User:Charlesmcsweeney

Educational Development Centre

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Charles McSweeney

University of Belize

Belmopan, Belize

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I am a lecturer of Information Technology at the University of Belize. I am stationed on the Belmopan Campus.

I have been tutoring at the UWI centre in Belize City for about three years. I enjoy teaching and find academia to be a great place to meet people and to make an impact on the society.

I am thrilled to be part of this wiki-education effort. I am hoping to stretch myself quite a bit and to learn even more.

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I am focusing the my efforts for the Wiki Educator (VUSSC Bootcamp - Singapore) on the OLD Bachelor Degree Program designed at the University College of Belize. This program became one of the programs offered at the newly amalgamated University of Belize in 2000.

THE UNIVERSITY

OF BELIZE

Bachelor Of Science Degree in Information Technology

Revision August 2001

Description Page

Contents 2

Introduction 3

Goals and Objectives 4

The Student, The Degree, The Program 5

Program Layout 6

Program Sequence 8

Appendix A

Course descriptions 12

Introduction

In 1992, acting in accordance with the UCB Act, 1988 (Article 3(2)), the University College of Belize – Belmopan Junior College ( UCB –BJC ) was established to offer Junior College programs which would address the demand for tertiary level education, primarily in the Cayo District, and which would articulate smoothly with the existing programs at the Belize City campus of UCB. The establishment of the UCB-Belmopan Junior College, provided UCB the opportunity to develop and implement a complete four-year baccalaureate programs, offering the first two years in Belmopan and the last two years on Belize City. The UCB-BJC is therefore an integral part of UCB.

In 1993, UCB conducted a study of the nation of Belize to determine the needs of the nation as articulated by people from all walks of life. Extensive interviews and discussions were held throughout the country. Results of that study revealed, among other things, that the nation of Belize was aware of the need for trained computer professionals, and was ready to entertain the notion of a degree in Computer Science. Five years later, in 1998, the first Associate Degree in Computer Science was launched at the UCB-Belmopan Junior College. The first intake of students numbered 17: five of these were young women.

The introduction of the Computer Science Associate Degree at the UCB - Belmopan Junior College, has drawn greater focus on the fact that, if the people of Belize are to be prepared to perform adequately in the international community of computer professionals, more training must be done. We need individuals within the community who can be trusted to take on computer oriented tasks and to lead teams of less qualified individuals through the necessary steps to ensure that these tasks are completed to the satisfaction of the client and that development, both human and physical is realized. For this to happen, we need to train Belizeans to investigate, interpret, analyze, design, develop and implement new ways of dealing with technology that is sent to us from outside. We are also responsible for training Belizeans to take on the responsibility for creating new and innovative technologies. These trained Belizeans must then be charged with the responsibility of sharing their knowledge with others at home and to set a stage for Belize to make its own mark on the international scene.

The University College of Belize has taken on the challenge of developing, as near as possible, a complete Information Technology Bachelor Degree package that will expose our students to a strong foundation in the understanding of underlying concepts and mechanisms that define Computer Science.

Goals and Objectives

Goals

This program aims to:

• produce men and women whose preparation will enable them to acquire posts that demand that they work efficiently and independently • graduate ideal candidates for further training to the Master's level or for specialized certification. • provide students with an organized setting in which to conduct guided experimentation with and practical explorations of the physical machinery, the coded program, the designing strategies, the critical analyses and the ever important human interaction that characterizes the true computer scientist.

