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Applied computing WIT or Computer Science UCD?

christophicus

Which coarse would you say has a better recognition in industry, or is considered better at the end of the coarse??

cheers
Chris

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Sully

Im in my second year of Applied Computing at WIT, there is only 5 of us. Its a tough course, but very interesting all the same. Maths is tough, and we have had nothing but trouble with it. I believe the 1st years are experincing similar problems, and there is a LOT more of them then us 5!

We covered only Java in programing so far. Done some assignments like a Bank, Text Based Game (with rooms (locked & open), an intenory, picking up and dropping items etc) and a football league. We are doing some sort of Web Development programing, but I believe we will be still using Java but for the web.

Covered the theory of planning before developing software (stuff like Use Case Diagrams, CRC Cards, Class Diagrams, Activity Diagrams etc) which is boring but over-laps what we learned in programming which is good. Most of his assignments tie in with research (like now we are researching Software Testing) or our programming assignments.

Done stuff like Project Management & Communication, Computer Architecture, Computer Essentials, Data Communcations etc.

I picked the Networking & Computer Forensics streams. So far, they are very interesting. The maths is Probability & Statistics, which isnt to bad so far.

The 1st years have apparently devloped a much more advanced version of our Zuul text-based game (with AI even!) which we have yet to even cover. There were other assignments for them like creating a application that encodes text and stuff. Seems to have changed since our 1st year, and the course was new (well revamped!) when we started.

Most lectures are dead on, very helpful & approachable, sound out and damn good - such as Rob OConnor & Deborah Duffy to mention two!

Never done Comp Science in UCD, I might transfer into it next year after my work experience depending on a few things back home

Hope that gives you some idea like the courst at WIT.

christophicus

cheers man , thanks for replying to me,What do you actually do In computer Architecture,that seems to be what I am interested in. Do you not learn to code in c++?

Sully

Hi Chris,

Not a bother. Glad to be of help! Comp Arch was only one subject which lasted about 5 months, in 1st Year. I cant recall exactly what it was, but nothing special anyway. Ill try get somethings hooked up for ya like past exam papers, and what we did in subjects I only mentioned.

I dont know if we do C++, but some of them are talking about doing some bit of C (in a subject called Virtual Machines, which is about the Java Virtual Machine. Apparently, we will touch on C in this). Also talk about doing Perl in programming.

Last semester we done stuff like Operating Systems (Memory Management was something we covered a lot of for example), Software Enginering, Digital Electronics (continuation of Physics from Semester 1 - which was basicaly LC Physics) and Maths (Vectors for example).

Anything specific you need, or if you need me to explain stuff we done in more detail - feel free. I found the college were useless at providing course information and they get the A+ Grade students to comment in the book (the ones who aint gonna say anything negative).

christophicus

Yeah they dont really explicitly tell you what you will be doing in these coarses which is really quite annoying. I am increadibly supprised that you do not do C++ in the first year or two. Isnt C++ one of THE most commen lanuages?

Sully

We were told that C is "going out" and being "replaced" by Java based programing, and that is why we are being geared towards that more then anything apparently.

cyberwit

I am a second year commercial computing student. The computer courses at WIT are constantly changing, and I have had discussions with lecturers on new modules been added as well as streams. There are about four streams for the Applied Computing and i did some C++ before coming to WIT prefer Java but once you have a good foundation in one programming language its very easy to learn another so don't worry with regards to that.

Maths in computing is going to be hard anyway the choice is whether to do it in a university where you may not get the same level of personal attention as that you will get in WIT. I remember reading some where that C++ is covered in UCD but for one semester or one year.

Sully

I would strongly recommend NOT doing the Commercial Computing certificate in the WIT. Iv heard nothing but bad reports on it - its apparently the worst course in the college for IT. Not to sure what you think of it tho cyber.

C/C++ might be done in the Games Development stream tho.

christophicus

Yeah thats what i was thinking, that its used for games. Isnt java more focused on website ,flash type things?

