Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie

Multimedia & Communications Studies

  • 08-01-2012 9:41pm
    #1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 160 ✭✭


    Hi guys, I will be applying for these been reading all the old threads about both these courses. Just wondering if current students could give me their opinions on both courses? I read that there was a small amount of programming in Multimedia, does this last for a semester, or is it all the way through the course? Ive been looking up the subjects on the DCU website & cannot find any that involve programming. I ask becuase, I did programming before and was shocking at it :D , and would like to avoid it at all costs.

    Thanks in advance for replys.


«1

Comments

  • Registered Users Posts: 647 ✭✭✭slasher_65


    Hi there! I'm a second year Multimedia student.

    There certainly is code in multimedia, but nothing particularly tough, and coming out knowing it will give you the chance to do some pretty kick-ass things. Seriously. It's not tough, mostly web design. All the more advanced stuff is avoidable by choosing other modules.

    Personally, I love multimedia. I'm specializing in video production, and having a crazy amount of fun. I know a lot of people in comms who now wish they were doing multimedia, since it is a lot more hands on. That said, the communications course is amazing if you are interested in the theory end of things. Multimedia has very little theory.

    Do you have any specific questions we can help you out with?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 160 ✭✭CountryJoe


    slasher_65 wrote: »
    Hi there! I'm a second year Multimedia student.

    There certainly is code in multimedia, but nothing particularly tough, and coming out knowing it will give you the chance to do some pretty kick-ass things. Seriously. It's not tough, mostly web design. All the more advanced stuff is avoidable by choosing other modules.

    Personally, I love multimedia. I'm specializing in video production, and having a crazy amount of fun. I know a lot of people in comms who now wish they were doing multimedia, since it is a lot more hands on. That said, the communications course is amazing if you are interested in the theory end of things. Multimedia has very little theory.

    Do you have any specific questions we can help you out with?

    Hey there , thanks for the reply :)

    Last time I was in college I was doing programming & it did'nt end too well! :D From what you were saying there, would I be right in saying that the programming is mostly HTML? Overall is Multimedia the better course as regards job prospects?

    Its a tough choice between both courses as the subjects in both look really interesting.


  • Registered Users Posts: 647 ✭✭✭slasher_65


    CountryJoe wrote: »
    Hey there , thanks for the reply :)

    Last time I was in college I was doing programming & it did'nt end too well! :D From what you were saying there, would I be right in saying that the programming is mostly HTML? Overall is Multimedia the better course as regards job prospects?

    Its a tough choice between both courses as the subjects in both look really interesting.

    It's HTML, CSS in first year. Simple stuff, and you are never on your own. In second or third year, you go into PHP a bit. You are also given the option to do more in third year.

    I'm not sure which would give you more job prospects. I'd think they'd each give you slightly different job prospects. You'll end up much better trained in the technical side of things if you do Multimedia, and much better trained in the theoretical side of things if you do Comms.


  • Registered Users Posts: 717 ✭✭✭Noodleworm


    Hi there, I'm 3rd and final year.
    The HTML and CSS you do (not technically programming by the way) is pretty easy and actually really useful to know. In second year we've done some Actionscript in flash, which is fairly basic but a really good grounding in programming concepts. In third year I'm taking programming for the web now, but its an optional module, you could choose something else if you really want to avoid it. We've covered javascript, PHP and MySQL, mainly just using them to make dynamic features for websites.

    It's a much more practical course than communications but it has its downfalls. Most people in my class agree its a great taster in so many things but not specific enough to let you just walk into a job afterwards. You really have to figure out what your good at yourself and pursue it.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 160 ✭✭CountryJoe


    slasher_65 wrote: »
    It's HTML, CSS in first year. Simple stuff, and you are never on your own. In second or third year, you go into PHP a bit. You are also given the option to do more in third year.

    I'm not sure which would give you more job prospects. I'd think they'd each give you slightly different job prospects. You'll end up much better trained in the technical side of things if you do Multimedia, and much better trained in the theoretical side of things if you do Comms.

