Afbeelding
Information Technology course overview
The Information Technology degree at NHL Stenden gives you the knowledge you need for developing web applications and software for mobile devices and gives you insights into IT security. Through our educational concept, Design-Based Education (DBE), you work in small teams of students, lecturers, researchers and industry professionals. You tackle current, real-life issues developing and adapting your visions and ideas to form a solid solution. And you gain yet more practical experience during your internship in your final year.
The IT programme in Emmen makes use of the Internet of Things Laboratory (IoT Lab) and has the latest innovative devices available, including a Microsoft Surface Hub, Virtual Reality equipment, and robots. The Emmen campus is also home to MyConcept, a Fabrication Laboratory where you can use 3D printers to print designs in three dimensions. Learning to use this innovative high-tech equipment will help you design and implement just about anything and everything.
Afbeelding
The programme for Information Technology
The programme focuses on areas such as software, games, web technology, company networks, databases and programming languages. You will be trained as a specialist in these areas over the course of the four-year programme. In addition to the technical classes, you also learn practical skills, such as managing project-based work and end-user communication.
During the first year, you learn about the different aspects of information technology and acquire a solid foundation in the field. You follow a broad programme with four semesters, each with its own theme, and work on practical assignments in small groups. Throughout the entire year, you are supported by your study career coach and lecturers, who help you to further develop your professional skills.
Average study load per week: 20 contact hours, 20 hours of self-study.
Module 1 – Web Development
Work on your basic programming skills in the module Web Development, in which you master the programming languages PHP and HTML. Apply your newly learned skills in the project Web Development and Design, where the focus lies on user experience.
Module 2 – Introduction to Databases
Learn the principles of setting up and maintaining a network and install a web server with database within the project Database Application Management. Design, set up and use databases by means of SQL
Module 3 – Object Oriented Programming
Take the first step towards programming a software application in this module in which you learn to work with the programming languages Java and C#. Apply this knowledge in the project Battlebots by programming robots that compete against each other in different games.
Module 4 – Hardware & Software programming
Have you always had a good idea for an app? Or do you want to do more with programming hardware? In the project Innovate, you start a project yourself, giving you the opportunity to realize your ideas. Paired with the module Computational Thinking, you will be able to make the logical decisions that lead to a successful completion of your project.
Learn how algorithms and data structures enable you to program efficiently and effectively. Use these insights to get the most out of your next mobile app, web application or software application. From the second year on, you will also be working on assignments from external clients, working in groups to develop something that meets the client’s demands and wishes. As in year 1, you will be supported by your study career coach and lecturers who will help you to further develop your professional skills throughout the entire year.
You’ll delve into the following subjects: IT-service management, various programming languages including Java, JavaScript and Python, Object Oriented Design, Operating Systems, User Interface & Interaction Design, Algorithms and Data Structures, and C#.
Semester 1 – Internship
The first half of your third year is dedicated to your internship. You spend six months on an internship at a company of your choice, in the Netherlands or abroad. You arrange the internship yourself and could see yourself working at companies such as Thales, Topicus, ChipSoft, ING Group, ABN AMRO, Atos, and Centric. Internship assignments can be carried out in areas such as app development for business purposes, development of automated test set-ups for security testing, development of business portals, game development, or another area of your preference. If you’ve already turned your dream for your own business into a reality, you could consider doing your internship in your own start-up.
The Center for Entrepreneurship at NHL Stenden can advise you on how to do this.
Semester 2 – Further learning
In the second half of your third year, you continue to expand your knowledge on IT by following the modules Design Patterns, Threading in C#, IT architecture, IT change management and Knowledge Management. In addition to learning and improving new and previously learned IT skills, you will continue to improve your professional skills in modules such as Written Communication. In preparation for your final year, you’ll also learn about writing a graduation report.
Minors
In this semester you take a minor, a subject you can later specialise in. Read more about the options available and where you can take your minors in the section below on minors and specialisations.
Graduation Project
For your graduation project, you demonstrate all that you have learned over the past four years working for a business or organisation on a problem for which no solution is yet available. By successfully completing your graduation project, you show that you are ready to enter the professional field.
Minors and specialisations for Information Technologly
In your fourth year Information Technology, you get to specialise by taking a number of minors.
Minors are electives in which you focus on a specific subject or expand your knowledge by taking an additional subject. This allows you to truly take charge of your education by ‘customising’ your course.
You can take these minors on the Leeuwarden campus or at one of the NHL Stenden Grand Tour locations in South Africa, Bali or Thailand. You can also choose from minors offered by other courses and universities of applied sciences – this is all part of broadening your academic skills.
- Certified Ethical Hacking (Emmen, the Netherlands)
Learn how to help companies guard against cyber attacks with this unique minor in Certified Ethical Hacking. Learn how attackers work and steps you need to take to protect a system. - Secure Programming (Emmen, the Netherlands)
Offering insights into the software development life cycle and how secure programming can be made part of the cycle. - Hack@Sea (Leeuwarden, the Netherlands)
Carry out research in the context of maritime cyber security looking into areas such as AIS spoofing, port systems and cyber awareness for maritime employees.
Course catalogue
The course catalogue contains detailed information on the programme, so that you can compare different studies or get a more in-depth understanding of what the programme entails.
Student Association
Our student association Think Wireless is where fun and learning meet in our students’ lives. Along with organising activities that will help you with your studies, Think Wireless also puts on hackathons, sports activities and day trips to other places in the Netherlands. It's a collective of students that help make your time as a student even more enjoyable.
International opportunities
We want to prepare you for an international, intercultural, and ever-changing environment, so that you can dive into the unknown and gain experience in an international context. It is possible with our Grand Tour, Exchange programme or one of our mobility options offered by RUN-EU. Or you can choose to do your internship abroad. You’ll be able to put together the right combination of courses and internships to develop both your professional and personal skills – and develop your own network for the future.
Is this the degree for you?
If you're confident this degree is the one for you, then why not apply online straightaway? Or pick one of the other options to help you take the next step.
