Digital Business

Master of Science

Course Details

Course Code	SG_BDIGI_M09
Level	9
Duration	2 years
Credits	90
Method of Delivery	Online
Campus Locations	Sligo
Mode of Delivery	Part Time

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Course Overview

This postgraduate course is the first of its kind in Ireland, offering students the opportunity to upskill their digital business skillset through flexible online delivery. Providing the learner with live virtual classes which can be revisited at their convenience should help those juggling the demands of part-time education and full-time employment. ATU Sligo has a rich history in online learning and are viewed as market leaders within this area in Ireland.

On these programmes you can expect to gain technical, planning, management and leadership skills which are delivered through a mix of practical and theory-based modules. This will equip you with the knowledge, skills and tools to lead, manage, develop, and implement innovative digital business solutions. You will gain the knowledge and skills required to manage digital technologies in the development and delivery of business innovations.

Features and benefits of the course:

A hands-on programme which equips graduates with the knowledge and skills to identify new digital opportunities and lead innovative digital solutions.
Participants will learn how to plan, develop and manage digital technologies that deliver business innovation.
Explore how digital technology innovations (e.g. Cybersecurity, Internet of Things, Immersive Technology, Chatbots and Artificial Intelligence) and leadership can be harnessed to strategically organise and lead people and technology in a digital environment.
Develop a strategic approach and apply the latest and most appropriate theories and models to create a new business value.
Flexible part-time study – delivered online (evenings), this programme allows you to fit your studies around work life and other commitments, accessing materials 24/7, from wherever you are in the world.
Tailored learning – study towards the qualification that meets your goals, be it the PG Cert in Applied Digital Business (8 months part-time), PG Dip in Digital Business (16 months) or the full MSc in Digital Business (24 months)
Learners can progress from PG Cert to PG Diploma and onto the Masters or exit early with one of the PG awards.
Real life projects – where possible modules incorporate real situations which require the learner to research and apply their knowledge to provide solutions.
Capstone/Dissertation – learners can choose to research and implement/apply a digital project for their organisation as part of their final capstone project or take the more traditional research-based dissertation.

