DIT - Computer Science

irish life

I amstarting a degree in CS in DIT this year and I just want to know is it any good. The course is deferred for a year so I have forgotten every bit of Maths I knew, will this be a problem? What is DIT like? What are the hours like? etc, etc.

Ta.

wes

You doing FT228???

briano

I'm in FT228-4 (final year of computer science in DIT Kevin St.). Its an OK course, but there is a lot of work, especially in final year and the first half of third year.

If you get the option go on work experience. About half of my class went out to companies and nearly all of us enjoyed it. (two didn't, but what can you do). The subjects that you study if you stay in college seem to be pretty hard (and not wildly interesting).

On a side note, The food in the canteen is awful. And its worse in Aungier St. But the ahhh, "scenery" is much nicer...

jenpen

if you did honour maths for the leaving, then it should be no problem.

wes

Originally posted by briano
I'm in FT228-4 (final year of computer science in DIT Kevin St.). Its an OK course, but there is a lot of work, especially in final year and the first half of third year.

If you get the option go on work experience. About half of my class went out to companies and nearly all of us enjoyed it. (two didn't, but what can you do). The subjects that you study if you stay in college seem to be pretty hard (and not wildly interesting).

If your interested in Linux some of those subject are very interesting, and if your not then i wouldn't bother.

Originally posted by jenpen

if you did honour maths for the leaving, then it should be no problem.

You don't even need that. I failed honours Maths rather horribly and repeated the leaving and did Pass maths and i managed to get to 3rd with no real hassle at all.

jefinner

true, having honours maths is not completely necessary, but it is definitely advantageous as you would already know the basic concepts of differentiation, integration and calculus, and therefore would not need to spend as much time studying these as you did when you were first introduced to them.

briano

Still, I reckon I learned as much about linux on my work placement as the CSAA people did. Never mind about the other stuff like VAX and whatnot that aren't even mentioned anymore. Plus, I was getting paid for it. Not much mind you, but some.

I defered for a year as well before starting, and found it a bit of a kick in the unmentionables when I started first year, but you'll pick it up really fast. Second year maths was grand (all set theory and stuff like that. Lots of pretty pictures.), but they have changed the course every year since I started so I'm not to sure what It'll be like when you get into it.

Good Luck!

Vokes

My own course, FT225 Applied Science/Computing (im in 4th year), is finishing up for good in the next 2 years, and FT228 Computer Science seems to have been restructured to take its place, i.e C/C++ in the first two years (i think briano & co. did VB in first year) and lots and lots of lovely mathematics - abstract algebra, statistics, calculus, set theory, MINITAB, Derive - in just the first year!

I know a lot of my classmates (who did ordinary LC Maths) had difficulties with the maths, so, yeah, Honours maths is definitely a big plus.

Have a read of the course document - FT228

vinks

then again in the past it was traditonally the mathematicians who would usally take on computer science after a undergrad. in maths. and maths is always useful in almost all areas of science.

briano

Yes, we did do VB.

Ahhh, those were the days... turning up to labs drunk & dragging + dropping a few buttons here and there.

sigh. I think they do assembly now instead. Suckers.

jefinner

i am currently in FT228-3, i am on my work placement, if you re technically minded then you would probably be more suited to the CSAA route, if not, then do work experience. it is not that bad, as long as you are not left sitting there and you get paid.

my year was the last to do VB in 1st year, that has now been thrown out the window, you may touch on it in web development in 3rd with ASP, but that is it. i hear the 1st yrs are now doing c++.

i did honours in my leaving, and i will be the first to admit i was not the best at it, but i found it very beneficial for first year, without it i would have prob failed the exams. 2nd year maths is basically graphs and sets and "z" language, very boring but not too difficult, after 2nd there is no more maths, just formal methods, which sounds nasty!

wes

Originally posted by jefinner
i am currently in FT228-3, i am on my work placement, if you re technically minded then you would probably be more suited to the CSAA route, if not, then do work experience. it is not that bad, as long as you are not left sitting there and you get paid.

my year was the last to do VB in 1st year, that has now been thrown out the window, you may touch on it in web development in 3rd with ASP, but that is it. i hear the 1st yrs are now doing c++.

i did honours in my leaving, and i will be the first to admit i was not the best at it, but i found it very beneficial for first year, without it i would have prob failed the exams. 2nd year maths is basically graphs and sets and "z" language, very boring but not too difficult, after 2nd there is no more maths, just formal methods, which sounds nasty!

