Applied Computer Science Programme code: W4-S1IS19.2023

Characteristics of the field of study in Applied Computer Science: Staffing facilities for the Applied Computer Science field of study is based on the didactic and scientific staff of the Faculty of Science and Technology at the University of Silesia, consisting of high-class specialists in the fields of exact and natural sciences as well as engineering and technical sciences, including computer science, but also mathematics, physics, chemistry , materials and biomedical engineering. This scope of competence allows, in terms of content and form, to run IT fields of study with various curricula. From the point of view of the quality of conducted studies, it is optimal to bring the education profile in the field of information technology closer to a wide spectrum of scientific research conducted in individual institutes and research groups. The field of study called Applied Computer Science complies with this requirement. Under the name "applied" there are classic applications in solving typical IT tasks, such as operating systems administration or modeling, exploration and administration of databases. However, applications of computer science in various engineering and scientific tasks will also be exhibited, e.g. such as: measurement techniques, numerical modelling, microcontroller programming or robotics. A very important aspect will be the care for the inclusion of modern methods and information technologies in teaching, for example methods of artificial intelligence and data engineering related to it, which will enable students to learn about the requirements set by employers for IT engineers starting their professional careers. Profile of a Graduate in Applied Computer Science: An IT engineer who knows several programming languages, theoretical basics of programming and has extensive knowledge of modern information systems, including embedded systems, virtualization environments and cloud services, who is able to use in his professional work scientific inspirations from various disciplines covered by the fields of exact and technical sciences and engineering and technical, with particular emphasis on modelling, data processing and measurement technologies. This means that an important feature of a graduate of applied computer science will be the ability to take a multi-faceted look at the issues of computer science applications, which will enable solving various problems in an effective and innovative way and will make them able to constructively engage in undertaking professional and civilizational challenges, usually of an interdisciplinary nature. As part of the studies, emphasis will be placed on the ability to use the acquired knowledge in practice. Graduates of this course will have the appropriate qualifications to work in the most prestigious positions in the IT industry, as well as in other areas of the economy, having both broad IT competences and the so-called "soft" in terms of interaction with the environment, teamwork or the art of presentation. Study programme: The main paradigm of teaching in Applied Computer Science will be a thorough mastery of the rules and good practices of both programming and elements of methodology in the field of exact sciences and engineering and technology. The next programming courses will be an integral part of the system solution aimed at teaching self-solving of problems using a computer. In addition, based on previous experience in teaching in this field of study, the modified program of the field of study in Applied Computer Science will enable at least two educational profiles that are not formally included in the form of a specialization or programme path, but will be implemented through a group of elective programme modules devoted to professional topics in this field of study. Thanks to them, the student of Applied Computer Science will be able to decide for herself/himself whether she/he will choose one of the offered profiles in its entirety or whether she/he will prefer to design her/his own hybrid profile, using these modules to choose from both profiles. The first of them will be the most integrated profile with the conducted research and technologies used in research in the field of exact sciences and engineering and technology. Particular emphasis will be placed on independent solving of IT and engineering problems, including their classification in terms of complexity, possible methods of solution and implementation of solutions. Complementary to the classical approach, in which great importance is attached to the programming of the so-called In the field of front-end, graduates who choose this study profile will rather be proficient in creating back-end algorithms. Students will solve problems based on real issues related to data processing, image analysis, computer modeling and optimization algorithms. The ability to use embedded technologies will play an