The FAQs relate to 4 topics:
- The application process
- The Selection Sprint (The "Piscine" or "swimming pool")
- Adam - Studying during the 2- year curriculum
- Employment after graduation
The Application process:
WHO CAN APPLY?
The "Online Test" is open to anyone interested. No prior programming experience or academic qualifications are required. We encourage in particular the following groups to apply:
- High School graduates who want to enhance their knowledge in software engineering and are keen to open new opportunities in the tech industry
- Non-technical professionals who wish to obtain training in software engineering
- Entry and medium level programmers and software developers who are keen to further develop their skills
WHEN CAN I APPLY?
Our applications are currently open. Applicants who are interested in joining the next cohort will need to do their online test by end of April 2023.
WHAT QUALITIES DOES THE APPLICATION PROCESS ASSESS?
We do NOT test your programing and computational skills. We test your passion, collaboration, perseverance, and creativity. These are much stronger indicators of your ability to code.
Passion - interest in coding and software development, coupled with a strong motivation to develop your skills.
Collaboration - the ability to work with others to complete projects and overcome obstacles.
Creativity - finding innovative solutions quickly and thinking of new approaches to solve complex problems.
Perseverance - remaining motivated and diligent despite challenges.
WHAT STAGES DOES THE APPLICATION PROCESS INCLUDE?
The first stage is participation in a digital cognitive online test which is open to anyone interested. If you pass the online test, you will be invited to take part in the 4-week Piscine Bootcamp. The team will reach out to you and will give you more details once you have passed the online game.
WHAT IS THE ONLINE COGNITIVE TEST?
The online cognitive test consists of two games - a short memory game which takes 5 minutes approximately, followed by a longer logic game. The test takes approximately an hour and a half.
Memory, problem-solving and logical thinking are all good indicators of your aptitude for coding! Prior coding experience is not an advantage.
HOW WILL I KNOW IF I HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED TO THE SELECTION PISCINE?
When you complete the test, you will see what level you achieved in each game. We'll update you via email to confirm whether you have passed, or if we have given you another chance to retake the entry test.
WHEN WILL I KNOW IF I AM ACCEPTED TO THE PISCINE?
You will know if you have been accepted to the first piscine by March 2023, preferably much before that.
HOW MANY TIMES CAN I TRY THE ONLINE COGNITIVE TEST?
You have up to three attempts to take the cognitive tests. If your score is good enough on the first attempt, you will be accepted directly to the "Piscine"; if not - you will be allowed 2 more attempts.
PLEASE NOTE: Once you have started the test it cannot be paused or restarted.
The Selection Sprint (or "swimming pool")
WHAT IS THE SELECTION SPRINT?
The Selection Sprint is a 4-week intensive, on-campus coding challenge where you will be introduced to the Go, JavaScript, and Rust languages. During this month, you will work on individual and teamwork exercises.
The Selection Sprint will give you a complete immersion into programming in a group setting that leverages collective intelligence and encourages collaboration.
It is designed for program participants who wish to understand the mechanisms of programming.
Be prepared for a very intense, extremely rewarding four weeks. You will make new friends and memories and gain a comprehensive introduction to software development.
If you pass the Selection Sprint, you will be invited to enroll in the 2-year program.
HOW DO YOU ASSESS PARTICIPANTS IN THE SELECTION SPRINT?
The Selection Sprint is gamified. This means that you will receive a score for all the work you complete including project work and individual assessments. This scoring grades your ability to learn fast, perform intensive work, collaborate with others and, above all, it tests your motivation.
WHEN AND WHERE IS THE PISCINE?
The Piscine is scheduled from April 2023. It will be held in person on our campus at the University of Notre Dame at Tantur, Jerusalem.
I ALREADY HAVE SOME CODING KNOWLEDGE. IS THIS PROGRAM FOR ME?
Absolutely. We encourage people from all backgrounds to apply for the program.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SELECTION SPRINT?
