A New Curricula in

1
A New Curricula in  Computers and Information
Technology  at the  Politehnica  University of
Timisoara

• Objectives and outcomes-
• I. Jurca
•  Politehnicagtgt University of Timisoara

2
Overview

• Legal Framework
• Scope and Objectives
• Model Documents
• Principles
• Outcomes
• Conclusions

3
Legal Framework

• Types of legal documents
• Laws
• Government decisions
• Ministerial regulations
• Law on Higher Education (288/2004)
• Based on Bologna Declaration
• Applicable starting with academic year 2005/2006
• 240 ECTS (4 years) for first cycle in engineering
  studies most other fields only 180 ECTS
• Defines general knowledge and cognitive abilities
  for each cycle

• Government Decision 88/2005
• 14 fundam. domains for 1st cycle
• Engineering sciences has 23 bachelor domains
• Computers and Information Technology for the
  first time separated from Systems Engineering
• There may be several specializations within a
  bachelor domain
• Ministerial regulations
• Details on quality assurance in higher education
  ( a new law in preparation)

4
Scope and Objectives

• Define competences and curricula for bachelor
  and master studies only (not for doctoral
  studies)
• Curricula must incorporate new developments in
  the field
• Curricula must allow for flexibility and offer
  the students several concentation areas
• There should be a smooth path from bachelor to
  master studies
• Local resources and tradition must be taken
  into account

5
Model documents

• IEEE/ACM Computing Curricula 2005 (CS2001,
  CE2004, SE2004)
• European documents not detailed enough to serve
  as models
• Our current curricula
• Curricula of other Romanian universities
• Curricula of several European universities from
  Germany, Switzerland, The Netherlands, Sweden
• Curricula of North-American Universities

6
Principles

• Must have a strong engineering background
• Must include subject from areas such as foreign
  languages, economics, law
• Must include practicum periods
• Reduce the number of subjects per semester and
  hours per week(5-6 subjects, 26 hours/week)
• Offer tracks on computer engineering and on
  software engineering, with enough subjects on
  computer science
• Provide for the possible later introduction of a
  new specialization in information technology

7
Outcomes (1)
Semester 1 Semester 1 Semester 1 Semester 1 Semester 1 Semester 1
Subject C S L P ECTS
Mathematical Analysis 2 2 0 0 5
Linear Algebra 2 2 0 0 4
Physics 2 1 1 0 4
Computer Programming 2 0 2 0 5
Logics and Discrete Structures 2 1 1 0 4
Foreign Language 0 2 0 0 2
Culture and Civilisation 1 1 0 0 2
Sports 0 2 0 0 2
Practicum (1 week) 2
Semester 2 Semester 2 Semester 2 Semester 2 Semester 2 Semester 2
Subject C S L P ECTS
Differential Equations and Numerical Calculus 2 2 0 0 4
Probabilities and Statistics 2 2 0 0 4
Fundamentals of Electronics Engineering 2 0 2 0 4
Fundamentals of Electrical Engineering 2 0 1 0 3
Programming Technics 2 0 2 0 5
Digital Logic 3 0 2 0 5
Foreign Language 0 2 0 0 2
Sports 0 1 0 0 1
Practicum 2
8
Outcomes (2)
Semester 3 Semester 3 Semester 3 Semester 3 Semester 3 Semester 3
Subject C S L P ECTS
Fundam. of Mech. Eng. Robotics 2 0 1 0 3
Technical Writing 1 1 0 0 2
Data Structures Algorithms 2 0 2 0 5
Object-Oriented Programming (Java) 2 0 2 0 4
Measurement Principles and Techniques 2 0 2 0 4
Computer Architecture 2 0 2 0 5
Digital Circuits and Signals 2 0 2 0 4
Sports 0 1 0 0 1
Practicum 2
Semester 4 Semester 4 Semester 4 Semester 4 Semester 4 Semester 4
Subject C S L P ECTS
Microeconomics 2 1 0 0 3
Design and Analysis of Algorithms 2 0 2 0 4
Fundamentals of Software Engineering 2 0 2 0 5
Systems Theory 2 0 2 0 4
Computer Networks 2 0 2 0 4
Computer Organization 2 0 2 0 4
Integrated Circuits 2 0 2 0 4
Practicum 2
9
Outcomes (3)
Semester 5 Semester 5 Semester 5 Semester 5 Semester 5 Semester 5
Subject C S L ECTS
Management 1 1 0 0 2
Fundam. Concepts of Programming Languages 2 0 1 1 4
Fundam. of Computer Eng. 2 0 1 1 5
Operating Systems 2 0 2 0 5
Design of Digital Microsyst. 2 0 2 0 4
VLSI / Detailed Design of Software Systems 2 0 2 0 4
Free optional 1 of DSP, Assembly Lang. Progr, Web Progr., Quality in IT 2 0 2 0 4
Practicum 2
Semester 6 Semester 6 Semester 6 Semester 6 Semester 6 Semester 6 Semester 6
Subject Subject Subject C L P EC
Marketing Marketing Marketing
Fundam. of AI Fundam. of AI Fundam. of AI
Embedded Systems Embedded Systems Embedded Systems
Computer Graphics Computer Graphics Computer Graphics
Databases Databases Databases
Microproc. Syst. Complexity, calculability Des.arc of complx softw. sys.
Compt. Eng., Semicond. Mem., Comp. Netw.Prog., Data mining Compt. Eng., Semicond. Mem., Comp. Netw.Prog., Data mining Compt. Eng., Semicond. Mem., Comp. Netw.Prog., Data mining
10
Outcomes (4)
Semester 8 Semester 8 Semester 8 Semester 8 Semester 8 Semester 8 Semester 8
Subject Subject Subject C L P EC
Marketing Marketing Marketing
Fundam. of AI Fundam. of AI Fundam. of AI
Embedded Systems Embedded Systems Embedded Systems
Computer Graphics Computer Graphics Computer Graphics
Databases Databases Databases
Microproc. Syst. Complexity, calculability Des.arc of complx softw. sys.
Compt. Eng., Semicond. Mem., Comp. Netw.Prog., Data mining Compt. Eng., Semicond. Mem., Comp. Netw.Prog., Data mining Compt. Eng., Semicond. Mem., Comp. Netw.Prog., Data mining