Course Details

Year 1

Semester	Module Details	Credits	Mandatory / Elective
1	Business Analytics The aim of this module is to provide students with an understanding of the field of business analytics. This module will allow graduates to function in the modern business environment with the ability to operate between data scientists and management. It covers a broad range of topics, including areas related to quantitative analysis, statistics and data visualisation. Crucially, it also informs students of business performance metrics which are relevant in the modern working world. Students will learn how to engage with relevant literature, perform quality analysis and reinterpret it for application across all levels of the business. Learning Outcomes 1. Critically assess a wide range of spreadsheet functions used in a business environment 2. Demonstrate proficiency with appropriate statistical techniques, including descriptive and inferential analysis, that apply to businesses. 3. Examine and applybest practice in effective data visualisation techniques. 4. Critically reviewrelevant business performance metrics and their role in the modern business environment. 5. Critically engage withrelevant literature and report on key business insights arising from relevantanalysis.	10	Mandatory
1	Emerging Technologies and Applications This module will demonstrate several emerging technologies to the learner and will enable the learner to develop applications thereof. The student will learn about IoT, 3D, 360° and XR technologies and will examine how these technologies are used in different types of industries. The learner will implement practical applications of each of these technologies using a variety of hardware and software. Artificial Intelligence (AI) Technologies and Applications will be utilised and implemented, where possible, in various components of this module. Learning Outcomes 1. Appraise requirements and implement IoT applications for various industries. 2. Determine requirements and generate 3D content that can be used in a variety of applications. 3. Compare and contrast requirements and produce 360 media for a variety of purposes. 4. Evaluate requirements and develop immersive applications and experiences.	05	Mandatory
1	Agile Software Project Management In software problem areas that require exploratory development efforts, those with complex requirements and high levels of change, agile software development practices are highly effective when deployed in a collaborative, people-centred organizational culture. This course examines agile methods, including Scrum, Extreme Programming (XP), Lean and Kanban to understand how rapid realization of software occurs most effectively. The ability of agile development teams to rapidly develop high quality; customer-valued software is examined and contrasted with teams following more traditional methodologies that emphasize planning and documentation. Students will study agile development principles, tool and techniques covering the entire software development process, and will be able to effectively participate in and manage agile software development as a result of their successfully completing this course. Learning Outcomes 1. Demonstrate a critical Knowledge of Agile software development and associated concepts. 2. Identify and analyse variousAgile Methods, such as Scrum and Extreme programming. 3. Identify and analyse the various agile domains of practice and associated tools and techniques that may be used from envisioning the project through to executing the project.	05	Mandatory
2	Networking, Cloud and CyberSecurity The module will provide the student with the networking skills, network service requirements and device configurations necessary in a small business. Students will explore cyber trends and threats with the aim to be safe online. Following on from there, the students will evaluate the measures used by organisations to mitigate the attacks. To deal with the growing needs of today's business, students will analyse the services provided by service providers in order to implement a secure IT infrastructure. Finally, students will investigate network compliance to formulate an IT compliance policy for a SME to prevent unethical activity, ensuring a fair workspace for all. Learning Outcomes 1. Examine the networking requirements for a small to mediumbusiness. 2. Design and implement a business network using wired and wireless technologies. 3. Critique cybersecurity anddata confidentiality in a business and recommend techniques to mitigate cyber attacks. 4. Critically assesscloud services for SMEsand determine how blockchaintechnology can be used in Cloud Storage. 5. Examine network compliance to prevent unethical activity ensuring a fair space for all to work	10	Mandatory
2	Digital Customer Experience This module explores Digital Customer Experience, and its role within the modern business. It examines relational and experiential marketing, the expectations of the modern customers and how technology has driven these expectations. Additionally, the module assesses the use of data driven metrics which incorporate AI and other technologies to allow managers to provide the expected level of digital experience that the customer demands. Learning Outcomes 1. Examine how Digital Customer Experience is constructed and employed across marketing 2. Critically assess how technology is shaping Digital Customer Experience 3. Examine and assess the management of touchpoints throughout the customer journey across multiple platforms 4. Critically assess the role of data to drive Digital Customer Experience, including personalisation, retention and service encounters.	05	Mandatory
2	Design Thinking for Innovation Design Thinking is a human-centred design methodology that provides an iterative approach to identifying and solving problems. The research-based method integrates the needs of people, the possibilities of technology, and the requirements for a viable business success model, to design innovative solutions that benefit all project stakeholders. Learning Outcomes 1. Determine project tasks and stakeholders. 2. Conduct project specific research through interviews, usability tests, etc. 3. Interpret research and define specifications to ideate solutions. 4. Experiment by building prototypes to validate solutions. 5. Evolve and present prototypes through research participant feedback.	05	Mandatory

