SELF-EVALUATION REPORT

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UNIVERSITY OF LATVIA

Faculty of Computing

First-level Professional Higher Education Study Programme

Programming and Administration of Computer Networks

Computer Science

Code: 41481

SELF-EVALUATION REPORT

Academic year 2011 Qualification awarded: Programmer or

Administrator of Computer Networks

Dean of Faculty __________________Dr. habil. sc. comp., prof. J. Borzovs

Director of the Study Programme __________________ Dr. sc. comp., assoc. prof. J. Zuters

Chairman of the Council of the study programmes in Computer Sciences

_____________________ Dr. sc. comp., prof. M.Vītiņš

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1 Formal Data

Higher education establishment

University of Latvia

Official address, telephone number

Raiņa blvd. 19,

Riga, LV-1586, Latvia Tel.: 67034301

Name of the programme First level professional higher education study programme “Programming and administration of computer networks”

Code of the study programme

41481

Programme implementing institution

University of Latvia, Faculty of Computing

Accreditation Accredited: 29-06-2011

Accreditation period ends: 31-12-2017

Type, form and duration of studies

Full time face to face, 2 years 80 credit points,120 ECTS

Language of instruction Latvian

Entry requirements Secondary education

Degree to be awarded First level professional higher education

Professional qualification awarded

Programmer, or

Administrator of Computer Networks

2 Aims and Tasks

2.1 Main Objectives, Tasks and Outcomes

The first level professional higher education study programme „Programming and administration of computer networks” offers two-year studies in two areas of specialization in computing: Information Technologies (IT) and Software Engineering (SE).

The main objective of the study programme:

 within two years, to prepare specialists, able to work in IT sector, as well as ready to master new technologies in rapidly developing environment by participating in:

a) Development of applications and information systems (for SE specialization),

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b) Establishment of computer networks and administration of computer networks and computer systems (for IT specialization).

To meet the objective, we have the following tasks:

 Provide students with theoretical knowledge in basics of mathematics in computing, in technologies of software development, computer networks, as well as standards of IT sector and basics of entrepreneurship;

 Develop skills in software development, computer network configuration, system documenting, as well as teamwork and intercommunication according to best practices;

 Offer such an academic and theoretical basis, in order to make students motivated and capable enough to continue studies in Bachelor’s study programme.

The programme has been designed in full conformity with Latvian national professional standards „Programmer” and „Administrator of computer systems and computer networks”. Implementation of the requirements of the standards is examined by qualification commissions, constituted mostly of IT professionals.

2.2 Demand

2.2.1 Placement of graduates in the labour market

Graduates of the Professional programme are employed as IT specialists in Latvian IT companies, other companies, and authorities or they continue their studies as bachelors.

2.2.2 Demand from industry

The given study programmes in general provide about 12% from all levels higher education diplomas in Latvia. IT industry in Latvia at the moment is producing proportionally only about half of European Union GDP level, employing proportionally less employees than European average. In order to ensure at least natural replacement of specialists employed in the industry and to maintain at least the current number of employees, at least the actual number of graduates from Latvian high schools computer science programmes is required. Considering the background of demographic downturn, even this will not be easy to achieve.

Starting from early 2011 Latvian head-hunter company “Eiropersonāls” has launched a job search site for IT professionals www.likeIT.lv. Regardless of daily updates of content, it always features at least 100 job offers.

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3 Organization of the Study Programme

3.1 Introduction

The study programme „Programming and administration of computer networks” offers studies in two areas of specialization: Information Technologies (IT) and Software Engineering (SE)

SE – Software Engineering, IT – Information Technologies.

The programme amounts 80 credit points (120 ECTS), including practice (internship) and the final project. The programme is implemented in Latvian. Persons with secondary education are admissible for studies.

After the first year, students should choose between SE and IT specializations. Then students undergo relevant practice and complete and defend final project.

Having successfully completed the study program, students receive the first level professional higher education diploma with additional record about the qualification obtained („Programmer” or „Administrator of computer systems and computer networks”).

Graduates of the programme can directly be engaged in the labour market or to continue their studies in the Bachelor’s programme, starting from the 3rd year.

3.2 Programme Management

3.2.1 Entry and Admission Requirements

Secondary education is required.

Admission requirements for the Programme include secondary education, which is evidenced by a document of graduation from secondary education institution – certificate of secondary education or diploma of professional education, which certifies also apprehension of secondary professional education programme, where student is enrolled straight after graduation from basic education institution.

Enrolment rules for the UL are approved for each study year and are published in the homepage of the UL portal at www.lu.lv/gribustudet/pamatstudijas/programmas.

3.2.2 Main Formal Principles

Students’ workload: in average, 16 class hours and 24 independent study hours per week during the semester.

Student must obtain 20 Latvian credit points per semester.

1 Latvian credit point means an average of 40 hours of students work, i.e., one full week.

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At least 50% of the final grade has to be obtained during the semester, but at least 10% – during the exams session.

Examinations are mainly written. Oral examinations and tests also are used.