Sully

Can be applications to I believe, but we are doing the webside of things this semester.

christophicus

ok cool thanks . I will come back here when I have some more questions. But just to ask my original quesion againn. If an employer was going to hire someone based purely on the course that they have done, would I be right in sating that they are more likely to hire someone that has done Computer science in UCD as opposed to Applied computing in the WIT?

Minto

I was in a similar postion last year, I was trying to decide between BIS in UCC and BBS in WIT. I don't think it really matters as long as you have the relavent experience/qualifications they are looking for. Plus, with any luck, WIT will be a university in a year or two, maybe even by September, but i'm not gonna get into a universtiy debate with anyone here.

christophicus

Yeah I hope your right, although I know many people in dublin that would never even consider UCC let alone WIT, hopefully hta tdoe snot permiate into the majority of people up there.

Sully , you were saying the maths is very hard. IS that only with the forensics module you took or is it with teh whole course in general?
IF you dont mind me asking could you tell me what level maths you did in the LC.

regards
chris.

Sully

We had Maths 4 times so far (no choice in the matter). Same lecturer first two semester, with the first semester being a disastor and they had to grade the papers slightly different as a result. Third semester lecturer just gives out notes, does a few examples, bitches that we cant program and are all wasters, and leaves.

This semester we are doing Probability and Statistics -- so far so good anyway. Nice lecturer, very friendly.

I did Ordinary Level Maths, and I hate Maths :P But, im not just giving a narrow minded review. My current year is as small as it is cause of the Maths (its like Applied Maths for the first two semesters at least) and none of us currenty like the Maths still. The new first years have also experienced difficulties.

Hope that helps.

Sully

christophicus wrote:

ok cool thanks . I will come back here when I have some more questions. But just to ask my original quesion againn. If an employer was going to hire someone based purely on the course that they have done, would I be right in sating that they are more likely to hire someone that has done Computer science in UCD as opposed to Applied computing in the WIT?

Applied Computing to me sounds more advanced then Computer Science. "Applied" term is often used to describe that kind of material.

Tho, I honestly dont know anything about the UCD course so I couldnt be sure.

I would somehow doubt a employer would pick a UCD student over a WIT student, or visa-versa. They would base it on what that job needs, and what the guy applying for the job has done.

Sully

Minto wrote:

Plus, with any luck, WIT will be a university in a year or two, maybe even by September, but i'm not gonna get into a universtiy debate with anyone here.

Doubt it. Highley unlikely for September anyway. It doesnt seem to be going to well with them.

Good thing is WIT is a well respected IT / near-UNI. So that helps

cyberwit

Sully04 wrote:

I would strongly recommend NOT doing the Commercial Computing certificate in the WIT. Iv heard nothing but bad reports on it - its apparently the worst course in the college for IT. Not to sure what you think of it tho cyber.

C/C++ might be done in the Games Development stream tho.

I would strongly refute any accusations that Commercial Computing is "apparently the worst course in the college for IT". For one thing students on the Commercial Computing course can spell correctly and produce coherent sentences:"Hope that gives you some idea like the courst at WIT." unlike some in Applied Computing Sully

1) Its and ordinary degree now
2) It deals with software engineering, systems analysis and we have done all of UML, SDLC thank you very much.
3) Some Commercial Computing students are doing CCNA (Networking)
4) And it seems we did Statistics before applied computing
5) Data Structures, operating systems done at the same time as Applied Computing
6) Applied Computing is the one with the games stream "that its used for games"
7) Graduates of the honours degree in my course have gone on to work for SAP, Department of the Taoiseach.
8) Never once have I failed my math’s since starting on the course neither has others on my course.

cyberwit

Sully04 wrote:

I would strongly recommend NOT doing the Commercial Computing certificate in the WIT. Iv heard nothing but bad reports on it - its apparently the worst course in the college for IT. Not to sure what you think of it tho cyber.

C/C++ might be done in the Games Development stream tho.

:mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:
I would strongly refute any accusations that Commercial Computing is "apparently the worst course in the college for IT". For one thing students on the Commercial Computing course can spell correctly and produce coherent sentences:"Hope that gives you some idea like the courst at WIT." unlike some in Applied Computing Sully

1) Its and ordinary degree now
2) It deals with software engineering, systems analysis and we have done all of UML, SDLC thank you very much.
3) Some Commercial Computing students are doing CCNA (Networking)
4) And it seems we did Statistics before applied computing
5) Data Structures, operating systems done at the same time as Applied Computing
6) Applied Computing is the one with the games stream "that its used for games"
7) Graduates of the honours degree in my course have gone on to work for SAP, Department of the Taoiseach.
8) Never once have I failed my math’s since starting on the course neither has others on my course.

Sully

cyberwit: Calm down, there really is no need to loose the head and start shouting the odds. I was considering doing your course and was advised by many people who have done your course not to do it. People who have left your course and moved to App. Comp have also said similar. People currently in the course say the same. I guess some people like it, and some people dont. I did not say straight out it "was" the worst course. I said "apparently" because I can not say for sure if it is or not - as iv never sat it (due to all the bad reviews). Im sure you all have excellent spelling, but dont start throwing that as an argument cause your offended.

People have bad mouthed the course (a lot of people, past and present) so I took it that it wasnt the best of courses. Think even lecturers have made that comment before.

1) Isnt a Higher Degree better? :P You can do either if im not mistaken, and the Higher Degree is sitting the App. Comp course in second / third year (if i recall correctly).

2) Ah we done the same, and continue to do so. Not the biggest fan of the subject really. Tho, its in the majority of IT Courses so im told (from people in the UK).

3) CCNA is an optional networking course done in WIT to save time for people who would probably been asked to do it if they were signing up for an IT Job that was networking related. I would have loved to have done it, but im in 9-5 and I like my Friday afternoons of

. Applied Computing Students sit this course also. Its open to anyone, but mainly of benefit to IT Students.

4) Who cares when it was done? Or if it was. We are in the middle of it now, nice break from the other tougher Maths we done in Semester 1, 2 & 3. Each IT course is geared to teach specific areas of IT, some cover material that others dont. Id say the App Computing is very like Commercial - but more advanced.

5) Ya, I know. I was in your class when Michael was lecturing. Not to sure if it was the same material or not.

6) Yes it has a Games Stream, Forensics Steam, Networking Stream, etc. Does Commercial have this, or do you join us if you continue on and do a Higher Degree?

7) Fair play to them. They also have worked with people like Siemens (neighbour of mine). Have no idea about past job placements in Applied Computing.

8) Lucky for some! But, isnt Commercial Computing a small class anyway? What maths did ye do? Pitty the Maths in our course has a high failure rate - often wonder is it the lectures or the material.

Anyway cyber, you dont need to get so defensive. I cant prove its not the best course - I was advising the OP not to do it as he seems more focused on the advanced courses in Computing (which I believe Commercial isnt) and the reviews I was told before and after going to WIT is not that good. To be honest, your the first person to tell me you like the course

Nice to hear some positive feedback.

Didnt mean to offend, and I hope my spelling didnt offend you in anyway. Its good to see that Commercial Computing students have excellent spelling and grammar

Rawr!

Applied Computing is hard.... Way too hard.... I'm out! LOL...

Too hard for me

Sully

Rawr! wrote:

Applied Computing is hard.... Way too hard.... I'm out! LOL...

Too hard for me

A first year I take it?

Rawr!

Yep.... Not for much longer tho...

christophicus

cheers for the replies lads . Applied computing is 4 years isnt it? im quite sure it is , its just that i saw something that was said in this thread makes it seem as though it isnt. One of the lectureers came out to my school last year and gave a presentation on computing in WIT and he said somehting about being able to do a 2/3 year degree and then add on the third/fourth if you want, or you can start off saying you are going to deffinatly do the four years , you can do the four years .

You end up with the same degree at the end , its just that if you do the four years staright out( I think it was called Abenitio of something like that) then you get a period of work expeariance which you dont do if you do teh course which requires you too add on years/a year. can anyone enlighten me about this?

Rawr!

Applied Computing is a four year course.