The fee for participating in the Selection Sprint is nominal. In order to ensure that all participants are taking their time and the time of our staff seriously, we kindly ask that the fee of 400 ILS be paid in advance of the Selection Sprint (either via credit card or cash on campus).
Adam – coding & beyond
WHAT IS THE MEANING OF "CODING AND BEYOND"?
It means that the core curriculum (about 80% of the curriculum) focuses on programming skills needed to become full-stack developers. But the program also includes additional modules in Hebrew as a foreign language, and electives in humanities and soft skill development (e.g. book clubs, CV writing, etc.). The additional modules are essential for successful integration into the high-tech employment market.
IS IT A FULL-TIME PROGRAM AND HOW MANY DAYS A WEEK DO YOU NEED TO COMMIT?
The program is divided into 4 semesters, each semester lasting 6 months. The program lasts two years, within the format of five full days (approximately 40 hours) a week.
IN WHICH LANGUAGE ARE THE STUDIES?
The program runs in English.
WHERE WILL THE PROGRAM TAKE PLACE?
The program will take place on the campus of the University of Notre Dame at Tantur, Jerusalem
IS THERE COLLABORATION WITH COMPANIES IN THE HIGH-TECH INDUSTRY?
Yes. At the core of the program is the collaboration with the industry. UNDT invites companies to support participants financially, offer participants job prospects after graduation, as well as running workshops, hackathons and other mentoring capacities throughout the program.
WHO MANAGES THE PROGRAM?
It is run by the University of Notre Dame at Tantur (UNDT) which is a part of Notre Dame Global (NDG).
WILL I RECEIVE A DIPLOMA OR A DEGREE?
The students who graduate will receive a certificate of completion from the University of Notre Dame at Tantur.
Core curriculum:
WHAT IS THE 2-YEAR CURRICULUM?
The program comprises two years of project-based learning which will give you a highly comprehensive software development skill set.
It is based on the 01 EDU Systems software and is conducted in a self-learning format and in a gamified atmosphere.
HOW WILL I LEARN WITHOUT TEACHERS AND CLASSES?
The teaching software will guide you through the process. It includes instructions, support videos, and other built-in features. Through collaboration with other program participants on group projects, as well as honing your skills individually, you will gain a comprehensive skill set and learn the basics of coding.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF MY COLLEAGUES AND I DO NOT WORK AT THE SAME PACE?
The program is completely customized based on your own pace of learning.
DO I HAVE TO BE PHYSICALLY PRESENT IN THE SCHOOL BUILDING? CAN I STUDY FROM HOME?
You need to be physically present because the learning is collaborative. Learning together with your team members in the same environment will be very motivating and all group members will progress faster.
WHAT CODING LANGUAGES WILL I LEARN?
By completing 60 projects, you will learn how to use the Go, JavaScript, and Rust languages. You will also know how to use C, C++, Ruby on Rails, PHP, and Python.
More importantly, the goal of the program is to make learners autonomous and capable of learning any language. You will not be limited to these languages alone.
DO I NEED TO HAVE MY OWN LAPTOP?
No. The program participants will have full access to Notre Dame’s computers during the 2 years of the program.
HOW MUCH DO I HAVE TO PAY FOR THE PROGRAM?
Due to the funding support the program receives from its partner companies, the first cohort will have a subsidized program fee of 9,000 ILS per year, and 18,000 ILS for the full program.
HOW IS THE PROGRAM GRADED DURING THE TWO YEARS? IS IT A PASS OR FAIL PROCESS?
It's not a pass or fail process, it's much more about increasing levels of challenge as you work your way through the program.
There are 60 different projects to solve within the two years and you progress to the next level once you complete each one.
The course is designed to train highly competent software developers and is intentionally challenging, so it is completely normal to fail a project once in a while.
WHAT CONTENT IS COVERED IN THE 2-YEAR CURRICULUM?
During the first 18 months, program participants will be exposed to more than 20 languages. Each language will require 6 months of project work, allowing program participants to deepen their understanding of the language and explore additional concepts.