3.2.3 Committees Responsible for Teaching in the Programme

The University level authority is the University of Latvia Committee for the Evaluation of Curriculum Quality, which is acting in accordance with document „Regulations Regarding the UL Committee for the Evaluation of Curriculum Quality“ (Approved by the UL Instruction No.1/30 of 10.02.2005 With amendments made up to 09.06.2005. Amendments: UL Instruction No. 1/126).

The Faculty level authority is Computer Science Study Programme Council, which is acting in accordance with document “University of Latvia Study Programme Council Regulations” (approved on the 25.05.2009 at the Senate meeting, Decision No 248). Work of study programme is directly organized by the programme director, who is acting in accordance with document „Regulations Regarding University of Latvia Study Programme Directors“(Approved on 25.05.2009 at the Senate meeting, Decision No 249).

3.3 Programme Structure

All the available modules are listed amounting in ECTS. (You find detailed study plan in the Annex 4)

3.3.1 Areas of Specialization

The programme has two areas of specialization:

1. Software Engineering (SE) – programmers and software project managers; 2. Information Technologies (IT – computer network specialists and project

managers.

3.3.2 Modules Mandatory for Both Areas of Specialization

DatZ1026: Computing Systems I (3); asst. prof. Imants Gorbāns

DatZ1027: Programming I (9); assoc. prof. Uldis Straujums, assoc. prof. Jānis Zuters, lect. Jānis Iljins, mg. sc. comp. Edgars Rencis

DatZ1029: Data structures and basic algorithms I (3); prof. Guntis Arnicāns DatZ1035: Databases (3); assoc. prof. Ģirts Karnītis

DatZ1037: Automata Theory (3); assoc. prof. Ēvalds Ikaunieks DatZ1038: Computer Networks I (3); lect. Leo Trukšāns

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DatZ2072: Software Engineering (9); prof. Juris Borzovs

Mate1007: Discrete mathematics I (3); assoc. prof. Juris Smotrovs Mate1008: Discrete Mathematics II (3) ; assoc. prof. Juris Smotrovs Mate1009: Algebra (3); prof. Kārlis Podnieks

Mate1014: Calculus I (3); assoc. prof. Inese Bula Mate2004: Calculus II (3); assoc. prof. Inese Bula

Mate2005: Analytical geometry (3); asst. prof. Kārlis Freivalds

PolZ1042: Basic Problems of Modern Democracy: Latvia and Europe (3); asst. prof. Ivars Ijabs

SDSK1067: Internet, Netiquette and The Legal Regulation (3); prof. Māris Vītiņš VadZ1022: Entrepreneurship (6); assoc. prof. Vizma Niedrīte

DatZ2033: Practice (24) DatZ2034: Final project I (6) DatZ2049: Final project II (6)

3.3.3 Modules Mandatory for Particular Areas of Specialization

3.3.3.1 Software Engineering

DatZ2017: Data structures and basic algorithms II (3); prof. Guntis Arnicāns DatZ1053: Operating System (3); asst. prof. Imants Gorbāns

DatZ1028: Programming II (3); assoc. prof. Uldis Straujums, assoc. prof. Jānis Zuters DatZ1031: Web Technologies I (3); asst. prof. Krišs Rauhvargers

DatZ2019: Web Technologies II (3) ; asst. prof. Krišs Rauhvargers

3.3.3.2 Information Technologies

DatZ1032: Computing Systems II (3) ; asst. prof. Imants Gorbāns DatZ2076: Computer Networks Administration (3); lect. Leo Trukšāns DatZ1053: Operating System (3); asst. prof. Imants Gorbāns

DatZ1031: Web Technologies I (3); asst. prof. Krišs Rauhvargers DatZ2019: Web Technologies II (3); asst. prof. Krišs Rauhvargers

3.3.4 Elective Modules

DatZ1036: Multimedia technologies (3); asst. prof. Imants Gorbāns DatZ2024: Office Information Systems (3); prof. Māris Vītiņs

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DatZ2063: Visual Basic (3); assoc. prof. Agris Šostaks mg. sc. comp. Elīna Kalniņa Valo2335: English for Computing (3); lect. Līga Beļicka, lect. Tatjana Frolova, lect.

Natālija Orupa

3.4 Quality Assessment

The first level professional higher education study programme „Programming and administration of computer networks” has been designed according to Latvian professional standards, issued by Professional education councils of ICT and electronics. The engagement of professional organizations not only largely influences the study content, but also defence criteria of practice and final projects.

At the beginning of each academic year students are surveyed on core studies programme, using standard questionnaire offered by the UL. In 2010 students were surveyed by the questionnaire offered in LUIS (see Annex 3: Student Surveys). Quality assurance is based on independent assessment of concerned parties, upon which academic process improvement measures are built.

Students express their valuation:

1. In a mid-semester survey during every study year,

2. Semester end surveys regarding each study course (using LUIS), 3. Programme closing surveys (LUIS),

4. Monthly meeting of course seniors by the Dean,

5. By participation of students in the UL Computer Science Study Programmes (one from each study programme),

6. By participation of students in the Council of the Faculty of Computing (5, all study levels are represented),

7. By individual visits to or correspondence with the study programme Methodist, 8. By individual visits to or correspondence with the study programme director, 9. In individual visits or correspondence to the Dean.

