Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Software and Technology

Apply to Galway Technical Institute

Overview

This programme is designed to produce graduates who can design, develop, and maintain integrated systems that combine software development with sensor technology, instrumentation, and calibration. The programme bridges the gap between traditional computer science and engineering disciplines to address the growing need for professionals who understand both software development principles and control systems integration.

3. Provider Locations and Structure

Year 1 – Galway Technical Institute (GTi, GRETB)

Year 2-4 – ATU. Galway City Campus

4. Course Content – for all years

Year 1 Galway Technical Institute (GTi, GRETB)

Software Design and Program Development
Essential Mathematics for Computing
Professional and Academic Preparation
Introduction to Database Systems: Design and Implementation
Information Systems Design & Development
Collaboration & Transversal Skills
Mobile Application Technologies

Year 2 ATU Galway City Campus

Object Oriented Design and Development
Procedural Programming
Applied Networking Technology
Introduction to Pervasive Sensing and Calibration
Introduction to Instrumentation
Graphical and Systems Interfacing
Data Structures and Algorithms
Network Routing and Security
Advanced Procedural Programming
Software Quality and Testing
Team Technology Project

Year 3 ATU Galway City Campus

Operating Systems
Database Management Systems
Software Design and Concurrency
Microservices Application Development
Pervasive Sensing and Control
Interfacing & Control Programming
Software & Technology Internship / Placement Project

Year 4 ATU Galway City Campus

Software and Technology Final Project
Advanced Interfacing & Control Programming
Machine Learning Technologies
Cloud Systems Development
Programming for Signal and Image Analysis
Embedded System Design & Development
Computational Intelligence
Distributed Systems
Emerging Technologies
Machine Vision

Accreditation and Embedded Awards

On successful completion of Year 1, students will receive the ATU Certificate in Software and Technology, Minor Award, Level 6

On successful completion of Year 2, students will receive the ATU Higher Certificate in Software and Technology Level 6

On successful completion of Year 3, students will receive the ATU Bachelor of Science in Software and Technology Level 7

On successful completion of Year 4, students will receive the ATU Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Software and Technology Level 8

6. Planned Intake (Number of Places)

24 Places

7. Entry Requirements and Eligibility

Leaving Certificate – Grade O6/H7 or better in five Leaving Certificate subjects. Leaving Certificate must include English or Irish and Mathematics.  Maths at O6/H7 is acceptable to meet the minimum Maths entry requirement.  Irish at F2 is acceptable to meet the minimum language requirements.

A Full level 5/6 QQI award including a maths module or 06 in Leaving Cert Maths

Mature applicants – (aged 23 on or before 1st January of the course commencement year). These applicants do not have to meet the minimum entry requirements listed here and are considered on an individual basis (previous education, work experience, and demonstration of competence to undertake the programme)

Access programme (LCA students can gain access to this programme following completion of an access programme)

An applicant who is a minimum of 17 years of age with at least 2 years post Junior Certificate relevant experience.

In the event of over subscription priority will be given to applicants who demonstrate that they qualify for the special rate of maintenance grant under the Student Grant Scheme (SUSI) and/or are in receipt of a Department of Social Protection (DSP) long-term means-tested social welfare payment and/or be from one or more of the priority groups or from any priority group identified as part of the National Access Plan (2022-2028).

Applicants must demonstrate competence to undertake the programme.

8. Onward Pathways

The programme emphasis on professional development, project management capabilities, and integration skills prepares graduates for both employment and entrepreneurial ventures in the growing field of integrated software-hardware systems.

Graduates who attain an award denomination of a 2.1 or above can apply for masters and doctoral programmes at ATU’s Galway City campus and other third-level institutions in Ireland and the UK.

Graduates from the programme can look forward to excellent career opportunities in software development roles with both indigenous and multinational companies.

ATU employment surveys from 2008-2014 show that 90% of students from honours degree programme in this field secure employment as a software developer before graduation.