M.Sc. in Computer Science (Conversion)

rainbow kirby · 04-12-2011 07:41PM

omnisynergy wrote: »

Funnily enough, although the conversion course is for those who no programming experience, there was a student of the Negotiated Learning who had never done any programming before and was taking that Masters.

Wouldn't surprise me if that was someone who wanted to focus on the Cognitive Science end of things.

omnisynergy · 04-12-2011 07:42PM

I don't think so as he was taking a beginner OOP course. There are a lot of modules in that area though. In the conversion you also get to take a semester's worth of modules from the Negotiated Learning.

Fad · 04-12-2011 08:07PM

omnisynergy wrote: »

Funnily enough, although the conversion course is for those who no programming experience, there was a student of the Negotiated Learning who had never done any programming before and was taking that Masters. So if you're looking to do more programming you might be better off with the Conversion.

Computer Science and Programming aren't the same thing though.

omnisynergy · 04-12-2011 08:09PM

Fad wrote: »

Computer Science and Programming aren't the same thing though.

I didn't say they were, I said that there wasn't as much programming covered in the Negotiated Learning.

donmoister · 05-12-2011 01:25AM

omnisynergy wrote: »

Well I have a friend who did the undergraduate in Computer Science, and he said quite a few of the first three semesters is stuff he did in second year.

The advanced stuff is fourth year material plus masters material it seems.
He said I should have no problem doing it even though I don't have the undergraduate, and said that much of the material in his course was sort of useless, so I guess they took the "best of" the undergrad and put it into this masters along with some advanced material.

I'm assuming you don't need to have a CS bachelor to do this Msc?

conor.hogan.2 · 05-12-2011 01:57AM

donmoister wrote: »

I'm assuming you don't need to have a CS bachelor to do this Msc?

You are not allowed to have a CS degree.
If you have worked in CS or related fields or have a related degree they nudge you towards the negotiated learning, but as long as you have no CS degree you can do the conversion.

omnisynergy · 05-12-2011 12:41PM

In hindsight, there was only one course that we we took in the first year that was a copy of one of the undergraduate courses. That course was also taken over a shorter amount of time, so you are expected to do those courses more intensively than if you were in an undergraduate. All you really need is a strong interest in Computer Science and you'll do fine!

unclejoe · 09-12-2011 05:50AM

Hello,

I'm seriously considering applying for the 15 month Conversion course. Does anybody know much about the level of difficultly to be accepted for the course?
What is it that they are looking for in a student?
I have a Bsc in Behavioural Studies and no real computer background apart from a Computer Science module I did in first year of university. I imagine there is alot of people trying to get into this course what with the recession and recommendations that it is one of the few healthy industries in ireland.

Joe

murtron · 09-12-2011 06:08AM

Just wondering if anyone had any info on the entry requirements for this course? I've emailed the admissions office but am still awaiting a reply.

I have a 2:2 B.Comm degree from UCD, and have had some exposure to I.T. within the financial services industry. I am interested in starting this course next year but would like to know if I have a realistic chance of being accepted.

I imagine demand is quite high, especially with the reduced fees on offer? Any help appreciated:)

unclejoe · 09-12-2011 10:36AM

I just got a reply mail there from UCD saying it is for people with a primary degree in another subject at a 2:1 level or higher.
My degree is a 2:2 also so I'm a bit disappointed. I asked them if this meant I have no realistic chance to be accepted but no reply to that question yet.
There is a similar course in DCU I will have a look at.

unclejoe · 09-12-2011 10:38AM

Also, I forgot to say, they told me there are 60 places on the course.

omnisynergy · 09-12-2011 11:27AM

Apply for it any way, you never know...
Some modules have mathematical elements, but as long as you have an interest in Computer Science/Programming you should be able for the course.

unclejoe · 09-12-2011 11:46AM

Yea absolutely, I'll probably apply either way unless they tell me that definitely I would be flat out denied a place. I don't think that I would have any more difficulty then anybody else with the course. My degree is a Bsc so I have dealt with mathematical elements before, I wouldn't be too worried about that.
Omnisynergy did you say you had done the course? Did you know anybody that had gotten accepted with a 2:2?

omnisynergy · 09-12-2011 11:48AM

Yes but I think those people had a little bit of experience in the field. One person I know for sure didn't have experience and had a lower grade, but then again we were the first year of the course so they may have made exceptions.

unclejoe · 09-12-2011 11:58AM

Well that's good to know, but as you say they may have made exceptions in the first year. Also, factoring in that the course has gained credibility and there is more people trying to get into IT these days like myself, the outlook is not good.

Still, there are other similar courses in the country. Do you know of other courses that are similar in Ireland you would recommend?

omnisynergy · 09-12-2011 12:00PM

I don't know much about any other courses I'm afraid! If you're really that interested in the course maybe you should try calling up the Computer Science school and having a word with one of the professors? Don't give up hope yet!

meemeep · 09-12-2011 12:03PM

omnisynergy wrote: »

I didn't say they were, I said that there wasn't as much programming covered in the Negotiated Learning.

I would disagree with that. It is possible to avoid programming on NL, but for serious coders there is plenty of scope since many of the modules include projects to develop APPs - you won't be taught how to code, you need to know it to begin with.

conor.hogan.2 · 09-12-2011 12:04PM

Apply anyway, try to get a good recommendation from a lecturer when you apply.

omnisynergy · 09-12-2011 12:07PM

meemeep wrote: »

I would disagree with that. It is possible to avoid programming on NL, but for serious coders there is plenty of scope since many of the modules include projects to develop APPs - you won't be taught how to code, you need to know it to begin with.

But I think it's better to not be able to avoid programming

murtron · 09-12-2011 02:50PM

Thanks for that Joe. I'll definitely be applying for it anyway, see how it goes. If not, I think the graduate diploma in DCU is my best option.

Nedved85 · 15-12-2011 05:36PM

Think i am going to apply for this aswell. Do they give any indication prior to the deadline day in July as to whether or not you will/wont be considered,

I will be applying for other courses elsewhere and they advise you a bit sooner i think... This one is my first choice though !

meemeep · 15-12-2011 05:39PM

omnisynergy wrote: »

But I think it's better to not be able to avoid programming

That depends on whether you are coming to this as a mature student with years of previous experience (including coding), or as a recent grad. For recent grads, then yes, coding should be compulsory, but in that case, this might not be the best course.

conor.hogan.2 · 15-12-2011 05:44PM

Programming is a big part of CS. Whether you are a recent grad or not is not really relevant.

HLouise · 24-05-2013 04:03PM

patriks wrote: »

Hey guys,

Just wondering, could anybody further elucidate on the M.Sc. in Computer Science (Conversion) at UCD? (i.e. employment prospects, credibility of the course, content, tuition, college environment, etc.)

Thanks in advance!;)

Hi, I'm looking into this course for 2013. The part-time negotiated learning conversion course as I work full time. I'd really appreciate if someone could pm me about the application process, managing the work load & choosing subjects.

Thanks,Louise

red_bairn · 28-05-2013 11:45AM

HLouise wrote: »

Hi, I'm looking into this course for 2013. The part-time negotiated learning conversion course as I work full time. I'd really appreciate if someone could pm me about the application process, managing the work load & choosing subjects.

Thanks,Louise

I don't think the NL course is a conversion course -

The MScNL is particularly suitable for experienced IT professionals in the public and private sectors who wish to gain postgraduate academic accreditation for their experience and upgrade their IT knowledge and skills with a specialism in Cloud Computing. If you are currently working in an IT section this MScNL is likely to be of interest to you.

- IPA

M.Sc. in Computer Science (Conversion)

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