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The course is a modular programme comprising two level leading to the award of the Diploma in Information Technology and a degree level leading to the award of Bachelor of Science in Information Technology.  Four major subject areas are covered:

• Computing
• Communications Technology
• Management Science
• Human Sciences.

• Computer systems and applications
• Operating systems, languages and architectures
• Artificial intelligence, expert systems, databases
• Systems planning
• Management of Information Technology

• Communications systems
• Communications science
• Communications networks and protocols
• Communications systems engineering

• Human sciences
• Intelligent systems
• Human factors
• Cognitive science
• Social content of information technology

• Mathematical and statistical methods
• Financial accounting
• Management science

The method of teaching is through self study, attendance at tutorials, completion of assignments, continuous assessment and examination.  Students will be expected to study the course text provided, the recommended textbooks and also to read other relevant material.

Planning your studies

I think that it is important for students to plan carefully the modules they will take each year.  By a careful selection of modules, it is possible to reduce the period required to complete the course and also to reduce the risk of failure or repeats.  I provide some personal advice here, based on my own experience.  Students might find it useful but should ultimately make their decision on modules following careful consideration and perhaps through consultation with the College.

How long are you going to take to complete the course?

In the first instance, you should decide how long you want to take to complete the course.  Also check to see if you are entitled to any exemptions and get that issue sorted out as early as possible.  Then you will know what modules you must complete.  Under normal circumstances, students wishing to do the course in four years will find that there is a lot of work involved and this may affect other aspects of their lives.  It may also have a bearing on the quality of the award they receive.  If you decide to do it in four years, then there is no flexibility - you must take all modules at level 1 and 2.  Be aware that many students who start with four modules end up dropping a subject during the year, thereby adding to cost and time taken to complete the course.

I decided to do the course over six years in order to allow time for work, family, socialising, sport, etc.  I also felt that this would give me the best chance of getting a good Diploma and Degree.  If you adopt this approach, there are a few things you can do to achieve success.

• Identify the subjects you feel strong in as these can be combined with weaker subjects to balance the study load.  For example, if you feel confident at computing but less so at management science, then consider taking these at the same time.
• If you are taking six years, then do three subjects in your first and second years and two in year 3, leading to the Diploma.  In this way, you are taking the pain early, but also leaving yourself some leeway in case you fail a subject.  An example of how you might pursue the Diploma is provided below:

• The above approach provides the student with a small bit of flexibility so that if a student fails, say, Management Science 1, this can be taken again in year 2 without adding a year to the course.  This will also apply to Computing 1 and 2 and Human Sciences 1 and 2.  Naturally, if the student fails either level of Communications Technology or Management Science 2, a further year is required.  However, by only taking two subjects at year 3, the student should be able to devote more time to the subjects, thereby increasing the likelihood of success.  A student who takes two subjects in year 1 will lose all flexibility in a 3 year programme.
• I found Communications Technology to be the toughest subject as it included a lot of science and mathematics.  If it has been a while since you studied mathematics, or if you consider yourself weak at mathematics, then I suggest that you consider doing Management Science 1 before Communications Technology 1, as shown in the table above.
• Many students seem to feel that their first year is peculiarly difficult and that next year things will get easier!  For this reason, they rationalise that doing two subjects in year 1 will accommodate their other pressures, which will  disappear miraculousy in years 2 and 3.  They won't!  Modern life is full of pressure and next year will be no easier than this year or the previous year.  So challenge yourself up front and do three subjects in year 1 of a six year programme.  The same approach should be adopted for the Degree, but by that time I expect that students will be able to work out their own programme of study.
• Finally, when you complete the Diploma, don't take a year out before going on to the degree.  It is very tempting to do this, but it makes getting back to your studies much more difficult and I suspect that many students who stop at the Diploma never go on to do the degree.