What is IT Engineering?
IT engineering or Information Technology engineering is a broad definition that can apply to software engineering, hardware engineering, integration of hardware and software or validation and verification of hardware and software components.
An IT engineer is equally responsible for hardware and software as well as their integration validation and testing.
IT Engineering Certifications
IT engineering certifications range from vendor specific certifications such as those offered by Citrix Systems and Cisco to the Certified Information Systems Security Professional certification. Electronics engineering and computer science degrees may be offered by junior colleges and trade schools, while electrical engineering and systems engineering require at least a Bachelor’s degree in engineering from a four year school. Computer science covers the software portion of IT engineering.
Electrical engineering or systems engineering lays the groundwork required to work in IT hardware engineering, though a degree in electronics or software architecture may be enough. IT security is its own specialty within IT engineering.
Managing IT Engineering Projects
Information Technology and engineering rely on the same tools and skill-sets when infrastructure is being installed. The same principles of project management apply to engineering firms building pipelines and IT firms installing servers, routers and cables. IT engineering projects tend to require more support due to the rapid obsolescence of both hardware and software compared to traditional engineering projects such as roads, building maintenance, production line support and water works.
IT engineering project leads must cope with more complexity than other engineering disciplines. Every piece of hardware is made more complex by the number of connectors and software drivers it could have. A group of computers may have the same hardware and Operating System, but troubleshooting is more difficult due to the differences in installed software applications.
Troubleshooting takes longer when each machine may have a different set of information security patches, supporting software versions like Adobe or Java and user customizations. IT support can be likened to maintenance staff supporting and repairing engineering infrastructure. However, IT engineering projects also generate constant, periodic expenses like software licensing fees that are generally not required in infrastructure projects unless you are leasing equipment instead of purchasing it outright.
IT engineering projects require more testing, verification and validation than an equivalent engineering project. An industrial engineer designing a production line will know the incoming material feed rate or can set it to an ideal rate. Each piece of equipment comes with its own specification document that details how it will interface with other, compatible equipment.
The evolution of software creates headaches for IT engineering groups because many major software vendors only test their products with other, commonly used software applications and hardware. A Java update is tested with the most common internet browsers, but it may wreak havoc with niche software applications. Oracle versions are tested with major related software applications like web servers, but it may not have been tested at all with old web server versions or free-ware software. Software updates for standard software packages like Java, Oracle and Apache are not tested by the software vendors with home-grown software applications; this work must be done by the IT engineering department of each firm.
IT engineering project models must deal with variable demand from user needs, automatic software updates and possible spikes from Denial of Service attacks. Quality of service is also higher for many IT engineering groups than it is for engineering firms, since data is the lifeblood of many organizations. If an email server goes down, many businesses start to suffer immediately and may come to a standstill within a few days. When engineers and quality control staff cannot access a drawing database, production could come to a halt even if the production line is still running.
IT Engineering Standards
IT engineering standards are set by the International Standards Organization (ISO), IEEE and the IEC. IEEE standards like IEEE 802.11 for WLAN communications lay the foundation for modern IT networks.
ISO/IEC standard 14772-2 on the virtual reality modeling language is an example of a standard proposed by the IEC and then adopted by the ISO.
The ISO 9000 family of quality standards can apply to IT hardware and server up-time, although they are harder to apply to software. IEEE software standards apply to any software application or operating system managed by IT engineering leads.
Information Technology Engineering
In this article, we will have an in-depth analysis of B.E./B.Tech. Information Technology course. IT (Information Technology) is a relatively new Engineering branch. Despite its late entry, it quickly became popular among students and used to create numerous job opportunities with decent pay packages! But with recession, the reputation of this Engineering Branch took a dent. Still, if pursued from a reputed Institute, IT Engineering is a valuable course. In this article, I will provide information about B.E./B.Tech. Information Technology program such as- basic course details, course duration, eligibility criteria, important subjects present, scope and job opportunities.
