BSc (Hons) in Entertainment Systems

tyrion1234 · 05-07-2014 12:44pm #1

Hey just wondering if anyone has done this course, and if so what can you tell me about it?

Thank you

Digital Society · 05-07-2014 2:45pm

What do you want to know?

Great course overall with plenty of employment opportunities. Pretty much walk into a good paid job if you do well. And that looks like its only getting better.

What other details would you like to know?

A Greedy Algorithm · 05-07-2014 2:50pm

What about the level 7 courses such as Information Technology/Systems Software - how do they compare to Entertainment Systems in terms of employment opportunities?

tyrion1234 · 05-07-2014 3:29pm

Digital Society wrote: »

What do you want to know?

Great course overall with plenty of employment opportunities. Pretty much walk into a good paid job if you do well. And that looks like its only getting better.

What other details would you like to know?

Thanks for replying.

Whats the workload like? Is it very maths heavy? Is this a good course for someone aspiring get into the gaming business?

Digital Society · 05-07-2014 10:51pm

A Greedy Algorithm wrote: »

What about the level 7 courses such as Information Technology/Systems Software - how do they compare to Entertainment Systems in terms of employment opportunities?

Do well in SSD or Entertainment Systems and you will have your choice of several jobs. That is if your willing to move to Dublin, Cork or Galway. Information Technology isn't as heavy with Programming so you will get work but probably not have as many offers. Programming is where the jobs are these days.
Anyone who i've seen not get work either isn't really into programming or not willing to move.

None of the courses mentioned are Maths heavy. The most it will be is one module per semester and not be very difficult once you keep up with it. SSD has a lot less Maths i believe as they only do Maths in 1st year. But either course Maths is not worth not doing the course over.

Its been said many times that there is no recession for programmers and from experience i believe that. Companies are crying out for good programmers and i mean programmers who like there jobs. Theres people who graduate and there are people who are good programmers. If you genuinely like creating Software and working with Software its an incredible time in Ireland right now.

People who have graduated earn around 30-32 k handy enough. Even if an ad says 25k you will likely do overtime and earn a bit more. That will increase dramatically as you prove how good you are and maybe move jobs a couple of times.

Even though SSD is Level 7 from the start. After 4 years in either you'll have Lvl 8 degree and the same Employment opportunities i would say. Either one is a great course. Applied computing hasn't been mentioned but thats also a great course. Either one youll get back what you put in and if you have passion you'll get an easy job doing what you like and earn plenty of money at the same time.

Edit - just so i cover all questions asked. Workload is heavy at times but its heavy with things you should like. As i said if you like software you shouldn't complain about the workload as you'll enjoy it. Just dont leave everything to the last minute and youll find it easy enough.

If its Gaming your into obviously your best bet is Ent Systems but you could work in Gaming by SSD or applied as youll have a great base in Programming. Might have to just learn a few thing on the side.

A Greedy Algorithm · 06-07-2014 2:23pm

Digital Society wrote: »

Do well in SSD or Entertainment Systems and you will have your choice of several jobs. That is if your willing to move to Dublin, Cork or Galway. Information Technology isn't as heavy with Programming so you will get work but probably not have as many offers. Programming is where the jobs are these days.
Anyone who i've seen not get work either isn't really into programming or not willing to move.

None of the courses mentioned are Maths heavy. The most it will be is one module per semester and not be very difficult once you keep up with it. SSD has a lot less Maths i believe as they only do Maths in 1st year. But either course Maths is not worth not doing the course over.

Great informative answer, thank you.

I am thinking bout the I.T course as looking at the modules it seems to have abit more variety with modules like multimedia development etc- it looks pretty similar to Systems Software for the first or 2 at least.

I do enjoy programming and understand most of the concepts already so hopefully that will help.

0neo8 · 06-07-2014 5:08pm

I gotta jump on this thread for some info too if you can help me too ,Digital Society. I have a choice between Entertainment Systems and Multimedia App Development. Are the jobs available after both courses. Im not sure of area I'd hope to work towards so would an open mind be ok for the first year .Id also like to know would I be ok with my very small experience with html and css starting either course.

Digital Society · 06-07-2014 6:00pm

A Greedy Algorithm wrote: »

Great informative answer, thank you.

I am thinking bout the I.T course as looking at the modules it seems to have abit more variety with modules like multimedia development etc- it looks pretty similar to Systems Software for the first or 2 at least.

I do enjoy programming and understand most of the concepts already so hopefully that will help.

More variety is its failure. Too much of everything and not enough of one thing.... Programming. Id highly advise you to go for SSD, Ent Systems or Applied rather than IT. Much better Job prospects in Software Development.

0neo8 wrote: »

I gotta jump on this thread for some info too if you can help me too ,Digital Society. I have a choice between Entertainment Systems and Multimedia App Development. Are the jobs available after both courses. Im not sure of area I'd hope to work towards so would an open mind be ok for the first year .Id also like to know would I be ok with my very small experience with html and css starting either course.

Ent Systems all the Way. They don't even compare. Ent Systems is a far better course.

Multimedia is probably the only course mentioned i know of that has people unemployed after they graduate.

