Key information for BSc (Hons) in Computer Science (Automotive & Automation Systems)

Code: SE600 | Level: 8 | Duration: 4 years | Delivery: Fulltime | Credits: 240

Application Information for BSc (Hons) in Computer Science (Automotive & Automation Systems)

Next Intake: Rolling Intake | Application Status: Open | Fee Information Link: /current-students/fees-and-grants/fees/undergraduate-fees

Study Options for BSc (Hons) in Computer Science (Automotive & Automation Systems)

Work placement options: Available (View details at https://www.setu.ie/engage/access-our-talent) | Study abroad options: Available (View details at https://www.setu.ie/global/global-mobility)

International Applicants information for BSc (Hons) in Computer Science (Automotive & Automation Systems)

International Application Status: Open | Application Information Link: https://www.setu.ie/global/study-at-setu/applying-to-setu | International Fees Link: https://www.setu.ie/current-students/fees-and-grants/fees/global-fees

What modules are taught in BSc (Hons) in Computer Science (Automotive & Automation Systems)?

Year 1: Sem 1: Programming Fundamentals 1 | Sem 2: Programming Fundamentals 2, Sem 1: Website Development | Sem 2: Web App Development, Sem 1: Computer Systems 1 | Sem 2: Computer Systems 2, Sem 1: The Computer Industry | Sem 2: Applied Calculus, Sem 1: Discrete Mathematics | Sem 2: Physics 2, Sem 1: Physics 1 | Sem 2: Automotive Software Concepts | Year 2: Sem 3: Data Structure & Algorithms 1 | Sem 4: Data Structure & Algorithms 2, Sem 3: Relational Databases | Sem 4: Software Eng. Practice, Sem 3: Computer Networks | Sem 4: Applied Cryptology, Sem 3: Mathematical Methods | Sem 4: Statistics & Probability, Sem 3: Professional Communications | Sem 4: DC/AC Fundamentals, Sem 3: Embedded Systems | Sem 4: Programmatic Logic Controllers | Year 3: Sem 5: Web App Development 2 | Sem 6: Choose one of the following electives:, Sem 5: NoSQL Databases | Sem 6: *Study Abroad, Sem 5: Developer Operations | Sem 6: *Professional Certification, Sem 5: Professional Practice | Sem 6: *Voluntary Organisation Project, Sem 5: Measurement Systems | Sem 6: *Industrial Placement, Sem 5: Model-Based Development | Sem 6: * = Elective | Year 4: Sem 7: Mobile App Development 2 | Sem 8: Functional Programming, Sem 7: Distributed Systems | Sem 8: Data Mining 2, Sem 7: Data Mining 1 | Sem 8: Project 2, Sem 7: Project 1 | Sem 8: The Connected Car, Sem 7: Automotive Software Development | Sem 8: Free Elective, Sem 7: Advanced Driver Assistance Systems | Sem 8:

SE600 Waterford

Bachelor of Science (Honours)

Computer Science (Automotive & Automation Systems)

Q: Location for BSc (Hons) in Computer Science (Automotive & Automation Systems)

Location: Waterford | Campus: Cork Road

Programme Overview

The BSc (Hons) in Computer Science (Automotive & Automation Systems)—a specialist pathway within the Common Entry Computer Science degree—is a four-year honours programme designed to meet the rapid technological transformation in modern transport and smart manufacturing. As features like autonomous driving, collision avoidance, and interconnected industrial automation become standard, this course equips students with the advanced software engineering skills needed to build intelligent systems that sense, interpret, and respond to their environments.

Practical Learning & Industry Collaboration

Built on active collaboration with leading industrial partners, the programme gives students hands-on access to cutting-edge tools, processes, and technologies used in the sector. Through modern labs and practical projects, students learn how to create innovative, real-world software solutions for both Irish-based and international technology companies.

Coursework

The curriculum focuses on high-tech software engineering tailored for smart, automated environments. Key areas of study include:

Embedded Software Development: Writing low-level, high-performance software for hardware platforms and sensors.
Driver Assistance & Autonomous Systems: Developing algorithms for environmental sensing, vehicle control, and safety features.
Industrial Automation: Programming interconnected smart manufacturing systems that communicate to optimize efficiency.
Automotive Software Design: Implementing industry-standard software architectures and real-time operating systems.

Career Opportunities

Graduates earn a highly specialized technical degree that opens up sought-after software engineering roles across multiple high-tech industries:

Automotive Software Engineer & Embedded Systems Developer
Autonomous Driving & ADAS Software Specialist
Industrial Automation & Robotics Engineer
Aerospace & Embedded Systems Engineer
Postgraduate Study & Advanced Research

Upon completion of the degree, graduates are fully prepared to enter dynamic careers designing software for driverless vehicles, smart factories, and aerospace engineering, or advance their expertise through master's level research and development.

