Report on Programme Validation/Review Q 3

[Prepared by the Validation/Review Panel and forwarded by the Academic Registrar to the Faculty Director]

Proposed titles Postgraduate Certificate in Software Development

Nature and duration 30 ECTS part-time modular programme

of programme

DIT awards sought Postgraduate Certificate in Software Development

Classifications of award Distinction, Merit: Upper Division, Merit: Lower Division, Pass

Parallel award sought N/A

Professional accrediting body N/A

Background

The Postgraduate Certificate in Software Development is a short skills conversion programme aimed at those who wish to pursue a career in ICT field but whose primary qualification lies in an area outside IT (e.g. a technical or numerate discipline) or with substantial experience in the ICT area. The certificate is a flexible programme allowing students to construct their pathway from a set of modules currently offered and utilizes modules already validated on the MSc in Computing (Information Technology) and the MSc in Computing (Knowledge Management). The programme has received funding under the HEA Labour Market Activation scheme which is aimed at those who are currently unemployed.

Overall programme aims and learning outcomes

The objectives of the programme are to:

o  Produce graduates with skills in sectors needed for the Smart Economy

o  Maximise opportunities for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), wqork based learning and industry training

o  Implement a work-based learning mode designed specifically for the Irish ICT Sector

o  Provide accelerated access to Masters programmes for graduates of the Postgraduate Certificate through a combination of coursework and recognition of prior experiential learning

o  Emphasise the development of practical skills with a high degree of project work integrated into each module.

o  Maximise flexibility in delivery options and programme pathways for students

o  Promote a flexible, interdisciplinary and inter-institutional approach

o  Build on existing industry partnerships and networks

o  Emphasise collaborative working, innovation and creativity and professional development skills.

Programme learning outcomes

Knowledge

On successful completion of this programme, the graduate will

o  Have a solid grounding in the fundamental concepts, principles and techniques necessary to participate in the development of information systems including systems analysis and design, programming, user interface design and testing

o  Have practical experience of using techniques and technologies in the design and development of information systems.

Know-How and Skill

On successful completion of this programme, the graduate will be able to:

o  Analyse a variety of problems new to them, identify key characteristics of the problem and express a solution using appropriate formalism and notation

o  Clearly communicate knowledge, ideas and conclusions in both written and oral form, about computing systems to specialist and non-specialist audiences

o  Effectively participate in the design and development of information systems underpinned by:

·  Knowledge of the organisational requirements of these systems and

·  Knowledge of how those systems will be used

·  Ability to derive limited requirements specifications from an understanding of problems

·  Ability to create and/or justify designs to satisfy given requirements

·  Using suitable tools and technologies to build working solutions, including the use of appropriate analysis and design methodologies, programming languages and databases

·  Ability to create and present necessary technical documentation to support and design and development activities to a professional level

·  Ability to work effectively as an individual and as a member of a team

Competence

On successful completion of this programme, a graduate will be able to:

o  Demonstrate the ability to participate in the successful specification, design and development of information technology projects

o  Demonstrate the ability to work effectively as an individual and as a member of a development team through the successful completion of individual and group projects

o  Demonstrate the ability to take responsibility for their own work and continued learning through the ability to plan effectively, manage work schedules and meet deadlines.

o  Demonstrate the ability to clearly communicate using appropriate mechanisms to specialist and non-specialist audiences.

Programme structure

The Postgraduate Certificate is a flexible programme allowing students to negotiate their pathway from a set of modules. It is a 30 ECTS part-time modular programme.

Entry requirements

Applicants already possessing a primary degree with 2.2 honours or equivalent in a technical or numerate discipline with some experience and understanding of computing and its role in organizations will be eligible for direct entry. Applicants who do not possess such a qualification will be required to demonstrate how they meet the requisite set of learning outcomes. These will be assessed by prior academic qualifications or through the guided creation of a portfolio which demonstrates prior experiential learning.

Student assessment

In accordance with the General Assessment Regulations and Addendum to the General Assessment Regulations of the Institute.

No compensation is allowed between modules or between components of modules. No module may be attempted more than four times over six examination sessions. Only two attempts are permitted for the continuous assessment component of any module.

Derogations, if any, sought from the General Assessment Regulations

None Sought

11th September 2009

9.30 hrs Refreshments (tea/coffee) served. Introductory meeting of Validation Panel with the Head of School, Chair of the Programme Committees and other staff members as appropriate (Short Presentation providing background to the programme)

10.00 hrs Private meeting of Panel to discuss and draw up an agenda of matters to be raised at subsequent meetings with various groups.

11.00 hrs Teas/Coffees Meeting of Panel with Head of School, Chairperson and appropriate members of programme Committee for the Higher Certificate in Computing to discuss specific issues raised by the Panel.

11.45 hrs Meeting of Panel with Heads of School, Chairpersons and appropriate members of the Programme Committee for Postgraduate Diploma in Software Development to discuss specific issues raised by the Panel.

12.30 hrs Lunch, plus Tour of Facilities

13.30 hrs Private Meeting of the Panel

14.00 hrs Teas/Coffees: Meeting of Panel with staff teaching on the programmes to discuss such matters as syllabuses, teaching methods and assessment issues.

15.00 hrs Private Meeting of the Panel to consider the draft report

15.45 hrs Final Meeting of the Panel with the Head of School and Chairpersons of the Programme Committees

Panel Members

Documentation provided

The documentation provided for the Validation Panel included Part A, Background Information and Part B, the Programme Document.

Briefing notes provided

Extracts from the Handbook for Academic Quality Enhancement setting out procedures and other matters associated with the validation of programmes.

The panel would like to commend the staff on their well thought out and comprehensive programme documentation and their enthusiasm for the programme. The Panel is pleased to recommend to Academic Council approval of the Postgraduate Certificate in Software Development at level 9 within the National Framework of Qualifications, with some recommendations as follows:

Recommendations

The panel recommends that there is greater clarity specified for programme entry criteria.

The School should consider the development of a Postgraduate Entry Qualifier.

The School might consider the development of a conversion programme for candidates from other disciplines based on market demand.

The panel recommends that in future programmatic reviews that the consistency of module descriptors follow the good practice evident in recent usage of templates.

The rationale for not allowing compensation in this programme should be specified.

The panel recommends some amendments to the terminology in the learning outcomes to the two new modules to reflect a level 9 standard.

The panel recommends that the two new modules be approved as stand alone CPD modules.

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Signature ......

Chairperson of Panel Date