Well Formal Methods isn't too bad its basically Z and some other stuff.

agent_smith

DCU is the best place to go for degree in computer science. Not least because the facilities are unparalleled. Sadly the same cannot be said for DIT kevin street.

silverside

yeah if you have the points, i strongly recommend you reapply throgh the CAO for DCU, its a great course. There are some internal infighting and resource problems in DIT from what I have heard. Dont let me put you off though.

jefinner

A survey was carried out on all computer science courses across europe, by some collective body in china, the results were that the computer science course int DIT Kevin st was rated among the top ten, above TCD, UCD and DCU. dont let this put you off.


As for the facilities, computer science students are not only bound to the six computer labs, with the newest in computer equipment, but also have full access to all DIT facilities. This is very handy, as Aungier St is a 2 minute walk from Kevin Street, where the facilities are to say the least excellent.

agent_smith

To be honest I am not sure about that. Comp Science students are no longer allowed to access the computers in Aungier Street. Also the problem is that the labs in aungier street simply would not be equipped. Meaning they are not going to have the proper compilers installed that a software engineering student will need. And for obvious reasons there is no admin rights given to students (fair enough ). So ultimately a Kevin Steet Comp Science student is limited to what is provided in Kevin Street itself, and at best thats very bad.

Draupnir

Im a CA 3 in DCU, to be honest, the course is great crack and there is hardly any work needed to pass. If you want good grades you can break your balls, but who wants to break their balls?

I dont know much about the DIT course but I chose DCU over it purely because its a much nicer place with better facilities. Unfortunately, they dont teach a whole lot of programming in my course even though its a Software Engineering degree.

Sometimes its a little bit to general.

jefinner

there is a lab over in Aungier street, designated purely to kevin street students, and there are two labs in kevin street which can be used by 4th years and only 4th year. therefore there are 4/5 labs left for all other comp sci students, and spesking from experience throughout 1st, 2nd and 3rd there were never any major problms getting access to software or anything else for any assignments. if you are one of the lucky people who own a laptop, then there are ports which you can connect to both in Kevin st and Aungier st.

I am not saying that there is anything wrong with the DCU course, if anything i would probably prefer that as i hate programming with a passion! only problem id the distance!

Draupnir

Id actually prefer more programmin! wanna swap, you can live in my house

briano

Agent Smith:

4th years have limited admin rights to the computers in two labs, and I think they have "priviledges" in the other labs, but I'm not sure, as I never bother to use them.

Aungier Street has two (very nice) computer labs, and they are set up just fine for computer science students. And when you say the labs don't have the proper compilers installed, I assume you are talking about ms visual studio. Boo Hoo. Install eclipse, or even textpad and some freeware c++ compiler, and get over it. The DB + Unix servers are available from Aungier street so I don't really know what you are complaining about.

Also, All the labs in kevin street were re-fitted this year (except for A306, which was refitted in 2002), so there are pretty good computers available now, along with a wireless NW for laptops and a dedicated wireless network for final year projects.

As far as going to DCU is concerned, I met some lads from one of the computers courses there on my work experience (they were on theirs as well) and the courses seemed to be similar. DCU didn't seem to have the same level of interaction between the lecturers and students as DIT does. But I do hope DCU rocks as much as everyone says, as I am hopefully going there next year to do a M.Sc.

And Kevin St. Is good craic. Honest. Ohh who am I kidding:)

Draupnir

hate to break it to you pal, but unless you get some mates who are willing to have a laugh then DCU is about as fun as a kick in the ballls. Tis the most anonymous place on earth

briano

I'll only be there for 12 months anyway. I can live with that.

Of course, this is all providing I get in at all.

Draupnir

well if ya get in give me a shout. you can come on the piss with me and my mates if you want.

Which Masters you doing?

briano

Sweet.

Security and Forensics in Computing. I have to send in my exam results when I finish in DIT (28 days. Cant wait...) before I'll find out for definite

jefinner

I could have gotten my point about the computer science course in DIT Kevin street, across a lot better initially if i had of said what "Briano" said, but in essence we were fighting the same cause. Kevin Street appears to have a pretty bad image, but unitl you actually take a course in it, you cant possibly understand that it is in fact a very jocular place!


