Which IT/Computer Science Course

sawfish

Someone in the family is considering a conversion postgraduate in IT/Computer Science. I am aware this won`t be as good as a full 4 year course but it may be a foot in the door, if not in Ireland , then abroad.

This seems to be the forum with industry experts so what are peoples thoughts on the following courses and the differences between them?

Thanks

1) Computer Science UCD

http://www.csi.ucd.ie/content/msc-computer-science-conversion
Semester 1

• Programming and Data Structures [UCD]: 10 credits
• Databases and Information Systems (DBMS) [UCD]: 5 credits
• Certified Internet Web Professional Course [IPA] 15 credits

Semester 2

• Introduction to Computer Systems [IPA]: 15 credits
• Programming and Data Structures II [UCD]: 5 credits
• SQL Programming [UCD]: 5 credits
• Software Project - Part 1 [UCD]: 5 credit

• Systems Management and Networking [IPA] : 15 credits
• Software Project - Part 2 [UCD]: 15 credits

Semester 3

• Students can choose 30 credits worth of advanced modules from the MSc in Computer Science by Negotiated Learning.

2) Information Technology NUI Maynooth

http://graduatestudies.nuim.ie/prospectivepostgrads/taughtcourses/scienceandengineering/mhg54

DATABASES

INTRODUCTION TO PROGRAMMING

DISCRETE STRUCTURES 1

ALGORITHMS & DATA STRUCTURES 1

COMPUTER NETWORKS

INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER SYSTEMS

INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER SCIENCE

ALGORITHMS & DATA STRUCTURES 2

WEB INFORMATION PROCESSING

OPERATING SYSTEMS

MULTIMEDIA TECHNOLOGY

SOFTWARE ENGINEERING & SOFTWARE PROCESS

3) Information Technology DCU

Object-Oriented Programming


Web Design & Implementation


Information Systems Framework


Database Design


Advanced Programming


E-Commerce Infrastructure


System & User Interaction Development


Introduction to Networks & Operating Systems

magpie0508

I'm seeking further education on computer science as well, though not a industry expert yet...I would choose UCD course, from the college reputation. But if intending to convert to IT industry, merely college education is far from enough, additional self-taught or part time training (like programming skill trainning, workshop, internship and etc) are very neccessary.

Ballyv24

Are they only considering courses in and around Dublin? I know U.L do a similar course, and someone also posted about a F.A.S course based in Athlone a few weeks ago.

stevenmu

The UCD course looks the best to me. The other two courses look roughly equivalent to it's first two semesters, and then the 3rd semester with the advanced topics sets it apart.

Personally I think I'd be much happier to hire someone who had done that course. Even though the advanced topics wouldn't be directly relevant, I would feel that someone who had done them would have a better grasp of the basics.

I've looked at the UCD negotiated learning masters program before too and it looks pretty impressive. The course above looks to be starting into it, so it may be possible to transition over to that too which would be better again.

conor.hogan.2

stevenmu wrote: »

The course above looks to be starting into it, so it may be possible to transition over to that too which would be better again.

Well the negotiated learning masters is supposed to be for CS or related field students whereas the Conversion is a conversion course.

You could do the Conversion and then do the neg learning one but I would not see the point (personally did not see the point, I did the Conversion course).

The final semester of that conversion course in UCD is 30 credits from the negotiated masters stream.

Luscynd

I am also comparing the two IT conversion courses (Maynooth and UCD). The Maynooth course has separate modules on algorithms and networks and looks more like they are teaching the basics as opposed to specific technologies. Can
anyone who has done one of the two courses confirm/disconfirm this? Are
algorithms and networks covered in the UCD course as well, and if yes, in which
modules?

conor.hogan.2

The UCD course has not a specific algorithms course until the final semester and that is only if you choose to do that module. (choose to do this module, Data Structures and Algorithms I)

Introduction to Computer Systems [IPA]: 15 credits (Modified A+ course)
Programming and Data Structures II [UCD]: 5 credits (C++ programming)
Systems Management and Networking [IPA]: 15 credits (Windows Server 2003/7 & Debian) This builds on the Intro to Comp Sys module above.

All those cover the theory behind it also and not just Windows, Debian and C++ specifically. The A+ one has a practical side as does the networking one, changing computer parts and crimping so not hugely deep.

Luscynd

Thanks, Conor. Did you find the IPA modules useful? UCD has a good reputation but I don't know anything about the IPA and the quality of teaching there...

conor.hogan.2

Luscynd wrote: »

Thanks, Conor. Did you find the IPA modules useful? UCD has a good reputation but I don't know anything about the IPA and the quality of teaching there...

The IPA was better, professionally, than UCD. But they handle different aspects of the course.

Very little programming in the IPA, actually beside some JS and PHP in the first module there was no programming in the IPA it was more theory and other practical aspects besides programming.

You are a full UCD student even when you are in the IPA btw.

Luscynd

Thanks again