system modelling and methods Software and process engineering Programming languages and numerical computing Operating systems and Grid technology System testing and security High performance computing and graphics 9 / 30

10 Directions Micro and Nanoelectronics (MNE) Micro and Nanoelectronics technology IC design Embedded system design Sensor miniaturisation System-in-package technology System-on-chip technology 10 / 30

11 Directions ICT Educational Perspectives Hardware & Network aspect Algorithmic aspect Information aspect ICT 11 / 30

12 Directions ICT Specialisation Streams CSAI (the algorithmic aspect) (Specialist in Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence) - Career examples CCE (the application implementation aspect) (Specialist in Communications and Computer Engineering and Micro/Nanoelectronics) - Career examples CIS (the information aspect) (Specialist in Information and Business Systems) - Career examples 12 / 30

13 Programmes Study Programmes ICT study programmes These are study programmes offered exclusively by the Inter-Faculty study programmes These are study programmes jointly offered by the and other faculties 13 / 30

14 Programmes ICT Study Programmes There are two main categories: Day (full-time) programmes (4) Specialised in a particular ICT area Evening (part-time) programmes (2/3) Leading to the generic ICT Degree Leading to a Masters in IT (conversion level) (Optionally) Leading to a Diploma 14 / 30

15 Study units from these areas are used as subsidiaries University of Malta Programmes ICT Day (full-time) Programmes BSc (Hons) ICT full-time programmes BSc (Hons) ICT in CSAI BSc (Hons) ICT in CSAI + subsidiary BSc (Hons) ICT in CCE BSc (Hons) ICT in CIS + subsidiary CIS ICE Linguistics CCE/MNE CSAI Maths 1 & 3: are single-area specialisation; 2 & 4: are main and subsidiary areas 15 / 30

16 Programmes Full-time Programme Duration Bologna Process * compliant timeline 3 years to a Bachelor Honours level and a further 2 years to a Masters level 60 ECTS credits per year up to Bachelors level 80 ECTS credits per year up to Masters level Lectures are generally delivered Monday to Friday, between 0800 and ECTS 7 contact hours. * The scope of the Bologna process is to establish a European Higher Education pool through the setting up of degree and quality assurance standards. This way, making both these more comparable and compatible throughout the European Union. 16 / 30

17 Programmes Study Units Choice of study units is subject to University regulations and Faculty by-laws. On successful completion, a study unit will yield a number of credits (most ICT study units provide 6 credits each. However, credit count will always be clearly indicated) Study units are assessed through a combination of written exams and coursework (percentage distribution between any combination of components which could include a written exam, coursework, etc, as will be clearly indicated) 17 / 30

18 Programmes Schematic View (All ICT study programmes) DAY COURSES (full-time) B.Sc. (Hons.) ICT + specialisations (5 in total) 3 years M.Sc. (combo) 2 years EVENING COURSES (part-time) B.Sc. (Hons.) ICT - 5 years Diploma in ICT - 2 or 4 years Masters in IT (conversion course) 3 years 18 / 30

19 Programmes ICT Evening (part-time) Programmes 1. Bachelor of Science (Honours) in ICT Duration: 5 years (with options to obtain a Diploma in ICT at 2 stages within this 5 year period) 2. Masters in IT (conversion course) Duration: 3 years Lectures are generally delivered between 1800 and 2000, three evenings per week, and possibly on Saturday mornings between 0830 and / 30

20 Programmes Schematic View (Evening part-time study programmes) Diploma in ICT (60-credit ver.) Diploma in ICT (120-credit ver.) B.Sc. (Hons) ICT Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Masters in IT (conversion course) Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Masters in IT BSc (Hons) ICT Entry requirement details from: home.um.edu.mt/registrar/regulations 20 / 30

21 Programmes Study Programme Options Single Speciality CCE only - or - CSAI only Emphasised & Subsidiary CIS & sub. - or - CSAI & sub. 21 / 30

22 Profile Profile of a University Graduate Amongst other things, can boast: Ingrained fundamentals Communication skills Interpersonal skills Problem analysing and solving skills Confidence to adapt and to reorient Conceptual abstraction skills Creativity and independence of work 22 / 30

23 Career Options Some Typical Career Options Depending on your chosen specialisation stream: Senior software developer System architect Computer engineer Communications engineer Computer network engineer VLSI and micro-systems design and test engineer Tenure-track university positions Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Research coordinator Senior research officer Software engineer (analyst and designer) and team leader, system administrator EI technical infrastructure development and management Internet/Web developer and many others 23 / 30

24 Career Options Example of Typical Employers banks and financial institutions insurance companies consulting firms manufacturing companies computer and Internet-related companies multimedia related companies government agencies education and research institutions businesses with integrated enterprise systems telecommunication companies and many others 24 / 30

25 CSAI & ICE (as a subsidiary area) (Innovation, Creativity & Entrepreneurship) Students learn how to generate ideas, what creativity is all about, and the crucial relationship between innovation and entrepreneurship. Students can also choose combinations of: Innovation and design; Imagination and design; Critical Thinking; How to use internal marketing creatively; Using foresight as a tool for scenarios and visions; Creativity and innovation for youth and NGOs; Communication, Media, ICT, and Innovation; Leadership and Organisational Innovation; Creativity, Innovation, and Digital Technologies. 25 / 30

26 CSAI & Linguistics (as a subsidiary area) Language is one of the most basic capacities of human beings. Linguistics is the scientific study of language in all its aspects: The rules whereby complex linguistic messages are constructed; The processes whereby speakers formulate messages, from initial conception to articulation; The processes whereby listeners comprehend messages. Studying Linguistics with ICT can lead to a career in Natural Language Processing (NLP), the study of computer systems that model the human linguistic capacity. NLP is a growing area, with several applications, including: Automatic machine translation; Intelligent computer interfaces using dialogue and gesture; Automatic retrieval of information from text, in web and other applications; Automatic generation of text from data, such as weather reports and medical information;... and many more! 26 / 30

27 CIS & Maths (as a subsidiary area) Students learn about Computer Systems, Programming and Object Oriented Programming, Information Systems Engineering, Databases design and Implementation, Business Modelling and Office Solutions, E-Business, Enterprise I.T. Planning, Web Engineering, Client Server and Applied Distributed Computing, I.S. Strategy Management, Security, I.S. Quality and Risk Issues, Enterprise I.T., Mathematical Methods, Analysis, Networks, Numerical Mathematics, and Graph Theory. Possible career options include: ERP Systems Application Integrator, IT Procurement Manager, Enterprise Software Manager, Strategic IT Planner, IT Systems Project Manager, IT Application Systems Sales, IT Services Manager 27 / 30

28 Career examples for the CSAI specialisation ICT Administrator: running computer services for an organisation. Project Management: conception, development, installation and maintenance of software. Systems/Network Specialist: design of software/hardware infrastructures to support projects. Applications Developer and Systems Architect: programming for web applications, software solution design, internet services, e-commerce, mobile services. Research & Development: R&D organisations, university tenured positions, government establishments. 28 / 30

29 Career examples for the CCE specialisation Analogue/RF integrated circuit design engineer Computer engineer VLSI design engineer Smart micro-systems design engineer Test engineer Mobile communications specialist Networks engineer 29 / 30

30 Career examples for the CIS specialisation Database and data-warehousing managers System Analysts and IT project managers Enterprise computing specialists IS quality and risk specialists e-business specialists 30 / 30