IFSA Tech Career Accelerator

Mix and match 4 - 5 IFSA classes for a total of 12 - 15 U.S. semester credit hours. Most classes are worth 3 U.S. semester credits and are open to all students. Prerequisites for some classes may be required.

All students will take Essential Czech, a 1 U.S. semester credit hour class in contemporary Czech language and culture taught intensively during the first weeks of the program. By introducing key words and phrases in the classroom—and venturing out into the city to practice them—this class also provides insights into local customs and daily life. Right from the start, you’ll gain essential skills to communicate effectively and navigate in a new culture.

IFSA has carefully tailored a suite of computer science classes to fit U.S. degree requirements, which you can complement with social and historical surveys that invite you to engage with your host city and community. Please note, not all classes may be offered in a given semester depending on enrollment. Click on each link below for a detailed class syllabus.

CORE CLASS 

Leadership Development for the Tech Sector
As the demand for STEM professionals increases around the world, students pursuing careers in tech will require industry knowledge, the ability to think critically, the capacity and creativity to solve problems and innovate, and the professional competencies to be key contributors and leaders in a dynamic sector.

This class is designed for students with a background in computer science or related disciplines who are interested in augmenting their academic pursuits through a curriculum that combines integrated professional skills development with an in-depth look at how the tech sector operates and carefully curated opportunities for active and applied learning. From client or challenge-based group projects to company visits, panel discussions, expert talks, and networking events, the robust and vibrant tech ecosystem in Prague will serve as an extension of the classroom and provide access to the leaders and companies that are driving change in the industry.

Upon completion, students will have a deeper understanding of themselves, an insider’s perspective of the sector, and an expanded global network. They will also have an enhanced portfolio that helps them to demonstrate their abilities and experiences. This includes an IFSA-exclusive credential from The Leadership Edge, a leading organizational development consulting firm in the U.S. that has partnered with IFSA to design this unique class. (3 U.S. semester credit hours)

IFSA COMPUTER SCIENCE CLASSES 

Computer Networks
This class provides students with a deep understanding of what makes computer networks reliable, scalable, and secure, and thus essential components of modern society. It focuses on business and operation related computer networks: infrastructures for desktops, laptops, servers, and other TCP/IP related components. Students learn to evaluate multiple possible solutions given physical constraints, each with its advantages and further problems as well. Each topic of the class seeks to resolve previously presented problems and questions, while generating further ones that need to be addressed. (3 U.S. semester credit hours)

Database Management Systems
This class focuses on the design, implementation, data population, and administration of a database, and on the core concepts and characteristics of relational databases, in comparison with non-relational databases. Students learn the normalization techniques and standards to be able to design a relational database based on given requirements. Further on, data definition language (DDL) is used to specify the schema in a chosen database management system. A significant part of the class is devoted to the administration of the database, including SQL scripts and commands. (3 U.S. semester credit hours)

Introduction to Artificial Intelligence
Since the 1960s artificial intelligence (AI) has been applied to complex programs that could achieve tasks considered very complicated even for humans. This class introduces key concepts of intelligent agents, including behavior and environment as well as their role in problem solving and knowledge and reasoning representation. Modeling intelligent behavior designed to solve problems can be approached via logical, probabilistic, and/or neural methods. Students evaluate their common points and differences and investigate examples from natural language processing in the machine learning context. (3 U.S. semester credit hours)

Introduction to Computer and Network Security
This class provides a solid foundation for securing data in a computer infrastructure, thus covering data security on the end devices (computers) as well as securing data in transit (networks) and on remote storage. Students will gain an understanding of CIA (Confidentiality, Integrity and Authentication) and AAA (Authentication, Authorization and Accounting) services on a data infrastructure that is both secured and scalable. Content progresses from the most important security definitions, concepts, and principles to the enforcement of such on the data path from the end-user towards the internet. (3 U.S. semester credit hours)

Introduction to Machine Learning
In this class, students develop an understanding of the theoretical foundations in machine learning (ML) and an ability to use its methods in practice. Several state-of-the-art models and algorithms will be discussed, including regression, clustering, decision trees and neural networks, and deep learning. Concurrently, students develop a solution for a test problem using tools discussed in the class, such as git, python, etc. This practical experience assesses the effectiveness of the chosen ML algorithms and provides an understanding of the key role of data selection and the evaluation of results. (3 U.S. semester credit hours)

Software Engineering
This class focused on the two dimensions essential for successful software development: software engineering proper, which includes software architecture selection and other technical details, and project management, including its planning stage. Students learn how to model software processes and analyze clients’ needs to design a suitable solution, including representations via Unified Modeling Language (UML). Throughout the term, progressive exercises survey requirements for system architecture, emphasize an object-oriented approach, and analyze methods for testing and evaluation. (3 U.S. semester credit hours)

