Graduate Diploma in Information Technology /// MSc in Electronic Commerce (Business)

Doug89

Hi,

Just wondering if anyone on here has done either of these courses recently and could they give me any info on them? Modules, experience (positive///negative!), opportunities after?

Otherwise anyone applied for them or starting in September???

delricyo

Hi,
Im currently doing the GDIT. I am studying part time so it will take me 2 years to complete.
8 modules are taken if you do it full time
4 modules are taken each year if part time

I can only comment on the part-time version. There is a very large continuous assmt part (most modules are 50% of total mark). This can be very difficult if working during the day.
A lot of people found the programming part difficult. I had done some programming before and I found the pace of the programming course to be very very fast.

But everyone got through it anyway - although a bit more stressed than when they started the year. Well, we will know for sure when exam results are out tomorrow

Doug89

Hi Delricyo, thanks for getting back to me! I'd be looking at doing it full time alright. What did you think of the content? Is it up to date? Revelant? Interesting? What do the aul employment prospects seem like with it? Are most people looking to go on and do the masters? What did you do before? Have you worked in IT?

Sorry for the million and one questions!!!

delricyo

Ive only done half the content so far. I found it quite interesting. There will be a large workload - esp when you are doing 4 subjects per semester. And the assignments tend to be due around the same time. So, early december and mid April will be the crazy busy times for you ..

The programming is definitely relevant if you want to work in that area. We did modules on Web design and Networks also. If you have an interest in IT, these 2 modules shouldnt cause you any problems. The relevancy probs depends on what area of work you are hoping to work in.
Havent talked to anybody about masters - our class wont be thinking about that until next Easter at the earliest
For employment, it is hard to say. A lot of IT jobs probably require experience aswell. But it will be enough to get your foot in the door for some places. For example - the civil service occasionally recruit IT grads. And the requirement is a degree in IT. This is a level 9 course - so it counts as a degree.

I did a science degree with parts of computer science. Didnt do enough computer science modules to officially get a degree in computers. So some of the DCU modules seem like revision to me - im lucky that way. Furthermore, I have always worked in sort of 'techie' roles, so any bits of the modules I dont understand - I am fairly interested in researching. For example networks: A lot of my class found this module boring, but I find it really interesting !

jprender

Went to apply for the postrgrad in Information Technology (Part-time) yesterday,and it looks like DCU have stopped taking applications for it I was on to the postgrad applications centre, and they just said to contact DCU directly.

DC819 was the course reference for the Part-time.

http://pac.ie/courses/courses.php?inst=dc&mode=t


Also, it is not listed as a part-time course any longer on the DCU site, so does anyone know if they have scrapped the PT option ?

http://www.dcu.ie/prospective/deginfo.php?classname=GDF

I'll be very disappointed if they have.

jenjoeful

I have just completed the Diploma in IT at DCU.
Here is a heads up, unless you are technical or very good at maths, I would not recommend the course or DCU.
Java programming is required at basic then advanced level in the second semester. The level you are expected to jump to by the end of semester one (intro to OOP is huge, you are expected to have fully functioning - difficult programs, and problem solving - and not only that but to complete certain questions, a knowledge of things such as tax etc just to be able to solve the problem is required) tax is a broad example of where a problem to solve a tax problem was required. Just it was difficult for student whom have not done maths like that before you even start the program. The advancement of Java in semester to is extraordinary, it is full on flamboyant programs and assignments. There has been a majority failure rate by the looks of it purely because of Java. And some dropouts for ppl trying to do the assignments.
I studied 4 times the amount of the other modules in Java thought I was prepared and still failed!
Lecturers show no mercy so don't bother asking for them to meet you half way.
My experience of DCU has been incredibly negative, I wouldn't recommend it, as I've seen a lot wrong with it. Having attended another University in Ireland, I felt DCU have a more aggressive approach and don't seem to want you to pass, unless its for revenue generation perhaps, as to repeat one exam is almost 200 euro. I don''t know, but the Diploma in IT is not for someone non technical, despite what you are told, I would not recommend unless you know something about programming or even just good at maths!!
I'm very deflated, as are many of my classmates!!!

Doug89

Hi Jenjoeful,

Thanks for that information, I'm quite maths-y so I'm not too scared about that, but it sounds like you guys have had a hard enough time!

jprender

I've had it confirmed that the part-time course will not be offered this year, but will hopefully back for 2014/2015.

That leaves me with a year to fill in. In light of the comments above, would anyone recommend a Java course for beginners that I could do ?