Certificate in Advanced Networking & Cloud Technologies

Course details

The Certificate in Advanced Networking and Cloud Technologies has been designed jointly by Microsoft Ireland and Dublin Business School. By partnering with Microsoft Ireland, DBS can provide a unique proposition for participants on the Springboard programme. Participants will not only earn a Level 8 Minor Award but they will also become a Microsoft Technology Associate upon completion of the Microsoft exam.

Programme Aims and Objectives

According to the EGFSN/ Forfas report: Addressing High-Level ICT Skills Recruitment Needs (January 2012) the key skills recruitment difficulties include ICT Network Specialist Administrators and Engineers. Network Specialists and Engineers are also identified amongst the High Level ICT current & future skills needs. Specific skills include Server Message Block, Wireless sensor testing, collaboration functions, router configuration and management, experience with scripting language Java, C+ and network configurations.

This Advanced Certificate aims to provide participants with the specialised skills required to understand existing networking technology and how this is extended into cloud services. Students will gain an understanding of cloud computing fundamentals and applications, including the risk, challenges and benefits of moving to the cloud. Participants will also explore and evaluate the role of cloud resources in increasing competitive advantage. These skills will be critical to assist businesses in identifying opportunities for business change and to help implement that change. The Microsoft Technology Associate certification will provide participants with an entry-level certification, specifically developed by Microsoft to provide the basic cloud computing skills.

According to the EGFSN/ Forfas report (Nov 2013), it is estimated that spending on IT security products in 2013 was around €25 billion globally and growing at more than 7% over the next three years. The move towards cloud solutions has strengthened the growing need to invest in security as sensitive information may no longer reside on dedicated hardware and the mode of access changes. The Cloud Networking & Security module embedded on this programme will specifically address cloud technologies from a networking and security perspective. The module will allow the learner to understand traditional networking and also address the typical network setup of cloud computing architectures. It will also allow the learner to identify and mitigate against the security risks associated with cloud computing. The Application of Cloud Technologies module will develop learners’ technical knowledge in the application of cloud computing. It will examine cloud computing technologies, cloud technical enablers and cloud architectures. The successful learner will acquire a high level of knowledge of the underlying technologies of cloud computing, namely virtualization, implementation mediums and storage frameworks.

According to the EGFSN/ Forfas report (Nov 2013), it is estimated that spending on IT security products in 2013 was around €25 billion globally and growing at more than 7% over the next three years. The move towards cloud solutions has strengthened the growing need to invest in security as sensitive information may no longer reside on dedicated hardware and the mode of access changes. The Cloud Networking & Security module embedded on this programme will specifically address cloud technologies from a networking and security perspective. The module will allow the learner to understand traditional networking and also address the typical network setup of cloud computing architectures. It will also allow the learner to identify and mitigate against the security risks associated with cloud computing. The Application of Cloud Technologies module will develop learners’ technical knowledge in the application of cloud computing. It will examine cloud computing technologies, cloud technical enablers and cloud architectures. The successful learner will acquire a high level of knowledge of the underlying technologies of cloud computing, namely virtualization, implementation mediums and storage frameworks.

Programme Content

• Business Information Systems
• Application of Cloud Technologies
• Cloud networking & Security
• MTA Networking Fundamentals
• Teaching & Assessment

The proposed teaching, learning and assessment methodologies are intended to facilitate springboard participants to take ownership of, and responsibility for, their own learning in partnership with the academic faculty.

Specific methods adopted will include:

• Conventional lectures
• Lab practical sessions
• E-Learning
• Workshops
• Tutorials
• Projects
• Seminars
• Assignments
• Analysis of case studies
• Group research and project work
• Guest lectures

Students will be actively encouraged and assisted to manage their own studies outside of lectures. This is facilitated by the teaching styles and methods adopted and by placing greater emphasis on practically focused assessment. A particular focus of this programme will be for students to work in collaborative teams with their tutors on a variety of projects. Through this process they will learn key life skills of good teamwork towards achieving a common goal. In addition, the E-learning platform, Moodle, will also provide lecturers and students with a virtual learning environment to complement and enrich the more traditional learning environment.

Assessment Methods

The programme assessment strategies have been developed to help learners acquire the transferable skills relevant to the workplace. These include working as part of a team, report writing, presentation skills etc.

Methods will include:

• Problem solving exercises
• Practical projects incorporating a variety of competencies and skills
• Case studies and research-based projects
• Individual assignments
• Management reports
• Group projects
• Group and Individual presentations
• Exams and other time constrained assessments (open and closed book)

Entry Requirements

To be eligible to apply for a place on this programme, applicants must:

• Hold a minimum Level 8 NFQ award or equivalent OR
• Applications without the above will also be considered on the basis of previous experience and learning (APEL).

In addition, an IELTS score of a minimum 6.0 or equivalent is required, where full-time study has been conducted in a language other than English or for applicants whose first language is not English.