Become an ICT engineer for international tasks

Software Engineering provides you with good capabilities for managing the most common programming languages, programming methods, development tools and environments. In the exercises, you will use the most common software development tools and methods available to companies. During the studies, you will implement an extensive software project in a group, which will provide you with a good basis for implementing software projects in the future.

After completing the cyber security studies, you will have a broad understanding of cyber security management, technical implementation, audit, standardisation, and legislation.  You are able to design, develop, implement, and manage technological solutions related to cyber security in realistic business environments. You will learn how to test and audit the implemented solutions. Furthermore, you will possess the knowledge and skills to defend against cyber security attacks in a real environment. At the end of your studies, you will have the opportunity to participate in a cyber security exercise. The aim of the exercise is to gain practical experience of an attack campaign targeting the company's ICT infrastructure. In the exercise, you will act as an attacker, defender, or organiser of the exercise.

In the studies, you will learn about data preprocessing and the utilization of various data sources, you will get to know the methods of data analytics and machine learning, the most commonly used tools (e.g. Pandas, TensorFlow and scikit-learn) and how to use artificial intelligence to produce solutions for various business functions. Experts in data analytics and artificial intelligence are needed in almost all organizations where they want to make business more efficient by utilizing the companies' own data or refining public data for the companies' own needs. During your studies, you will implement an extensive project in a group, which will give you a good basis for applying artificial intelligence and data analytics in working life.

Artificial intelligence and data analytics have often been characterized by the saying "Artificial intelligence is the new electricity". This statement describes quite well the importance of the region from a future point of view. Artificial intelligence is believed to revolutionize transport, industry, healthcare and working life in the next few years.

 

The scope of the internship is at least 30 credits. With the help of the internship, you will develop your vocational skills and familiarise yourself with the key practical tasks, and with the application of knowledge and skills in work-life, under guidance. The internship enables you to familiarise yourself with the activities and tasks of a company in the field already during your studies.

The Bachelor's thesis enables you to develop and demonstrate your readiness to apply your knowledge and skills in practical tasks related to the field. Elective studies support the development of your expertise and are oriented according to your personal interest. You can also select studies in your own field or include them in the internship.

With the bachelor's thesis, you will develop and demonstrate your competence to apply your knowledge and skills in a practical expert task, related to vocational studies. The thesis shall be carried out at the end of your studies, when you will have the necessary skills to prepare an independent thesis of 15 credits, related to your field.

As a rule, the thesis is carried out in cooperation with working life and it ought to solve problems arising from work-life demand. This could mean, for example, a practical expert task in your field, applied research, or other development activities related to the field. Typical topics of the thesis include software applications implemented for companies, and solutions that improve the cyber security of companies.

Information and Communication Technology engineering studies provide you with good technical capabilities to operate in a changing society, in an international environment. During the studies, you will learn the skills for ICT construction in a digitalising and automated society. After graduating, you will be able to design, build, and test information technology solutions for work-life demands, also considering ethical perspectives

The studies include plenty of teamwork projects, as do many workplaces in the field. After graduating from these practical studies, you will have the competence to work in ICT tasks for international organisations.

As an ICT engineer, you will need expertise in both verbal and written communications, as communication skills are important for various customer projects. The studies are implemented in English, which is the general language used in the ICT sector. Your verbal language skills will improve in voluntary student exchange, projects, and various exercises.

After graduating from the degree programme, you will have both software and information technology skills. You will learn how to design the software requirements specifications, and implement the software, in accordance with these specifications. The logic and most common algorithms of programming will also be clear to you. You will have a comprehensive understanding of software industry’s production methods from construction to testing. In addition, you are able to manage design, version management and documentation tools.

The studies will also provide you with an understanding of the operating principles of a computer, its components, and operating systems. You are able to design and configure communication networks that connect computers, and install and maintain servers. You are also familiar with the basics of cyber security. You possess the know-how to install, design, and maintain the databases required by the software. You are able to operate and design cloud services for business needs, and critically evaluate the services offered by different cloud service providers.

The studies utilise Finland's most versatile laboratory environments and various ways of learning. During the studies, you will learn by doing. You have access to Finland's most modern and versatile laboratory environments, such as Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) and WIMMA Lab. WIMMA Lab is an excellent example of what studying in a degree programme can be at its best: A unique learning environment where students form teams and virtual companies to solve a company problem.

The studies include lectures, project-type learning assignments, group work, and online studies. Some courses include exercises that require your attendance in laboratory environments. At a later stage, you will be able to carry out challenging project work for commissioners, to deepen your professional competence and create work-life relationships.

Software engineering students are often employed in software development tasks. Remote work enables studying and working simultaneously. Experts always find work, either employed as coders, designers, or project managers, or as independent entrepreneurs. The internship at the final stage of the studies, as well as the bachelor’s thesis, enable you to potentially get your foot in the door of a company. Professional titles in the field include, for example, Programmer, Software Developer, Database Designer, and IT Specialist.

Cyber security is one of the fastest growing sectors. Cyber security is concerns companies and organisations whose business is dependent on the functioning of their IT environments. In an increasingly automated, digitalised society based on information technology, cyber security affects more and more people. Professional titles include Security Engineer, Security Consultant, System Engineer, Software Test Engineer, and Security Specialist. 

 

Students may, after graduation and a working career of at least two years, apply for studies leading up to a master’s degree. Studies can also be continued by applying for a university master’s degree programme or similar programmes as well as professional teacher education. After a bachelor’s degree from a university of applied sciences, it is also possible to continue studies at higher education institutes abroad on master’s degree level programmes. A university of applied sciences also provides opportunities for continuing education in the form of specialisation studies, open studies, an online study portal (CampusOnline) and working life based continuing education.



A student who completes a master’s degree at a university of applied sciences may apply to continue on to postgraduate studies in science or arts at universities (Act 558/2009, Section 37).