Employers express their assessment:

1. In the Council of the Faculty of Computing (LIKTA president),

2. In the Study Board of the UL Computer Science Programmes (7 members represent employers),

3. In course project test commissions (majority is held by employers), 4. Annual visits of managers of leading IT companies to the Dean,

5. Surveys of managers of leading IT companies once per accreditation period.

Lecturers are assessed:

1. In mid-semester and final students surveys, 2. In mutual hospitations once per year,

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3. In open lectures and assessment by the Council of Professors (Professors and Associated Professors) and the Board of the Faculty (teachers and lectors) once per election period.

Recommendations for improvement of study work are assessed in general meetings of Study Programme Directors, Heads of Chairs and the Dean, as well as in the Council of Computer Sciences Study Programme and Board of the Faculty.

Crucial element of quality assurance is annual self assessment of study programmes, which are reviewed and approved by the Board of Computer Sciences Study Programme, anonymously reviewed by experts of other faculties, revised and approved by the UL Quality Assessment Commission and the UL Senate.

4 Resources

4.1 Participating Staff

4.1.1 Staff Position Overview

Position type Permanent or

equivalent positions Total number of employees Professors (full) 4 4 Associate professors 5 5 Assistant professors/lecturers 6 6

Other academic staff (fixed term) 2 2

Other academic staff (permanent)

Total academic staff 17 17

Technical (hardware/software) staff 1 1

Administrative staff

Secretarial staff 1 1

Other staff 1 1

Total non-academic staff 3 3

4.1.2 Staff Position Expanded

Professors Associate professors Assistant professors

Kārlis Podnieks Māris Vītiņš Guntis Arnicāns Juris Borzovs Juris Smotrovs Ēvalds Ikaunieks Ģirts Karnītis Jānis Zuters Uldis Straujums Kārlis Freivalds Imants Gorbāns Krišs Rauhvargers Agris Šostaks

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Lecturers Other academic staff (fixed term)

Other academic staff (permanent) Leo Trukšāns Jānis Iljins Elīna Kalniņa Edgars Rencis 4.1.3 Research Areas

Research is carried out in Chairs of the Faculty of Computing and in separate professional research institution – Institute of Mathematics and Computer Science of the University of Latvia (IMCS UL).

Research areas (within specializations of Software Engineering and Information Technologies) covered by participating staff:

 Development of new technologies.

 Software testing.

 Smart software.

 Real time systems

 Development of e-infrastructure

 Computer networks and Grid technologies

 Machine Learning

For description research areas in detail, see Annex 2.

For description of main research projects with participation of programme staff, see

Annex 1.

4.2 Physical Resources

Modern premises equipped with advanced technologies are used for study needs: 5 medium size auditoriums with 80-170 seats, 3 seminar rooms with 10-20 seats, 5 computer classes with 20-25 sears, as well as staff rooms, laboratories and space for technical needs. Total area of premises used for study needs is 2100 m2 or 2,4 m2 per one student. Total number of seats available to students in auditoriums, seminar rooms and computer classes is 800. Rational organization of studies and schedules shows that size of premises and number of seats is sufficient.

5 computer classes with 20-25 seats are available to students, and so is Methodical Laboratory of Computing Studies – LINUX centre.

Wireless internet is available in all rooms, which is intensely used, as majority of students use private lap top computers.

Total area of premises and number of seats is close to being optimal. Rooms are contemporary refurbished, technical equipment – sufficient. It is important that premises are located in the centre of Riga, as majority of students of Faculty of

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Computing beside their studies are also employed by IT companies in various parts of Riga.

By late 2008 financing of study programmes allowed for significant investments to be made in infrastructure (reconstruction of premises, improvement and updating of equipment), when about half million Lats were allocated for these needs. Faculty study programme budget in 2010 is LVL 580,000.00. This does not include 37% so called UL centralised budget, which are used to finance the UL departments for maintenance of buildings and premises. The actual financing allows covering reasonable personnel salary, paying for current expenses and updates of computer equipment, but is not sufficient for significant investments or pre-financing of large projects.

No significant lump sum investments in infrastructure are needed in close future. Regular and planned maintenance and updating of existing equipment is required to keep in line with latest trends in development of equipment and changes in curricula. Considering rapid development of information technologies, maintenance and updating of technical equipment is very important.

4.3 Support for Teaching and Study

4.3.1 Library, Literature and Media Facilities

Students of the University of Latvia, Faculty of Computing are supplied by necessary literature from Multidisciplinary Library of University of Latvia Library: computer sciences, law, and theology.

Inventory

Currently the Library holds:

 Monographies and books 1588 titles, total of 2861 copies,

 Printed serial editions: 21 title, total of 104 copies.

 Digital documents: 5 titles, total of 7 copies.

