Computer Applications.

Naikon

Hi, I have queried about the above before in this forum.

However, I would appreciate any input from people currently doing this course.
The course has been restructured if I am not mistaken?

I am currently in DIT Computing(DT211), 2nd year. The course is ok, but I been
pondering the possibility of moving to a different college next year.

More specifically, I have only dealt with C so far with a very small
amount of C++ and briefly touched on assembly. PHP and basic web stuff was mentioned too.

What programming Langauges are the staple of this course?
Hopefully Java is not the only langauge taught like most courses these days.

What are the fabled Linear Algerbra and probability modules like?
How difficult are these modules relative to other modules?

Standard computer science maths along with graph theory have been covered
in my current course fairly sufficiently, but I am not certain there is much overlap.

Is it possible to find exam papers/exam questions relating to ANY the above said modules?
The exam papers search facility seems to require a personal login.

I can handle maths when required, but I am a bit worried about some content of this
course considering I didn't do Higher level maths for the LC.

I don't expect all the above questions to be answered for obvious reasons.


Cheers all you past/current CA nuts;)

Naikon

Just found the massive CA thread. Mods, feel free to lock this.
I should probably read the charter in future aswell >_>

--N

Gagalady

Where is the massive CA thread? I seemed to have missed it? It's not my thread, is it or is there another thread I missed?

Nanaki

Go back a few pages, it was made by me, Computer Applications Students, with a yellow exclamation mark at the left hand side. A plethora of posts in there

Diarmaid07

Is that post not archived(ie, burried) by now?

Daysha

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055370020

Ste.phen

Incidentally, i finished DT211 (then DT266) and went from there to 2nd year of Computer Applications: I was at a slight disadvantage as Java is the main language they use in DCU, and DIT had only a shortish intro to it, but we had sufficient grounding in programming in general to weather it
DCU also taught (presume they still do) C++ as a module of its own and a little C (i.e procedural rather than OO) in some of the other modules (OS).
You'll be grand

Diarmaid07

hm, that'd be it alright... wonder how I missed it

tolteq

I think you should transfer to UCD.

the computer science degree there is far better.

i came here to to do a graduate diploma in information technology.

DCU computing lecturers are rubbish. that is my honest opinion.

camroc

tolteq wrote: »

I think you should transfer to UCD.

the computer science degree there is far better.

i came here to to do a graduate diploma in information technology.

DCU computing lecturers are rubbish. that is my honest opinion.

Care to expand on that? Are all of the people on this list really rubbish?

http://www.dcu.ie/info/staff.php3?query=computing_staff

What was rubbish about them? How many did you have contact with in your time in DCU? What do you prefer about UCD? You are entitled to your opinion, but I don't think that it's very useful to offer such a blanket judgment over a large faculty that you've had (I assume) limited contact with.

Diarmaid07

I'll just throw a nice figure into the air for people to argue with..


"100% graduate employment rate as of 2008*". That's why you should come to DCU



* - no source, was told by a lecturer. I'm inclined to believe him though..

camroc

Diarmaid07 wrote: »

I'll just throw a nice figure into the air for people to argue with..


"100% graduate employment rate as of 2008*". That's why you should come to DCU



* - no source, was told by a lecturer. I'm inclined to believe him though..

While we're throwing figures around; Over 50% (Wow!) of UCD computer science graduates work in industry:

https://myucd.ucd.ie/program.do?from=subject&programID=39

Diarmaid07

That's nice. They also take in about 1/3 what DCU do*..


Shall we continue comparing respective universities e-penises or shall we get back on topic?



* yes yes, spit dropout rates in my face why don't you..

gizmo

The DCU Computing degree is FAR from rubbish, sure it has it's flaws but so does every course. What it definitely does have is an excellent reputation in the eyes of potential employers and the added advantage of the third year INTRA placement which, assuming you make the best of it, is great to have under your belt for when you graduate.

On the other hand, those employed graduate figures are extremely flawed. For one, I know a couple from that class that aren't employed and secondly, the only way they know whether you're employed or not is from a phone call and/or email they send you after the Summer. This call and/or email, I can almost guarantee you, is not replied to by a lot of students thus the figures are inaccurate.

As for the original C++/Java question, well look at it like this, going from the former to the latter is a hell of a lot easier than vice-versa so I wouldn't stress it too much. Plus after second year they give you some leeway when it comes to what language you do some of the projects in so definitely don't sweat it.

hussey

Computers in DCU has an excellent rep, and far from rubbish.
I went to DCU and did the Old CA course ('02)

I got a job with IBM in the dublin software lab, and of the grads that year I think 4/6 were from DCU.

When I was interviewed in Sydney for a job the interviewer said "I see you did computers in DCU, we've had 3 ex DCU workers here and they all did a great job"

personally I found the only thing wrong with DCU was the social life, was more of a degree factory etc.