Sully

Commecial Computing (have to be careful what I say here :P) is I believe a 2 year course if you do the cert. If you want to do the diploma thingy, you then move into Applied Computing for a year / 2 years. Maybe someone else can confirm this, as im not to sure. Thats probably what he was on about. I somehow dont think its the "same degree" as I believe Applied Computing is more advanced then Commerical Computing.

Again, to avoid persecution, I am not 100% sure but I think thats how it works.

Applied Computing is a straight 4 year honours degree course. No breaks, or "thinking" breaks.

Nevermind those lecturers giving presentations, there desperate for people in IT Courses.

cyberwit

FOR those of us whom know what we are studying:
Current computer courses offered by WIT

Three years ordinary degree courses (3 years)
BSc Commercial Computing*
BSc Information Technology*
BSc Multimedia Applications Development*

Four years Honours degree courses (4 years)
BSc Hons in Physics with Computing
BSc Applied Computing

*Honours degrees for those whom successfully completed one of the ordinary degree's mentioned above (1 year after three years of BSc)
BSc Hons Commercial Software Development
BSc Hons Information Technology

Sully

Ah cyber, where would we be without ya! At least someone it WIT knows what they are doing!!

Just some extra info:-

Commercial Computing - Im going to double check this, but im nearly possitive that graduates of the certificate can do the diploma by moving into Applied Computing. At least, this is what I was told when I was thinking about doing the course (then told by outsiders to keep well away).

Information Tech - Have no idea about this course, I know of people in it but no idea whats studied.

Multimedia - Mainly the Multimedia area of IT. You get into some great Computer Labs like D01 with Dual Screens. Very handy!

Physics with Computing - Isnt really a computing course. Its composed of about 90% physics, and a small bit of IT with the Applied Computing gang. The IT side is:- Programing, Operating Systems, Computer Architecture, Games Development, Data Communications, Internetworking (There is confusion over this. It was supposed to be done this year alongside Data Comms but this changed at the start of the Semester. Data Comms has only 1 student in it :P). Weird combination if you ask me!

Applied Computing - A LOT of IT and a small bit of other stuff like;-
Business, Physics, Maths, Management & Organization.

Commercial Software Dev. - Have no idea about this course, I know of people in it but no idea whats studied.

Hope that helps. Again, all of the above is purley my knowledge of the course when doing research during my leaving cert on what IT Course to do. I am not responsible for any damage or offense caused to those who believe their IT Course is better then another one. Of course, while I tried to give accurate information - it may not be as accurate as I hoped. Oh and, I do apologise for any spelling and grammar mistakes. Lets just say "Thinking and Learning Skills" in first year App. Comp which thought us the history fo the comma - didnt go down to well with us students!

christophicus

Lol cheers lads, i really do appreciate this help you guys have given me. I have put applied computing as my First choice, I think i will stick with that at the moment.

cyberwit

Sully04 wrote:

Ah cyber, where would we be without ya! At least someone it WIT knows what they are doing!!

Just some extra info:-

Commercial Computing - Im going to double check this, but im nearly possitive that graduates of the certificate can do the diploma by moving into Applied Computing. At least, this is what I was told when I was thinking about doing the course (then told by outsiders to keep well away).

Sully04 wrote:

I believe Applied Computing is more advanced then Commerical Computing.

I am not the one whom has a superiority complex I was simply offering my option and did not once critique the Applied Computing course unlike some the information given above by me about the different computer course offered at WIT is accurate unlike the information provided by sully04 no offence intended.

There is no more diplomas or higher certificates being offered for this years applicants, there are now three year ordinary degrees
after the first two years of the Commercial Computing course or Information Technology course according to a lecturer of mine they can still gain a higher cert if they want which they can use like i can this year to enter the second year of the applied computing course go on in the course they are in or go to another IT or a University (Note if they wish to enter a university with a higher certificate they will require a higher certificate at distinction or Merit 1 level).

When we did critical thinking in first year they showed us how to use a comma.

cyberwit

The main value of this system is you continually gain qualifications along the four years of your degree.

Rawr!

lol... you're funny.