 Author’s papers: 29 titles, total of 30 copies.

Library provides access to 1249 computer science magazines in electronic format - http://atoz.ebsco.com/Subjects/8432#21045.

The Multidisciplinary Library of University of Latvia Library holds 1643 computer science related information resources, in total 3002 copies. Aggregation of resources was started along with establishment of the Faculty of Computing in 2009 and it is still ongoing.

Subscribed data bases

13 subscribed data bases (brief description of each data base can be added) http://www.lu.lv/biblioteka/resursi/datubazes/datubazunozares/datorzinatnes/

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Procurement

Collection building of printed works in the library of the University of Latvia is done in close cooperation with teachers, who are informed on financing allocated for acquisition of books and based on this information teachers order printed works in the information system LUIS. These orders are approved by the executive director or Dean of the Faculty, further work is done by the Collection Building of the UL Library, which is responsible for ensuring the most beneficial terms of orders. As soon as a book reaches library, ordering teacher receives notification on completion of order, this data is also entered in the information system LUIS.

Student access

Free access collection is available in the library, which means that students have access to all printed works in the library. Students have option of self service in the library, which means that they can use self-check unit to lend and return books. Information on resources available in the library can be found in Electronic Union Catalogue of Latvian Libraries of national significance https://lira.lanet.lv/F/MJ3GSB637DIU26BQL7B2UNCSLNIU63HRA3CKYU3P5G EIVTU4U4-79442?func=option-update-lng&file_name=find-

b&local_base=lnc04&p_con_lng=lav, which is available at the University of Latvia internet site www.lu.lv, section „Library“. Upon logging in with user name and password issued by the library, students can electronically orders books from the union catalogue and prolong the lending period. Library can be contacted by e-mail [email protected] and Skype (Multi-Specialization Library of the UL Library), as well as by phone.

Students can use data bases subscribed by the UL and electronic versions of magazines also outside of the UL premises.

Workplaces for students

96 work places are offered to students in the Multidisciplinary Library of the UL Library, 24 stationary computers and 7 lap-tops are available for use. Silent reading room is arranged for students, and so is a Relaxation corner. Copying machine, printer and scanner are available to students in the library.

Restrictions

Information resources available in the Library of the University of Latvia can be used by anyone, but lending of copies can be done only by students and employees of the UL.

4.3.2 Academic Guidance

We convey information to prospective students via the Faculty home pages, as well as during annual trade fairs „Skola-20xx“ („The School“) and by organising s.c. Information Day (in 2011 it was attended by 50 secondary school pupils, and more than 100 viewers did watch the event online).

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5 Attainment of Objectives

5.1 Statistics for Students and Graduates

Students and graduates in the programme. Year Enrolled Students

1st year

Students

2nd year Total Graduated* Drop-out

2005. 39 43 0 39 0 0 2006. 22 39 23 62 0 13 2007. 27 37 37 74 68 34 2008. 30 42 35 77 85 38 2009. 43 52 31 83 96 39 2010. 39 39 39 78 104 29

* According to UL regulations, students are allowed to change to another study programme.

5.2 Data and Statistics on the Success of the Programme

According to data of Latvian Employment State Agency as at 31 December 2010 only one (from total of 248) from University of Latvia Computer Science Study Programme graduates was registered as unemployed person. Data is anonymous and it cannot be identified whether he/she was a student of any of the above programmes. According to surveys employers give positive evaluation of Faculty of Computing graduates in both – theoretical and practical aspects.

Graduates or students of Faculty of Computing are employed in all surveyed IT companies. In AS Exigen Services Latvia, which is one of largest Latvian IT companies, more than a half of young specialists are graduates of the Faculty of Computing. In companies where number of graduates/students employed since previous accreditation of programmes is relatively low (<24), all employees have passed trial period. Where number of employees hired is higher (>180), 99% have passed trial period. This is an evidence of qualification of Faculty graduates.

All employees who have been acquainted with computer sciences study programmes offered by the Faculty of Computing admit that content of these programmes matches requirements of labour market (78% of surveyed employers admit that it is completely matching, while 22% – that in part). Detailed recommendations have been received for improvements of programmes, for example, by adding in depth testing course. Considering labour market trends, employers recommend paying for attention to development of communication and presentation skills and social behaviour (client service, studying of clients needs, negotiation skills). Team work also is considered as an important skill.

78% of surveyed employers regard professional training level of graduates of the Faculty of Computing right after graduation as being good, 22% – as satisfactory, no

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unsatisfactory assessments have been received. 22% of surveyed employers consider training of IT specialists in the UL as being better in comparison to other Latvian high schools and none considers it as being worse.

During the reporting period many individual negotiations with managers of leading industry companies have been held, where their wishes have been investigated. For example, following recommendations from IBM Latvia two new study courses have been developed and are taught now, while teacher appointed by BTG gives course on specific programming language. Representatives of employers (the ones with whom Faculty of Computing has cooperation contracts signed and all LIKTA member organizations) are invited to meeting for approval of self-assessment reports at the Council of Computer Science Study Programmes, about 20 representatives of employees every year participate in commissions, editing and assessing course projects.