I keep in touch with people from my class, and most of my friends are doing fairly well.

Polarity

hussey wrote: »

personally I found the only thing wrong with DCU was the social life, was more of a degree factory etc.

Really? I've heard the social life in DCU is pretty good.. better that DIT surely?

Fuhrer

Polarity wrote: »

Really? I've heard the social life in DCU is pretty good.. better that DIT surely?

No, its rubbish.

Diarmaid07

Fuhrer wrote: »

No, its rubbish.

I don't see why people think this... There's plenty of social life, if you just put effort into clubs & socs and all that jazz.

john.needham

Diarmaid07 wrote: »

I don't see why people think this... There's plenty of social life, if you just put effort into clubs & socs and all that jazz.

Depends on your idea of a social life, some people are not looking to get into clubs and socs etc etc etc. If your looking for a social life outside of clubs/socs/su, dcu isnt really great at the mo.

As for CA, its a great degree (currently in 3rd yr). The new course doesnt seem to be massively different for the traditional CA course, Java seems to still be the focus although i believe first years can do some scripting now. Its more a case of moving stuff around between the years. Stuff like networking is now done in first and third as opposed to second and third.

Maths in the old course was more propability/stats based than graph stuff, although im not sure about the new course but i suspect it hasnt massively changed.

Hope that helped.

Diarmaid07

john.needham wrote: »

Depends on your idea of a social life, some people are not looking to get into clubs and socs etc etc etc. If your looking for a social life outside of clubs/socs/su, dcu isnt really great at the mo.

This is true.. but quite a few of my friends I go drinking with I met through C&S. It can cater for everyone in a way...

markpb

Polarity wrote: »

Really? I've heard the social life in DCU is pretty good.. better that DIT surely?

There's not much point asking someone who left DCU 13 years ago what the social life is like there now

FWIW the social life is what you make of it - if you come in at 9 and disappear at 5 everyday, it'll be crap. If you make an effort, go to the bar (when it's open), join some clubs and socs, it'll be fantastic. The two-semester arrangement does make the second semester a bit short but you'd be surprised what you can pack into the first 7-8 weeks before everyone puts the head down.

On topic, the course used to be very, very good but then they doubled the size of it and it went downhill. It's still quite good and the old reputation precedes it which is good for people when they qualify. To be honest, like the social life - it depends what you put into it. The people who already know a bit about programming, learn a lot of things that aren't on the course and get a decent Intra will be well received when they leave. The people who do the minimum, will probably pass but won't be much good.

Nanaki

The course is difficult at the beginning. The maths lecturers aren't the best, nor was business or hardware, but in general they're quite effective. And anything you don't understand, you can look up online, ask another student, ask another year in CA, and if you're in redbrick, ask #lobby.
Wrt the social life,if you make the effort to join clubs & socs, get to know people and attend events, there's lots to do, and some great people around the place. Get to know people on the course, and also in the years above you.
Also, go to the clubs and socs ball!

tolteq

UCD has a better social life. A friend of mine is doing a PhD in UCD. Alright she complains about the students getting spoon fed. But at least you get a good amount of information.

The Graduate diploma course I am doing - The courses are low on information, and badly structured. I had an e-commerce module. The 'practical' part of this course was a series of lecture/tutorials. I found one of the Java lecturers to be extremely inept. Everytime someone asked for help, the person was met with an answer "well how would you solve it". Ok, i agree you are supposed to think for yourself, but what about when you are totally new to a subject. Ludicrous.

I still say transfer to UCD. A good student can get a job anywhere. You'll end up missing UCD. Whereas when you leave DCU, the only fond memories you will have are leg ache after having to spend all day walking to the library and head ache after enduring crap lectures. At least UCD has some trees!

Nanaki

UCD has a better social life.

DCU has a great social life, what's your basis for it not?

Everytime someone asked for help, the person was met with an answer "well how would you solve it".

My lab tutor last semester did this all the time. It irritated me, but it worked. I was new to java programming, but making me think about it, I developed my programming ability bit by bit - by the end of the semester I was asking less questions.

At least UCD has some trees

do mine eyes deceive me? Are they trees in the background?
The green is littered with trees. Lime avenue, between the hub and ballymun road is sheltered by trees.

At least back up your points

gizmo

And don't forget...

tolteq wrote: »

Whereas when you leave DCU, the only fond memories you will have are leg ache after having to spend all day walking to the library and head ache after enduring crap lectures.

Absolute rubbish, there are plenty of people on here that have graduated from DCU and will disagree with that.

Also, regarding the social life, so far all you've talked about is the course and the library and deftly ignored all suggestions about joining clubs and socities or what you regard as "bad" about it. Thus I'll remind you of our lovely FAQ on this forum...

