A modern office would be unthinkable without computers and IT specialists. What are these specialists? They are divided into IT specialists who deal with computer hardware and those who deal with computer software. The former include system administrators and computer hardware development engineers. The latter include: programmers, CAD developers and website developers. If we break these jobs down further, the specialisation is as follows:

• Applied computer science
• International Information Systems
• Information Systems Management
• Software Systems Science
• Communication Science
• Computer Science in the Humanities
• Digital Technologies in Cultural Heritage Preservation
• International Information Systems Management
• International Software Systems Science
• Computer Science
• Informatics and Multimedia
• Informatics in Engineering
• Geoinformatics
• Electrical Engineering, Computer Science and Engineering
• Computer Engineering
• Computer Game Design
• Informatics and Computational Linguistics
• Computer Science & Statistics
• Computer Engineering

Choosing a specialisation for the Bachelor of Computer Science degree

In the second year, students must choose a specialisation. Each institution determines the possible areas of specialisation. Typically, students can choose from the following specialisations:

• Computer Science with advanced study of the theory of algorithms and software development, artificial intelligence, databases and computer graphics, operating system design and programming language development;
• Information Technologies - practice of software creation, system programming and administration, database creation, computer design;
• Information Security - study of basic principles of data protection, methods of protection against network intrusions, theory of cryptography, principles of development of security systems;
• Software Engineering - study of design, evaluation and analysis of software systems, principles of software acquisition, development, implementation and testing.

In addition, many educational institutions emphasise medical programming as a separate specialisation.

Taking into account the fact that computerisation has now penetrated all branches of science, art and economic activity, many educational institutions allow students to study two bachelor's degrees in parallel, upon completion of which it is possible to award titles:

• Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science;
• Bachelor of Applied Science in Informatics;
• Bachelor of Mathematics in Computer Science;
• Bachelor of Engineering in Computer Science.

The Bachelor of Computer Science does not normally require a dissertation. Students' knowledge is assessed by adding up the marks from different subjects. The quality of coursework is assessed separately.

Prospects for the Bachelor's degree in Computer Science

Students with a Bachelor's degree can continue their studies with a Master's degree. In addition, Bachelor's students with good grades who have shown themselves to be talented and hardworking students may be awarded a Bachelor of Computer Science with Honours after one or two more years of study. During this year the student participates in serious scientific research, the results of which must be systematised in a final project. The Bachelor of Science in Computer Science with Honours gives the opportunity to enter the Master's programme after having skipped several courses, or to apply for admission to the doctoral programme.

Bachelors who do not wish to continue their studies can get a job. As the Bachelor's degree in Computer Science requires an extremely high level of knowledge and skills, Bachelor's graduates are quite competitive and in demand on the job market.

How to choose an IT career?

As mentioned above, IT professionals are divided into those who work with computer hardware and those who work with computer software. The former includes system administrators and computer hardware developers. The latter include: programmers, CAD developers and website developers.

A website developer knows the mechanics of the internet. Among those who develop the site - there is a web designer, web programmer. If the site has already been created, it is managed by the head of the Internet project or the Internet project manager. His task is to manage the whole system of the site, the site administrator. Besides him there is also a site moderator, a site content editor. Recently, such Internet projects as online shops have become widespread. There are also huge Internet portals devoted to information of one kind or another. Each media company has its own website and a team of employees - web programmers, web designers, site administrators and content managers. Separately note SEO specialists - a specialist in site optimisation and site promotion, there are site analysts, site auditors. Software - software is developed for business processes of companies of various profiles: for communication companies, for transport companies, for production companies. The purpose of such programmes is to automate the process of production management - ASUTP. The developed programmes are tested by a software tester. This profession is in great demand among IT specialists. Companies use ERP systems for document management. Here, 1C programmers and SAP programmers are in demand.

Finally, information security specialists are in high demand among IT professionals. Every bank, every company, every state enterprise needs information protection. The development of information protection methods is a highly intellectual and sought-after area of computerisation. It is also one of the best paid jobs in this professional field.

How to enter IT faculties (computer science, programmers).

IT is the most in-demand and dynamic field in the world, except in very poor and developing countries.