important role. The second will be a profile that gives competence in the use, configuration and management of large IT systems. In this case, the center of gravity will be placed on network technologies and databases in applications for the computerization of enterprise management and computer-aided production. Therefore, as part of the classes, an important program block will be modern technologies of databases, computer networks, virtualization and containerization of IT infrastructure, including cloud technologies. In addition to acquiring knowledge of basic subjects, such as operating systems, computer networks and databases, the student will acquire practical skills in a wide range of specialist issues, including the administration of databases and data warehouses, computer networks and operating systems, designing databases and data warehouses and computer networks, data mining in transactional and analytical systems, business analytics tools as an element of modern business management systems. The planned didactic activities will be supported by the intensification of our long-term cooperation in the field of education with leading companies that make a significant contribution to the development of information technology. As part of corporate educational programs, such as Oracle Academy and Cisco Academy, we will give students the opportunity to learn about professional devices and software and obtain the first professional certificates recognized around the world, which will help them enter the labor market. It should be emphasized that the need to maintain high adaptability to the dynamically changing needs of the labor market as well as students' expectations prompted the replacement of the system of predetermined specializations or curricula with a system creating a large pool of subjects to choose from. Their thematic scope will be adapted to the current needs - resulting e.g. from intensive cooperation with the socio-economic environment. Our intentions find significant, additional support in the area of elective programme co-related modules, introduced in accordance with the new concept of studies at the University of Silesia in Katowice. Thanks to them, a graduate in Applied Computer Science will also gain the so-called soft skills. It is worth noting that in regular meetings with us, representatives of external stakeholders, mainly IT companies, report an increasing need for this type of competences of their current and future employees. As a result, we are convinced that in addition to thorough education in the field of computer science and information technology, in the course of study, the student will acquire interesting for him and at the same time attractive on the labor market: knowledge and skills adapted to current trends in the IT industry and competences that allow him to effectively take up future technological and civilization challenges, as well as the potential for continuous self-development and updating of professional competences.

The condition for admission to the diploma examination is to achieve the learning outcomes provided for in the study program and to obtain a certificate of an appropriate level of language proficiency in a foreign language. The condition for graduation is to pass the diploma examination with at least a satisfactory result. A graduate receives a higher education diploma confirming obtaining the qualifications of the appropriate degree. Detailed rules for conducting the diploma examination are specified in the diploma regulations.

Internships are an integral part of the study program, carried out by students in individual fields, levels, profiles and forms of study. Internships are to help in confronting the knowledge acquired during studies with the requirements of the labour market, acquiring skills useful in the profession, learning about practical issues related to working in positions for which the student is prepared during the course of studies. The internship is to familiarize the student with professional language relevant to a specific industry and work culture. The rules for the organization of internships are set out in the Rector's ordinance. Detailed rules of apprenticeship taking into account the specifics of particular fields of study are set out in the field's of study apprenticeship regulations, in particular: learning outcomes assumed to be achieved by the student during the apprenticeship, framework apprenticeship program including a description of issues, dimension of apprenticeship (number of weeks of practice); form of internship (continuous, mid-year), criteria for choosing the place of internship, obligations of the student staying in the internship, obligations of the academic tutor, conditions for completing the internship by the student and conditions for exemption from the internship obligation in whole or in part. The number of ECTS and the number of hours are specified in the course structure.

