6 ECTS credits
156 h study time

Offer 2 with catalog number 4019964ENW for working students in the 1st semester at a (E) Master - advanced level.

Semester
1st semester
Enrollment based on exam contract
Impossible
Grading method
Grading (scale from 0 to 20)
Can retake in second session
Yes
Enrollment Requirements
NOTE: registration for this course is only possible for working students. Day students can register for courses whose code ends with an R. At Inschrijven / studentenadministratie@vub.be you must be registered at the VUB as a working student for the current academic year.
Taught in
English
Faculty
Faculty of Social Sciences & SolvayBusinessSchool
Department
Business Technology and Operations
Educational team
Kevin De Moortel (course titular)
Activities and contact hours

26 contact hours Lecture
130 contact hours Independent or External Form of Study
Course Content

Software is a pervasive technology: everybody knows Microsoft, Google and Facebook; 40% of all high tech startups in Flanders are software companies, software is a major part of the activity of many other companies. This course provides insights in the unique properties of this sector and the IT sector in general, and prepares students for a career (as entrepreneur of busines professional) in these fascinating industries.


The 3 ECTS course is destined for students in Computer sciences and Business engineering. The 6 credit version is for TEW students.

During the lectures a/o following topics will be covered:

* an introduction to concepts of technology entrepreneurship
• The history of the software and IT industries
• The market structure of the software and IT industries
• Business aspects of the software business: product management, software development management, services, maintenance and support, outsourcing
• Marketing aspects of software and IT
• Intellectual property rights and software
• Present and future developments in the software industry
• Cases
• Testimonials: a number of guest speakers, active in the IT and software industry, will present their story during the sessions. Presence on these sessions is mandatory

Additional info

The default course language is English. Slides in English.
A selection of publications is presented as references or background information.

Teaching Methods

- Lecture: collective contact-dependent moments during which the lecturer engages with learning materials
- Seminar, Exercises or Practicals (Practical): collective or individual contact-dependent moments during which the students are guided to actively engage with learning materials
- Independent or External Form of Study (Self): independent study

This description of the teaching methods is indicative, in order to assess the expected study load.

Lecture: 26 hours

  • classical lectures: 14 hours (7 x 2 hours)
  • guest lectures: 12 hours (6 x 2 hours)
  • Independent Form of Study: the student writes and submits a paper on a software/IT business or segment of their choice (after approval by Professor) and presents it during the exam (40 hours). Details are communicated at the start of the sessions.

Self: 58 hours

  • keeping up with the course material during the semester and run through background information, amounting to 1 hour per hour lecture: 26 hours
  • preparation exam: 32 hours (4 days of 8 hours)

 

Learning Outcomes

General competences

Students acquire insights in the history and economic importance of software and IT industry

Students acquire insights in the unique strategic and managerial aspects of software and IT companies  

Students acquire insights in present and future developments of the software and IT industry

Grading

The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
Oral Exam determines 50% of the final mark.
Practical Exam determines 50% of the final mark.

Within the Oral Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:

  • Oral Exam with a relative weight of 1 which comprises 50% of the final mark.

    Note: Oral Exam with written preparation

Within the Practical Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:

  • Paper with a relative weight of 1 which comprises 50% of the final mark.

    Note: A paper on a topic agreed on by the student and the professor

Additional info regarding evaluation

Presence at guest lectures is mandatory. Reasons for absence must be communicated to the professor before every session.

Allowed unsatisfactory mark
The supplementary Teaching and Examination Regulations of your faculty stipulate whether an allowed unsatisfactory mark for this programme unit is permitted.

Academic context

This offer is part of the following study plans:
Master of Business Economics: Standaard traject (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Teaching in Economics: standaard traject (90 ECTS, Etterbeek) (only offered in Dutch)