Daupnir, i have no problem letting you do my programming for me, call it a friendly favour, once my placement is over i will gladly do all your software engineering and the like!

Draupnir

Im a big fan of that idea jefinner, im on placement at the moment too, ill have loads of UML to be done come October though!!

Briano, thats a superb M.Sc, Ive read through the notes for a few modules and they are really interesting. The course work seems very practical too.

jefinner

where are you doing your placement? are you doing software engineering related stuff in the placement?

i am doing SQL, all day every day, but it beats the CSAA stream in my course, which is as boring as sh1te!!

briano

Yeah, That Msc Looks cool. One of the lads from DIT is doing it at the moment, and another guy is supervising some of their labs. They both said good things.

Yeah CSAA sucks compared to SDIS(work placement). But not nearly as much as 4th year does. Just so, you know, you have something to look forward to after you spend all summer working.

Draupnir

Im in an Accountants in Donnybrook doing SQL myself most of the time, and also fixing up the network some gimp put together.

I reckon they got Bubbles the Chimp to do it. Great fun altogether

Draupnir

http://polya.computing.dcu.ie/ca616/index.html

check that out Briano thats one of the modules course notes

jefinner

what are the subjects in 4th yr like? a lot of programming? are the hours long?
i am dreading going back, i have heard off several people that it is one of the worst years of their lives....and i suppose the fact that i dont have a clue what project i am going to "attempt" to do, doesnt help!!

fixing networks, at least is something different! i have become highly skilled in using an excel spreadsheet....and we cant forget the good old msn!!!!!

briano

That module looks really interesting. Better than JSP servlets anyways...

4th year is GREAT. So Great that it makes me want to cry...

This year I'm in 3 days at 9am and 2 days at 10 in the morning. I usually leave the labs/library at 8 or nine most nights, except if training is on. SDIS have three core subjects (Advanced Internet Dev, Distributed Systems and Advanced Databases) and then you pick two more.

I'm doing Systems programming (C through Unix) and Knowledge Based Decision Support Systems. Each subject has two hours labs and two hours lectures. You'll get two assignments for most subjects, but a few give more(in A.D.B.s we had 5), and you'll need to put in the hours to get them done.

The amount of programming you do depends on what subjects you choose. None of the subjects are easy, but some are harder (systems programming...) than others (HCI or MIS which have very little programming at all).

On the whole project front, Its tough. Work on it when ever you get a chance. There is a lot to put into it, and its worth a big chunk of your degree.

On the plus side though, I have found all the staff to be really supportive. They tend to be quite understanding about the workload and I've never felt like I couldn't approach one of them if I was having problems or whatever with assignments or the project.

I've got to stop writing these goddamn essays and do some more study, or I'll be back in the class with you next year. Good Luck!

agent_smith

Briano:
I hope I didn't piss all you guys off bout kevin street. I think that on the whole the fact that classes are small and contact with lecturers (the majority of which are extremely helpful and care about the students well being). All I was really complaining about is that everyting is not all as rosy as it might appear for 4th years this year.
of the two final year project labs, they are open to FT225-4 (Applied Science: Computers and Software Engineering) , FT228-4 (Comp Science) and DT266-3 (diploma final year). Averaging about 40 to 45 per class (i say that as an average) and given that there is about 60 computers between A308 and A117 this is not a great.
Also classes are perpetually being run in these labs so it is not like they are permanently free. Also whats with the lab 115 being taken away at such a crucial time in the year (project demonstration time).... why couldn't it have waited until the summer when the labs are not in use. Also we lost another lab this year with 114 becoming a dedicated maths school lab. This is what I was complaining about.
As for the wireless network dedicated for final year students....... that doesn't exist! It is a small wireless box at the back of 117 but it is not connected to the net so it is somewhat pointless for anything less than file transfer to the other 4 siemens machines at the back of the lab. The wireless that is present is available in the snackery and the library which is great. The only problem is that the wireless router was placed at the wrong end of the library and there is very few power points available in the library near where the basestation is located.
When i complained about facilities, I was also talking about the lack of a Unix lab, a proper dedicated Unix lab. Presently if you are studying CSAA you have to go to the technicians and get a linux distro on zip disk from them that will only run in two of the labs. I am not disputing that new machines have been purchased, I just think that the logistics (placement of wireless basestations) and the way that money has been spent is a little crazy. As for the machines in Aungier street, well they are no kitted out with Visual Studio or other such compilers.

