Computer science course

dooley1001

Can someone explain to me what is the course like in Griffith as im afraid i will not get my points for the DIT course. Is DIT better? what are the benifits of griffith and if you had the choice what would you choose.

Fluorescence

Computing Science in Griffith has some advantages. The classes are really really small, so everyone gets to know everyone else and the lecturers know you on an individual basis. The course is fairly broad as well, so you're not specialising too soon. You learn Java and assembly (machine) code in first year.

I can't speak for DIT as I don't know that course.

woof19

I just hope you read this in time before making your decision.I studied computer science in Griffith,and it was the worst course I have experienced.Let me put something into perspective for you. 70% of the class failed 1st year overall.Should of been more if it wasn't for a few mishaps.90% failed programming in the January exam and in the summer exam,it was 75%.And for the repeats,most people didn't even turn up for it.The majority of lectures,except for 2, were just rushed into with no clear understanding and forget about trying to ask them for help afterwards.And after all of that,some people in the class,mainly foreigners had previous experience of doing computer science in their own country.And for those who might reply saying why I didn't complain earlier,I did express my concerns to a computer science employee,without naming names,within Griffith before christmas,and what was said to me was that it is normal to feel a bit lost in the first while but it will start changing afterwards,but it didn't.It only got worse.
So to put it as a summary.Unless you have previous knowledge of computer science don't touch it.Try and do it in DIT if you get the points.

dooley1001

thanks for the reply but i didnt recieve my points for dit so griffith is my only option wish me look as i have a strong interest in computers so possibly will find it easier than some. I wonder is it possible to change to dit after 1 year as an alternative.

Procrastastudy

Do well at GCD in your first year and you can transfer to a number of institutions. It may result in you having to repeat the first year.

That said I find what the previous poster has said to be hard to believe. That said I'm in the Law Faculty rather than Computing. Lets be clear before I start extolling the virtues of GCD as the promised land:

1) Most of the students are either foreign, mature or didn't do well enough at school to get into university. This has a number of issues - the drop out / messer rate of first year is massive - we've seen this in first year law. The maturing people do in a year is unbelievable. The work load and onus on you to study on your own is massive and is a real shock (as it is to all student in any institution leaving school). The foreign students can also have a tenancy to keep their heads down and not complain. The mature students generally being the opposite.

2) The IT facilities at GCD aren't great. Unless they're hiding a decent compute lab somewhere the computers are pretty poor and the building they're in is awful. The toilets etc get in a disgusting state but thats obviously down to the students. The building being run down and old is not. That said I did my first year and Napier on P90s in a room tucked down out of the way at Craiglockhart and wished they'd never moved us to the shiny new barn full of computers.

All that said GCD has systems in place - such as the student council - to address issues the students are facing. In the Law faculty this is extremely effective. I can't speak to the state of the council in computer science but my guess would be that many students failing simply didn't engage on any level let alone in something like representing the class.

As for lecturers helping you after class this is a bit hit and miss - some are better than others on given days. That said if you don't got to the library and read up on a topic and try and understand it yourself the lecturers aren't there to spoon feed you. I've never had a problem with a lecturer answering question in a lecture and a few minutes after. I've never had a lecturer not respond to a question via email. I have had the odd slap down when I've asked something blatantly stupid - but thats only because the the way I conduct myself - e.g. they're good enough to realise I just haven't done the reading.

TL : DR - GCD has its flaws like any institution - students have to take responsibility for their own learning.

dooley1001

Procrastastudy wrote: »

Do well at GCD in your first year and you can transfer to a number of institutions. It may result in you having to repeat the first year.

That said I find what the previous poster has said to be hard to believe. That said I'm in the Law Faculty rather than Computing. Lets be clear before I start extolling the virtues of GCD as the promised land:

1) Most of the students are either foreign, mature or didn't do well enough at school to get into university. This has a number of issues - the drop out / messer rate of first year is massive - we've seen this in first year law. The maturing people do in a year is unbelievable. The work load and onus on you to study on your own is massive and is a real shock (as it is to all student in any institution leaving school). The foreign students can also have a tenancy to keep their heads down and not complain. The mature students generally being the opposite.