    Hi there, I'm 3rd and final year.
    The HTML and CSS you do (not technically programming by the way) is pretty easy and actually really useful to know. In second year we've done some Actionscript in flash, which is fairly basic but a really good grounding in programming concepts. In third year I'm taking programming for the web now, but its an optional module, you could choose something else if you really want to avoid it. We've covered javascript, PHP and MySQL, mainly just using them to make dynamic features for websites.

    It's a much more practical course than communications but it has its downfalls. Most people in my class agree its a great taster in so many things but not specific enough to let you just walk into a job afterwards. You really have to figure out what your good at yourself and pursue it.

    Lovely stuff Slasher & Noodleworm, thanks a mill for the info, much appreciated :)


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users Posts: 2 DermyMick


    I just have a few questions about the Multimedia & Communications but don't want to open a new thread.

    Has anybody here been accepted to DCU through a FETAC Level 5 course? Are many spaces available to Fetac applicants?


  • Registered Users Posts: 717 ✭✭✭Noodleworm


    Yeah, some people are accepted through a level 5 fetac course, theres a few places in each class, Id guess at least 5 places.


  • Registered Users Posts: 349 ✭✭Digitaljunkie


    DermyMick wrote: »
    I just have a few questions about the Multimedia & Communications but don't want to open a new thread.

    Has anybody here been accepted to DCU through a FETAC Level 5 course? Are many spaces available to Fetac applicants?

    Was at the open day before chrimbo the head of the school stated that you need to pass with a minimum of 5 distinctions on the FETAC Level 5 course.

    Dj...........


  • Registered Users Posts: 476 ✭✭bc dub


    I'm thinking of signing up for Multimedia next year, starting in September. Could anyone help me out with a few queries...

    Can you go on a further your qualification after the 3rd year? Like a masters or further?
    What time do does your latest class finish at? (i work p/time evenings/nights)
    What jobs do they suggest you should be able to apply for?
    Currently I'm doing a web design fetac so will I be bored of the basic stuff when I'm starting?

    Cheers


  • Registered Users Posts: 647 ✭✭✭slasher_65


    bc dub wrote: »
    I'm thinking of signing up for Multimedia next year, starting in September. Could anyone help me out with a few queries...

    Can you go on a further your qualification after the 3rd year? Like a masters or further?
    What time do does your latest class finish at? (i work p/time evenings/nights)
    What jobs do they suggest you should be able to apply for?
    Currently I'm doing a web design fetac so will I be bored of the basic stuff when I'm starting?

    Cheers

    You can do a Masters in Multimedia, but it is basically the undergraduate course condensed into a single year from what I understand.

    No point answering this second question. Timetables change every year. I don't know what time the latest possible class is, I've heard of ones going up to 7pm. Never a multimedia class though. The latest I've been in for something was 6 I think, in first year. Again though, this changes.

    Taken from the "Careers" section of the DCU Multimedia site
    You will find employment in diverse areas of multimedia (both application and content creation) across different industrial and cultural sectors, including education, tourism and heritage industries, e-commerce, games, media and broadcast industries, as well as the expanding electronic media/arts sectors

    You'll be bored of the basic web design stuff, but remember that's only one module! Still loads to be learnt. And you can become a webmaster for one of the societies and they'll LOVE you, if you have any skill at all! It's hard to overstate how useful the societies are for getting a HUGE skill boost.


  • Advertisement
  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,987 ✭✭✭JohnMc1


    I'm applying for Multimedia again this year. Hopefully I'll get it this time. I'm not sure I'll sit the interview this time though. Last time I was one of a few who turned up and I still got turned down [I didn't have enough points from the interview and I only missed by a few points]


  • Registered Users Posts: 476 ✭✭bc dub


    Are you a mature student or entering on leaving cert points?

    Do they mark you on your interview? Hopefully my fetac in web design will stand to me?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,987 ✭✭✭JohnMc1


    bc dub wrote: »
    Are you a mature student or entering on leaving cert points?

    Do they mark you on your interview? Hopefully my fetac in web design will stand to me?

    I'm a Mature Student. Yes, they mark us on the Interviews. My rejection letter stated that I did not get enough points on my interview.

    Even if it doesn't count I'm sure your web design course will help you stand out from the rest of the applicants.