B.E./B.Tech. Information Technology: Basic course details
It is a 4 years long Undergraduate Level Degree program. The 4 years’ duration is divided into 8 semesters, with each semester lasting a period of 6 months. During each semester, students will have to face a different set of theoretical subjects as well as practical lab sessions.
Information Technology branch consists of topics related to Information management (storage and retrieving) , Information security, Software engineering, Computer Science, web scripting etc. In short, it is aimed at training students to become Information management experts and put their skills to support various Industries and spheres of life.
To get a better idea about the structure of the course, let us take a look at the list of important subjects present in B.E./B.Tech. Information Technology program.
B.E./B.Tech. Information Technology: Important subjects present
I’ve listed only the important subjects present in B.E./B.Tech. Information Technology course. It has been done so that readers may get an idea about what the course structure is like.
In the first two semesters, the general set of Engineering subjects are present.
- Engineering Mathematics
- Communication Skills
- Engineering Physics
- Engineering Graphics
- Elements of Mechanical Engineering
- Elements of Electrical Engineering
- Basics of Civil Engineering
- Computer Programming and Utilization
- Mechanics of Solids
After first year, from 3rd semester onward, subjects focusing on IT and its various sub branches are introduced.
- Data Structure
- Database Management System
- Logic Design and Structure
- File Structure
- Operating System
- Programming in C Language
- Business Information Systems
- Object Oriented Programming using C++
- Data Communication
- Networking
- Programming using Java
- Computer Graphics and Multimedia
- Computer Networks
- Software Engineering
- Information Management
- E-Commerce
- Web Scripting and Technology
- Data Mining
- RDBMS
- Project Management
- Management
- Data Compression
- Java (Advanced)
- Algorithm Design
- Electronics
Those were some important subjects present in B.E./B.Tech. Information Technology course. Some of the above mentioned courses are recurring ones, meaning they will appear in more than just one semester.
In case of some subjects, along with the theoretical part, lab sessions are also present. Students, in case of some semesters, will also have to select elective subjects, whose availability may vary from one Institute to another.
In the final and pre final year, Industrial training and project work will play an important role.
Eligibility Criteria and admission process
10+2 Science stream students with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics subjects, who have passed 12th board examinations from a recognized board are eligible to pursue B.E./B.Tech. Information Technology course.
Students must also have appeared for state level entrance examination to be considered eligible to take part in the admission process. Admission process is held at both Central (Govt run) as well State (State wise Authorities) levels.
Courses to do after B.E./B.Tech. Information Technology
Graduates may go for various IT Edge courses offered by Private institutes. M.E./M.Tech. program can also be pursued by Graduates. They may choose to specialize in sub branches within the IT field by taking help of this PG program. M.B.A. is another option that will add to the management skills of a Graduate! Graduates may also go on and pursue relevant M.Sc. programs too! Also check
Scope, Job opportunities and Salary details
These days, IT sector is so well evolved that it is directly or indirectly influencing the working of various other sectors and industries. IT sector acts as a supporting figure for various sectors such as healthcare, aviation, education, manufacturing sector, telecommunications sector, various Government initiatives and Departments etc.
Graduates may take up following job posts in the above mentioned sectors-
- Web Developer and Designer
- Data Security Officer
- Database Manager
- Software Developer
- Information Technology Engineer
The startup scenario also recruits talented IT professionals. So, those who are looking for a creative and challenging work environment may land a job in the startup sector. One may also use IT skills and start their own venture or even a consultancy firm also. But starting a consultancy business will require one to have good work experience first!
These days, IT companies are even recruiting Graduates from other Engineering branches and training them to take on jobs in IT Industry. This has led to general reduction in salary of Freshers. Still, if you manage to pursue IT Engineering from a reputed Institute, you’ll be able to land a well paying job right from the start. The average starting salary is generally between 20k-40k Rupees per month.
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