Need help entering computer science as a mature student!

Izzie11

Hi guys

Have decided to try and get a place as a mature student in computer science for next year and need help with a few questions. I know it may seem like a long way away but I want to be prepared now so I know what to do to have a chance of getting into the course.

I have a daughter who will be in school when I start so what is the timetable like? I know by the time I go (fingers crossed) details change but just trying to get a rough idea of how I can balance college and family life.

I have been working in an office environment for years but only using excel, word etc. Although in my spare time I have thought myself HTML, CSS, PHP and I have created a few websites. What else should I be doing to gain relevant experience? At the moment i cant do any course during the day or night due to work and minding my daughter. Would getting a certificate with CISCO or Comptia be a good idea or am I better off just to keep learning programming by myself?

There are so few places for mature students that I'm worried I won't get chosen due to lack of relevant experience.

I know I'm asking a lot of different questions but If anyone can give me any direction on this I would really appreciate it.

Liveit

Information about the course here:
http://www.qualifax.ie/index.php?option=com_wrapper&view=wrapper&Itemid=15

By next year do you mean 2011/12 or 2012/13?

The closing date to apply through the cao was the 1st if May so you will have to wait till 2012/13 either way.

Izzie11

Yeah looking to start 2012! Wasnt possible for me to go this year unfortunately. I have done a lot of research on the course so I'm familiar with what is involved but I'm just looking for an idea on the workload, timetable etc.

Also if anyone knows what I should be doing now in order to improve my chances of getting on the course. Any past or present ck401 students to give advice would be great!

Ri_Nollaig

Hi Izzie11, I graduated in 08 so perhaps the course has changed since.

The main languages covered in 1st and 2nd year was Java with some C and PHP. It was always more of a learning to program by using Java rather then a course in Java which I believe is the best approach to teaching someone how to program. There are many tutorials on Java online so it should be easy to get a standard before you even start and I will guarantee you that will put you a mile ahead of most of the class.

Personally speaking I think C is a better language to learn first, to get an idea of exactly what is going on before heading to Java where a lot of the core concepts can be hidden from you till you get more advance (i.e. memory management/GC). However the course itself may change so you may need to check the latest CS pages on UCC to see exactly what is covered.
When you know C inside out and then move onto Java, learning other language like C++ or C# is a walk in the park.

Certs will benefit you later but I think its a bit early to worry about them yet. So, I wouldn't bother.

Some other areas covered would be:
Web development. Javascipt, PHP, HTML, CSS, XML, XSLT, XPATH, DOM. That is a course that would start basic enough in 1st, perhaps just static HTML with forms and should be advance enough by 3/4 (will become optional by then). Covering XSLT, XML, AJAX, etc. Basically if you can build simple enough web sites you are more then capable for the standard needed for first year.

Data structures: Covers more of the theory behind how data can be stored and retrieved as efficiently as possible. E.g. ADT (Maps, Trees, Linked list). This seems to be a module a lot failed in 2nd year so perhaps one to which out for. If you can use collections in Java and know exactly what is going on you will have no problems here.

Database: Basically SQL, covered simple enough DDL/DML for practical and then covered more advanced concepts like stored procedures and scripts in theory. Think it focused on MySQL but it was all just ANSI SQL anyway. This module does continue on in 4th year to cover large systems like search engines.

Software Engineering: More of a high level view on a project and the planning required. This would be closer to management then CS but an important module all the same.

There are a good many other modules, most of which are optional. But include discreet maths, AI, multimedia, Systems, etc. I wouldn't think you could prepare much for these. There are also non-CS modules like economics, management and foreign languages.

Another important aspect to consider is the work placement in 3rd year. You will have a 6 month or 12 month option. Personally I think 6 month is perfect as you will complete the degree in the 4 years, I know some people will disagree but I don't think it counts for much on your CV when it says 6 or 12 months in <X> when you were just an intern. And if you really wanted to, doing a masters afterwards would be better and you will be finished in the same time as someone who just did the degree and 12 months placement.

In 4th year you do a final year project. Might I stress the importance of a good supervisor (I will not name names) but I'm sure by then you will know who you should go for. It would be better to have you own idea for the project too but some will be suggested so its not the end of the world if you didn't a clue. But either way its a very important part of the entire degree and could easily make the difference between getting a 1H or 2H1... I can tell you right now getting 1H IS important!

Overall, I think you are worrying too much. If you just completely the assignments/tutorials in first year you should walk through it. Second year seems to have the highest failure rate but I believe that was just a result of too much hand holding in first year. Once second year is behind you, third is really only half a year due to the work placement and before you know it your in fourth year and home dry.

So, enjoy it
I can tell you right now, employment couldn't get any better at the moment. I had a job secure before I even finished it in '08 and there are still loads of places crying out for more people. Money is good too!

Any other questions feel free to ask/PM

metalfest

http://cs1.ucc.ie/~tbc1/

first year this year's timetable for after christmas

aspire1

I say carry on doing what you are doing - teaching yourself, being self motivated and showing an ability to learn by yourself will give a good impression.

What to learn though to give yourself a head start? Two of the big first year modules in terms of credit are here:

http://www.cs.ucc.ie/~dgb/courses/pwd.html

http://www.cs.ucc.ie/~kb11/teaching/CS1105/Lectures/

These pages are publicly accessible although the content usually disappears during the summer to resurface next term possibly slightly modified.

I'd carry on reading as much as you can and if you have a year to wait then I'd try and gain some competency in Java as that is the main language used after first year. Learning some javascript/JQuery can't do any harm as well as reading up about algorithms in general so that you have at least a basic understanding of them.