ISTD

Frequently Asked Questions

Most recent update: February 22, 2017

Frequent Thoughts

&

!

By SUTD Freshmore

ISTD at a glance

Terms 3 and 4:

5 Core classes: Algorithms, Hardware, Programming,

Software Design, OS and Networks; Probability and

Statistics; IoT devices (in projects)

Terms 5, 6, 7

• 4 or 5 Track core and electives

• 1 or 2 Technical Application Electives

• Multidisciplinary capstone project

Why ISTD is so awesome?

Because computation has entered nearly every aspect of our

lives. From little babies to mature adults, from a simple bicycle to

a space station, everything is using computing.

Because using computers to make life more interesting, products

more intelligent, and systems more cost effective is not just

intellectually challenging but a LOT of fun!

I plan to join EPD or ESD and take sufficient ISTD courses. Doing so will enable me to get the best of both worlds.

Why then should I join ISTD?

This appears to be a good plan!

It would be best if you talk to some ISTD seniors or graduates about this plan before you take a final decision.

Please note: (a) You can take only 4-subjects in each term unless your GPA is very high (>4.75). (b) ISTD subjects will require you to spend at least as much time as any subject in any other pillar. (c ) You will likely not get the full benefit of ISTD as you will not be able to take many ISTD foundational subjects and electives.

If you really like two pillars then you may consider a dual degree. Or, better yet, go for a degree in one pillar and a Master’s in another!

Is ISTD only about coding?

ISTD and Programming

No, ISTD is NOT only about programming

Programming is an intellectually demanding tool, just as

mathematics is. Programming has become a VERY Important

tool not only for ISTD majors but for ALL majors.

ISTD is about the design and implementation of systems; these could be small such as a simple IoT device or a large system such as a social networking site or a reservation system

ISTD is about the design of products: software and software/hardware products; and systems.

What programming languages do ISTD students learn?

Programming Languages

Formally: Python and Java

Short courses: C, C++, Swift

During internships: Many more such as Ruby

What other skills can ISTD modules equip the students with?

Knowledge set

Software design; software/hardware co-design; programming languages

Networking and cyber security: structure, protocols, implementation,

cryptography, etc.

Databases, Machine learning, Artificial Intelligence

Fundamentals of computer hardware

User interface design

Computer graphics, computational fabrication

Skill set

Ability to design, develop, test, and deploy software applications; e.g.,

games, financial, transportation, educational, web, and many more.

Ability to design, develop, test, and deploy software/hardware products

such as IoT devices, network devices, and more.

Ability to work in multidisciplinary engineering product development teams

Ability to learn on-your-own new computing technologies that keep cropping

up nearly everyday. This includes new programming languages, new operating

systems, new software tools, etc.

What is the minor policy for ISTD? Can we take ESD as minor if

choosing ISTD as our major? How deep the algorithms learnt in

ISTD? What kind of experience will ISTD provide the students to

learn well besides self-learning?

Yes, ISTD student can do a minor in other pillars (ESD and EPD).

Any student from a pillar other than ISTD can do a minor in ISTD. For details

of the policy please visit the following site.

https://istd.sutd.edu.sg/undergraduate/minor/

Please visit the EPD and ESD web sites for their minor policy.

User interface design

Computer graphics, computational fabrication

How I can apply what I learn in the future? In terms of

skills, ability to solve problems.

Which areas of work can I do in the future.

What will ISTD graduates do?

ISTD graduates develop PRODUCTS.

ISTD products have earned billions for Microsoft, Facebook,

Apple, Google, and thousands of other companies in nearly all

areas of human endeavor.

ISTD graduates develop SYSTEMS.

ISTD graduates have the knowledge and skill set needed NOW

and in the FUTURE for Singapore!

What tracks are available in ISTD?

Will there be any new focus tracks or new module for ISTD in the near future?

Tracks

Artificial Intelligence

Computer Engineering [with EPD]

Security and Communication

Business Analytics [with ESD]

Custom

Computational Design (New) – Info will be shared in the ISTD website soon

Custom Track

You design your own track

(a) Create a theme for your track (b) Select any four courses (core ISTD

courses cannot be used) from ISTD or other pillars; (c) submit your proposal

to the ISTD undergraduate committee.

It could be in a single discipline (ISTD) or multidisciplinary.

Sample themes:

Computational Finance; Secure Control; Modeling and Simulation

New modules Likely in 2018-19

Cloud computing

Embedded systems

Is there a specialization in network security or malware-related field?

Yes, Security and Communication track.

What is the difficulty level of ISTD?

Difficulty Level

You will enjoy ISTD if you like “hands-on” work.

For those who like to do things on their own, develop products-software or

hardware; excel in taking on challenges and overcoming them despite the

difficulty, will love ISTD.

Those who love to be at the forefront of technology will enjoy ISTD.

The difficulty level in ISTD courses will be high if you do not enjoy your

classes, and low if you do.

If you are more of a “desk” person who loves to solve abstract problems,

perhaps ISTD is not for you.

How would ISTD modules be related to other pillars in SUTD?

ISTD and Other Pillars

Knowledge and skill set acquired in ISTD is applicable to ALL pillars.

EPD: Innovative, flexible, and intelligent products: ALL require software,

networking, and some even require Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence.

ESD: Modeling and simulation, system implementation: ALL require

knowledge and skill set acquired in ISTD.

