Computer Applications VS Enterprise Computing

Keano!

Hi,

I was wondering if a few people could just point out the pros and cons of each subject. Which is harder, more enjoyable, a better qualification etc...

Thanks.

Hauk

It really depends on what field of computing you want to get into.

Computer Applications is a software engineering degree, and involves all aspects of the engineering side and the scientific(i.e. the theory) side.

This is the Computer Applications prospectus.

http://www.dcu.ie/prospective/deginfo.php?classname=CA&originating_school=40

... and here is the prospectus for Enterprise Computing.

http://www.dcu.ie/prospective/deginfo.php?classname=EC&originating_school=40

I'm in final year Computer Apps, and personally I would say it's a very hard course.

Enterprise Computing is a very new degree, so there are no actual 4th years to ask how hard 4th year is. It is a more business orientated degree, with a focus on IT management and some other "stuff".

It was formed from the old Information Systems stream of the Computer Applications degree, so if you know anyone in that stream, they could tell you how it is.

It is a generally held view that Computer Applications is harder than Enterprise Computing, and I would be inclined to agree with it.

However, me thinking CA is harder than EC is just a personal opinion.

Cy_Revenant

Hauk wrote: »

It really depends on what field of computing you want to get into.

Computer Applications is a software engineering degree, and involves all aspects of the engineering side and the scientific(i.e. the theory) side.

This is the Computer Applications prospectus.

http://www.dcu.ie/prospective/deginfo.php?classname=CA&originating_school=40

... and here is the prospectus for Enterprise Computing.

http://www.dcu.ie/prospective/deginfo.php?classname=EC&originating_school=40

I'm in final year Computer Apps, and personally I would say it's a very hard course.

Enterprise Computing is a very new degree, so there are no actual 4th years to ask how hard 4th year is. It is a more business orientated degree, with a focus on IT management and some other "stuff".

It was formed from the old Information Systems stream of the Computer Applications degree, so if you know anyone in that stream, they could tell you how it is.

It is a generally held view that Computer Applications is harder than Enterprise Computing, and I would be inclined to agree with it.

However, me thinking CA is harder than EC is just a personal opinion.

I was under the impression, from talking to people in it, that it's quite different from the old Information Systems course.

robby^5

Hauk wrote: »

However, me thinking CA is harder than EC is just a personal opinion.

I'm EC2 and I'd agree with that, but that said I'd also agree that CA would be among the hardest courses in DCU and I dont think many people would disagree with that.

EC is no cake walk (the fail rate was very high, under half passed first year) and I'd say that it's definitely harder than your average business degree. Afaik they are bringing in more programming modules or making programming 1 (java) mandatory at least so I think the course is moving a little closer to what IS was but there is very little maths (you do the same 1st year maths as CA and quantitative analysis in year 2) or programming in the course and is more geared towards IT Management but there are some modules that in themselves could be a career path (software testing; which we were offered an additional outside qualification exam for and database design; we cover a lot of this in our second year in a year long module, we also did a fantastic network configuration and management course).

Anyway I'd strongly advise you not to consider which you would do based on which is a better qualification because that's a terrible reason to choose between two vastly different courses. EC has no graduates yet so the success of the degree cant really be measured and CA has generally always had a good reputation so would be a safe bet.

Keano!

Ok, so thinking the following would be correct?


CA

• Older Course
• Respected degree
• Difficult
• More practical then theory

EC

• Newer course
• No graduates yet
• Easier then CA but still hard enough
• Moving into the programming area

Thanks for the help so far. It'll be one of these courses I go for...so please excuse my curiosity.

robby^5

Keano! wrote: »

EC

• Moving into the programming area

No that's not what I meant.

Currently no one in EC 2nd year has had to do any programming modules. What is changing is that programming 1 (java programming) is going to be mandatory (this came from the head of the course) at the very least. You wont be a programmer at the end of EC.

Keano!

Oh right. And CA leans toward programming?

Cy_Revenant

Keano! wrote: »

Oh right. And CA leans toward programming?

CA is a Software Engineering degree... mostly.

blacon

If you want to learn programming and maths, do Computer Applications.

If you want to learn a combination of computing with business, do Enterprise Computing.