The field of study in Applied Computer Science complies with the adopted development strategy and mission of the University and its learning outcomes are in line with socio-economic needs. The "Development Strategy of the University of Silesia in Katowice for the years 2020-2025" adopted by the Senate of the University of Silesia in Katowice on September 24, 2019 assumes a fundamental paradigm change of activity, leading to "transformation of the University of Silesia into a research university", which requires "taking strategic actions, the effect of which in a short time should be an increase in the quality of research and teaching on a par with the best national universities and very good European universities. Based on the terms of the competition in the "Excellence Initiative - Research University" programme, the University of Silesia in Katowice should take actions in accordance with the five priority operational objectives of this program, among which is "improving the quality of education for students and doctoral students, in particular in fields and disciplines related to priority research areas (PRA), including including them in scientific research". In this respect, it should be noted that the field of applied computer science is closely related to PRA 2 ("Modern materials and technologies and their socio-cultural implications"), but during the studies, as part of solving various tasks and problems and implementing projects, including the diploma engineering project, students of Applied Computer Science will also encounter research topics that belong to other PRAs 1, 3 - 5. The "Development Strategy of the University of Silesia in Katowice for the years 2020-2025" defines the activities and key operational objectives that will enable the achievement of the strategic goal, which is the transformation of the University of Silesia in Katowice into a research university of international importance and prestige, identifying the directions of strategic activities in several areas. The following key operational objectives have been defined in the "EDUCATION AND STUDENTS" area: Objective 1: Strategic modeling of the educational offer Objective 2: Internationalization of education Objective 3: Improving the effectiveness of teaching methods and evaluation tools Objective 4: Constant improvement of the quality of study conditions in accordance with the idea of universal design The field of study in Applied Computer Science significantly contributes to the achievement of the operational goals listed in the area of "EDUCATION AND STUDENTS". Under the area operational objective 1, the modification of the field of study in Applied Computer Science is an element of actions 1, 4 and 6, because it was prepared in accordance with the new concept of education in first-cycle studies, taking into account the potential of the university, mainly the Faculty of Science and Technology, but also other faculties in the field of open offer of modules, including programme co-related modules, supporting programme education. The field of study in Applied Computer Science is significantly related to the research conducted at the University of Silesia in Katowice in the discipline of computer science, which is the leading discipline for this field of study. As already mentioned, students of Applied Computer Science will also encounter research problems in other disciplines represented in PRA 2, and even in other priority research areas. What is equally important, the learning outcomes and programme content of this field of study are in line with the socio-economic needs articulated by external stakeholders, including representatives of medium and large IT companies with their headquarters in the Silesian Voivodeship, but also such whose business activities are global. It is worth noting that the diversification of the offer of IT fields of study gives candidates a better choice for studying and encourages a larger group of young people with different interests in the field of IT to study. As a consequence, more your people can take up second-cycle studies in the field of computer science at the University of Silesia, from which it will be easier to select candidates for the Doctoral School at the University of Silesia in the field of computer science. In this way, the efforts of the management of the Institute of Computer Science, aimed at intensifying scientific research, will be supported. Examples of such a path of education, starting in the field of Applied Computer Science, which later turns into undertaking scientific research, are already known and there is a prospect of its development in the future. As part of the area operational objective 2, the field of study in Applied Computer Science aims to implement the action 3 or 4, adopting the requirements of passing selected modules taught in English in accordance with the new concept of studies. Within the actions 5 - 8, efforts to win projects under programmes such as Erasmus+, which have already been undertaken, will continue. The action 1 may be also reflected in the elective programme modules, some of which can be conducted in English, and not only with the use of English-language materials, which is common in teaching in the field of Applied Computer Science due to professional requirements. As part of the area operational objective 3, the field of applied computer science is open to supporting tutoring and mentoring (Action 4) at a high level thanks to properly prepared staff, including the experience of a teaching master. Within the action 3, the field of study in Applied Computer Science offers modern teaching methods based on the virtualization of IT infrastructure and remote access to it, which greatly facilitate students' own work and enable students to learn in practice modern information systems that are commonly used not only in the IT industry, but in many other branches of the economy and in scientific research. Similarly developed teaching materials will be available remotely for students and in many cases, following the example of universities as MIT, for the general public, which will certainly have a positive impact on the brand of the University of Silesia in Katowice. In the scope of the actions 2 and 5, the management of this field of study monitors the quality of teaching, drawing conclusions from the survey of didactic work and organizing meetings with employees and students to discuss problems occurring in the didactic process. The implementation of these tasks is significantly supported by the Education Quality Assurance Team for the field of study in Applied Computer Science. In the case of the field of study in Applied Computer Science, the aforementioned action of area operational objective 3 is closely related to the activities of area operational objective 4. Both the academic teachers conducting classes in the field of Applied Computer Science and the infrastructure of the Chorzów Campus of the University of Silesia are prepared for the hybrid and remote mode of teaching. In addition, the staff of the field of applied computer science raises their didactic qualifications by participating in trainings devoted to various methods and aspects of working with students, referring to the idea of universal design.