ASD: Today’s architect with a sound knowledge of computing fundamentals

has a significant edge over others who lack such knowledge and skill set.

Will the journey (in ISTD) for a student with no

background (in computing) be very tough?

ISTD: Who should enter?

Digital world is intended to provide computing background needed to

enter ISTD.

You should consider ISTD if you enjoyed Digital World and secured an A, B, or

C.

Those with a C in Digital World should consider ISTD if they are willing to

work hard and enhance their programming skills.

How difficult it will be for new programmers?

New programmer?

Most students in ISTD are “new” programmers.

If you have enjoyed Digital World, then you will be able to pick up more

advanced programming in subsequent courses.

What are the job opportunities for ISTD graduates?

ISTD: Career

Computers have entered nearly ALL aspects of human endeavour

Thus, you will be able to apply most of the knowledge acquired in ISTD. You

could develop applications for nearly any kind of company (including

defence, banks and game companies). You could start your own app

development company

If you like to play with hardware products, then you could very well use your

programming and hardware skill set to design new IoT devices.

What is the difference between “front end” and “back

end?”

Front-end vs Back-end

There are several definitions. One possible way of looking at this: That

which a user directly sees can be considered as “front” and that which is

hidden can be considered “back.”

Hence, “front end” applications are those that are used directly by a user.

Web apps and games fall into this category.

Operating systems, networks, language compilers fall into “back-end”

category.

The knowledge and skill set you will develop enables you to work at both

ends.

What is the potential of management positions in ISTD?

ISTD and Management

A large number of graduates in Computer Science go into management

after a few years of engineering work on the ground.

You ought to consider an MBA a few years after graduating with an ISTD

degree.

You probably know that many of the billionaires in the world have been

“computing” lovers who went into management and created giants like

Microsoft, Apple, Facebook, etc.

What is the difference between ISTD and Computer

Science at other universities?

ISTD and Computer Science

ISTD core is the same as that in most Computer Science programs.

ISTD electives are the same as those in traditional Computer Science

programs.

It is the integration of ISTD in the engineering environment of SUTD that

makes ISTD different from most Computer Science programs.

Thus, ISTD graduates have an appreciation for traditional engineering and

design; they are truly multidisciplinary.

How does ISTD compare with other pillars?

ISTD and Other Pillars

ISTD focuses on the design of software and software/hardware products

and systems; not only hardware products.

ISTD offers knowledge and skill set that is relevent to ALL industries in a

modern society.

Most ISTD courses are very hands on and have less mathematical content

than most ESD courses.

What is the difference between ISTD and ESD

Business Analytics Track?

ISTD Vs ESD BA TrackThis is a joint track. The main difference is in the core classes to be taken in Term 4 and 5. ISTD students are required to take the following core courses:

• Introduction to Information Systems and Programming• Computation Structures• Introduction to Algorithms• Elements of Software Constructions• Computer System Engineering• Probability and Statistics

ESD students are required to take the following core courses:• Engineering Systems Design• Probability• Optimization• Operations Management• Statistics• Stochastic Modeling + Network Modeling

An ISTD student can take some ESD classes to to make the tracks identical.

What is the difference between ISTD and EPD

Computer Engineering Track?

This is a joint track. For EPD students, they can complete all track requirements within EPD. For ISTD students, they are required to take the following EPD modules to complete the track requirements:

• 30.106 Microelectronic Circuits and Devices (EPD)

• 30.110 Digital Systems Lab (EPD)

Apart from the above, the ISTD CE track cores and electives and the EPD CE track cores and electives are different. You can compare the differences by looking at

https://istd.sutd.edu.sg/undergraduate/tracks/computer-engineering/and https://epd.sutd.edu.sg/education/undergraduate/curriculum-tracks/computer-engineering/

ISTD Vs EPD CE Track

Is it true that most ISTD software knowledge is

self-taught?

ISTD and Other PIllars

True and not true

Faculty members in ISTD work hard to create lesson plans, homeworks, quizzes,

exams, projects, etc to ensure that students learn well the subject matter.

As in any other class, learning happens when a student completes the required

course and project work independently and, in many cases, in groups.

What kinds of projects will students be doing in

ISTD?

ISTD and Other PIllars

Hardware design projects

UI design projects

Game design projects

Product design projects

Etc.

How different would ISTD be from The Digital

World?

How large would the jump from The Digital World

to Term 4 be like?

ISTD and Other PIllars

Digital World gives you an introduction to program design,

implementation, and testing in a variety of application domains.

If you liked Digital World then chances are that you will enjoy and

do well in most ISTD subjects.

If you had a lot of trouble in Digital World, and you keep saying to

yourself “I do not like programming,” then you ought to consider

another pillar.

Which focus track of ISTD has the highest

graduate employment rate?

Which focus track has the highest average

monthly salary?

ISTD and Other PIllars

All ISTD tracks are in demand. Also, the precise demand changes.

Currently graduates with a good security and communications

background and software design skills, are in big demand.

Salary depends on more than one factor. Your overall performance

at SUTD, your communication skills, your passion, are some of the

factors that decide on your salary.

The median starting salary of our pioneer ISTD graduates (Year

2015) is the highest among the IT students in local universities, as

well as across SUTD pillars.

Most beautiful ISTD Prof?

ISTD and Other PIllars

Students: please do a survey and let ISTD faculty

know the results!!

Any other questions?

Visit

istd.sutd.edu.sg