Year 2

Semester	Module Details	Credits	Mandatory / Elective
1	Research Methods Effective and ethical research must be underpinned by an understanding of appropriate research methods. This module explores the context in which research takes place and the most appropriate methods to use to meet research objectives in the business environment. Students will gain theoretical knowledge about the research process and will also have the opportunity to develop practical quantitative and qualitative research skills. Students will develop an awareness of ethical issues in research and develop research ideas that are aligned with institute ethical principles. Learning Outcomes 1. Develop a research problem with consideration for the context, rationale, scope and limitations of their research. 2. Identify and defend appropriate research methods that will best achieve the aims and objectives of a research question. 3. Analyse quantitative and qualitative data. 4. Effectively communicate research findings. 5. Engage with a researchethics review, including an assessment of potentialissues surrounding research design and data collection for research purposes.	05	Mandatory
1	Agile Business Solutions This module will enable learners to examine the contemporary business environment and how it presents opportunities and threats for business. Learners will consider current economic, political, social, technological, legal and environmental influences that businesses need to respond to. Fundamentally, this module is designed to challenge students to use their knowledge to formulate realistic solutions to real business issues currently faced by organisations. A number of the UNESCO key competencies for sustainability will be developed. Learning Outcomes 1. Evaluate a business problem in the context of the existing business environment. 2. Formulate evidence based solutions to business problems. 3. Clearly communicate a business solution and its justification. 4. Reflect on the process of problem solving and communication	05	Mandatory
1	Digital Business Strategy Digital Business is rapidly evolving and today, they are a central resource in the pursuit of business objectives and strategies. As a result, the role of Digital Business Strategy needs to be re-evaluated to develop an understanding of how both Digital Business Strategy, Digital Transformation Strategy and the future Digital Strategy to help today's organisation to obtain and sustain competitive advantage in the global marketplace. This module evaluates and discusses components of a comprehensive Digital Business strategy and investigates its impact on different industry sectors. Learning Outcomes 1. Understand the critical role of strategically aligning the business and digital strategy 2. Engage with and critically evaluate the importance of Digital Transformation and how this differs from IT enabled transformation 3. Scrutinise the importance of top management support in ICT-enabled transformation and discuss its role in a successful digital transformation. 4. Identify and explore existing and emerging technologies capabilities, including big data analytics, AI (Artificial Intelligence) robotics and social e-commerce and analyse their role in the future digital organisation. 5. Critically assess and apply fundamental theories and frameworks in strategy to real life competitive scenarios . 6. Evaluate the success or otherwise of a digital business strategy within organisations.	10	Mandatory
2	Research Dissertation/Practicum The objective of the research project is to provide an independent and critical appraisal of an issue. The research project will allow the learner to investigate a real-life issue/area of interest, using knowledge skills and competencies acquired at earlier stages of the Masters Programme. The research project through the dissertation or practicum is intended to afford postgraduate students an opportunity to exercise their creative, questioning, analytic, and writing skills in a focused and practical manner. Whereas the dissertation is a critical evaluation of a research question primarily from an academic perspective, the practicum is intended to expose the student to an analysis of a real-world problem. While their focus is different (primarily academic or applied), they must each contain a substantial piece of primary research in the field of digital business, adding to the knowledge, skills and competencies covered in earlier modules. The project will cumulate with the submission of written work, where the learner will be required to present their project and partake in an oral examination. Learning Outcomes 1. Demonstrate a capacity for original thought, logical argument, and ability to discuss objectively and rigorously the effectiveness of any research approach identified. 2. Displaya comprehensive understanding of the theoretical principles affecting a defined area of a domain of knowledge by critically examining the literature and drawing inferences from this body of knowledge. 3. Select and apply a range of standard and specialised research or equivalent tools and techniques of enquiry to the digital business research project. 4. Explore, interpret, critique and synthesise data. 5. Demonstrate the validity of the research process undertaken. 6. Carry out the research project in an ethical manner. 7. Produce a research output in a format appropriate to level 9 award.	30	Mandatory

Recommended Study Hours per week

Students will attend online lectures two nights per week from 6-9pm each semester. Students will need to complete 12 hours of independent learning per week for each semester. Online lectures are recorded and available to students for the duration of the programme.

Examination and Assessment

The programme is focused on applying theory in practice and will include the completion of essays, work-based projects, reflective journals, learning logs and the demonstration of practical skills. Each module has a maximum of two assessment over the semester. There is one end of semester examination.

On-Campus Attendance Requirement

No attendance required.

Progression

Graduates of this award may apply to progress to Doctoral awards in ATU or other Higher Education Institutes. For example, the Doctor of Business Administration in ATU Donegal.

Download a prospectus

Postgraduate Prospectus Online, Flexible & Professional Development Prospectus

Entry Requirements

To apply for this course, you will have:

A Second Class Honours (NFQ, Level 8) in any business discipline.

A Second Class Honours (NFQ, Level 8) in any discipline plus 3 years experience in a management/supervisor role which will be subject to consideration under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

Applicants with other qualifications and with relevant work experience may also be considered through ATU Sligos Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process. RPL is a process that may allow you to gain admission to a programme or to receive exemptions / credit from some parts of a programme based on demonstrated learning that you may have achieved through another programme of study or through your work and career. Further information is available through www.atu.ie/recognition-of-prior-learning which our dedicated RPL portal or by contacting our admissions team at admissions.sligo@atu.ie.

Where English is not their first language, students are required to have an appropriate score in an approved examination in English language, such as IELTS.More information can be found here. International Entry Requirements

Fees

Total Fees EU: €7200

Further information on fees

Careers

While the programme will appeal to a wide and varied audience in business and digital fields, the specific career and career advancement opportunities it supports include roles such as Chief Information Officer, Chief Technology Officer, Digital Business Analyst, Digital Project Manager, Digital Solutions Manager, ICT Project Manager, Digital Transformation Consultant, Information Resource Manager, Technology Consultant, and Analyst (Data, ICT, Business, Systems), as well as Project Manager.

Further Information

Who Should Apply?

This programme is suitable for business professionals looking to upskill with the theoretical and practical application of current and emerging technology.