After completing the first 18 months, program participants will be able to choose a branch in a field of application in which they want to deepen their skills for the last 6 months of the course.
Program participants can choose to specialize in: artificial intelligence and machine learning, video games, blockchain and crypto, cyber security and DevOps, mobile and web application development, as well as UX/UI.
Hebrew curriculum:
HOW MANY HOURS A WEEK ARE DEDICATED TO THE HEBREW COURSES?
Program participants are required to attend all Hebrew courses during the 2-year program (ca. 6 hours a week on average each semester), i.e. a total of 450 hours during the biennial program
ARE THE HEBREW COURSES COMPULSORY?
Yes. The program strives to qualify the participants to work in leading companies, speaking Hebrew fluently is essential for successful integration in the labor market in Israel.
HOW MANY PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS WILL A LEARNING GROUP CONSIST OF?
Each group will consist of 20-30 participants.
WHAT WILL I KNOW BY THE END OF THE HEBREW COURSE?
At the end of the biennial program, you will be able to conduct conversations, participate in meetings, express your opinions, and get along in most situations of everyday and professional life.
WHICH TEACHING METHODS ARE USED IN THE HEBREW COURSES?
The Hebrew language program is based on a tailored curriculum especially developed for non-Hebrew speakers, ensuring that they master the language needed to enter and succeed in the local industry. The goal of the Hebrew studies is to strengthen mastery of all language skills (reading comprehension, writing, listening comprehension, and speaking), especially communication skills.
Electives in soft skills and humanities:
HOW MANY COURSES DO I NEED TO TAKE DURING THE 2-YEAR PROGRAM?
Program participants will take one elective course (ca. 2 hours a week on average) each semester, i.e. 4 elective courses through the program.
WHO TEACHES THE ELECTIVES?
The electives are taught by a Notre Dame faculty or other instructors in smaller groups (up to 30 participants).
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE COURSES IN SOFT SKILLS AND HUMANITIES?
The elective modules in soft skills and humanities aim to introduce you to a variety of different topics (in ethics, philosophy and the arts), in order to challenge your way of thinking and to arouse your interest in possibly continuing to explore one or more of the fields independently.
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE SOFT SKILLS MODULES?
The elective courses in soft skill development aim to give you practical tools that will support you in searching, acquiring and succeeding in the job market (e.g. CV writing, preparation for job interviews).
Working after the program
WHAT WORK WILL I BE ABLE TO DO?
You will complete the program with specialization in one field out of many, and get acquitted with jobs in the digital world, from startups to global companies, for example:
Web: back end developer, front end developer, e-commerce consultant, new media specialist, SEO specialist, SEO analyst, SEO consultant, user experience designer, user interface designer, web content manager, web designer, web developer, webmaster.
Cyber security: computer forensics investigator, cybersecurity strategist, cryptography specialist, ethical hacker, privacy specialist, security administrator, security analyst.
System: Dev Ops, database administrator, enterprise architect, IT operations analyst, system administrator, system analyst, system architect, system engineer.
Network: network analyst, network engineer, telecommunications engineer, telecommunications specialist.
Software: lead software engineer, quality assurance engineer, software developer, software release manager, software tester.
Hardware: computer hardware engineer, electronics engineer, interaction designer.
AI: algorithm developer, artificial intelligence specialist, computer vision engineer, machine learning specialist.
Data: business intelligence analyst, blockchain specialist, data scientist, data analyst, EDI system analyst, statistical programmer.
Video Games: game designer, game developer, game producer, game programmer, game tester, level designer, technical artist.
Graphic: 3D animator, 3D developer, 3D modeler, character designer, AR developer, VR developer.
Other: cloud infrastructure specialist, IT instructor, professional gamer, project manager, product manager.
WHAT WILL MY JOB PROSPECTS AFTER GRADUATION LOOK LIKE?
We will aim to connect you with our program partners (some at application, others throughout the program). Some of them will offer you a job opportunity already at the beginning of the program, and others throughout. We believe that your career opportunities will look very bright in any case, earning a very good salary within 2 years from graduation.