Also most people that would like a career in programming would be familiar with HTML as its usually the first language people learn. All courses start by assuming you know 0 about anything.

0neo8 · 06-07-2014 7:05pm

Glad to here classes start with zero experience, I appreciate you sharing your knowledge a lot thanks. Are you 100% of the job opportunities out there for the graduates and a promising career in IT (sick of having no job).Im like yourself gone past 30's need to achieve something. I was checking a few of your posts for back ground Digital Society ,I read you are working and being paid as a programmer already. Could I then possibly get work while studying say in the second or third year?

I just wanted to add another question. Both my laptops are Macs ,I haven't had a Windows computer in years.Would this be an issue with course work ,Im assuming Im gonna need a windows laptop for college work?

Thanks again

Digital Society · 06-07-2014 7:17pm

0neo8 wrote: »

Glad to here classes start with zero experience, I appreciate you sharing your knowledge a lot thanks. Are you 100% of the job opportunities out there for the graduates and a promising career in IT (sick of having no job).Im like yourself gone past 30's need to achieve something. I was checking a few of your posts for back ground Digital Society ,I read you are working and being paid as a programmer already. Could I then possibly get work while studying say in the second or third year?

Probably not to be honest. At that stage your still learning the foundations.

Over the 4 years its only really after graduation you'll be employable. You'll build up a portfolio over the 4 years and then use it to get a job.

As for am i sure i am 100% positive you will get work if you learn to code and be good at it. If you choose the right course and put in the effort you will get it back and more. As i said if your willing to move to Cork, Galway or Dublin you will absolutely get several jobs. You send out a CV with a 2.2 or 2.1 Degree and a relevant portfolio of projects you've done over the years and you will get an interview for every job you apply. If they are looking for a graduate programmer that is.

Go With Ent Systems, SSD or Applied and work hard at the programming. Before you know it youll be on 30-35k a year at a time that a house can be bought for maybe 50k. Youll be miles ahead of people who are a lot younger. Dont worry about age as youll be working for another 35 years either way! You can get a 25 year mortgage when your 40. No big deal. Age doesn't even go on CV if you think you'll be somehow disadvantaged.

Musicman2000 · 06-07-2014 7:17pm

0neo8 wrote: »

Glad to here classes start with zero experience, I appreciate you sharing your knowledge a lot thanks. Are you 100% of the job opportunities out there for the graduates and a promising career in IT (sick of having no job).Im like yourself gone past 30's need to achieve something. I was checking a few of your posts for back ground Digital Society ,I read you are working and being paid as a programmer already. Could I then possibly get work while studying say in the second or third year?

If you are looking to get into programming you are better off doing Ssd ,the IT course is nearly exactly the same which is a bit ridiculous its neither here or there if you are looking to getting into system administration I would look else where such as Cork or Carlow or look into some of the MCSE courses.

0neo8 · 06-07-2014 7:27pm

Great feedback thanks lads. At the end of the day,when i applied to the CAO Entertainment Systems was my first choice, having to choose has me eager to make the best choice , can you answer my question about using the Mac laptop versus buying a windows laptop. Did any of your classmates use apple laptops in class ?

Digital Society · 06-07-2014 8:20pm

0neo8 wrote: »

Great feedback thanks lads. At the end of the day,when i applied to the CAO Entertainment Systems was my first choice, having to choose has me eager to make the best choice , can you answer my question about using the Mac laptop versus buying a windows laptop. Did any of your classmates use apple laptops in class ?

Get something small, light, good battery and reliable as youll be carrying it around everyday. If you can afford a Macbook Air they are good for students. Youll also be able to sell it easily and get good money for it. If you prefer Windows and want to save a few euro go for an ultrabook but will probably break and end up in the bin.

Yes a few people used Apple laptops but the vast majority are windows. Personal preference really plus budget. Id say go with Windows if thats what your used to but try get something as small, light and reliable as a Macbook Air.

All this assumes your not into gaming and will be just using it for college. If you want a gaming machine thats a whole different story.

Something with an extended 4 year warranty would be ideal if that even exists.

Id also recommend paying 2 quid a month to Google drive and back everything up constantly. Free account might even do. 25gb or so. 3 quid for 100gb.

Also a good Mono laser printer. Not an ink printer. A laser printer. Probably 100 quid off Amazon and good for about 2000 black pages.

Another tip would be to think well ahead. Your gonna need ideas for projects so start jotting stuff down in a notebook? Interested in cars, music, whatever. Might be a good idea to start up a good site on that subject then use it as a project.

Someone correct me if im wrong but i think the difference between SSD and IT courses is the programming as the years go on. IT do a lot less Web Programming
and less Languages towards the end but do more server type modules. Im not really sure about this and i dont think anyone will know exactly apart from the lecturers but i heard before they do a lot less JQuery and Javascript for example in Web and less Java in 3rd and 4th even tough the module titles are the same. Maybe little or no Ruby towards 3rd and 4th year. Not sure on this but ive seen people swap over to SSD after 3rd year becuase they liked programming and people jump to IT as they didn't like programming.

