Computer Science in TCD is it the right course for me?

dannyirishman

Sorry if I am in the wrong section but I am worried if the course is not for me....

I have a huge interest in computers in general especially programming and CS seems to be the right course for me but I am finding it hard to see what exactly I would be studying if I did the course (on an average day to day basis)

Could anyone who is currently doing CS give me advice on the subject please and are there alternative courses to computer science that might suit me more?

Thanks

randylonghorn

I'd say you might do better in the TCD forum, Danny, most people here are still facing into their LC.


/moved

t1mm

Hello there,

http://www.scss.tcd.ie/undergraduate/ba/current/

If you click on Junior Freshman, Senior Freshman etc on the left hand side you'll get a list of modules per semester and descriptions of them.

Hope this helps!

ED E

JF Myself.

A good 30% of your time will be spent hanging out in one of the labs or DUCSS(CS Soc), 1st year isnt hugely busy if you're competent.

Programming: Java Java Java, its at Business and Computing level, so no stress.

Computing: Arm assembly, very relevant and good a good brain worker, nice puzzle solving like work. Can be tedious, but nice.

Maths: I cant stand our lecturer, and as such hate it and would give a biased view. Term 1 is sets and logic, 2 is back to arithmetic.

Eletrotech/Telecoms: Attendance is bad at these lectures, but thats cause a lot of its reshashing or LC HL Physics, and it can be crammed.

DLD(Digital Logic Design): Personally, the most difficult subject. Not going to bother try and describe it, just go look at Digital Design by Morris M Mano.

Processing: Grapical work with Java. Have a look at processing.org . I'm a waster and I've got 10/10 for the last 5 weeks(one week left of labs). After week 6(next week), we start a group project. Looks like it'll be easy enough.

Computers and Society: Think CSPE, 'nuff said.


Its a theoretically biased course, if you want a more vocational course try DIT(or UCD, I think).

If you play lots of games and help your mammy when her laptop stops working, dont think that means your CS. You'll know yourself if you really have a passion for it. Remember, you'll be spending 9-5(or 10-3 if you get a cushy job, *cough, you know who you are*) at a screen. If you've ever stayed up till 6AM trying to get something to work, this is the right place.

Did you come to the open day? Usually a good thing to do.

t1mm

Programming: Java Java Java, its at Business and Computing level, so no stress.

Unfortunately Some of the students have some sort of a superiority complex, conveyed only from behind their computers of course

Again, good luck whatever choice you make!

ED E

Well, considering our programming lecturer takes the p1ss outta them 4 in every 5 lectures and blankly said at the start of term that most would fail, I dont see it as a personal issue with them.

I didnt hear any CS asking what a double was in week 10...

In any case, lets not turn this into that other thread.

t1mm

Most did fail, however that is no reason to tar everyone with the same brush. Computer Science has one of the highest fail/dropout rates in the country, but its students aren't given grief on the internet at the mention of their course title. Give it a rest.

mloccy

t1mm wrote: »

Unfortunately Some of the students have some sort of a superiority complex, conveyed only from behind their computers of course

Actually he's like this in real life too .

Unregistered.

Lethal_Bullet wrote: »

I didnt hear any CS asking what a double was in week 10...

CS students don't ask questions. Ever. About anything. They just sit there doing one or more of the following:

• Staring at their laptops.
• Staring at the lecture slides.
• Playing games on laptops.
• Snoring.
• Doing other assignments.
• Staring at a page with one line of notes in front of them.

OP, if this how you like to structure your day, then this is the right course for you.

Dante

Lethal_Bullet wrote: »

Programming: Java Java Java, its at Business and Computing level, so no stress.

Jesus, you're like a fúcking broken record.

dannyirishman

Well that doesn't sound very promising at all is it just trinity that has this problem or does DIT and UCD have the same?

boblong

Please don't base your opinion of the course on this thread. I don't really know why certain CS students feel the need to go on the internet and insinuate that they are somehow superior to B&C and MSISS students. It's quite irritating for computer science students who happen to get along with B&C students and generally try to not act like a self-important rockstar-programmer.

Yes it is considered quite difficult by some. However it should not be a problem if you actually try to engage the course, get interested, and listen to those who know what they're talking about. Have a look at some of the CS threads on this forum and try to ignore the incessant trolling. You can also PM me if you want.