Semester 7 Semester 7 Semester 7 Semester 7 Semester 7 Semester 7 Semester 7 Semester 7 Semester 7
Subject Subject Subject Subject C S L P ECTS
Digital Telecommunications Interfaces and Peripheral Devices Modelling and Simulation Computer System Security 2 0 2 0 5
Digital Data Acquisition and Processing Drivers Design Formal Languages and Compilation Techniques Software Verification and Validation 2 0 2 0 5
Computer Assisted Design Techniques (Note students must select 4 optional courses out of the 12 offered for this semester) Computer Assisted Design Techniques (Note students must select 4 optional courses out of the 12 offered for this semester) Computer Assisted Design Techniques (Note students must select 4 optional courses out of the 12 offered for this semester) Computer Assisted Design Techniques (Note students must select 4 optional courses out of the 12 offered for this semester) 2 0 2 0 5
Multimedia Systems Multimedia Systems Multimedia Systems Multimedia Systems 2 0 2 0 5
Concurrent and Event-Driven Programming Concurrent and Event-Driven Programming Concurrent and Event-Driven Programming Concurrent and Event-Driven Programming 2 0 2 0 5
Database Design Database Design Database Design Database Design 2 0 2 0 5
11
Outcomes (5)
Semester 8 Semester 8 Semester 8 Semester 8 Semester 8 Semester 8 Semester 8
Subject Subject Subject C L P EC
Marketing Marketing Marketing
Fundam. of AI Fundam. of AI Fundam. of AI
Embedded Systems Embedded Systems Embedded Systems
Computer Graphics Computer Graphics Computer Graphics
Databases Databases Databases
Microproc. Syst. Complexity, calculability Des.arc of complx softw. sys.
Compt. Eng., Semicond. Mem., Comp. Netw.Prog., Data mining Compt. Eng., Semicond. Mem., Comp. Netw.Prog., Data mining Compt. Eng., Semicond. Mem., Comp. Netw.Prog., Data mining

Semester 8 Semester 8 Semester 8 Semester 8 Semester 8 Semester 8 Semester 8 Semester 8 Semester 8
Subject Subject Subject Subject C S L P ECTS
Computer System Reliability Mobile Systems and Applications Expert Systems Software Project Management 2 0 2 0 5
Computer System Performance Evaluation (Note Students must select three optional courses from the 7 offered in this semester Computer System Performance Evaluation (Note Students must select three optional courses from the 7 offered in this semester Computer System Performance Evaluation (Note Students must select three optional courses from the 7 offered in this semester Computer System Performance Evaluation (Note Students must select three optional courses from the 7 offered in this semester 2 0 2 0 5
Data Coding Techniques Data Coding Techniques Data Coding Techniques Data Coding Techniques 2 0 2 0 5
Software Quality and Evolution Software Quality and Evolution Software Quality and Evolution Software Quality and Evolution 2 0 2 0 5
Graduation Project Graduation Project Graduation Project Graduation Project 0 0 0 10 10
12
Outcomes (6)
Semester 8 Semester 8 Semester 8 Semester 8 Semester 8 Semester 8 Semester 8
Subject Subject Subject C L P EC
Marketing Marketing Marketing
Fundam. of AI Fundam. of AI Fundam. of AI
Embedded Systems Embedded Systems Embedded Systems
Computer Graphics Computer Graphics Computer Graphics
Databases Databases Databases
Microproc. Syst. Complexity, calculability Des.arc of complx softw. sys.
Compt. Eng., Semicond. Mem., Comp. Netw.Prog., Data mining Compt. Eng., Semicond. Mem., Comp. Netw.Prog., Data mining Compt. Eng., Semicond. Mem., Comp. Netw.Prog., Data mining