Year 1

Semester 1	Semester 2
Programming Fundamentals 1	Programming Fundamentals 2
Website Development	Web App Development
Computer Systems 1	Computer Systems 2
The Computer Industry	Applied Calculus
Discrete Mathematics	Physics 2
Physics 1	Automotive Software Concepts

Year 2

Semester 3	Semester 4
Data Structure & Algorithms 1	Data Structure & Algorithms 2
Relational Databases	Software Eng. Practice
Computer Networks	Applied Cryptology
Mathematical Methods	Statistics & Probability
Professional Communications	DC/AC Fundamentals
Embedded Systems	Programmatic Logic Controllers

Year 3

Semester 5	Semester 6
Web App Development 2	Choose one of the following electives:
NoSQL Databases	*Study Abroad
Developer Operations	*Professional Certification
Professional Practice	*Voluntary Organisation Project
Measurement Systems	*Industrial Placement
Model-Based Development	* = Elective

Year 4

Semester 7	Semester 8
Mobile App Development 2	Functional Programming
Distributed Systems	Data Mining 2
Data Mining 1	Project 2
Project 1	The Connected Car
Automotive Software Development	Free Elective
Advanced Driver Assistance Systems

Leaving Cert: Entry requirements for the BSc (Hons) in Computer Science (Automotive and Automation Systems):

2 subjects: H5
4 subjects: O6/H7
English or Irish: O6/H7
Mathematics: O3/H7

How to apply for the BSc (Hons) in Computer Science (Automotive and Automation Systems) on the CAO:

The entry route for this programme is from SE600 Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Computer Science (Common Entry) Applicants who select degree option SE600 AAS (Automotive and Automation Systems) are guaranteed a place in that programme, subject to meeting the entry requirements and points. Applicants who are undecided about their degree option should choose SE600 GEN.

At the end of year 1, students must confirm their degree option and may change their selection up to that date.

Advanced and Equivalent Entry for the BSc (Hons) in Computer Science (Automotive and Automation Systems)

Completion of a level 8 programme will also enable students to undertake taught Masters programmes or Masters degrees by research at SETU Waterford or other third-level colleges

Career Opportunities for the BSc (Hons) in Computer Science (Automotive & Automation Systems):

The explosion in advanced infotainment, comfort and safety features in modern cars is generating a huge demand for graduates with the necessary embedded software systems development skills to create these advanced systems. The Electrical and Electronic systems in premium vehicles accounts for almost 50% of the production costs of the car and of that about 20% is the cost of developing vehicle software. The automation industry is also seeing a growth in demand for software-controlled processes and production lines to meet consumer and regulatory demands. There are many exciting roles available to graduates of this programme, such as:

Automotive Software Developer
Embedded Systems Developer in the automation, robotics and medical devices industries
System integration roles with major car manufacturers and suppliers
Control systems development for motor sport. One of our past graduates has worked for Red Bull Racing, Haas F1 and the Ferrari F1 team
Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) Developer. For example, developing object and pedestrian detection systems for autonomous vehicles
Process control software developer for factory automation and robotic assembly lines.

Industry Partnerships

The Automotive & Automation Programme has many close links with the leading automotive software suppliers in Ireland, the UK and Germany, and these provide unique opportunities for you to interact with leaders in the industry. You will also use the same industry standard automotive software development tools in our laboratory that are used by all of the major car manufacturers. This gives you a distinct advantage on graduation as our unique partnership with the leading industry tool supplier gives us access to all of the latest embedded systems tools and technologies.

We also liaise closely with the leading automotive and automation technical recruitment company in the UK to monitor recruitment trends in the industry and identify employment and placement opportunities.

Student Exchange Opportunity

You will also have the possibility of completing your industrial placement semester as an exchange student with the University of Applied Sciences (FH Technikum) in Vienna, Austria. You will be able to study and complete project work there in their Embedded Systems Department. The Embedded Systems Department in FH Technikum, Vienna specialises in Assisted Living, Smart Homes and automotive embedded systems programmes in addition to their extensive research activities in these areas.

Follow on study for the BSc (Hons) in Computer Science (Automotive & Automation Systems):

Students who complete the BSc (Hons) in Computer Science (Automotive & Automation Systems) may avail of research masters (MSc) in the area with the Automotive Control Group. On completion of an MSc students will have the opportunity to pursue a PhD Course.