Virtually all employers emphasise experience as being an important parameter for employers. Often mentioned wish of employers to improve practical work skills of graduates has been met by introducing mandatory internship in IT organizations outside of the University, as well as development and defending of course projects in areas of programming or computer networks administration.

5.3 SWOT Analysis of the Programme

Strong sides of the programme

1. Conformity of programmes with recommendations of ICT professionals.

2. Great extent of involvement of ICT professionals in implementation of the programme.

3. Many of teachers have wide industry experience, which ensures more appropriate choice of study contents and allows analysing study materials, applying real life examples.

4. Teachers have good contacts with ICT companies.

5. Motivated students who choose complicated study programmes significantly facilitate implementation of study programmes.

6. Wide offer of e-courses ensures individual approach to training courses materials and communication with teachers.

7. Advanced provision of communication, software and technical standard of auditoriums allows ensuring implementation of study programmes at good quality level.

8. The strongest team of computer science doctors in Latvia.

9. Tight interoperability with Bachelor’s programme facilitates continuation of studies, thus granting additional motivation for that.

10. Already starting from 4th semester students get engaged in practical work, they become able to joint labour market, it becomes easier for them to choose

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specialization in the 5th semester of Bachelor’s programme and they get better understanding of practical application of study materials.

12. Already within 2 years time student obtains professional qualification.

Weak sides of the programme

1. There is a very high demand for students in the labour market, many students work along with their studies, which prolongs average study time.

2. Programme is created for an „average student“, which is not well suited for outstanding students. Teachers are making effort of individual approach, but they encounter legislative and administrative restrictions.

3. Decreased financing for the whole Latvian education system, which is one of the smallest in absolute and relative terms in the whole EU.

4. Already from the 4th semester students engage in practical work, which creates certain interruption in studies. Part of students believes that specialty subjects offered are of better value than practical work experience.

5. Programme and teachers have high demands, which causes problems to many weaker prepared students, although ways to assist these students are sought (for example, catch up course of secondary school mathematics).

6. Strong tie with Bachelor’s programme reduces opportunities for optional courses.

Programme development opportunities

1. There is a demand in labour market for high-level specialists, thus facilitating quality growth of the programme.

2. With growing interest, which already is high, from the IT companies in employing students, higher demands for practical work places and specific nature of practical work can be set.

3. Many young perspective specialists are employed as teachers, the future growth of whom will to large extent shape future of the Faculty of Computing.

4. Students and teachers are willing and ready to transform training process in order to accommodate it better for outstanding students.

Threats to the programme

1. Shortage of financing and overall weak economic situation in a country. 2. Undesired changes in legislation affecting all levels of education.

3. Since programmes of computer sciences are training specialists for IT companies, demands for training are set after mastering advanced technologies. Unfortunately such technologies often are not available to high schools due to their high costs of acquisition and training. So far this problem is solved allowing for teachers to participate in development of projects in IT companies, which is contradicting to requirement for teachers to devote full work time to high school.

4. There could be pressure to lower demands in most complicated study subjects from the side of weaker students and those is favour of higher percentage of successful grades.

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5. Part of teachers are losing direct link with the industry, i.e., at least part time work in IT companies. Gap between theory and real life might appear.

6. There are many programmes in Latvia preparing computer science specialists. 7. Due to demographic conditions in Latvia, number of students is rapidly decreasing, which means either decreasing of number of students with respective decrease of financing or even wider differences in skills and level of preparedness of students, which will call for transformations in programmes and ways of studies.

5.4 Sustainability and Further Development of the Programme

The main objective of the study programme: within two years, to prepare specialists, able to work in IT sector, and capable to continue studies in Bachelor’s study programme.

In recognition of successful implementation of the above objectives, to further develop the first level professional higher education study programme “Programming and administration of computer networks”, the following activities are planned for the coming years:

1. Taking into account evolution of ICT sector, the education legislation, and tendencies of the labour market, the study programme should be refreshed with new modules and facilities to master modern technologies.

2. The academic staff should be given opportunities for regular retraining, including working in ICT companies on science-capacious projects.

3. On a regular basis, ensure provision of technical and methodical means. Facilitate the teachers to prepare new teaching aids, especially electronic ones. 4. Continue to perform advancement of IT (administration of computers

networks) specialization by adding new specific modules and by this separating it from SE (programming) specialization.

I recent years, the most notable changes in programmes were developed, implementing ESF project “Upgrading of Computer Science Study Programmes in the University of Latvia” (amount of financing within 18 months – LVL 200 000). 40 teachers of computer sciences (of the faculty), representatives of major IT companies, as well as leading teaching staff representatives from several other Latvian high schools (from Dean to Vice-Principals) were involved in this work, and they all got paid for their work done. From this experience we have concluded that well financed study programme upgrading project is the most productive form for programme development. Simple generalization of daily experiences, upgrading of study courses and development of new courses along with daily teaching process, without specially allocated financing brings much more modest results.