0neo8 · 06-07-2014 8:31pm

Thanks Im glad I can stick with the Macs ,If anything ill get the Macbook Pro/Air after a while and run windows on part of the hard drive. Im just used to Macs now. Ill see how it goes , hopefully the 2009 Macbook will do for the first year, then ill be better placed to see what career path I take games/music/other. Its for certain now Im going to accept Entertainment Systems. Big thanks for the input. I may return to you for more info in the future.

I just seen your updated reply.I love music and games ,into Djing and XBox. Id love to see something interesting of what you've done so far or is that cheeky. Do students keep these projects to themselves? I really have no idea what we will be doing during the 4 years

Digital Society · 06-07-2014 8:35pm

0neo8 wrote: »

Thanks Im glad I can stick with the Macs ,If anything ill get the Macbook Pro/Air after a while and run windows on part of the hard drive. Im just used to Macs now. Ill see how it goes , hopefully the 2009 Macbook will do for the first year, then ill be better placed to see what career path I take games/music/other. Its for certain now Im going to accept Entertainment Systems. Big thanks for the input. I may return to you for more info in the future.

No hassle just edited my previous post with anything i could think of.

If you have a Mac already thats perfectly fine. No need whatsoever to change. I just thought you where buying one.

Just remember that whatever you use BACKUP, BACKUP, BACKUP.

And not those bloody usb sticks. Google Drive all the way. Absolutely vital.

Fate Amenable To Change · 07-07-2014 12:14am

tyrion1234 wrote: »

Hey just wondering if anyone has done this course, and if so what can you tell me about it?

Thank you

Im doing Applied and recommend you do Applied if you're intending to focus on the programming/development side of things. If its games development or music engineering you're interested in you can still use your specialist options from Applied to specialise in them. Games development opportunites are much rarer than a pure development/programming role. You can check jobs.ie .monster whatever if you want to verify it yourself which is apparently a good idea to check whats in demand.

The handy thing about Applied Computing is you can branch out and specialise in whichever field interests you ie. Cloud Computing (Netwrok admin/ wlan/etc,) Embedded Systems (CAN bus programming/general embedded/microcontrollers/etc.) Forensics(what it says on the tin) Business Information Systems. You;ll also be able to get an idea and a sample for each of these before making a decision early which will avoid you pursuing a specialisation you may not like. Applied also gives amore in depth knowledge of things like Oracle database and itd very easy to get CCNA etc. certification if you do the networking stream and theres some great CAN (bus) programming jobs especially abroad, quite a lot in the automobile industry.

You can change to Applied I think at the end of second year or early in first year if your in entertainments. The MCV part of app development is definitely something worth being in Applied for though. This is anecdotal but the dropout rate for Entertainments was much much higher in my year than Applied and I do believe it was due to an environment created that was geared to the programming side of things.

Entertainments Game development was using a very basic game editor in first year and was only for one semester.

Thats my two cents anyway and I know you asked about Entertainments but I am talking about what I know ie. Applied.

tyrion1234 · 08-07-2014 2:56pm

Thanks so much for all the information guys. Can anyone recommend some books to read or websites that would be pertinent to the course?

Digital Society · 08-07-2014 10:08pm

tyrion1234 wrote: »

Thanks so much for all the information guys. Can anyone recommend some books to read or websites that would be pertinent to the course?

Depends on your level.

CodeAcademy.org. - Bit of everything. Great for learning basics of lots of different languages.
Udemy.com - Good videos but have to pay. John Purcell is good.
Coursera - Best online courses on the internet
Lynda.com Good videos. Search for Lynda.com on Torrents.
Stackoverflow Best discussion Site on the net by far.
Dreamincode Good Forum
Youtube Everything
CaveOfProgramming.com Java
W3Schools Best for Web Programming.

Book

Head First Java is all i can think of that i read. I use all the sites mentioned really. Referenced a few books over the years but cant remember which ones.

If you where wondering where to start i start with learning how to install XAMPP, Eclipse, PHPStorm and SublimeText or NotePad++.

Then maybe work through a few "Hello world" Exercises on Youtube in languages such as HTML, PHP and Java. Try understand the concept of Object Orientated Programming.

Should be enough for a few weeks there.

JimJamMiniMini · 17-01-2016 11:47pm

0neo8 wrote: »

Thanks Im glad I can stick with the Macs ,If anything ill get the Macbook Pro/Air after a while and run windows on part of the hard drive. Im just used to Macs now. Ill see how it goes , hopefully the 2009 Macbook will do for the first year, then ill be better placed to see what career path I take games/music/other. Its for certain now Im going to accept Entertainment Systems. Big thanks for the input. I may return to you for more info in the future.

I just seen your updated reply.I love music and games ,into Djing and XBox. Id love to see something interesting of what you've done so far or is that cheeky. Do students keep these projects to themselves? I really have no idea what we will be doing during the 4 years

Can someone send a result of their project / module ? Just to see what are students working on in SSD course ?

I would be very thankfull and also i have a Java question to you Digital Society as i read that you are programmer because i'm stuck in something i want to do (random program but i want to improve it) but i dont know if i can post the code here ?

BSc (Hons) in Entertainment Systems

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