Semester 9 (Master Studies) Semester 9 (Master Studies) Semester 9 (Master Studies) Semester 9 (Master Studies) Semester 9 (Master Studies) Semester 9 (Master Studies) Semester 9 (Master Studies) Semester 9 (Master Studies) Semester 9 (Master Studies)
Subject Subject Subject Subject C S L P ECTS
Computer System Testing Integrated Information Systems Translators Design Formal Verification and Program Analysis 2 0 2 0 4
Reconfigurable Computation Image Recognition and Processing Neural Networks Development of Complex Distributed Applications 2 0 2 0 4
Intelligent Sensors and Sensor Networks (Note students must select 3 optional courses out of the 10 optional courses offered for this semester) Intelligent Sensors and Sensor Networks (Note students must select 3 optional courses out of the 10 optional courses offered for this semester) Intelligent Sensors and Sensor Networks (Note students must select 3 optional courses out of the 10 optional courses offered for this semester) Intelligent Sensors and Sensor Networks (Note students must select 3 optional courses out of the 10 optional courses offered for this semester) 2 0 2 0 4
Automatic Speech Processing Automatic Speech Processing Automatic Speech Processing Automatic Speech Processing 2 0 2 0 4
Design and Automatic Optimization of VLSI circuits Design and Automatic Optimization of VLSI circuits Design and Automatic Optimization of VLSI circuits Design and Automatic Optimization of VLSI circuits 2 0 2 0 4
Artificial Intelligence Systems Artificial Intelligence Systems Artificial Intelligence Systems Artificial Intelligence Systems 2 0 2 0 4
Parallel Computation Algorithms Parallel Computation Algorithms Parallel Computation Algorithms Parallel Computation Algorithms 2 0 2 0 4
Graphical Processing Systems Graphical Processing Systems Graphical Processing Systems Graphical Processing Systems 2 0 2 0 4
Fiber Optic Transmission Fiber Optic Transmission Fiber Optic Transmission Fiber Optic Transmission 2 0 2 0 4
High Performance Computation High Performance Computation High Performance Computation High Performance Computation 2 0 2 0 4
Advanced Algorithms Advanced Algorithms Advanced Algorithms Advanced Algorithms 2 0 2 0 4
Advanced Web Programming Advanced Web Programming Advanced Web Programming Advanced Web Programming 2 0 2 0 4
Graduation Project Graduation Project Graduation Project Graduation Project 0 0 0 10 10
13
Outcomes (7)
Semester 8 Semester 8 Semester 8 Semester 8 Semester 8 Semester 8 Semester 8
Subject Subject Subject C L P EC
Marketing Marketing Marketing
Fundam. of AI Fundam. of AI Fundam. of AI
Embedded Systems Embedded Systems Embedded Systems
Computer Graphics Computer Graphics Computer Graphics
Databases Databases Databases
Microproc. Syst. Complexity, calculability Des.arc of complx softw. sys.
Compt. Eng., Semicond. Mem., Comp. Netw.Prog., Data mining Compt. Eng., Semicond. Mem., Comp. Netw.Prog., Data mining Compt. Eng., Semicond. Mem., Comp. Netw.Prog., Data mining

Semester 10 (Master Studies) Semester 10 (Master Studies) Semester 10 (Master Studies) Semester 10 (Master Studies) Semester 10 (Master Studies) Semester 10 (Master Studies) Semester 10 (Master Studies) Semester 10 (Master Studies) Semester 10 (Master Studies)
Subject Subject Subject Subject C S L P ECTS
Network Administration Emergent Technologies Models and Algorithms for Distributed Systems Real Time Programming Systems 2 0 2 0 4
Advanced Digital Signal Processing Fault Tolerant Structures Machine Learning Software Components 2 0 2 0 4
Cellular Data Networks (Note students must select 2 optional courses out of the 4 optional courses offered for this semester) Cellular Data Networks (Note students must select 2 optional courses out of the 4 optional courses offered for this semester) Cellular Data Networks (Note students must select 2 optional courses out of the 4 optional courses offered for this semester) Cellular Data Networks (Note students must select 2 optional courses out of the 4 optional courses offered for this semester) 2 0 2 0 4
Virtual Measuring Systems Virtual Measuring Systems Virtual Measuring Systems Virtual Measuring Systems 2 0 2 0 4
Advanced Interfaces and Devices Advanced Interfaces and Devices Advanced Interfaces and Devices Advanced Interfaces and Devices 2 0 2 0 4
Cognitive Systems Cognitive Systems Cognitive Systems Cognitive Systems 2 0 2 0 4
Advanced Databases Advanced Databases Advanced Databases Advanced Databases 2 0 2 0 4
Euristic Methods Euristic Methods Euristic Methods Euristic Methods 2 0 2 0 4
Advanced Software Technologies Advanced Software Technologies Advanced Software Technologies Advanced Software Technologies 2 0 2 0 4
Graduation Project Graduation Project Graduation Project Graduation Project 0 0 0 14 14
14
Conclusions/ Open Issues

• It is a committee-designed curricula
• Better than present curricula
• Not well-defined core and prerequisites
• One year for MSc is enough?
• Too many concentration areas?
• Too many subjects/hour per week?
• Not for students, but for professors?
• Too many engineering courses?