Video gaming is a booming industry that employs over 3,000 workers in Ireland. Athlone Institute of Technology felt it was time to develop a course in response to the demand for highly qualified software engineering graduates who could go on to work in the sector. With ESF funding, it launched a new Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree in software engineering as one of a range of approved qualifications for careers in the information technology industry. Undergraduates on the four-year course study a common software syllabus in the first year before choosing whether to go on to graduate in game development or cloud computing. Taking such blockbusters as Super Mario and Halo 3 as typical commercial references, students on the game development path take subjects such as game theory, mathematics for design, operating systems and networks, as well as security, legal and ethics considerations. Graduates emerging from this course will be in a position to apply for jobs as game developers, software designers, database programmers, administrators and technical salespersons with SMEs and top multinational companies. Award-winning game designer, and co-founder of the Limerick-based game company Open Emotion, Paddy Murphy, described the AIT degree as having “an absolutely fantastic curriculum”, saying it hits all the right marks employers would need in a graduate. The course has been endorsed by the country’s professional engineering body, Engineers Ireland.
Project name: BEng programmes (Level 7) in computer engineering and mechatronics, higher certificate (Level 6) in computer engineering and electronics
Area of activity: Helping people aim higher
Project duration: January 2007-December 2014
ESF contribution: €626,115.88
Total budget: €1,252,231.75
Participants: >200
Country: Ireland
Organisation: Athlone Institute of Technology
Contact details: Brian Lynch brianlynch@ait.ie http://www.ait.ie +353 90 644 2595