In some European countries, higher education is absolutely free. For example, in the Czech Republic, Germany, Slovakia and Austria. Therefore, there are many students from different countries: after three years of study, in the fourth year they usually work in their speciality and receive an average of about 2,000 euros per month. As an example, let us look at the peculiarities of admission to Czech universities:

• It is very easy to enter a Czech university (even Charles University) for computer science: the competition here is about two people per place, and you can apply to several universities at once, which is why some students take the exam just to test their knowledge.
• The entrance exams themselves are taken in three subjects - physics, maths and computer science - regardless of which department the applicant is applying to. The worst result of the three is not counted, so you can fail an exam completely or not take it at all and it will not affect your result. Other universities may not have entrance exams - for example, because of a shortage of students or because the applicant is taking part in Olympiads.
• The exams are quite simple and typical. For example, in mathematics - you have to solve a simple trigonometric equation, a simple planimetric problem, a logical problem like "Masha and Dasha have 5 apples. Who stole the sixth one?" or rebuses. Informatics - to answer the question "How many stars will this programme produce? It takes 60-90 minutes.

What's the point of studying if it's so easy to get in?

And that is another matter. It is no secret that half of those enrolled do not graduate, although this is explained by a simple factor: many people want to become programmers, but few people really understand (and want to understand) it.

There is no other way to explain it. Since the Bologna system of higher education is practically a perfect education system, everything is set up so that you don't drop out (nobody - neither you nor the university itself - is interested in that). You have three attempts to pass the subject. Even if you fail, the subject can be taken again the following year (only once) and you have three more attempts. This makes a total of six attempts. If you fail even the sixth time, you will be expelled, but don't feel bad: you can always re-enrol and you won't lose any time, as the university can exempt you from the subjects you have already taken.

And how are the courses organised?

Like everywhere else, it is not called a department or a faculty, but a programme - for example, "Theoretical Computer Science", "Programming", "Databases", and so on. Each of these has its own list of compulsory subjects - the so-called Category A subjects (these include mathematics, algebra, programming, algorithms, and so on).

Each of these programmes has its own list of compulsory subjects - the so-called category A subjects (this includes mathematics, algebra, programming, algorithms, and so on). It is better not to fail these subjects and not to carry them over to the next year (although you can).

Further - subjects of category B, i.e. semi-compulsory. It is not necessary to pass all of them. It is enough to get the required number of credits in them - usually it is 3-4 subjects out of 12 according to your taste.

And subjects in category C, i.e. optional. This can be any subject at your university - physical education, philosophy or a history of ancient Egyptian archaeological research - anything! They're taken when you're short of credits, and you don't have to pass the subject - you can fail it and never come back.

Credits? What are they?

There is a credit system for higher education in Europe. Each course has a certain number of credits. At the end of your studies (i.e. after three years) you should have 180 of them: most of them are subjects of category A, a smaller part - category B, and a very small part - category C. In principle, you should accumulate 60 credits in one year (to accumulate - means to pass a certain subject), but this is good - in practice 40 are enough. However, it is better not to play around with it - next year you will have to repeat the failed courses; their total number will increase and your studies will become more difficult.

One more thing: because you choose your own subjects (except for category A), you also choose your own timetable. You decide on which days you study, how much and how often - you have a great deal of freedom. And some people take advantage of this by choosing the most "free" subjects.

Where can I study to become a programmer?

There are many universities. Here are four faculties that train programmers:

1. Faculty of Mathematics and Physics. Specialisations: Mathematics for Computer Science, Software Security and Reliability, General Computer Science, Programming and Software Systems, Computer Graphics, Systems Programming, Software Networks and Databases, Web Development, Bioinformatics, Teaching - Combining Mathematics and Computer Science in the Field of Pedagogy. The deadline for submissions is usually the end of March.
2. The Faculty of Information Technology offers one major in the first year, Computer Science. Students study the same subjects. In the third semester they choose from six majors: Security and Information Technology, Information Systems and Management, Computer Engineering, Theoretical Computer Science, Web and Software Development - Computer Graphics/Software/Web Development. Applications will be accepted until the end of March.
3. Faculty of Electrical Engineering. Specialisms: Electrical Engineering, Energy and Management, Electronics and Communications, Open Electronic Systems, Cybernetics and Robotics, Computer Science, Medical Electronics, Bioinformatics, Programme and Technology Development, Electrical Engineering, Electronics and Communications Engineering. Applications until the end of March.
4. Faculty of Informatics. Specialisations: Applied Mathematics, Bioinformatics, Language with specialisation in Computational Linguistics, Geographical Cartography and Geoinformatics, Chemical Informatics and Bioinformatics, Informatics in Public Affairs, Mathematical Informatics, Mathematics for Teachers, Parallel Distribution Systems, Computer Graphics and Image Development, Computer Networks and Communications, Computer Systems and Data Processing, Business Informatics, Social Informatics. Applications until the end of February, but it is better to check the pages of the institution itself.

