Computer Applications course.

therower1995

Hi, I am just looking to find out as much as I can about the course as possible such as, is the maths difficult? and what kind of career prospects would a graduate have? Any information at all would be appreciated!

Skylinehead

therower1995 wrote: »

Hi, I am just looking to find out as much as I can about the course as possible such as, is the maths difficult? and what kind of career prospects would a graduate have? Any information at all would be appreciated!

First year maths would be in and around the level of Higher LC maths. It gets a little harder from there, but no so much that you can't manage it.

Prospects are great. Loads of jobs in and around Dublin and indeed the whole country, and it's probably the most respected software engineering course in the country so it does help abroad too.

Useful.Idiot

plenty of info in similar threads too!

http://www.boards.ie/search/submit/?subforums=1&forum=471&query=Computer+Applications

marcus2000

Its going back a few years since I studied Computer Applicaitons. I remember the maths being relatively easy. Not even as difficult as leaving cert and (in my time) it was continuous assesment though that may have changed since.

Didnt really like the Physics side of it myself.....though i heard that was just LC standard too.

As for career prospects, well you can follow many routes. It really gives you a good bases in many areas.
(I'm now a database programamer/analyst in Insurance!!)

xxmeabhxx

Hi,
I'm entering third year of CA this year. The maths is first year isn't as hard as doing Higher LC maths in my opinion. I dropped from higher to ordinary a few months before the exam and I found the maths fine in first year. There's also a maths learning centre where you can get one on one help throughout the year, it's completely free so I'd recommend that! You do have to be willing to do some maths though! Like if you really dislike maths in school you should probably think about your options more but if you're willing to put in work(less than what higher LC maths requires) then you'll be grand! There's pretty good prospects for graduates, there's a lot of IT jobs going at the moment. The course generally requires hard work but you'll still have time for socialising and societies and stuff.

therower1995

thanks. And ho does computer apps compare to the likes of computer science at ucd?:)

ViperHiggins

I got offered this course to and with 85 points off with my HEAR application. It was my second choice after computer science in dit but I'm sure I'll manage to get along with this course

polkabunny

therower1995 wrote: »

thanks. And ho does computer apps compare to the likes of computer science at ucd?:)

Computer Science is UCD doesn't seem to be held in as high regard as Computer Applications here in DCU. There's a much bigger emphasis on Programming and Maths in first year anyway, CA has Programming 1, Programming 2 and IT Mathematics - all are 10 credit modules, while the equivalent Programming modules are 5 credits in CS.
I've just finished first year, and our modules were as follows:
Programming 1 - Semester 1 - 10 credits
Programming 2 - Semester 2 - 10 credits
IT Mathematics - Year Long - 10 credits
Web Design - Semester 1 - 5 credits
Digital Innovation, Creativity & Enterprise (Business module) - Year Long - 5 credits
Computer Systems Hardware - Semester 1 - 5 credits
Networks & Internet - Semester 2 - 5 credits
Problem Solving, Creativity & Critical Thinking - Semester 2 - 5 credits
Introduction to Operating Systems - Semester 2 - 5 credits

I think the 6 month work placement is what gives CA and edge over CS. Relevant work experience is always brilliant to have.
I had originally planned to do CS, but chose CA over it. Currently have a guy in my class who had started CS in UCD, but dropped out due to sickness, and decided to do CA when he was better.

xxmeabhxx

Well I can only really judge CA in DCU as that's the course I'm in but it does seem to be very well regarded, if you graduate with 2.1 or higher you'll have a rake of options open to you. I think CS in Trinity has more of a maths focus than DCU. As mentioned above, first year in DCU focuses HUGELY on programming!