Computer course...

Snake-

I didn't know what section to put this in really. I'm almost finished 6th year. At the beggining of the year I was dead set on doing a computer programming course, but I changed my mind when 3 friends dropped out of one this year and they told me it was way too hard.

This is the course they did.
http://www.ait.ie/courses/engineering/bsccompsofeng.shtml

In the past month I have been looking into computers again, and I found this course. http://www.itb.ie/site/courses/bn002.htm

I have no experience in programming. I'm just interested in computers, and would like to work on them. Could somebody tell me if the itb course would be very hard? To be honest, I'm not one of these people who can study all day every day, but I'd do a bit. And would I have to look after my brain? (If ya know what I mean)

Thanks in advance for any help.

Litcagral

Snake- wrote:

I didn't know what section to put this in really. I'm almost finished 6th year. At the beggining of the year I was dead set on doing a computer programming coarse, but I changed my mind when 3 friends dropped out of one this year and they told me it was way too hard.

This is the coarse they did.
http://www.ait.ie/courses/engineering/bsccompsofeng.shtml

In the past month I have been looking into computers again, and I found this coarse. http://www.itb.ie/site/courses/bn002.htm

I have no experience in programming. I'm just interested in computers, and would like to work on them. Could somebody tell me if the itb coarse would be very hard? To be honest, I'm not one of these people who can study all day every day, but I'd do a bit. And would I have to look after my brain? (If ya know what I mean)

Thanks in advance for any help.

C-o-u-r-s-e

bpmurray

Well, Litcagral, that was really constructive.

To answer the original question, any degree course is going to require a lot of work and dedication. Just because it didn't pan out for your friends doesn't mean it won't work for you - they may have assumed it would be a doddle. Don't let their experiences put you off.

To me, the ITB course seems quite elementary, so if you're willing to put in the work, the ATI one seems to be the way to go. In fact, if you're interested in doing a degree course (which is definitely much, much better than a diploma course when looking for work), why not try one of the universities? Employers often prefer them.

Not sure what you mean about your brain, but the less time you spend with it switched off or swamped with chemically-induced irrelevances, the better.

theone

I'm just finishing 4th year of a pretty similar course, I was the same as yourself interested in them before I started
you soon learn though that you need more than an interest in computers to get by.

If you have a look at programming yourself now you can give yourself a head start and enjoy your first few weeks of college.
Just learning basic if else structures and loops you can see if you like them or not.

You don't need any experience in programming but it helps, they start teaching you from the bottom up, so they assume from the start that you know nothing

Your going the IT route so that is allot more practical and less theory based than some university courses, so if you enjoy programming your onto winner going that route, but if you don't like programming steer well clear of it you'll thank me later.

djmarkus

I would recommend the DIT computer science hons. degree DT228, it has work experience and if your willing to put the work in you will get great satisfaction from the course

muckwarrior

djmarkus wrote:

I would recommend the DIT computer science hons. degree DT228, it has work experience and if your willing to put the work in you will get great satisfaction from the course

Ditto!

Snake-

So the blancherds town course is not very good?

My friends told me that you have to make graphix cards and stuff in the AIT course. Thats sounds hard, and a little boring...

When ye say put in the work, what do ye mean? I read 6 hours a day somewhere, and I don't think I'd be up to that. I have an interest, but I also have a life

I only do two higher level subjects... and I'm hopeing for 200 points after my mox... So that already limits where I can go .

And for the looking after the brain, I mean a little puff puff of the tobac...

And where would I start if I wanna try programming at home? What should I DL and where should I go?

Skud

programming at home theres a lot of things you can do. HTML is easy, start with that(but not a practical or extremely indepth-high level programming language). W3C gives you the basics. If you dont want to be scared off by the older languages stay away from C, python and the likes awhile. Java and C++ tutorials are readily available over the web, sun website for java. With java you need to download and install the JDK(java development envoirnment) and JRE(java run time envoirnment off the sun website or elsewhere). Just remember that google is your friend... You'll use it alot in finding out info for computer courses and programming tutorials etc. Good luck. It's long and can be boring, but practice helps a hell of alot. Especially getting an early start!

Snake-

Can anybody answer any of my other questions? (Two posts up)

muckwarrior

Well if you don't think you'd be up to 6 hours a day then you can forget about a degree in Computer science tbh. It may be possible to scrape through first year by doing fυck all but after that there'll be times when you'll need to put in a serious amount of work!

AlmightyCushion

I'm doing Software Development in the I.T in Sligo. I have to admit that it's pretty good. I was the same as yourself this time two years ago. I had an interest in computers and I thought programming would be pretty cool but I wasn't sure if I'd be cut out for it or if I'd even like programming. I'm in second year now and will definetly be here to forth year if I make it.


It's a three year course with an optional forth year (plus I think they've just gotten the ability to give out phd's so you could stay on to do that if you'd like)

The first year is combined with two other courses Database Development and Systems and Networking. So if you don't like programming but like the networking side you can change over after the first year. Plus you get to mess around with hardware which is cool.

While I would recommend putting in as much work as you can afford to into the course most of the class are wingers and we seem to be getting on all right. I have an exam on friday and I'm drinking a beer at the moment and will probably get nicely drunk tonight.

Most of the lecturers are pretty cool and will bend over backwords to help you out. But the odd one or two aren't so helpful.

I think the points are pretty low for the subject as well.

If you have any questions about the course let me know and I'd be glad to answer them.

robfitz

Snake- wrote:

And where would I start if I wanna try programming at home? What should I DL and where should I go?

I would suggest that you start with trying to learn programming with the Java programming language, the Getting Started section of The Java Tutorial should get you going.