IFSA ELECTIVE CLASSES 

Architecture and Design in Prague
The class introduces the European artistic architecture and design of the Czech capital. By examining artists, architects, and their works, students acquire a deeper understanding of the city’s character and how patronage, power, and politics have shaped the urban landscape. The class covers the periods of European architectural development from medieval to modern, distinguishing the various artistic styles and movements; the ways in which architects and designers conform to, or disrupt, artistic conventions; and how their work reflects and even influences the social and political dynamics of the city. (3 U.S. semester credit hours)

Beginning Czech I
A continuation of our Essential Czech primer, this class helps students develop a level of competence in contemporary Czech language sufficient for basic communication and comprehension, providing greater opportunity to both understand and practice grammatical structures. (3 U.S. semester credit hours)

Communications for the Tech Sector
Designed as an elective companion to the core class, this class is an ideal fit for students who aspire to develop their personal and professional communications skills and capacities to expert and lay audiences. Upon completion, students will have enhanced capabilities in communicating across disciplines, industries, cultures, and organizations in an inclusive manner in both written and oral forms. They will also have an enhanced portfolio that helps them to demonstrate their abilities and experiences in self-evaluation and product evaluation. (2 U.S. semester credit hours)

Comparative Perspectives in Human Rights
This class comprises practical and theoretical content on human rights in Central Europe. Students will examine violations of human rights throughout Central European history focusing on the 20th century, the impact of WWII, communist regimes, return of the democratic establishment, and the EU. The class explores contemporary human rights debates surrounding abortion, free speech, affirmative action, Islamophobia, and discrimination against race, sex, ethnicity, and sexual orientation—distinguishing between religion, state, and political correctness. Students will analyze social justice theories, assessing each theory and its consequences for Central Europe. (3 U.S. semester credit hours)

Democracies in Transition: Reimagining Europe
This class explores the current issues and changing dynamics in the European democratic process of integration, their historical roots, every-day demonstrations, and potential future directions. Students interrogate the drivers shaping a European identity in the constant tension between individual liberties and community and societal needs. Carefully selected themes illustrate the historical developments of democracy in the European continent and the establishment of its most important political institutions. Within the context of Prague as a European city, students deepen their ability to engage creative thinking and problem-solving skills from a position of knowledge and awareness. (3 U.S. semester credit hours)

Entrepreneurship: Creating a Plan of Action
Entrepreneurship is widely understood as engaging in a process to seek out or create opportunities for the purpose of starting a business. Yet, there is a gap between what entrepreneurs do to start a business and what some investors require prior to investing in businesses. The purpose of this class is to, first, think through and engage in the creation of a start-up and, second, develop and communicate a business plan to potential investors. Students will follow lean methodology as it relates to start-ups and prepare a traditional business plan. (3 U.S. semester credit hours)

International Internship Seminar
Students are placed in individual internships but collectively take part in the seminar to prepare for the experience, understand expectations, set personal objectives, identify, and strengthen specific skills, critically reflect on their progress, share experiences, and learn from each other throughout their term. Students develop a deeper understanding of themselves, their professional areas, and Czech work culture. In this seminar, which is focused on application of theory to practice, students gain real world work experience while developing intercultural agility—skills and experiences that are critically important to personal, academic, and professional success. (3 U.S. semester credit hours)

Social Psychology
A comparison of familiar social settings with unfamiliar social norms and behaviors abroad, this class explores the basic theory and research of social psychology—studying the interaction between individuals and social groups and how the behavior of groups and individuals within them is mutually affected. Students will demonstrate and discuss the pillar concepts of social psychology, including conformity, conflict, persuasion, helping, perceptions, and social identity. Students will expand on the roots of feelings, beliefs, attitudes, and behavior locally and globally and explore your own attitudes and identity. (3 U.S. semester credit hours)

Tech, Ethics, and Public Policy
The class will explore the ethical and social impacts of technological innovation, integrating perspectives from a range of academic disciplines to examine the impact of technology on humans and societies. Students will be encouraged to consider their responsibilities as consumers and potential creators of new technologies and to think about their broader ethical and societal implications. This, in turn, will help students to explore and discuss the benefits and drawbacks of current and possible future policy interventions. (3 U.S. semester credit hours)

Truth, Storytelling, and Narrative: Becoming Czech
This class explores how identity—a sense of “Czech-ness”—is created, shaped, and communicated through literature and journalism. What are the challenges of modern Czech identity? How have Czechs shaped their memory of historical events and developments, through literature and journalism? Why do fairy tales play a prominent role in popular culture? How have subversive storytelling and narrative formed Czech identities? In studying these questions, students will grapple with the concepts of truth, fact, constructivism, and perspective and how they shape identity and belonging. (3 U.S. semester credit hours).