Therefore Faculty of Computing is planning to continue participation in tenders for study programme update projects and this is the area where we see main development opportunities of our programmes. Transition to courses conducted in English

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language of instruction we also plan to carry out through dedicated well financed project.

The close tie with the Bachelor’s programme should be thoroughly discussed. On the one hand, this is to give additional motivation for students to continue studies in a higher level, on the other hand, offer of elective modules and by this also opportunities of deeper specialization, are significantly diminished.

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Annexes

Annex 1. Main Research Projects with Participation of Programme Staff

1) 2011-2013, EU funded project „Technology for Construction of Process Management Programme Systems and Its Support Tools”, No. 2010/0325/2DP/2.1.1.1.0/10/APIA/VIAA/109

Participants of programme staff: assoc. prof. K. Podnieks, prof. Ģ. Karnītis, asst. prof. A. Šostaks.

2) 2011-2013, EU funded project „Set of Dynamic Networks Visualization and Analysis Tools”, No 2010/0318/2DP/2.1.1.1.0/10/APIA/VIAA/104

Participants of programme staff: asst. prof. K. Freivalds

3) 2011-2013, EU funded project „Platform of Semantic Data Bases for Industry Specialists”, No 2011/0009/2DP/2.1.1.1.0/10/APIA/VIAA/112

Participants of programme staff: asst. prof. A. Šostaks.

4) 2009-2012, EU funded project „Applications of Computer Sciece and its Connections to quantum physics”, No. 1DP/1.1.1.2.0/09/APIA/VIAA/044.

Participants of programme staff: prof. G. Arnicāns, assoc. prof. Ģ. Karnītis, assoc. prof. J. Zuters.

5) 2010-2013, European 7th Framework project QCS (Quantum Computer Science, Nr. 255961)

Participants of programme staff: assoc. prof. J. Smotrovs.

6) 2010-2012 Latvian Science Council, grant No 09.1578 „Development and analysis of algorithmic models for description of biological and software systems”

Participants of programme staff: asst. prof. K. Freivalds

7) 2010-2012, Latvian State Research Program No 2 „Development of innovative multi-functional materials, signal processing and information technologies for competitive science intensive products”, project No. 5 „New information technologies based on ontologies and model transformations”.

Participants of programme staff: prof. K. Podnieks, assoc. prof. Ģ. Karnītis, asst. prof. A. Šostaks.

Annex 2. Research Facilities

Research is carried out in Chairs of the Faculty of Computing and in separate professional research institution – Institute of Mathematics and Computer Science of the University of Latvia (IMCS UL).

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Research & Development areas of Programming Chair

We mostly perform research and industrial development in area, which can be called an industry immediately-driven research. We develop technologies in several directions: Specifications, Integration, Testing, Quality of Cadastre Data, smart Software, etc. In each of these areas we must create new possibilities, which have to be approbated in particular projects with further commercialization potential.

Development of new technologies

This research area supports the following areas of specialization: Software Engineering, Information Systems.

In cooperation with European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and LZP many employees of the Programming Chair participate in the project „Development of New Technologies for creation and integration of information systems”. As a result of project implementation three new technologies are to be developed in three crucial fields of information systems (IS) development: Specification, Testing, and Integration.

All researches have common Methodology for use of new technologies. It is planned to approbate all new technologies offered in significant projects in Latvia. Support tools for new technologies, which, as a rule, are newly created software, are offered as open source software (OSS), whereby it is made easily accessible to large, medium and small IT commercial companies, students of higher schools and other interested persons.

Specification of information systems

This research area supports the following areas of specialization: Information Systems.

The main problem in the area of specification is an information character of IS specifications – specifications with traditional methods have not yet been captured with such degree of details, which would allow avoiding from contradictions and collisions during implementation (programming). Technological innovations defined by the project – use of models for development of quickly set up prototypes, which are needed for documentation of requirements for the system to be built. Technology ISTehnology is also used (Māris Treimanis), which examines large actual projects and is developed for more than 10 years.

Software testing

With growing complexity of software and requirements for its accurate operations, industry requirements towards testing specialists also increase. The Programming Chair is actively involved in solution of this problem by looking for new testing methods and new training principles. Juris Borzovs, Jānis Bičevskis and Guntis Arnicāns are members of LSTQB and they facilitate development of testing throughout the whole Latvian ITK industry.

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Demand for testing specialists is high and often testers without IT knowledge are used. Vineta Arnicāne researches training problems of such specialists. Besides Vineta Arnicāne and Jānis Bičevskis have started to analyze problem of testing complexity, which so far has not been seriously and comprehensively described anywhere.

In the area of testing it is also planned to develop access support for extreme programming, creating test groups from formal models fixed during specification time.

Integration of IS and information

The integration will develop IS dynamic integration using meta models. This allows safeguarding independence of systems to be integrated from application software. Project research focuses on integration of large IS and integration of partially structured data, offering unified view on entire information available.

This project benefits from experience gained from development of state registers integration within framework of project Megasystem. Main integration principles were identified during development of Megasystem.

