Frequently Asked Questions Why should I study IT? IT/Computing is where things are happening, it’s the area, which is changing the world, and having an impact on everything we do and see around us. It offers students opportunities for a great career at the cutting edge of what is happening in society. It offers a career where things will constantly change, where boredom will not get a chance to settle, who would not want a career in computing/IT if they have the basic ability to study the subject area. IT like business is not a restricted career path, it’s the start of an opportunity to be a life-long learner and enjoy a range of opportunities. Technological advancement has made the computer a vital part of all aspects of business and our economy. Many of the products, which we buy for everyday use, now rely on computer technology to make them work efficiently. The information technology and computing industries are with us to stay, every changing and evolving and offering exciting careers to anyone with the desire to work in a flexible and changing environment and to grow and change, continue to learn and evolve long after their formal studies are over. What is Electronic Commerce? Electronic Commerce exploits computer networks to simplify and speed-up business transactions in a variety of ways including design, manufacture, buying, selling and delivery. The term 'electronic commerce' incorporates any form of business or administrative transaction that is performed using information and communication technology. The course is designed to provide students with an understanding of the enabling technologies of computer networks, skills in the design and production of multimedia systems for network distribution and knowledge of the tools and techniques required to transform business and management functions by conducting transactions electronically. The BSc (Hons) Electronic Commerce produces versatile graduates with the technical knowledge, creative skills and commercial ability to exploit the enormous potential of conducting business over computer networks. What is Business Information Technology? As a student of the BSc Business Information Technology degree course you will study a wide range of subjects covering basic business practice and computer technology. The emphasis is on the acquisition of practical skills and the ability to critically analyse in the areas of business and management, information technology and information systems development. This course offers the opportunity to study how IT is used in the global business environment, and provides an excellent grounding from which to enter graduate employment. The early emphasis of the course is on providing a basic business framework and an exploration of contemporary business issues. You will also be introduced to the basics of software design and development, and a range of data management, data analysis and web based tools Graduates from this course will have the skills to be engaged in the development of database systems as corporate resources to meet specific business objectives and the design, construction and management of networked solutions. Today's computing industry requires its workforce to have a wide and diverse range of skills. What is Information Technology? Information technology is a label that has two meanings. In the broadest sense, we often use “information technology” interchangeably with “computer technology”. Degree programs that prepare students to meet the technology needs of business, government, healthcare, schools, and other kinds of organizations. IT’s emphasis is on the technology itself more than on the information it conveys. IT is a new and rapidly growing discipline, which started as a grass roots response to the practical, everyday needs of business and other organizations. Today, organizations of every kind are dependent on information technology. They need to have the appropriate systems in place. Those systems must work properly and be secure. Professionals must upgrade, maintain, and replace them as appropriate. The people who work throughout an organization require support from IT staff that thoroughly understands computer systems and are committed to solving whatever computer-related problems they might have. Graduates of information technology programs address these needs. What is Software Engineering with Multimedia? The course concentrates on the investigation of the dual role of multimedia software engineering to apply software engineering principles to the design of multimedia systems, and to apply multimedia technologies to the practice of software engineering. Multimedia has two fundamental characteristics that can be expressed by the formula: Multimedia = Multiple Media + Hypermedia. How can software engineering take advantage of these two characteristics? Will these two characteristics pose problems in multimedia systems design? A framework for MSE is presented. Students will gain practical experience on multimedia applications development from class examples and the experimental software.