Jonathan

Lethal_Bullet: Leave out the B&C jibes. They probably laugh at the CS entrepreneurship course.

dannyirishman

boblong wrote: »

Please don't base your opinion of the course on this thread. I don't really know why certain CS students feel the need to go on the internet and insinuate that they are somehow superior to B&C and MSISS students. It's quite irritating for computer science students who happen to get along with B&C students and generally try to not act like a self-important rockstar-programmer.

Yes it is considered quite difficult by some. However it should not be a problem if you actually try to engage the course, get interested, and listen to those who know what they're talking about. Have a look at some of the CS threads on this forum and try to ignore the incessant trolling. You can also PM me if you want.

Thanks for that I really want to be going in to the course with confidence as I do like programming and the advanced side to computers. I am going to try get an interview with someone in TCD to find out more.

Is it really the majority that learn nothing in the lectures I'm sure those who would have an interest could go out of their way to ace the course....
Thanks

boblong

dannyirishman wrote: »

Thanks for that I really want to be going in to the course with confidence as I do like programming and the advanced side to computers. I am going to try get an interview with someone in TCD to find out more.

Good idea. I think the freshman coordinator accommodates that kind of thing very well.

ED E

Just to clarify, I dont have a problem with MSIS(in fact, I applaud them for hitting the pav instead of going to pointless lectures ).

They probably laugh at the CS entrepreneurship course.

They wouldnt be alone there.

Unregistered. wrote: »

CS students don't ask questions. Ever. About anything. They just sit there doing one or more of the following:

• Staring at their laptops.
• Staring at the lecture slides.
• Playing games on laptops.
• Snoring.
• Doing other assignments.
• Staring at a page with one line of notes in front of them.

OP, if this how you like to structure your day, then this is the right course for you.

Not true, several do. The reason people do other stuff is that they are comfortable with the current material. If you were to walk into DLD you'd see that when necessary the class is very focussed.

Anyways, this is a trollfest we've had before. On Topic:


OP, I'm not sure if you've missed the deadline but it is/was possible to apply to become a shadower for a day(half day really). You get to see how the course works first hand. Professor Dukes is the JF Coordinator so you could enquire with him or the SCSS office.

tabouli

OP, I'm not sure if you've missed the deadline but it is/was possible to apply to become a shadower for a day(half day really). You get to see how the course works first hand. Professor Dukes is the JF Coordinator so you could enquire with him or the SCSS office.

I don't think shadowing is open to everyone... as far as I know it's only for students from schools affiliated with TAP. That's not to say that the OP shouldn't contact the department Dr Dukes is very helpful and it would be a good way to see what the course is like. I also find boards good for student opinions...

dannyirishman

My friend is doing the shadowing this week it is too late for me now to apply (never even heard about this until he told me).

The main response seems to be that the course is incredibly difficult and a lot drop out I am worrying if I would fall in to this catagory during my first year (despite having a big interest in programming, software etc)

To be honest I have limited my options for myself for compter course options at the minute my CAO is basically CS and Computing are there other 'Computer software related courses' if CS may not be for me???
(I know I'm being negative here but I want to do something I will like)
Thanks

t1mm

I reckon a lot of the dropout are those who reckon they're already strong at the subject because they've installed microsoft word for their uncle and have a high k/d ratio in Counter Strike. If you're interested in programming/software development you should give it a go.

Edit: You could also just look at the timetable on the website I linked earlier in the thread and sit into some of the lectures! I'd doubt anyone would notice as the numbers are generally higher in first year!

tehjimmeh

dannyirishman wrote: »

The main response seems to be that the course is incredibly difficult and a lot drop out I am worrying if I would fall in to this catagory during my first year (despite having a big interest in programming, software etc)

It's not incredibly difficult. You do have to work at it though, and you really need to be interested in it. The dropout/fail rate can be attributed to the fact that it attracts people who are interested in "making games", without having a clue what that actually entails, and then they find out that programming and Computer Science theory really isn't for them at all. Also, at 355 points, some people end up doing it because they threw it down as their 4th/5th option on their CAO without thinking about it too much.

Tbqh, if you've done any programming before, and you've enjoyed it, you'll be 100% fine.