Curriculum in ICT at the ATEI of Thessaloniki

 • D.N. Kleftouris

Dept of Information TechnologyAlexandrion Technological Educational Institute of

Thessaloniki

      www.it.teithe.gr

INTRODUCTION

• The department of Information Technology was formed in 1987.

• Its operation started in September 1987 and in May 1991 the first graduates received their degrees.

• To day more than 1400 students are registered and attend classes.

• Twenty full-time and about thirty part-time faculty members cover and support the program of studies.

• There are six laboratories to support practical courses.

MISSION STATEMENT

• The department provides undergraduate education in the field of Information Technology, Technology Applications as well as Analysis and Development of Information Systems. Its mission is to develop and enhance individual’s professional competence in the above areas and related technologies.

• The study program which features current and emerging technologies, prepares students to contribute to the computing profession upon graduation, provide a basis for continued study, post graduate studies and growth in the field.

COARSE OF STUDIES

• The duration of studies in the department is 8 semesters.

• In the first seven semesters students follow theoretical courses, practicals in laboratories and tutorials.

• Students participate in projects, case studies and as part of course assessment write reports and complete assignments.

• In the final semester they have to undertake a project and perform design and development work and in many cases research work. In the end a project report is submitted, the project work is presented and examined thoroughly.

COARSE OF STUDIES

• Further to the final year project, students must undertake a six months placement in a real life professional environment, benefiting the experience they get from an on the job training.

• The department usually mediates between the firm and the student, the job is firstly approved and then the student is assigned.

DEGREE STRUCTURE

• The degree is structured with subjects that compile knowledge in the field of Information Technology.

• Subject areas from the fields of Computer Science and Computer Engineering as well as the field of Information and Communication Systems are employed to build up a sound curriculum.

• The basic knowledge areas on which the program of studies is based on, are :

– Algorithms and Data Structures

– Data Bases and Information Retrieval

– Programming Languages and Methodologies

– Software Engineering – Software Quality

DEGREE STRUCTURE

– Computer Graphics – Graphical User Interfaces – Multimedia Technology

– Computer Organization and Architecture

– Networking and Internetworking

– Artificial Intelligence – Computational Intelligence – Expert Systems

Typical Graduate Profile

• Upon completion of their studies the department graduates possess the necessary scientific and technological knowledge capabilities and skills which allow them to be professionally active and successful in supporting the utilization of information and communication technologies in all areas of economical and social activity.

• Graduates from the Informatics Department can be employed in private as well as in public sector, either on their own or in cooperation with other professionals and scientists in all areas utilizing Information and Communication Systems, in topics related to studies, development, management, applied research, and education.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

• Students will have the ability to select and apply algorithms, data structures and appropriate languages.

• Students will understand computer fundamentals such as computing theory, programming methodologies concepts, networking and computer organization and architecture.

• Students will have experience with the analysis, design and testing principles that apply to Information Systems.

• Students will have a good understanding of design principles and methodologies.

• Students will have the ability to communicate concisely and professionally in writing and in oral presentations.

CURRUCULUM REQUIREMENTS

• Factors that influence curricula in Computer Studies in general are :

– Rapid changes taking place in the discipline.– The emergence of new programming paradigms and new

design methodologies.– Need for graduates who have good communication and

teamwork skills, in addition to being technically competent.

• Another demand is that the program should facilitate the gap between what is taught at academia and what is needed in the business.

• Series of changes to satisfy the above demands may cause the curriculum to become a giant piece of knots.

CURRUCULUM REQUIREMENTS

• The above concepts lead to basic characteristics of a curriculum which are: flexibility, specialty and technological orientation.

• Flexibility means a modular structure of the curriculum that provides the capability to modifying parts of it without causing changes in the whole.

• Specialty enables that only certain topics have to be examined in detail, while the others are examined just through their main concepts.

• Technological orientation is achieved with the reduction on the time that the students must spend in classrooms, leaving spare time for laboratory work, project work and library studies.

FROM REQUIREMENTS TO A CURRUCULUM

• A Manageable and Flexible Curriculum was developed to satisfy the above set requirements.

• It is eight semesters long, contains mandatory courses as well as electives and the final semester is devoted to the completion of the final year project plus the placement work.

• The curriculum comprises about 50 courses out of which the student must select 39.

• In the first six semesters the topics in the program are compulsory.

FROM REQUIREMENTS TO A CURRUCULUM

• There are five categories of courses : – General Knowledge (Mathematical Analysis,Discrete

Mathematics)– Special Knowledge(Computer Architecture &

Organization, Operating Systems )– Specialization (Computer Networks,Internet Programming)– Business, Economics, Legislation and Human

Studies. (Corporate Economics, Professional Ethics)– Electives ( Computer Security, Electronic Commerce)

• In the seventh semester students must select four ones from the list of the electives.

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ECTS

• ECTS provides an instrument to create transparency, build bridges between institutions and widen the choices available to students.

• ECTS makes it easier for institutions to recognize the learning achievements of students through the use of commonly understood measurements – credits.

• ECTS is based on three core elements : – Information ( on study programmers and student achievement )

– Mutual agreement ( between partner institutions )

– Use of Credits ( to indicate student workload )

• We are committed to use the ECT System within the framework of the SOCRATES program.

CURRICULUM IMPROVEMENT

• A process for curriculum improvement is necessary in order to provide the best educational results.

• Assessment is an essential part of this process. • Assessment depends on goals and appropriate

measures.• As changes to curriculum are made the assessment

process is repeated, ensuring a continuous cycle of improvement.

Innovation of Program of Studies

• At this time we are in the process of assessing the present curriculum and next, proceed with the development of an improved one.

• Funded by an EEC program, faculty members are engaged in an major attempt to innovate the undergraduate program of studies with the use of modern techniques .

Innovation of Program of Studies

• Based on the use of a VLE Platform, a distributed learning environment will be developed, that will contain in digital form most of the knowledge and learning material used in our faculty and will allow its access at any time and from any distance.

• The model “Dpt …. OnLine” is on its way to be build up.

END OF PRESENTATION

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR

ATTENTION