Now Latvian specialists have accepted these principles and these are to large extent applied in development of information systems for needs of state authorities. Project will address integration problems, ensuring application of above mentioned predefined principles. In particular, dynamic integration will be used in systems integration, which is based on data metamodels. Information request in the system shall be executed via metamodel in the interpretation mode, not addressing data base directly. Offered new technology ensures independence of each IS from their users in heterogeneous and dynamically changing environment.

Smart software

Smart software is a software, which conforms to adaptation and self-government principles as such: automatic updating of versions; ability to report on missing components and its actual status; self-testing, dynamic recording of administration flow; recording of events and values; option of business model incorporation; control of data quality; performance monitoring; safety monitoring. Zane Bičevska and Jānis Bičevskis research options for creation of such smart software, technical planning and development of it.

Data warehouses

At the moment Laila Niedrīte and Darja Solodovņikova are the ones most actively involved in this area, they do research problems associated with data warehouses:

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Conceptual modelling of data warehouses; Development methodologies for data warehouses; Evolution of data warehouses; New areas of data warehouses applications (Network data warehouses; Monitoring of business processes).

Neural networks

This research area supports the following areas of specialization: Computer Science. Many practical challenges can be solved by application of neural networks, which are mathematical models of biological neural networks. There are many various kinds of neural networks and each of them is suited for solution of tasks required by certain class of tasks. At the moment Jānis Zuters researches application of supervised training neural networks in solution of complex problems. Pulsed / spiking neural networks are also being observed.

Wireless sensors networks, embedded systems and computer architecture

This research area supports the following areas of specialization: Computer Engineering.

Upon returning for work in the University of Latvia Leo Seļāvo has started developing a new area of science in the Computer Department. Leo has obtained a doctor’s degree and has been spent 10 years in USA (University of Pittsburgh, University of Virginia) working in this area, he is author of many publications and participant of international projects. Initially multidisciplinary research will be carried out in cooperation with medicine and environment scientists and professionals.

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Annex 3. Student Surveys

At the beginning of each academic year students are surveyed on core studies programme, using standard questionnaire offered by the UL. In 2010 students were surveyed by the questionnaire offered in LUIS (different questions and assessment scale) and therefore no data has been used in diagrams.

Common survey questionnaire of both the professional study programme and Bachelor’s study programme students:

No Question

1. _{Study courses offered in curriculum}

2. _{Contents of study courses offered in curriculum} 3. _{Contents of curriculum’s Part A study courses} 4. _{Options to choose from Part B study courses} 5. _{Opportunity to choose desired Part C study courses}

6. Opportunities offered by curriculum to develop research / professionals skills and experience

7. Skills obtained during studies to apply information technologies in search, processing and organization of information, etc.

8 Skills obtained during studies to work with information (evaluate, analyse it) 9. Public presentation, discussion skills and ability to take stand for own

position learned from studies

10. Opportunity to learn special terminology in at least one foreign language offered by study programme

11. Schedule planning by week days 12. Schedule planning by semesters

13. Opportunity to study courses electronically (in the Web CT environment) 14. Opportunities to attend lectures by guest lecturers

15. Attitude of the Faculty personnel towards students

16. Access to information concerned with study process in the Faculty 17. Work of the Faculty personnel in improvement of study process 18. Study materials – technical equipment (premises, study materials, etc.)

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No Question

19. Opportunity to use computers provided by the UL

20. Availability of literature required for studies in libraries of the UL

21. Overall, are you satisfied with your choice on behalf of this study programme in the UL?

22. How many hours per week do you devote to independent work?

1 – „more than 20h”; 2 – „20-10 h”; 3 –„9-3 h”;; 4 –„less than 3 h”;

23. What is your average lecture attendance?

1 – „100-75%”; 2 – „74-50%”; 3 – „49-25%”; 4 – „lower than 25%”;

24.

Are you employed in your chosen area of studies specialization?

1 – „employed in line with my specialization”; 2 – „rather in line with my specialization”; 3 – „rather not in line with my specialization”;

4 – „working not in line with my specialization”;

25.

Are you planning to continue studies?

1 – „Yes, in my area of specialization in the UL”; 2 – „In the UL in another area”; 3 – „I will study in other higher educational institution”;

4 – „I won’t continue my studies”

26. Are you planning to work in line with your specialization after graduation?

1 – „Yes, I’ll work”; 2 – „rather yes”; 3 –„rather no; 4 – „no”

Diagram shows that programmes are in general assessed as „Completely satisfied“ and „Rather satisfied“, and that independent work of students during study process is rather insignificant. Diagram shows that assessment of choice in Section C study courses has fallen – amount of credit points required from Part C of the curricula is low, therefore the Faculty is not organising Part C courses for students and they have to choose from courses offered by Students service, which, of course, requires more time and self-organization skills from students.

