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.

Required coursework means compulsory assignments/activities that must be approved by a given deadline in order for students to be able to sit the exam. Coursework can be written work, project work, oral presentations, lab courses, compulsory attendance at lectures etc. Required coursework can be done individually or in groups.

The required coursework is intended to ensure the students’ progress and development and that they participate in necessary elements of the programme. Coursework requirements can also be set to ensure that students achieve a learning outcome that cannot be tested in an exam.

Previously approved coursework can be valid for two years after it is approved, provided that the course has not changed.

Required coursework is assessed as ‘approved’ or ‘not approved’.

The coursework requirements for each course are described in the course description. The number and type of coursework requirements, the rules for meeting the coursework requirements, deadlines and other details are set out in the course descriptions and teaching plans that are announced at the start of the semester.

Not approved coursework

Valid absence documented by, for example, a medical certificate does not exempt students from meeting the coursework requirements. Students who have valid grounds for absence, or who have submitted coursework that is not approved, should as far as possible be given a new chance to resubmit it before the exam. This must be agreed with the lecturer in question on a case-to-case basis. If another attempt at meeting a coursework requirement is not possible because of the nature of the subject/course, the student must be prepared to meet the coursework requirement on the next possible occasion. This can result in delayed progress in the programme.

The examination regulations are specified in the Act relating to Universities and University Colleges and the Regulations relating to Studies and Examinations at OsloMet. See OsloMet’s website www.oslomet.no

Oral and practical exams are assessed by two examiners, as these forms of exams cannot be appealed. Formal errors can nonetheless be appealed.

One overall grade is given for the portfolio. It is only possible to appeal the exam result for the portfolio assessment as a whole. Any information provided about weighting is only considered additional information in relation to the final grade. If parts of the portfolio contain elements such as an oral presentation, practical assignments etc., the exam result cannot be appealed. The rules concerning right of appeal are described in each individual course description.

Exams that are only assessed by internal examiners shall be regularly selected for external assessment.

Assessment

The grades pass/fail or a grade scale with grades from A to E for pass and F for fail are used for exam assessment.

Prerequisite knowledge and study progress

Prerequisite knowledge over and above the admission requirements is described in the course descriptions.

Even if no specific requirements for prior knowledge are defined, the students should take courses worth at least 50 credits each year to be able to complete the programme within the nominal length of study.

• From the first to the second year of the programme – courses worth 50 credits should be completed
• From the first and second years to the third year of the programme – courses worth 100 credits should be completed

Students must be registered in the third year of the programme and have completed at least 100 credits from the first and second years of the programme by 1 October before they can write their bachelor’s thesis.

Programme supervisor scheme

The programme supervisor scheme is part of the quality assurance of each individual study programme. A programme supervisor is not an examiner, but someone who supervises the quality of the study programmes. All study programmes at OsloMet shall be subject to supervision by a programme supervisor, but there are different ways of practising the scheme. Reference is made to the Guidelines for Appointment and Use of Examiners at OsloMet: https://student.oslomet.no/retningslinjer-sensorer

Rescheduled/resit exams

Students must register for resit/rescheduled exams themselves. Resit/rescheduled exams are normally organised together early in the following semester. Resit exams are for students who have taken the exam and failed. Rescheduled exams are for students who did not take the ordinary exam. The conditions for taking resit/rescheduled exams are set out in the Regulations relating to Studies and Examinations at OsloMet.

Diploma

The final assessment for each course will be included on the diploma for the bachelor’s degree in Applied Computer Technology. The title of the bachelor’s thesis will also be included on the diploma.

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