Study Guide

Descriptions

This curriculum is for open UAS students. The curriculum includes first year studies and Basic Studies Common To All In SEAMK (Open UAS Path Studies, Bachelor of Engineering, Information Technology). There is also some personal study planning in the open university's path studies.


DESCRIPTION OF THE DEGREE PROGRAMME AND AREAS OF COMPETENCE

The information technology and software engineering education of Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciencs (SeAMK) combines technology and entrepreneurship studies. The education is based on SeAMK's nationally significant areas of strength: Industrial internet and the promotion of entrepreneurship and growth.

Information technology is needed everywhere and without it, society and business life would not work. More and more services are produced digitally using information systems. Information technology is also needed in industry, for example in the control of production lines, machines and devices. Nowadays, more and more devices are connected to the Internet, and data from the devices is analyzed in cloud services for business needs. With digitalisation, IT professionals are increasingly needed and there is currently a crying need for software designers.

In addition to technical expertise in IT and software development tasks, understanding the customer needs and entrepreneurial working methods play a very important role.

The studies of the degree program combine theoretical studies and project studies into a seamless whole, in which, from the beginning of the studies, students learn in an environment that simulates working life, for example, in the form of a virtual company. Business competence and understanding the customer's needs are present throughout the degree program. This provides the student with excellent capabilities for working at the forefront of IT expert tasks or, if desired, as an entrepreneur.

During the studies, the student receives not only comprehensive software development competence but also strong competence in industrial Internet applications and data communications. In advanced studies, students can also familiarize themselves with server technologies, electronics, embedded systems, game programming and online business. There are several alternative modules for advanced studies.

PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE PROFILE

The degree program provides excellent capabilities for working in both industrial and software companies and as software entrepreneurs. In the detailed planning and implementation of the training, we cooperate closely with the companies in the region.

After graduating as an IT engineer, you can work as software designer, IT specialist or IT entrepreneur.

PEDAGOGICAL OPERATING MODELS

The degree program studies are partly grounded on a strong theory base and related project courses. During the studies, projects related to IoT systems, software production and corporate assignments are carried out. Close cooperation between partner companies in the teaching of the degree program also creates contacts with potential future employers.

Some of the studies take place with international exchange students in English. This improves language skills and develops the student's competence also for international work tasks.

Sustainable development is also taken into account in the studies. If used correctly, information technology can help save natural resources and reduce emissions. On the other hand, IT infrastructure has become a significant source of consumption of energy and emissions. The impact of information technology on sustainable development will be considered, for example, in courses related to data communications and industrial Internet.

The learning takes into account the learner’s prior knowledge and interpretations and helps them link the new learning material to their previous knowledge and experiences (socio-constructivism).

The curriculum includes five seams permeating through the studies and extending over them. They are based on SeAMK’s reports, studies and strategy, as well as on the national and international recommendations and regulations related to education provided by universities of applied sciences.

• The Information Search seam strengthens the student’s professional and field-specific information search skills throughout the studies.
• The Internationalization seam secures the improvement of the student’s international competencies during their studies. Home internationality is strengthened by utilizing scientific articles and our international partners in our theory studies. Intensive weeks create more opportunities for internationalization at home.
• The studies corresponding to the Entrepreneurship seam help the student understand the central and growing role of entrepreneurship in society.
• The Sustainable Development seam makes the student aware of social responsibility and helps them understand the diversity of sustainable development as a working life skill. Sustainable development is taken into account in different ways throughout the studies (ecological, social, cultural and economic sustainability).
• The seam of Career Guidance helps the student recognise their competencies and own strengths. It also includes working life knowledge, job search skills, and lifelong learning.