Bachelor in Applied Computer Technology Programme description

This programme description was prepared by OsloMet pursuant to the Norwegian Qualifications Framework for Higher Education, which was adopted by the Ministry of Education and Research on 20 March and 15 December 2011. It provides an overview of the overall learning outcomes defined in terms of the knowledge, skills and general competence candidates are expected to have achieved after completing the education.

The study programme emphasises the practical use of information technology and focuses in particular on web development, human computer interaction, universal design of IT systems and general interaction between people and computer technology. The study programme comprises both technical and social science courses and qualifies candidates for a range of computer science jobs in private and public enterprises, such as user-oriented web and software engineering, consultancy services, user support and user training, and general tasks at the interface between people and computer systems.

Applied Computer Technology is a three-year full-time study programme, and candidates who have earned 180 credits will be awarded the degree Bachelor of Applied Computer Technology.

Students who have completed the bachelor’s degree in Applied Computer Technology can go on to take a master’s degree, for the master program in Applied Computer and Information Technology (ACIT) there are different options that are avaliable.

From 2019, specialisations are introduced, that will let the students select a set of courses that together with a suitable topic for the bachelor thesis and any other project will comprise a unified spesialisation The spesialisation is selected during the first year of study.

The following spesialisations will be available (depending on a sufficient number of students):

• Human-computer interaction
• Technology innovation and entrepreneurship
• Programming

The target group is first and foremost those who want a solid, broad and practical education in the user aspects of information technology and who wish to work in the area of data processing and information technology.

The Higher Education Entrance Qualification/prior learning and work experience.

Reference is made to the Regulations concerning Admission to Higher Education:

https://lovdata.no/dokument/NL/lov/2005-04-01-15?q=forskrift_opptak_høyere_utdanning

After completing and passing the three-year bachelor’s degree programme in Applied Computer Technology, the candidate is expected to have achieved the following overall learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The candidate

• has broad knowledge of the user aspects of IT
• is familiar with the principles of universal design of IT
• is familiar with programming techniques, especially for the presentation layer
• has insight into and an understanding of their own role as a technologist and the role of information technology in society
• is capable of updating their knowledge through studying literature, searching for information, having contact with professional environments and user groups, and through experience
• is familiar with relevant new ideas, techniques, methods and principles in the field that have emerged in national and international development and research

Skills

The candidate:

• is capable of planning, developing, testing and evaluating IT systems
• is capable of Java programming
• is capable of using selected programming tools and development environments
• is capable of communicating with and presenting solutions to clients
• is capable of conducting program, system and user tests
• is capable of complying with applicable standards and developing solutions accordingly
• masters the methods, tools and techniques necessary for working in a systematic and innovative manner
• is capable of identifying, analysing, planning and carrying out various information technology assignments and projects, both independently and as part of a team
• is capable of applying new ideas and new knowledge from development and research to solve theoretical, technical and practical information technology tasks
• is capable of seeking out specialist literature and critically assessing the quality of sources
• is capable of compiling reference lists in accordance with the applicable template

General competence

The candidate:

• has insight into the interaction between people, technology and enterprises
• is familiar with the effects of the use of IT systems on an enterprise and the working environment
• is capable of communicating and assessing the needs and requirements of different user groups in relation to technology and of making decisions on the choice of solutions adapted to different needs
• is capable of helping to ensure that, as far as possible, users with disabilities are able to use IT services without special adaptations
• is capable of communicating with and disseminating knowledge about information technology and its applications, importance and consequences to relevant groups
• has insight into and an understanding of the potential consequences of information technology for an organisation, society and the working environment
• has information literacy skills; knows why it is necessary to search for quality-assured sources of knowledge, why sources must be cited, and is familiar with what is defined as plagiarism and cheating in student work

The work and teaching methods used will vary somewhat between the courses, but some form of problem-based teaching will often be used. The students will work continuously on solving problems, assignments and developing projects of different kinds. Computers, the internet, the web and other electronic channels and units are used systematically for learning, dissemination, guidance, development and communication purposes.

There will be lectures, exercises with individual and group supervision, coursework requirements (compulsory assignments), group projects, contact with the business community (including guest lectures) and self-study.

The programme concludes in an extensive, independent and practical bachelor’s thesis that is normally given as an assignment from a commercial client.

The course descriptions for the individual courses contain details about the work and teaching methods used on the course. In addition, a detailed teaching plan containing a progress schedule, detailed reading list, deadlines for submitting required coursework and information about teaching and exercises will be drawn up at the start of the semester.

Information technology is an international subject area. Most of the course literature is in English, and most of the systems, work tools and development environments use English as their working language. Some of the teaching may be in English. The individual course descriptions will state the courses this concerns. The students will thereby gain experience and knowledge of both general and computer-related English.

The programme does not contain special courses with multicultural or general international perspectives. The students are a diverse group as regards their ethnic and cultural backgrounds, however. This means that the students will gain experience of cooperating across cultural and language barriers.

The programme is adapted for internationalisation in that the students can take courses abroad, mainly from the fourth semester. See https://student.oslomet.no/retningslinjer-sensorer

In addition, OsloMet collaborates with institutions in several European countries on an English-language course called European Project Semester (EPS). It is worth 30 credits and is mainly intended for incoming exchange students, but can also be relevant for OsloMet’s own third-year students in the sixth semester. Admission to the course is based on individual application.

Joint lectures and exercise sessions. In the exercise sessions, the students work on assignments, both individually and in groups, under the supervision of a lecturer.

The purpose of OsloMet’s quality assurance system is to strengthen students’ learning outcomes and development by raising the quality at all levels. OsloMet wishes to cooperate with the students, and their participation in quality assurance work is crucial. The overall goals for the quality assurance system include:

• ensuring that the educational activities, including practical training and the learning and study environment, maintain a high level of quality
• ensuring that the study programmes are relevant to the professional fields
• ensuring that the quality continues to improve

For the students, this entails, among other things, student evaluations:

• course evaluations
• annual student surveys for all of OsloMet

More information about the quality assurance system is available here: https://student.oslomet.no/regelverk#etablering-studium-evaluering-kvalitetssystem