Is DCU any Fun?
This question is asked repeatedly here by CAO candidates when considering their choice of college/university. The most common response is that: "College is what you make of it". If you want to go to DCU to party, you will find yourself partying. DCU is neither boring nor lacks social life. People are boring and lack social lives. DCU contains some of these people. Other colleges contain some of these people. Other colleges contain people who party hard. DCU contains people who party hard.

Hewhodares

Im in final year in Dcu and the social life is a crap. Most people I know think the same about Dcu. I joined clubs in 1st and 2nd year and went to stuff and was completely ignored. One club I joined last year had one event and nothing else all year. The social scene shud not be about just about clubs and socs. My friends in limerick and galway and ucd have a great time and agree with me about the social scene.

Im not in CA but the people in my class dont do anything, half them stay up all night doing assignments. I live on campus and my so called friends, who asked to live with me, study in their rooms all the time. The bar is a joke and the on campus accomadation is like living in a graveyard. Since 1st year, a good lot of my friends have ended repeating or droping out. Im considering doing another degree in Ucd and have some craic riding out the economic situation.

AlanSparrowhawk

Ultimately college, like life is what you make of it. Having said that, every college seems to have its own distinct culture and I wouldn't say DCU has a party culture. Of course, I'm not trying to say it's devoid of social life. I'm only here the year so I can't overly comment as obviously only my own experience to go on.

john.needham

Hewhodares wrote: »

Im in final year in Dcu and the social life is a crap. Most people I know think the same about Dcu. I joined clubs in 1st and 2nd year and went to stuff and was completely ignored. One club I joined last year had one event and nothing else all year. The social scene shud not be about just about clubs and socs. My friends in limerick and galway and ucd have a great time and agree with me about the social scene.

Im not in CA but the people in my class dont do anything, half them stay up all night doing assignments. I live on campus and my so called friends, who asked to live with me, study in their rooms all the time. The bar is a joke and the on campus accomadation is like living in a graveyard. Since 1st year, a good lot of my friends have ended repeating or droping out. Im considering doing another degree in Ucd and have some craic riding out the economic situation.

Not all clubs or societies will be as active as others. There isnt much point in only joining one club or soc and then getting annoyed if they arn't very active, any first year should really try join a few, on clubs & socs day ask them what they get up to, ask people you meet which ones are good. After first year you should know which the more obviously active groups are around campus, and that's only the ones you see, many (very) active clubs do everything of campus so you may not know.

And comparing the social life in DCU to Galway and UCD isnt exactly...even. UCD is twice the size, and Galway is a university city. DCU suffers heavily from being so close to the city center and its a smaller college. The size can work in your favour tho, anyone who goes to the bar will get to know people quite quickly, and chances are good that you'll find them again on other nights, which is most definitely not my experience from being out in UCD.

dramabob

*looks at topic of thread*

*reads thread*

*is confused*

What, exactly, has the social life of DCU have to do with the Computer Applications programme?

Stay on topic guys.

Mad_Max

Diarmaid07 wrote: »

I'll just throw a nice figure into the air for people to argue with..


"100% graduate employment rate as of 2008*". That's why you should come to DCU



* - no source, was told by a lecturer. I'm inclined to believe him though..

Must tell my unemployed graduate friends of this...Jammy gits must be getting the dole AND a wage

Cid-Highwind

dramabob wrote: »

What, exactly, has the social life of DCU have to do with the Computer Applications programme?

We are the social life bob, did you not get the memo?

@Naikon: To get back to answering your original question somewhat, the course has been somewhat restructured. The reason for this was to align it closer with the new Enterprise Computing Degree, making it easier for students to move between the programmes in the first year.

With the exception of some of the bull**** modules in first year (Topics in Computing etc.) none of the actual course material has really changed, just moved around somewhat.

Most programming is Java based - learning to program in first year is in java, and several of the assignments in later years are in java. If you have already studied another programming language you shouldn't have much trouble catching up the material that was covered in first year though. C, C++, Assembly (x86 and MIPS) & Haskell will also be covered, and you can do your third/fourth year projects in whatever language you choose.

Smellyirishman

Mad_Max wrote: »

Must tell my unemployed graduate friends of this...Jammy gits must be getting the dole AND a wage

Neither!

If I remember correctly the only email we've received so far was something along the lines of "What was the interview process like for the company you're working in now". Slightly leading.

the butcher

I would pick CA over any other IT courses, still has a good rep despite the quality of the course dipping over the years.

IT will and is not being shielded from the economic downturn, but will pick up faster then other sectors (like construction lollers) we all know how bad the situation is (thank FiannaFail for that).

I would like to see the true employment stats for my year (graduated last year)