  • Registered Users Posts: 476 ✭✭bc dub


    That's a new one, I didnt know that.

    My friend is a mature student in another college and did have to answer questions about returning to full time studies and assure them they would be committed to the course, but I thought it was more of a formality then an actual interview process.

    I better brush my hair that day!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,987 ✭✭✭JohnMc1


    bc dub wrote: »
    That's a new one, I didnt know that.

    My friend is a mature student in another college and did have to answer questions about returning to full time studies and assure them they would be committed to the course, but I thought it was more of a formality then an actual interview process.

    I better brush my hair that day!

    I didn't realize they were actually scoring us on the interview until I got my rejection letter. It sucks to miss out on the course just from that.


  • Registered Users Posts: 476 ✭✭bc dub


    Yeah big time. Have you any idea where you went wrong?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,987 ✭✭✭JohnMc1


    bc dub wrote: »
    Yeah big time. Have you any idea where you went wrong?

    No to be honest. I tried to be as confident as I could and be as precise with the answers as I could.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,987 ✭✭✭JohnMc1


    Does anybody know when the interviews are set to begin this year?


  • Registered Users Posts: 647 ✭✭✭slasher_65


    If you want to get a feel for the sort of work that you'll be able to do after just a year and a half in Multimedia, take a look at the Vimeo channel we've been adding this year's 2nd year assignments too - http://vimeo.com/channels/279838


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,987 ✭✭✭JohnMc1


    slasher_65 wrote: »
    If you want to get a feel for the sort of work that you'll be able to do after just a year and a half in Multimedia, take a look at the Vimeo channel we've been adding this year's 2nd year assignments too - http://vimeo.com/channels/279838

    Thanks slasher.


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users Posts: 476 ✭✭bc dub


    Hey, all 6 vids are from guys. Is it predominantly males on the course?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 277 ✭✭extopia


    On the contrary, Communications students are mostly female. If you look at the end credits on those vids you'll see plenty of women's names. It's just that the guy's name is usually first - probably an alpha male thing.


  • Registered Users Posts: 476 ✭✭bc dub


    extopia wrote: »
    On the contrary, Communications students are mostly female.


    And multimedia?


  • Registered Users Posts: 16 columk


    bc dub wrote: »
    Currently I'm doing a web design fetac so will I be bored of the basic stuff when I'm starting?

    The beauty of the course is that all assessment is based on large projects rather than exams. Although you might find some of the first year web course boring, you will be given a lot of freedom to develop/display your skills in the projects. (For example the main assignment for that class is to create a website which will include your own original photography, graphics, audio, video and writing). In each of the practical modules the assignment topics are always extremely broad so you have a lot of room for creativity.

    As was said before you can take what you want out of the course, the classes will only give you enough to pass each module, so figure out what you like and run with it. (I think we only had about 12 hours a week in first year so there is plenty of time for this!)

    I'm a third year by the way. I specialised in imaging in second year which is a mix of photography and graphic design, and now I'm making a 3D/live-action film for my final project. Very broad course!


  • Registered Users Posts: 717 ✭✭✭Noodleworm


    bc dub wrote: »
    And multimedia?

    Multimedia is about a 50/50 mix gender wise. We're a fairly mixed bunch.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,987 ✭✭✭JohnMc1


    I hope I make it this year.


  • Registered Users Posts: 476 ✭✭bc dub


    Cheers, I sent in the forms and did the cao so touchwood ;)


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,987 ✭✭✭JohnMc1


    bc dub wrote: »
    Cheers, I sent in the forms and did the cao so touchwood ;)

    Good Luck.


  • Registered Users Posts: 647 ✭✭✭slasher_65


    bc dub wrote: »
    And multimedia?

    Indeed, multimedia is about 50/50. So far, all of the uploaded videos are documentaries or animations, so don't actually feature the people who made them. Take a look at the credits and you'll see that there are plenty of girls involved.


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users Posts: 717 ✭✭✭Noodleworm


    other classes have videos up too, I've worked with mostly girls on any of my video work. We should really make a youtube playlist of something of all years work.


Advertisement