And when you say the labs don't have the proper compilers installed, I assume you are talking about ms visual studio. Boo Hoo. Install eclipse, or even textpad and some freeware c++ compiler, and get over it. The DB + Unix servers are available from Aungier street so I don't really know what you are complaining about.

They dont! full stop. The problem is that over in Aungier street there is no admin rights to install the relevant packages, and if they are required 4th years have to go through a lot of red tape to get them installed. So ultimately this isn't an option. ok eclipse is java based could try that... but the majorityof people when they have to code a c++ app for windows or what not, do not want to have to learn a new development environment they want to get the job done with the tools they originally leart no. Time is precious.
As for that masters you are thinking of doing. I am friends with a lad over there doing it. He recommends it highly. Its meant to be a fantastic course. The very best of luck in your exams and with the masters.

briano

Agent_Smith,

Why dont you just use the UNIX server, instead of running the zip disk distro?

And yes, there are classes being run in the labs, but Not really in the two final year labs. Also, I have never had a problem getting a computer. That said, my class have a tendancy to be pricks about it, and kick people off who are just messing or playing games or whatever, instead of working.

115 is being turned into a UNIX lab afaik, so happy days for you there.

The Wireless NW in 117 is just for implementing projects, not for cruising the net (or checking boards every five minutes. Oh God, I'm so weak) but for projects to be run on it.

Anyway, The long and short of it is that I don't feel the place is as bad as you make it out to be. But hey, everyone has an opinion right.

vinks

yea forensic computing is nifty, if you have the maths do high perf. computing in tcd thats pretty nice, if you like programming and can do maths

Hecate

Yeah I'm doing the msc in forensic computing and I have to say its well worth it. Apart from one or two teething troubles (it is the first year the course is being run) I'm well enjoying it.

The course has its own isolated lab where we get to experiment with viruses, trojans and other nasty pieces of malicious logic.

The only thing I would say is, you would want to be pretty good at Java; the course really shifts into high gear in the second semester with the public key cryptography and security protocols practicals.

By next year I'd imagine they'd have everything straightened out; but in saying that we did get somewhat of an easy ride with regard to marking of the semester one exams...so they might try and make up for that next year!

agent_smith

I'm also interested in that Msc in DCU. It sounds like a fantastic course. How long is it (1 year or 2)? Also what is the cost of the course and entry requirements?

Briano:
Yeh I would love to be able to use the Unix Server (Aisling) but there are no admin rights. The CSAA course we are doing necessitates that we have sudo access at the very least for setting up dummy accounts and messing around with them. The College Unix Server is mainly only useful for hte Systems Programming and Compiler Theory part of the course.

Also I am reliably informed that the standard of women in DCU is superior to that of even.... gasp.... gasp.... Aungier Street. What more reason does anyone have!

briano

the standard of women in DCU is superior to that of even.... gasp.... gasp.... Aungier Street

...I'll bear that in mind, while in the course's...

own isolated lab

..with people who are doing...

public key cryptography and security protocols practicals

Sexy. I'll have to remember to wear some trousers

Seriously though, I heard about the presentation given to Fred's class (I think that was you Hectate) and the course does sound very interesting.

Draupir and Hectate, thanks for the info. Not *too* worried about my mad Java skillz (as the young people say it these days), more worried about C. And the commute in the morning.

I hope this is all helping Irish_Life's question about DIT...

vinks

but C is pretty handy and easy, and you can almost read it like english if its written well. though i guess the whole aspect of memory management in C scares some people, and pointers can be head wrecking for some.

Hecate

There isn't really an awful lot of C in the course, it only really comes into two subjects; advanced programming - from the point of view of buffer overflow attacks and such, advanced operating systems - we did a bit of digging around inside the Linux kernel to learn how multithreading works at a low level.

But I was surprised at the amount of people who had never done any C or Java before coming into a pretty technical course. It was presumed that you knew all this beforehand, which is fair enough since I'd had plenty of experience with both languages but a good few people were seriously struggling to keep up earlier in the year, mainly with the public key cryptography.

Draupnir

I might consider that masters myself. In third year networking we did a PKC system which exchanged keys and all that business through C. And DCU is mad for the old Java so once you are nifty at Java dont worry too much bout C.

Anyone in DCU computing will tell ya the only lecturer into coding through C for coursework is Brian Stone/Santa.