2) The IT facilities at GCD aren't great. Unless they're hiding a decent compute lab somewhere the computers are pretty poor and the building they're in is awful. The toilets etc get in a disgusting state but thats obviously down to the students. The building being run down and old is not. That said I did my first year and Napier on P90s in a room tucked down out of the way at Craiglockhart and wished they'd never moved us to the shiny new barn full of computers.

All that said GCD has systems in place - such as the student council - to address issues the students are facing. In the Law faculty this is extremely effective. I can't speak to the state of the council in computer science but my guess would be that many students failing simply didn't engage on any level let alone in something like representing the class.

As for lecturers helping you after class this is a bit hit and miss - some are better than others on given days. That said if you don't got to the library and read up on a topic and try and understand it yourself the lecturers aren't there to spoon feed you. I've never had a problem with a lecturer answering question in a lecture and a few minutes after. I've never had a lecturer not respond to a question via email. I have had the odd slap down when I've asked something blatantly stupid - but thats only because the the way I conduct myself - e.g. they're good enough to realise I just haven't done the reading.

TL : DR - GCD has its flaws like any institution - students have to take responsibility for their own learning.

Thanks for your reply I see what you mean it makes sense that if you dont put the work in you will not do well. If i was to do well in my first year do you know is it possible to transfer to DIT CS.

Procrastastudy

dooley1001 wrote: »

Thanks for your reply I see what you mean it makes sense that if you dont put the work in you will not do well. If i was to do well in my first year do you know is it possible to transfer to DIT CS.

DIT and DCU take transfers it would be down to the course board - they'll look at grades, personal statements etc. etc.

UCD, TCD might but they dont for Law so I cant comment. Also you may end up repeating first year.

It's not about putting the work in like school either - its very different. You have to be a self starter. Some people who did brilliantly at school don't do well at third level - the reverse is also true.

dooley1001

Procrastastudy wrote: »

DIT and DCU take transfers it would be down to the course board - they'll look at grades, personal statements etc. etc.

UCD, TCD might but they dont for Law so I cant comment. Also you may end up repeating first year.

It's not about putting the work in like school either - its very different. You have to be a self starter. Some people who did brilliantly at school don't do well at third level - the reverse is also true.

The thing is i did not choose this course because there is jobs in computers i choose it because i have a strong interest and the will to learn about computers unlike typicall school subjects like geography or english which i hated. So if i love computers so much what makes you think i will repeat the first year ? or do you have to repeat in order to transfer ?

Procrastastudy

dooley1001 wrote: »

The thing is i did not choose this course because there is jobs in computers i choose it because i have a strong interest and the will to learn about computers unlike typicall school subjects like geography or english which i hated. So if i love computers so much what makes you think i will repeat the first year ?

1) Because the University will likely insist you do. I'm a solid 2.1 student who would have had to if I transfered.

2) Be careful - Computer Science may or may not be what you expect. Anyone who loves trawling though SQL needs their head examined.

NM point 3 was someone else!

dooley1001

Procrastastudy wrote: »

1) Because the University will likely insist you do. I'm a solid 2.1 student who would have had to if I transfered.

2) Be careful - Computer Science may or may not be what you expect. Anyone who loves trawling though SQL needs their head examined.

NM point 3 was someone else!

so if i wish to transfer to DIT i have to repeat first year regardless of my grades ?

Procrastastudy

Depends - but not on grades.

If your grades are crap you wont be getting a transfer.

If GCD uses C++ and DCU uses Java you'll have to repeat.

