- This course is funded under Springboard+ and is scheduled to start in January 2018 -
- WIT plans to open applications in Autumn 2017 -
The Higher Diploma in Agri-Food ICT Systems is designed to produce graduate with the expertise and competencies required to select, deploy, control and manage technology and data in the agri-food sector both in Ireland and Internationally.
With a focus on learning through applied industrial challenges students will develop a strong numeracy and technology competency whilst being committed to and engaged in a practical and dynamic learning environment. This will focus on the various requirements for database maintenance and scaling for industrial environments, an ability to manage and interpret and analyse big data, either locally or cloud hosted. Students will also develop skills in data modelling representation and visualisation. Student will also hear from entrepreneur in the Agri-Food sector and their challenges encountered in developing a new product / technology. Finally students will partake in a Career Development Skill Module which is designed to better position the graduate for entry / re-entry to the work force. This dynamic learning environment will be complimented with industry leading guest speakers from a policy, industrial and research background presenting students with state of the art thinking in the sector and everyday challenges encountered.
The course will be delivered on a full time basis and will require students be present on campus on a full time basis for a full single academic year. The student will be required to take 8 core modules, from a combination of both 5 and 10 credit modules, with an elective in Semester 2. Students will be requires to complete 60 credits in order to obtain the HDip in Agri-Food ICT Systems. The course will be delivered in a face to face classroom environment with exception given to guest speakers where teleconferencing may be used.
Graduates will develop the skills required for implementing and analysing technology applied to Agri-Food processing with respect to process efficiency and sustainability. Graduates will become leaders in agri-technologies through the industry / academic led development and deployment of cutting edge ICT across the sector. They will gain exposure to and a working knowledge of a number of game changing key enabling technologies in the sector, namely sensing networks, IoT test beds as well as data analytics and statistical modelling on which to further drive business and sectoral intelligence both nationally and Internationally.
Course Start and Indicative Weekly Schedule
The course will begin in mid-January 2018. Clasess will be 3.5 days per week spread across Monday to Thursday mornings and some afternoons.
Agriculture in the Economy: Mandatory - 5 Credits
This module will enable the student to describe the structure of Irish agriculture and outline national and EU supports the agriculture sector. The student will gain an insight into the state agencies involved in policy creation and food promotion.
The module will review the main farm enterprises as well as alternative enterprises, and describe the range of schemes and services available to Irish farmers.
Database Design and Implementation: Mandatory - 5 Credits
This module will introduce the student to the principles and practice of designing and implementing database systems. The student will gain competence in designing relational databases using Entity Relationship Modelling. They will implement relational databases using SQL data definition language. They will query the relational database using SQL data manipulation language. The students will be introduced to the concepts and use of NoSQL databases.
Business Intelligence & Data Warehousing: Mandatory - 10 Credits
This module will introduce Business Intelligence and Data Warehousing concepts and techniques. Students will also critically analyse the theory and practice of implementing a Data Warehouse. This module will provide students with the knowledge to be able to successfully manage heterogeneous datasets and different options for integration, processing and storage. Students will investigate basic Business Intelligence tools and techniques, such as text mining, information retrieval and web content mining that would enable managers make better decisions and ultimately provide their organisation with a competitive advantage.
Cloud Computing for Ag ICT: Mandatory - 10 Credits
This module introduces students to the capabilities of cloud computing. The main concepts of cloud computing are covered and students carry out a series of practical exercises with cloud computing technologies and services. Students are also exposed those concepts of computer organization and networking that are required to work in cloud environments.
Business Intelligence Visualisation: Mandatory - 5 Credits
The fundamental area of Business Intelligence (BI) is the skill to effectively communicate analysis, supporting a firm’s decision makers. The aim of this module is how BI visualises and analyses a firm's data. It builds on the skills learnt in a previous module from the creation of insights from structured and unstructured data. Visualization will facilitate the understanding of data and publish required metrics and key performance indicators (KPIs) relevant to a business. The approach of this module will enable visualisation for accessing, analysing, managing and interacting with data.
Project and Change Management: Mandatory - 5 Credits
This module aims to provide students with an understanding of project management and change management concepts, tools and techniques. Furthermore, the module will develop students’ ability to identify the inherent risks and change management associated with projects and to apply good project management skills.
Agri-Case Studies: Mandatory - 5 Credits
This module aims to provide students with an understanding of state of the art Technogym at currently work in the industry. Course will involve guest speakers and field trips.
Technology Entrepreneurship: Elective - 5 Credits
This module is designed to develop knowledge, skills and capabilities for the formulation and initiation of technology enterprises. The module will emphasize lean principles and analytics to enable the student to understand the process of
building, testing and iterating to achieve product-market fit. The identification and design of business models and revenue models appropriate to technology enterprises will also form part of the module.
Career Development Skills: Elective - 5 Credits
The purpose of this module is to facilitate students in developing their employability, and making the transition to the workplace, within a framework of personal and career development planning. The module will cover self awareness including reflection workshops and exercises to identify personal skills, abilities, interests and motivations and relate these to career opportunities and career development.
Graduates with a minimum of a Level 8 qualification.
Applicants who do not immediately meet these requirements may wish to consider using WIT's Recognition of Prior Learning mechanism. The RPL form is available at https://www.wit.ie/schools/education/springboard_ictskills#tab=panel-3
Please complete the form electronically and submit along with all supporting documentation such as education and training certificates etc.
Course Leader(s)
Anne Dunphy
Email: springboard@wit.ie
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