TA312 - Computing

DeXtER1978

Percentage wise how often are you in the labs for the above course?

MaxSteele

About 4 modules have labs of which you'll spend half the time doing labwork for the first semester anyway.

The second semester is about the same amount as well.

You're looking at roughly half the time of the course spent doing some sort of lab work.

Piece of advice, if you're worried about having to do lab work, then the course might not be the best choice.

DeXtER1978

MaxSteele wrote: »

About 4 modules have labs of which you'll spend half the time doing labwork for the first semester anyway.

The second semester is about the same amount as well.

You're looking at roughly half the time of the course spent doing some sort of lab work.

Piece of advice, if you're worried about having to do lab work, then the course might not be the best choice.

Hey Max, its actually the opposite. I got this course and the BN104 Blanchardstown (Hons) Degree in Blanch - and want to see which one is the best before i pick the course

Both colleges have plus and minus.

But i love hands on lab work so just checking which course is better for that.

My other query is, it is my understanding that you are given the option in Blanch to complete a CISCO course for free where in Tallaght you have to pay for it!!!

MaxSteele

DeXtER1978 wrote: »

Hey Max, its actually the opposite. I got this course and the BN104 Blanchardstown (Hons) Degree in Blanch - and want to see which one is the best before i pick the course

Both colleges have plus and minus.

But i love hands on lab work so just checking which course is better for that.

My other query is, it is my understanding that you are given the option in Blanch to complete a CISCO course for free where in Tallaght you have to pay for it!!!

Depends if you stick with Computing (Programming) or switch into IT Management (Networking) at the end of the first year.

IT Management puts lot's of emphasis on Networking, whereas Computing just covers the basics. You'd be learning it through Cisco and get a certificate as a certified Cisco technician or whatever you want call it at some stage of the course or when you receive a degree.

But I'm not sure if Computing students receive this aswell though. I wouldn't think so myself. I'm only starting the second year (first year of IT Management) of my degree in a few weeks anyway so I'm not too sure.

Maybe you can do it separate after first year, or maybe do the PLC course in Cisco before doing a degree. If you're into Computing, I doubt you would really need a Cisco cert, seeing as though you'll probably have a career as a computer programmer or developer.

Tom1991

yeah the practical element is what made me choose Tallaght after being in ucd for two years i found the lab work where the only classes i would wake up for.

Slightly OffTopic but maybe we could turn this thread into a discussion thread like some of the other colleges have ie(Course work,banter,etc)

7.Ronaldo

I graduated from this course and there is a heavy emphasis on practical work. The majority of the subjects are a 50/50 split between practical and theory and there is a semester long or year long software development project at the end of 2nd, 3rd and 4th year.

You have the option to move into the IT Management stream at the beginning of 2nd year which is much more theory based than the software stream.

Networking is thought in both streams. I know we covered off all the CCNA content by the end of 4th year but we did not receive a CISCO qualification. We were advised that having passed 4th year Networking we were ready to sit the exam if we chose to do so. I think the exam only costs in the region of €120 to €150 though.

DeXtER1978

Gents, thanks for the replies....Looks like Im leaning towards this course. I really wanted to get the honours degree (4 year) course but it is my understanding I have the option at the end of year 3 to carry on and complete 4th year? Is this true? Or is there hidden agenda's involved i.e. I have to get a certain amount of points in my final exams?

DeXtER1978

Just thinking there, If I accept this course (Level 7) On my grant application I put down the level 8 course in computing but I didnt get it either as a mature student or via my leaving cert points - Im presuming ill still get the grant as Im provisionally granted this - however will they change their minds and say no because its a level 7?

Gavin "shels"

To go from 3rd to 4th year, you need a certain GPA and there needs to be enough room in the course (not a bother in Computing as there's such a high drop out rate).