DCU - Digital Media Engineering, Bachelor of Engineering (DCC 199)

This four-year degree is designed to help engineers become masters of the information age. The college believes it is no longer enough to just train people in mainstream engineering and then let them specialise in things like new media.

This course seeks to familiarise them with the systems behind digital media and web-based services. Among the topics covered in the course are software engingeering, telecoms, the World Wide Web and wire application protocol, better known as WAP.

While the course concentrates on emerging technologies, much of it is devoted to studying the basic physical sciences and electronic engineering.

A grade C3 or higher in maths or a grade C3 in applied maths with a D2 in higher-level maths is required. A C3 or higher in an honours science subject is also required.

Students are able to take part in DCU's work placement programme - INTRA. The college says companies looking for graduates in the area include 3-Com, Apple, S3 and Parthus.

Transport

DIT - degree in transport and logistics, bachelor of science (FT 358)

Logistics concerns the movement of goods and information between businesses. An island economy like ours has specific requirements in this field.

This new four-year degree prepares students for a range of occupations including transport manager, production planner, stock controller and customer-services manager.

DIT houses the National Institute of Transport and Logistics, which the Government has funded as a centre of excellence in the area.

As this State's exports continue to grow, the sector is expected to expand and job opportunities to increase.

The first year of the course tends to concentrate on general business topics such as economics, accounting and marketing. But from there the course gradually explores the area of logistics, purchasing and transport. A work placement is available during the third year.

Students need at least a grade C3 in two higher level papers and at least a D3 in four ordinary or higher level papers. These subjects must include English or Irish and maths.

E-commerce

Tralee IT - business studies (e-commerce), bachelor of business studies (TL 280)

As the economy becomes increasingly dependent on e-commerce, Tralee IT the college has begun a four-year degree which seeks to give students technical skills in Internet systems, databases and networking and also educate them in business subjects like marketing, finance and management.

The college hopes graduates will be able to take on technical jobs while also working to develop company's e-commerce strategies. For those who want to deploy their skills internationally, French and German are also available as subjects.

The first year of the course is concerned with economics, statistics and accounting, but students also begin to learn about programming then. By year three students are expected to know how to build a company's e-commerce site. A work placement is also available in year three. A C3 or higher in ordinary-level maths or a D3 in higher-level maths are required for entry.