Objectives

A student enrolled in the Bachelor of Science Degree in Information Technology will be able to :

• Use, proficiently, current day-to-day office applications ( for example Microsoft Office). • Utilize good programming techniques and methodologies irrespective of the programming language used. • Develop programming skills that include modular and object oriented programming whether as a single person programming or as a team programming exercise. • Demonstrate knowledge of the technology and mechanics of a computer. • Use, manipulate, program and perform conversion tasks for programs and systems built on at least two different Operating Systems ( for example: Unix, Dos, Windows95/98/2000/NT). • Investigate computer systems to make informed diagnoses, and prepare sound recommendations for the redesigning or removal of the current system. • Design, develop, and implement database systems. • Plan, cost and install computer network systems that demonstrate practical usage in Belize. • Work with a team of computer professionals to design and develop small computer systems from scratch. This includes but is not limited to the researching, planning, costing, coding, and documenting of the entire system. • Perform actively in the ethical approach to all aspects of computing.

Student Profile

Individuals admitted to this program may enter as High School graduates who have taken Mathematics and/or Science two of their four years of High School. The student must have received a satisfactory (as determined by the Information Technology department ) score on the ATLIB entrance examination.

Students coming into the program after completion of an Associate will be admitted and placed in the program based on an evaluation of their transcripts.

Due to the reality of the development of Information Technology in Belize, students will be advised to seek the challenge option for courses in which they can demonstrate proficiency.

Applicants who are serious about studying this field will be taken through a series of experiences that should last four complete school years. Near to the end of the period of study ( senior year ), the institution organizes an internship that weighs significantly on the students graduation possibilities.

Graduate Profile

The graduate from this program will have demonstrated mastery of the subjects in the program and competence in core requirements set out by the University. A grade of C (2.50 on a 4 point scale) must be achieved in the major and an overall grade of C+ (2.50 on a 4 point scale) with a minimum of 120 credits taken.

The Degree

The UCB Information Technology Degree will carry approximately135 credits. A student may wish to complete these credits in two two-year segments. The first segment may terminate in an Associate Degree (in accordance with the current Associate Degree Program). The last segment will then be those courses remaining to fulfill the requirements for the Bachelor of Science Degree.

Program Plan

The Bachelor of Science Degree in Information Technology is scheduled to start in August, 2000. Student intake will be largely from those students who are currently in our Associate degree program. Invitations will be extended to computer professionals who lack training to qualify for the remuneration appropriate for the tasks they presently perform.

The Program is designed as a full four-year program but provides for students who already have an Associate degree in Computer Science to move into the degree as the next phase of their development.

PROGRAM LAYOUT

AREA I HUMANITIES

Course ID Description CR ENGL 111 College English I……………………………… 3 ENGL 112 College English II…………………………….. 3 ENGL 318 Technical Writing…………………………….. 3 SPAN 111 Intermediate Spanish…………………………. 3 HIST 201 Belizean History……………………………… 3

AREA II MATHEMATICS & NATURAL SCIENCES

Course ID Description CR MATH 121 Intermediate Algebra………………………… 3 MATH 125 Advanced College Algebra………………….. 3 MATH 124 Trigonometry………………………………… 3 MATH 210 Differential Calculus………………………… 4 MATH 330 Discrete Mathematics………………………… 3 MATH 475 Numerical Analysis…………………………… 5 MATH 480 Linear Programming………………………….. 4 NASC 210 Natural History of Belize……………………... 4 PHYS 241 General Physics 1……………………………... 4

AREA III SOCIAL SCIENCES

Course ID Description CR PSYC 121 Introduction to Psychology……………….. 3 CMPS 248 Software in Society………………………. 3 Social Science Elective ...………………………… 3

AREA IV COMPUTER SCIENCE COURSES:

Course ID Description CR

CMPS 145 Introduction to Computer Systems.…………. 3 CMPS 146 Programming Foundations I…………………. 4 CMPS 155 Computer Technology and Architecture….…. 3 CMPS 156 Datastructures…………………….………… 3 CMPS 157 Systems Analysis………………….….…….. 3 CMPS 245 Database Management Systems……………. 3 CMPS 247 Networking I…………….………………….. 3 CMPS 255 Object Oriented Systems Development……. 4 CMPS 256 Operating Systems…………………………. 3 CMPS 261 Project I…………………………………….. 3 CMPS 312 Computer Organization and Assembly Language Programming……………………. 3 CMPS 314 Algorithms…………………………………. 3 CMPS 316 Programming Languages…………………… 3 CMPS 322 Digital Logic and Signal Processing……….. 3 CMPS 324 Software Engineering………………………. 3 CMPS 412 Advanced Computer Architecture…………. 3 CMPS 414 Networking II..……………………………... 3 CMPS 416 Compiler Construction…………………….. 3 CMPS 429 Senior Internship…………………………… 9

