Business Systems Analysis - Online - Waterford

Overview

The ONLINE Higher Diploma in Business Systems Analysis is a 24-month ICT Conversion Course designed to allow honours graduates from non-computing disciplines to acquire the industry-relevant ICT skills. It will equip graduates with the expertise and practical experience required to become suitable candidates for employment in the ICT domain, in roles such as Business Systems Analysts, Data Scientists, Project Managers and Data Analysts.



Participants will gain knowledge and practical skills in the following areas: Database Design and Implementation, UI/UX & Web Design, Data Analytics, Enterprise Applications, Software Engineering, Software Validation, Project Management, Enterprise Data Interchange and Career Development Skills.



The programme also includes a 3-month work placement opportunity or an industry-led project, where students apply their knowledge, skills and competences gained during the programme. This also facilitates the establishment of a network of contacts within the IT industry and greatly enhances employment opportunities for graduates.

Subjects taught

Modules:

Database Design and Implementation

Introduces the student to the principles and practice of designing and implementing database systems. The student will gain competence in designing relational databases using Entity Relationship Modelling and implement relational databases using SQL.



UI/UX & Web Design

Introduces the student to the principles of good design for web interfaces. These principles are grounded in Cognitive Science and HCI theories. Web Design introduces the student to the basic principles and development of web based applications.



Data Analytics

Introduces the fundamental concepts of data analytics. These concepts include; data identification, cleaning, transforming and modelling data for the purpose of analysing and manipulating data to discover information to support decision making.



Enterprise Applications

Introduces different types of Enterprise Application systems and how they are used for interacting with multiple parts of an enterprise. Student will also learn how they are designed to solve the problems encountered by different size enterprises.



Enterprise Data Exchange and XML

Provides the student with an understanding of XML standard syntax and related standards and how these can be used to build enterprise applications. Machine-readable business information standards are also introduced.



Software Engineering

Provides an understanding of techniques and methods used to develop reliable quality software. Students will also research and experiment with various tools to gain an insight into how they can be utilised in the software engineering process.



Career Development Skills

Enables learners to evaluate their current career situation, and develop future plans and goals. Students will identify career-related strengths, skills and competencies, to critically reflect on preferred work environments and to identify needs.



Project and Change Management

Provides students with an understanding of project management and change management concepts, tools and techniques. It will develop student’s ability to identify the inherent risks with projects and to apply good project management skills.



Software Validation and Evolution

This module aims to provide students with the fundamental knowledge and skills related to software validation and verification. It includes validation planning, software testing techniques, software maintenance, re-use and version control.



3-month Work Placement

Requires students to apply the knowledge, skills and competencies gained in a relevant workplace environment. This will allow the students to consolidate, deepen and contextualise their learning and thereby enhance their employability.



The Programme and Placement Coordinator, Joan Mangan, works with ICTSkills students and employers from the outset of the course in order to match all students with productive and fulfilling work placement experience. In the ICT industry work placements frequently lead to job offers and that has very much been our experience.



More information will be available soon.



Programme and Placement Coordinator: Joan Mangan

Tel: +353 51 302 849

Email: Joan.Mangan@setu.ie



Postal Address:

Programme and Placement Coordinator (A03)

School of Education & Lifelong Learning

Waterford Institute of Technology

Cork Road, Waterford.

Entry requirements

- Applicants should have a level 8 honours degree or equivalent qualification in a discipline such as Business, Engineering, Science, Maths, Physics, or Healthcare. Applications are welcome from all disciplines who can demonstrate an enthusiasm for the field.



- Applicants who do not currently meet the entry requirements may be able to support their application using the Institute’s Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process.



- Applicants whose first language is not English must submit evidence of competency in English language.

Duration

2 years part-time online delivery.



Delivery

The programme is delivered fully online via live classes, currently scheduled from 12-2pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Each of these classes is followed up with a 2-hour evening practical support class, typically scheduled from 6:30-8:30pm. Classes are delivered via Zoom and recorded to allow students to access class recordings at a time that suits them. The programme is supported by a dedicated Slack channel providing direct communication between the lecturer and students and to enable and encourage effective and efficient collaboration amongst students.



The course is delivered using our award-winning online delivery platform ‘TutorStack’, over 4 semesters, with 12 weeks of classes in each semester.



Average time commitment for classes is 8 hours per week. The programme is supplemented by onsite workshops to further enhance and deepen the learning experience.


Enrolment dates

Next intake: January 2025.

Post Course Info

Further Study

Systems and data analysis skills are now required across industry - not simply in the ICT/Software Development Sector. Industies which have employed our graduates in recent years include:

- Finance, Banking, Insurance

- Software Development

- Manufacturing Management and Administration

- Professional Services, Advertising , Sales and Marketing

- Health, Social Services, Public Administration Management and Administration



Specific skills areas:

- Systems & Data Analysis and Design

- Database Administration

- Systems Administration

- CRM Administration

- Applications Systems Administration

- Business Systems Administration

- Operations Systems Administration



Sample job title:

- Systems Analyst

- Data Analyst

- Database Administrator

- Systems Administrator

- CRM Administrator

More details
  • Qualification letters

    HDip

  • Qualifications

    Higher Diploma (Level 8 NFQ)

  • Attendance type

    Part time

  • Apply to

    Course provider