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Diagram – answers to questions regarding study courses:

1 – Completely satisfied; 2 – Rather satisfied; 3 – Rather dissatisfied; 4 – Completely dissatisfied

Annex 4. Study Plan

Course

Code Course Name

Year 1 Year 2 To-tal Type of Exami nation Lect-ures* Teachers 1 2 3 4

Mandatory Part (A)

Basic Theoretical Courses of the Field

DatZ1037 Automata Theory 2 2 Exam L 32 Dr. sc. comp., assoc. prof.

Ēvalds Ikaunieks

DatZ1026 Computing

Systems I

2 2 Credit L 26,

S 6

Dr. sc. adm., asst. prof. Imants Gorbāns

DatZ1038 Computer

Networks I

2 2 Exam L 32 Mg. sc. comp., PhD student,

lect. Leo Trukšāns

DatZ1035 Databases 2 2 Exam L 16,

S 16

Dr. sc. comp., prof. Ģirts Karnītis

DatZ1029 Data structures and basic algorithms I

2 2 Credit L 28,

Ld 12

Dr. sc. comp., prof. Guntis Arnicāns

DatZ1027 Programming I 6 6 Exam L 32,

P 32, Ld 32

Dr. sc. comp., assoc. prof. Jānis Zuters

Dr. sc. comp., assoc. prof. Uldis Straujums

DatZ1028 Programming II 2 2 Exam L 16,

Ld 16

Dr. sc. comp., lect. Uldis Straujums

DatZ2072 Software

Engineering

6 6 Exam L 64,

S 32

Dr. habil. sc. comp., prof. Juris Borzovs

Other Basic Courses

Mate1009 Algebra 2 2 Exam L 32 Dr. mat., prof. Kārlis

Podnieks

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Course

Year 1 Year 2 To-tal Type of Exami nation Lect-ures* Teachers 1 2 3 4

geometry S 16 Kārlis Freivalds

Fizi3021 Natural sciences 4 4 Exam L 40,

S 24

Dr. phys., asst. prof. Ivars Driķis

Mate1007 Discrete

mathematics I

2 2 Credit L 32 Dr. sc. comp., assoc. prof.

Juris Smotrovs

Mate1008 Discrete

mathematics II

2 2 Exam L 32 Dr. sc. comp., assoc. prof.

Juris Smotrovs

DatZ2022 Internet,

Netiquette and The Legal Regulation

2 2 Exam L 32 Dr. sc. comp., prof. Māris

Vītiņš

Mate1014 Calculus I 2 2 Credit L 30,

S 2

Dr. mat., assoc. prof. Inese Bula

Mate2004 Calculus II 2 2 Exam L 30,

S 2

Dr. mat., assoc. prof. Inese Bula

VadZ1023 Entrepreneurship 2 2 Exam L 14,

S 18

Dr. ekon., prof. A. Deniņš

Study Projects and Practice

DatZ2034 Final Project I 4 4 Credit L 58 Dr. habil. sc. comp., prof.

Juris Borzovs

DatZ2049 Final Project II 4 4 Defen

ce

DatZ2033 Practice 16 16 Defen

ce

Dr. sc. comp., prof. Māris Vītiņš

Specialization Part (B1) Specialization SE (Software Engineering) DatZ2017 Data structures

and basic algorithms II

2 2 Exam L 32 Dr. sc. comp., prof. Guntis

Arnicāns

DatZ1053 Operating

System

2 2 Exam L 32 Dr. sc. adm., asst. prof.

Imants Gorbāns

DatZ1031 Web

Technologies I

2 2 Exam L 32 Dr. sc. comp., asst. prof.

Krišs Rauhvargers

DatZ2019 Web

Technologies II

Krišs Rauhvargers

Specialization IT (Information Technologies)

DatZ1032 Computing

Systems II

2 2 Exam L 26,

S 6

Dr. sc. adm., asst. prof. Imants Gorbāns

DatZ1053 Operating

System

Imants Gorbāns

DatZ1031 Web

Technologies I

Krišs Rauhvargers

DatZ2019 Web

Technologies II

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Course

Year 1 Year 2 To-tal Type of Exami nation Lect-ures* Teachers 1 2 3 4 Elective Part (B2) DatZ2024 Office Information Systems

2 2 Exam L 32 Dr. sc. comp., prof. Māris

Vītiņš

DatZ1036 Multimedia

technologies

Imants Gorbāns

Valo2335 English for

Computing datorzinātnē

2 2 Exam L 32 Mg. soc. sc., lect. Līga

Beļicka

Mg. phil., lect. Tatjana Frolova

Mg. paed., lect. Natālija Orupa

DatZ2063 Visual Basic 2 2 Exam L 16,

S 16

Mg. sc. comp. Elīna Kalniņa Dr. sc. comp., asst. prof. Agris Šostaks Part A in total 16 14 16 20 66 Basic Theoretical Courses of the Field 12 4 6 0 22 Other Part A Courses 4 10 6 0 20 Study Projects and Practice 0 0 4 20 24 Part B in total 4 6 4 0 14 Specialization SE 2 4 4 0 10 Specialization IT 2 6 2 0 10 Part C in total 0 0 0 0 0 Programme in total 20 20 20 20 80