AREA V ELECTIVES

CMPS 330 PC Repair …………………… 3 CMPS 418 Linux Administration ……………………… 3 CMPS Geographic Information Systems…………… 3 CMPS 328 JAVA Programming………………………… 3

AREA VI OTHER

Course ID Description CR STSK 101 Study Skills…………………………………… 1

Program Sequence

FIRST YEAR

SEMESTER 1

Course ID Description CR

ENGL 111 College English I…………………………. 3 SPAN 111 Intermediate Spanish…………………….. 3 MATH 121 Intermediate Algebra…..………………… 3 CMPS 145 Introduction to Computer Systems……….. 3 CMPS 146 Programming Foundations……………….. 4 STSK 101 Study Skills……………………………… 1 Semester Total 17

SEMESTER 2

Course ID Description CR

ENGL 112 College English II…………………………. 3 MATH 124 Trigonometry……………………………… 3 MATH 125 Advanced College Algebra ………………. 3 CMPS 155 Computer Technology and Architecture …. 3 CMPS 156 Datastructures………..…………………… 3 CMPS 157 Systems Analysis……….………………… 3

Semester Total 18

Program Sequence

SECOND YEAR

SEMESTER 1

Course ID Description CR

HIST 201 Belizean History………………………….. 3 MATH 210 Differential Calculus……………………… 4 CMPS 245 Database Management Systems.…………. 3 CMPS 246 Computer Architecture…………….……. 3 CMPS 247 Networking I………………………...…….. 3 CMPS 248 Software in Society…….…………………. 3

Semester Total 19

SEMESTER 2

Course ID Description CR

PSYC 121 Introduction to Psychology………………. 3 CMPS 255 Object Oriented Systems Development.… 4 CMPS 256 Operating Systems……………………… 3 CMPS 260 Project……………….….………………. 3 Social Science Elective ……………..…………………… 3

Semester Total 16

Program Sequence

THIRD YEAR

SEMESTER 1

Course ID Description CR

ENGL 318 Technical Writing………………………….. 3 MATH 330 Discrete Mathematics……………………… 3 CMPS 312 Computer Organization and Assembly Language Programming………...…………. 3 CMPS 314 Algorithms…………..……………….……. 3 CMPS 316 Programming Languages…………...…….. 3

Semester Total 15

SEMESTER 2

Course ID Description CR

PHYS 241 General Physics………….………………. 3 CMPS 322 Digital Logic and Signal Processing…….. 3 CMPS 324 Software Engineering………………….… 3 CMPS 328 Database Management Systems II……….... 3 CMPS 412 Advanced Computer Architecture.……… 3 1 Computer Science Elective 300 or 400 level 3

Semester Total 18

Program Sequence

FOURTH YEAR

SEMESTER 1

Course ID Description CR

MATH 475 Numerical Analysis….…………………….. 5 MATH 480 Linear Programming……………………… 3 CMPS 414 Networking II………..……………….……. 3 CMPS 416 Compiler Construction….…………...…….. 3 Computer Science Elective at the 400 level……….………………. 3

Semester Total 17

SEMESTER 2

Course ID Description CR

CMPS 429 Senior Internship……………………….. 12

Semester Total 12

Total Credits in the Bachelor Degree 139

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Looking forward to the interaction.
To do list

My sandbox
My sandbox2
Neat Stuff I did not know Before Singapore
More of Me
Info on Belize