What to do after university?

That depends on you. With the high demand for IT specialists, their salaries are also rising. The Centre for Educational Policy conducted a survey of 35,000 Czech university graduates in the first five years after graduation. Graduates of the Faculty of Physics at Charles University earned an average of 2.2 thousand euros before tax, the highest of any faculty in the Czech Republic. Graduates of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering at the Czech Technical University and the Faculty of Computer Science at Masaryk University in Brno earned an average of EUR 2,000.

List of IT occupations in demand:

• Database Administrator
  • A database administrator creates the requirements for databases, designs them and implements the project. They ensure that the database is always running and that users have access to the server.
• ERP Programmer

            An ERP programmer develops and maintains systems for automating accounting, management and planning within a company (ERP systems).

• Software Tester
  • Software tester, software testing engineer checks the performance of software, evaluates it from the point of view of experts and ordinary users, the main purpose of the software tester's work is to identify and eliminate bugs in software.
• Forum Moderator
  • A forum moderator regulates the work of the forum: answers visitors' questions, acts as a censor (monitors the behaviour of forum members, stops attempts to post false or obscene statements or advertising messages).
• HTML layout designer (HTML-verstalker)
  • The HTML-verstalker's job is to translate a designer's image into a language that any browser can understand, i.e. to convert the layout into a live site that users can see.
• System Administrator
  • A system administrator manages the IT infrastructure of a company, enterprise. A sysadmin configures, maintains and develops it.
• IT Evangelist
  • An IT evangelist is not a job per se. The duties of an IT evangelist include blogging, communicating with the audience through articles, interviews, writing books about IT technologies and products.
• Technical writer
  • A technical writer helps ordinary users understand how to use a piece of equipment or software by writing documentation (instructions).
• Site Administrator
  • The administrator solves all issues related to the work of the site: he/she is responsible for network security, content and advertising placement, site promotion, etc.
• Business Analyst
  • The main tasks of a business analyst are to analyse business processes with a view to their further automation, develop technical tasks and specifications, test software, prepare analytical reports.
• Information Security Specialist
  • Information security specialists create protection systems for specific companies, protect local computer networks from virus attacks or hackers.
• Web programmer
  • A web programmer or web developer is an in-demand and already fairly common IT job. Web programmers are involved in the creation and maintenance of web applications: websites, portals, internet services.
• Computer programmer
  • Programmers develop algorithms and computer programs of varying complexity. The job is promising, well paid, involves career growth and is suitable for people with analytical thinking, interest in mathematics and foreign languages.
• 1C programmer
  • A 1C programmer develops or configures and maintains the 1C software product.
• Systems Programmer
  • A System Programmer develops operating systems, software packages that ensure the smooth operation of computer components.
• Cybersportsman
  • Cybersport is a hobby profession. It means that it all starts with a passion for some online game, and only when the player reaches remarkable heights in it, the sport becomes a profession.
• ERP Consultant
  • An ERP Consultant helps to implement and set up Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems.
• Enterprise Architect
  • The profession of Enterprise Architect is considered the highest level of a programmer's career, as he is the only one in the company who has a holistic vision of the whole system and can organise the process of its development.
• QA Engineer
  • A QA engineer's job is to improve the software development process, prevent defects and detect errors in the work of the product being created.
• Team Leader
  • A team leader manages a team of developers.
• SEO Specialist
  • SEO specialist (or simply "seoshnik") solves the tasks of promoting and increasing the traffic of the site, i.e. is engaged in its search engine optimisation, or Search Engine Optimisation - SEO. A good SEO must also understand internet marketing.
• Data Scientist
  • A data scientist is a specialist in processing, analysing and storing large amounts of data, so-called "big data".
• Frontend Developer
  • A front-end developer is a layout designer and programmer in one person, a hero of style and code, creating the user interface.
• Back-end developer
  • A back-end developer deals with the software and administrative part of a web application, the internal content of the system, server technologies - database, architecture, programming logic. Works with websites, web applications, and less often with games.
• Mobile developer
  • Mobile developer, mobile app developer, app developer (mobile developer) creates applications for various non-stationary digital devices: tablets,