If GCD teaches Object Oriented design in second year and DIT/DCU do it in first you'll be repeating (Most likely)

Simple examples but I'm a Law student so I'm trying to make this relevant

NB it wont just come down to grades either - you may / may not have to be doing something extra such as class rep, volunteer work, write a paper. Depends on what the course director has had for breakfast that morning really.

dooley1001

Procrastastudy wrote: »

Depends - but not on grades.

If your grades are crap you wont be getting a transfer.

If GCD uses C++ and DCU uses Java you'll have to repeat.

If GCD teaches Object Oriented design in second year and DIT/DCU do it in first you'll be repeating (Most likely)

Simple examples but I'm a Law student so I'm trying to make this relevant

NB it wont just come down to grades either - you may / may not have to be doing something extra such as class rep, volunteer work, write a paper. Depends on what the course director has had for breakfast that morning really.

OKay i understand just was wondering because if i tranfer it will work out cheaper if you know what i mean. So how do you find griffith at the moment do you enjoy it, do you reckon its a good college.

Thanks for the replies btw

Procrastastudy

dooley1001 wrote: »

OKay i understand just was wondering because if i tranfer it will work out cheaper if you know what i mean. So how do you find griffith at the moment do you enjoy it, do you reckon its a good college.

Thanks for the replies btw

Defo know what you mean! CS is one of the cheaper ones a Law degree at GCD is the better part of €20K

Its a great college imo - I really like it. The students are grand, loads of hotties - the SU do some great events. Do take on board my previous comments though.

Its all a bit low rent though - Restaurant and bar are a bit naff etc. Library is a bit small - great staff though. At the end of the day its like any where you get out what you put in. Yeah it's br great to have the facilities of Trinners but we don't but we make do and have some very successful students.

My advice is get yourself involved with as much as possible - get your head down and don't miss lectures - plan your 40 hour week and stick to it if you miss a study session do it another time. You'll miss plenty as you'll have great craic there and plenty of hangovers.

dooley1001

Procrastastudy wrote: »

Defo know what you mean! CS is one of the cheaper ones a Law degree at GCD is the better part of €20K

Its a great college imo - I really like it. The students are grand, loads of hotties - the SU do some great events. Do take on board my previous comments though.

Its all a bit low rent though - Restaurant and bar are a bit naff etc. Library is a bit small - great staff though. At the end of the day its like any where you get out what you put in. Yeah it's br great to have the facilities of Trinners but we don't but we make do and have some very successful students.

My advice is get yourself involved with as much as possible - get your head down and don't miss lectures - plan your 40 hour week and stick to it if you miss a study session do it another time. You'll miss plenty as you'll have great craic there and plenty of hangovers.

Cheers man for the advice i laughed at the last part haha. Right looks like im starting to look forward to starting in Sept

Procrastastudy

dooley1001 wrote: »

Cheers man for the advice i laughed at the last part haha. Right looks like im starting to look forward to starting in Sept

Look at it this way - you're in 3rd level - its great craic enjoy it. But dont loose sight of why you're there.

College hotties are a facto of how much alcohol is drank afterwards its a factor of how much money you earn so you need a decent job

You'll also make loads of contacts and meet more hotties if you do the extracurricular stuff.

Lastly it's not about where you start it's where you end up - (if institution matters at all and 90% of the time its matters only a small amount). A 2.1 at GCD will get you on a Trinners Masters Course. So if you want to be able to say you graduated TCD thats how you do it.

TimotiSt

dooley1001 wrote: »

The thing is i did not choose this course because there is jobs in computers i choose it because i have a strong interest and the will to learn about computers unlike typicall school subjects like geography or english which i hated. So if i love computers so much what makes you think i will repeat the first year ? or do you have to repeat in order to transfer ?

No worries, you'll start to hate computers soon enough...
Computer courses are not just fun and games, you'll have to learn a fair amount of math and related subjects to make do. But if you like those, then computing science just might be for you!

ottolo

Has anyone done the higher diploma in Science and Computing at Griffith?

Thinking about taking this course and was wondering if anyone had an opinion on it.

Thanks