Concentrate on understanding the basics of programming like logic (and, or, not), arithmetic (+, -, /, *, %), and flow control (if/else, for, while, switch, etc); and don't get bogged down with advanced concepts like (object orientation, file/net io, GUI, etc).

I would also suggest that you try reading up on some other programming languages like C, basic, python and assembly (programmingtutorials.com). This should help you with understanding the basics by seeing where there are similarities between the programming languages.

At the moment don't try and specialise in becoming an expert (or even good) in one language, it's too early to tell what you need and what you'll like.

AlmightyCushion

Sorry should have said the programming language we do is C#. It's pretty good and I really like it. It's supposed to be pretty similar to java(about 70% I heard but don't hold me to it).

I can't recommend the course enough.

Magown3

Snake- wrote:

So the blancherds town course is not very good?

No, it's excellent.

I'm actually doing my finals next week (for the honours degree not the certificate) for the exact course you're thinking of taking. I have to say that it's a piece of piss really.

The course also covers a bit of everything. Java, Computer Networking, Databases, Multimedia etc. There's also a few really cool modules like writing applications that support speech recognition, digital video editing, animation and so on.

I wouldn't say it's work intensive either. I can count on two hands the amount of all-nighters that I've had to pull to get myself out of a scrape!! (in 4 years that is)

Lemme know if you need anymore info on the course or the college.

M

StickyMcGinty

if you can get 300 points together do Computer Applications in DCU. i'm in second year and it is hard, but i'll get a very good degree out of it

in second year you can stream to Software engineering, or information systems, the latter being a more businness nad computers if you find constant programming boring!

Software engineering is what i'm doing and while tough, the range of languages you learn keeps me happy!

and for 6 months of third year you get to go on their INTRA program, where you get paid work placement to gain experience for when you leave college!

elvis2002

You could have a look at Game's Programming in ITCarlow. Its a very good course. For any computer course, you dont have to have any programming knowledge. It will all be thought to you.

KamiKazi

im studyin the games development course in carlow, just doin my first year finals this week.

it is a very good course, covers every aspect of games development.

there is a lot of practical and project work that u have to stay on top of.

tbh if u cant get a b+ in ordinary maths this course isnt for you

it is by no means a doss course, theres constantly projects to be handed up, and its only gonna get harder next year.

you said you were aimin for 200+ points in the LC?? thats not nearly enough, afaik the requirements around 360

RedXIII

Ya ill agree there, althogh alot of the maths is new....so ull av ta but in the effort no matter what u get in maths in the l.c.

If u can get the points id say consider the course, lecturers all fairly deadly, projects like asteroids are fun, ull hav to work but C/C++ is kinda fun. U've got Programin, maths, graphics, architecture & games. Games is a good laf and a bit of effort is needed but its a nice touch to the year, where u get to mess around with quark/game maker and generally discuss different aspects of the games industry.

Id say if u av interest in games consider this but dont start thinkin' ul be designing games or anything afterwards, supposidly theres 5/6 years as a programmer and IF u show considerable ability in level/games design u can get promoted......


Dont5 know if this was ne help....just abit bord really.:D ....ps i h8 u kami:p

KamiKazi

red its ok to love me.....

and i wasnt naked, i had socks on!!

muckwarrior

Magown3 wrote:

No, it's excellent...

it's a piece of piss really.

Magown3

muckwarrior wrote:

What, it's not possible for a course to be good and easy at the same time?

Loadsa people here are telling op that their course is good but you have to put the work in or that it's really hard..... balls to that... take the easy option, you'll still have a degree at the end of it, you'll still get paid the same as the others who worked "really hard" for their degree!!

Take the easy option dude.:D

elvis2002

Magown3 wrote:

What, it's not possible for a course to be good and easy at the same time?

Doesn't help that its Blanchardstown IT either tbh. It has a reputation and its not a good one.

aidan_walsh

Magown3 wrote:

What, it's not possible for a course to be good and easy at the same time?

Loadsa people here are telling op that their course is good but you have to put the work in or that it's really hard..... balls to that... take the easy option, you'll still have a degree at the end of it, you'll still get paid the same as the others who worked "really hard" for their degree!!

Take the easy option dude.:D

Of course, its possible some people are more suited to the subject that others. How many people struggled or dropped out in your four years there?

AlmightyCushion

The Software Development course that I'm doing is pretty easy. I'm just saying its a lot easier if you don't leave everything to the last minute which unfortunately I havn't done but I'd say I'll get a distinction in all my subjects.

Magown3

elvis2002 wrote:

Doesn't help that its Blanchardstown IT either tbh. It has a reputation and its not a good one.

For what?:rolleyes:

aidan_walsh wrote:

Of course, its possible some people are more suited to the subject that others. How many people struggled or dropped out in your four years there?

In the 4 years there, only 3 people never made it to the next year because they failed exams and the repeats. Started with 50+ in first year which is about 20 now. Others left to get jobs or to start other courses.

muckwarrior

Magown3 wrote:

What, it's not possible for a course to be good and easy at the same time?

In a word, no!
But I see your point, why work your ass off to get a degree if you can get one by doin sfa. And I suppose a lot of employers wouldn't know the difference between a good course and a bad one. Although I bet all the big one's would!

elvis2002

muckwarrior wrote:

In a word, no!
But I see your point, why work your ass off to get a degree if you can get one by doin sfa. And I suppose a lot of employers wouldn't know the difference between a good course and a bad one. Although I bet all the big one's would!

It will come out during the interviews anyways, if your degree is something you earned or if it is something that you just fell into but didn't really try to hard.