H Dip Software Design and Development

saraocallaghan

Hi guys,

I'm looking for any and all information about the above course from people who have done it or are doing it.

I come from a completely non computer background - business studies and library science, so I'd love to know if it course is as foundation level as the website claims!

Thanks

Sara

Raging_Ninja

You start off learning the very basics, then advance. Its fairly intensive.

saraocallaghan

Thanks Raging_Nina,

Quick question, how quickly did you move on from the basics to the more advanced topics? And by intense what do you mean? Work load, projects, the actual classes?

Also, do you know what the jobs situation is like for graduates of the course?

Thanks!

Sara

Raging_Ninja

saraocallaghan wrote: »

Thanks Raging_Nina,

Quick question, how quickly did you move on from the basics to the more advanced topics? And by intense what do you mean? Work load, projects, the actual classes?

Also, do you know what the jobs situation is like for graduates of the course?

Thanks!

Sara

If you've not too much experience with programming some people find it difficult as it is a new way of thinking. I can't really comment on difficulty - so far everything for me has been relatively basic since I've done programming before.

There's about 25 or so hours scheduled a week between lectures and labs.

As for job prospects, not too sure but half the MSc (same course as the HDip but with a second year which is research-based) class from last year left the course at the end of the 1st year as they found jobs in the sector, walking away with the HDip.

joeKel73

Raging_Ninja wrote: »

As for job prospects, not too sure but half the MSc (same course as the HDip but with a second year which is research-based) class from last year left the course at the end of the 1st year as they found jobs in the sector, walking away with the HDip.

Tis true. I'm doing the MSc research this year, half the class left to work and a couple of HDips transferred into the MSc for the research year.

There seem to be loads of jobs out there in software development, most were looking for Java, we did C++ instead but I hear this years class will be doing Java in the 2nd semester instead.

It does start off a bit basic if you've done any programming but it keeps progressing and it'll meet your level quick enough. Good course, recommend it.

the keen edge

Regarding getting a job after doing the H Dip.

I'm in Marine science and loving it, however getting a job after graduating could be tough. So if I was to do the H dip, and graduate from it with a good grade would I find work?.

I'm speaking in very general terms here. The thing is I'm a mature student and a bit anxious about finding work when I do graduate without doing a long masters programme or phd.

Seeing as IT/computing are so buoyant, I have this notion that I will be always able to do some post grad/h dip, related to the IT sector as a back up plan should the Marine Science dream not work out.

Raging_Ninja

I say apply to the MSc. The price per year is the same (~€2000), and if you get a job during the first year its all well and good and walk out with a HDip. If you don't, you do the thesis in 2nd year and are more attractive to a prospective employer.

Caliden

I've just finished the MSc and came from a civil engineering background.
The coding can be a bit much to take in at the start when you're just dealing with the lecture notes but once you're on a computer I found it to be a alot easier to understand.

Weekly assignments will take up alot of your time in the evenings but I thoroughly enjoyed the course.
I took a gap year after the H.Dip to work in HP for a 15 month internship and returned this year to complete the MSc.

Heading out to the U.S. at the end of November on a 1 year graduate visa as the job prospects seem alot better out there for someone with a masters qualification.

saraocallaghan

Caliden wrote: »

I've just finished the MSc and came from a civil engineering background.
The coding can be a bit much to take in at the start when you're just dealing with the lecture notes but once you're on a computer I found it to be a alot easier to understand.

Weekly assignments will take up alot of your time in the evenings but I thoroughly enjoyed the course.
I took a gap year after the H.Dip to work in HP for a 15 month internship and returned this year to complete the MSc.

Heading out to the U.S. at the end of November on a 1 year graduate visa as the job prospects seem alot better out there for someone with a masters qualification.

Thanks Caliden. Did you have an coding background from the civil eng or was it all new to you too? Do you think that the job market in Ireland is bad? Are there many of the class going down the US route?

joeKel73

Caliden wrote: »

I've just finished the MSc and came from a civil engineering background.

Same here

We did C++ in 2nd year Civil Eng... but that was a good few years ago for me and never used it so effectively starting from scratch. You don't need to have any programming experience, it starts from scratch.

One word of warning though if you do go for it - the graphics subject choices are quite advanced programming, I wouldn't recommend unless you've done some before. A lot of people try it and change to other subject choices.

saraocallaghan

foto joe wrote: »

Same here

We did C++ in 2nd year Civil Eng... but that was a good few years ago for me and never used it so effectively starting from scratch. You don't need to have any programming experience, it starts from scratch.

One word of warning though if you do go for it - the graphics subject choices are quite advanced programming, I wouldn't recommend unless you've done some before. A lot of people try it and change to other subject choices.

Great! Thanks for the advice! At least I have plenty of time before I have to apply. That's why I'm picking the brains of the boardsies who have done the course. Straight from the horse's mouth so to speak!

Caliden

saraocallaghan wrote: »

Thanks Caliden. Did you have an coding background from the civil eng or was it all new to you too? Do you think that the job market in Ireland is bad? Are there many of the class going down the US route?

I didn't do any coding in civil engineering so it was all new to me.
Well there are certainly a lot of opportunities in Ireland but chose to get a 1 year visa as I've been in Boston before and always wanted to go back.
I've a bit of an advantage as a MSc is rare over there (due to college fees) compared to Ireland where a masters is now almost a necessity now.

I've also chose to do the graphic subjects. There's a fair bit of programming in semester 1 but I did enjoy it quite a bit. Semester 2 actually helped with the subject internet programming as they basically covered the same topics.

If you put the time in to the coding, you shouldn't be out of your depth at any stage

saraocallaghan

Caliden wrote: »

I didn't do any coding in civil engineering so it was all new to me.
Well there are certainly a lot of opportunities in Ireland but chose to get a 1 year visa as I've been in Boston before and always wanted to go back.
I've a bit of an advantage as a MSc is rare over there (due to college fees) compared to Ireland where a masters is now almost a necessity now.

I've also chose to do the graphic subjects. There's a fair bit of programming in semester 1 but I did enjoy it quite a bit. Semester 2 actually helped with the subject internet programming as they basically covered the same topics.

If you put the time in to the coding, you shouldn't be out of your depth at any stage

That's fantastic, thank you so much for your help! It's making me have to choose between two! The coding was an issue alright, as I come from a completely non IT background. If I'm going back (again!) I want to make sure that I'm picking the right course. What do you think about the lecturers and tutors?

einshteen

There's a pretty uphill curve from the C assignments I've seen. If you haven't done any programming you'll have your work cut out for you and you'd do well to play around with C or Python before the course starts. It's often the problem-solving aspects that people have trouble with rather than the language itself. That said, learning programming is like learning an instrument, you can read about it all you want but you won't be able to do it without practice :cool:

There is a drop-in centre in the IT building (IT 205) from 2-6pm for programming students if you need any help.

Saveus.222

Anyonw here doing this?

What are the hours like per week total and on a daily basis ie. is it a 9-5 thing 5 days a week?