Study with sub specialization of system engineering consists of following key subject groups:
(T) Basic knowledge
Following courses are grouped within this group:
English language for IT, Office and Business Support applications which cover use of office applications and basics of operating systems use, Mathematics 1, Mathematics 2 and Mathematical Possibility and Statistics giving strong base of mathematics, logic and engineering. Course; Computer Programming (basic structures and programming language C) helps system engineers to comprehend basic principles of programming. Course; Basics of Digital Electronics helps students to understand logic behind digital circuits (bistabil, logical circuits...) and concepts of digital computing, while course; Computer Architecture provides insight to concepts of internal computer architecture from Von Neumann till most modern multy core processors and parallel computing architectures. Most of the stated courses run during year one of the study with the sole purpose to build strong engineering foundation for following, more specialized courses.
(O) Operating systems
Following courses are grouped within this group:
Operating Systems, which explains concepts of modern operating systems (threads, processes, interrupts, parallel computing...). On top of the knowledge built during this course courses such as; Administration of Operating Systems, Operating Systems – Networking Infrastructure and Services and Open Source Operating Systems are intended to deepen and specialize conceptual knowledge with hands on experience. Services and systems such as; Microsoft, Linux (Novell)/ Unix are covered in detail while platforms such as (Apple, IBM and Sun) are also covered with not so strong emphases. Course; LDAP Systems continues to build knowledge in the area of operating systems through introduction of LDAP dictionary concept and its implementation in heterogeneous environments. Course; Virtualization of IT Infrastructure helps introduce modern trends in IT infrastructure development, while technologies such as VMware and Microsoft Hyper-V are covered through number of concrete scenarios and exercises.
(M) Computer networks
Following courses are grouped within this group:
Introduction to Computer Networks which describes network as a concept and introduces OSI model and structure. Computer Networks II and Computer Networks – lab are the courses within which students are introduced to network devices and cover in detail routing and switching in computer networks through number of exercises in different environments (LAN, WAN, Networks for service providers, telecommunication networks...). Course; Planning of Network Infrastructure introduces students to techniques and models of network planning and design, showing also patterns and best practices examples, while course: Wireless Computer Networks describes world of wireless devices, antennas and networks with its specific protocols.
(I) Information systems
Information systems are core infrastructure of most businesses, institutions and organizations. In most cases they are tailored to business functions, procedures and internal organizational structure of the company. Therefore this group has number of courses arranged in a way that both system and software engineers first comprehend interrelation between business and IT system in order to better understand priorities and architecture. First course in the group is: Management of IT Systems which basically starts with the definition of business and IT systems, while building students’ knowledge in the area of IT system management using frameworks such as (ITIL; COBIT, IT Governance...). Course: Project Approach to Application Development is more directed towards developers and it consists of models and guidelines for IT systems design; starting from MSF guidelines to use of CASE tools and methodologies of Project Management in IT projects. Course is based on number of tasks for students which are grouped in different teams using the role play approach. On the other hand, course: Commissioning and Implementation of Information Systems deals with part of the lifecycle of Information System called in ITIL methodology “delivery”. Strong emphases are put to user documentation, SLA agreements and models of IT systems implementation and maintenance, change management... Course; Planning and Auditing of Information Systems introduces students to planning and audits of IT systems that are already in use, while courses; Collaboration systems, Decision Support Systems, BI and Data Mining and Business Support Information Systems introduce students to most commonly used systems and software infrastructure such as; CRM, CMS, SCM, ERP, BI, mail servers, and so on.
(B) Databases
Databases are more and more present as a basis of many significant IT systems. Whether for security, implementation of required networking infrastructure or administering of user rights, today’s system administrators should be well equipped with relevant knowledge in administration of databases. Furthermore, they should be also familiar with database structure, function and concepts of hierarchical database. Courses within this group are; Introduction to Databases and Databases Administration. They introduce students to the concepts of databases and SQL and later through exercises and hands on experience to configuration, installation and administration of databases based on Microsoft, Oracle and other relevant platforms.
(S) IT Security
IT security is today almost unavoidable part of each business and IT system, implemented through business rules, and politics as well as through implemented measures of physical and technical security. Within this group, three specialized courses are available. First one, Security of Information Systems, covers legal aspects and relevant norms, standards and guidelines (ISO 27001, Croatian, EU and international lows, ....) as well as security policies and organizational guidelines to IT security implementation within the organization. Course; IT Networks Security is more technically oriented, covering different aspects of security such as; PKI, Firewalls, Network security on lower levels of OSI model, SSID, WPA, WPA2 encryptions and authentication and its implementation. Finally, third course; Security of Business Applications is also more technically oriented whit emphases put on possible security risks in e-business applications and transactions, penetration testing and effective contra measures.
(E) Project management, economy and business administration
This group of courses are intended to build student’s organizational skills and knowledge and to introduce business and project management and administration from the engineer’s perspective. Within this group following courses are grouped; Introduction to Business Economy, Basics of Business Communications and Organization and Management all intended to develop understanding of business systems and procedures as well as mechanism of effective presentation and business communication (negotiating, conflict resolving, sales communication,). Other group of courses, more oriented to project management skills and procedures are; Project Management Methodology in IT Projects and Managing Project Risks. They are intended to introduce students to effective techniques and formal methodologies of project management based on IPMA and PMI methodologies, through number of cases and exercises.