Study Guide

Descriptions

Our graduates are experts in programming and gamifying business processes. They possess the skills necessary to develop innovative software, digital services, and products tailored to the needs of companies and organizations. Their strong expertise includes creating web and mobile applications, AI solutions, and implementing gamified business processes. Additionally, they are proficient in designing information systems and developing database solutions.

Upon graduation, you will have comprehensive knowledge in programming, IT infrastructure development, cybersecurity, data warehousing, and low-code development. You will be equipped to design and implement solutions that enhance user experiences, utilizing technologies like augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and AI applications. This expertise will enable companies to effectively and efficiently develop new customer-oriented business models, products, and services.

During your studies, you will learn to collaborate with various stakeholders and develop business operations based on principles of continuous improvement. The program is conducted online, allowing you to study at your convenience, regardless of time and place. If you choose, you can take advantage of the XBIT development environment at the Tornio campus, where you can access various laboratories, professional applications, and equipment, as well as participate in company visits.

Upon graduation, you will become a programming expert, capable of working on various development projects and participating in continuous improvement activities. You will be able to work efficiently and collaboratively with different stakeholders, focusing on customer-oriented solutions.

Development

The structure of the Business Information Technology degree program at Lapland University of Applied Sciences is as follows:

Core Competence: 90 ECTS
Profiling Competence: 100 ECTS
Research and Development Competence: 20 ECTS

Throughout your studies, you will design and implement software, digital products, and services that address the needs of businesses and organizations. You will explore web development, mobile app development, and game programming while utilizing various programming methods, tools, and environments. Additionally, you will learn to enhance user experience, gamify business processes, and employ technologies such as AR (Augmented Reality), VR (Virtual Reality), artificial intelligence, and BOT applications.

In your first academic year, you will build core competencies in business information technology, as well as the language skills required by the University of Applied Sciences Act (L932/2014). In the first semester, you will learn the basics of information technology, enhance your English language skills for IT studies, and gain foundational knowledge for developing IT infrastructure. The second semester focuses on required Swedish language instruction and also introduces you to IT mathematics, cybersecurity, data warehousing, teamwork in IT projects, and low-code development.

During the second academic year, you will begin developing your profiling competencies in programming and the gamification of business processes. In the third semester, you will learn essential programming concepts, software design, and database programming, acquiring skills necessary for FullStack development, which includes both Frontend and Backend programming. The fourth semester will introduce object-oriented programming and business gamification methods, along with AR/VR development and game programming.

The third academic year will enhance your expertise by incorporating mobile programming and AI applications into your skill set, allowing you to apply what you have learned during an internship. In the fifth semester, you will study mobile programming, Python programming, data analytics, and the frameworks for AI and BOT applications. The sixth semester is dedicated to completing both basic and professional internships.

You will further develop your research and development competencies in your seventh and final semester. You will learn and apply various research and development methods in writing a thesis on a selected topic. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to finalize your skills by taking elective courses.

IMPLEMENTATION

This degree program is conducted through online studies. The online studies can either be guided learning or self-study. Guided learning sessions are held both during the day and in the evening. Most teaching occurs on weekdays, but occasional weekend contact sessions may also be available.

Courses that involve self-study are completed independently and can be pursued alongside other semester studies. Self-study may include independent reading of textbooks and articles, completing tasks integrated into the learning environment, and utilizing development environments and applications on your personal computer or in cloud environments.

Further information

In this degree program, learning, research, and development occur in various environments, including virtual settings, those provided by international partners, workplace contexts, and through research, development, and innovation projects.

Work-based learning offers an alternative approach to studying. You can acquire and demonstrate the skills necessary for your degree by completing tasks that align with the learning objectives in your company, workplace, or other organizations.

The workload for academic studies is structured in accordance with the principles of the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS). An academic year consists of 1600 hours of full-time student work, which equates to 60 ECTS credits. This means that the workload for one ECTS credit is approximately 27 hours. Each credit's workload is evaluated based on specific learning objectives, and studies are designed to progress evenly over a period of 40 weeks within an academic year.

Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer

During your degree program, you have the option to have studies completed at other domestic or foreign higher education institutions recognized, allowing for the substitution of some degree studies with similar courses. This process is subject to approval by the university of applied sciences. Additionally, you may have degree studies recognized and replaced with other documented competencies, as outlined in regulations (932/2014, 37§9). This process is known as credit transfer. The recognition and validation of competencies that you have previously acquired is referred to as the RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning) process.

Further Study Opportunities

There are several additional education opportunities available to support your career development after graduation. You can apply directly to master's programs at universities, and after gaining two years of work experience, you may pursue a higher degree at a university of applied sciences. If you wish, you can also advance to a suitable doctoral program. Additionally, you have the option to continue your studies in master's programs at foreign higher education institutions.

Objective

This information technology curriculum is built around various work-life-oriented themes and focuses on developing the skills needed in programming and business gamification. The key learning objectives are:

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY COMPETENCE

This core competence enables you to work as an IT specialist in various business and organizational environments. You understand the key concepts, characteristics, and principles of the field. You recognize the importance of information security in different technical and social environments and can develop it. You can plan and document IT projects using appropriate software. You are familiar with the concepts and principles of data warehousing. You understand the principles of low-code development and can design and implement low-code applications using various tools.

IT INFRASTRUCTURE COMPETENCE

With this core competence, you can evaluate and enhance a company’s IT infrastructure and its usage. You have a solid understanding of the various logical, physical, and virtual components that comprise IT infrastructure. You are also capable of virtualizing physical structures and transferring data between different components. Additionally, you can analyze and document the IT infrastructure's structure, developing it further to better support the operations of the company or organization and its users.

PROGRAMMING COMPETENCE

With this expertise profile, you can design and implement software, digital services, and products that support the operations of businesses and organizations. You are capable of planning, documenting, and executing programs using a variety of programming tools, languages, and development environments. You understand the principles and methods associated with software and project management, allowing you to develop gamified solutions that enhance business operations. Additionally, you can create database solutions and applications while utilizing modern technologies in the software development process.

In addition to the program’s own learning objectives, this curriculum also includes common learning objectives, which, once achieved, enable the learner to:

LEARNING SKILLS

Evaluate and develop their skills and learning methods
Acquire, process, and critically evaluate information
Take responsibility for group learning and sharing learned knowledge

ETHICAL COMPETENCE

Take responsibility for their actions and their consequences
Act according to the professional ethical principles of their field
Consider different stakeholders in their work
Apply the principles of equality
Apply the principles of sustainable development
Influence society using their expertise and based on ethical values

WORK COMMUNITY COMPETENCE

Act as a member of a work community and promote the well-being of the community
Communicate and interact effectively in work-life situations
Utilize information and communication technology in their field
Create personal work-life connections and operate in networks
Make decisions in unpredictable situations
Lead work and work independently in expert tasks
Have entrepreneurial skills

INNOVATION COMPETENCE

Engage in creative problem-solving and develop work methods
Work in projects
Implement research and development projects by applying existing knowledge and methods in the field
Seek customer-oriented, sustainable, and economically viable solutions

INTERNATIONALIZATION COMPETENCE

Have the language skills needed for tasks in their field and for professional development
Collaborate in multicultural environments
Consider the impacts and opportunities of international developments in their field in their work