BSC Hons in Entertainment System

EpsilonCM

Im starting this course soon, anyone have any information on it as in what is the average timetable of a first year student in this course, what will I need computer/laptop wise. Is the course enjoyable etc etc.

Thanks in advance for your comments

Media999

The toughest of the IT from what ive heard. Most hours and hardest maths aswell.

No slacking

solarith

I'm a 4th year EntSys (Game stream).

Are you considering going into the Music or Games stream?

You can expect between 30-40 in first year which will drop to about 20 in 2nd year and potentially drop to between 10-12 in third year. It's the same with all IT subjects, people think they can go in and not work, they fail. The most important thing to remember is: you do not have to be a slave, not even close! Just go to all classes and submit all assignments/complete all work and you'll be grand.

When you're programming, it's different to other things you may have experienced: you'll be thinking and thinking and you won't have a clue how to complete an assignment and get stuck: DON'T GIVE UP. This happens. It happens to people coding with 20 years. This is when you learn the cool stuff.

There is some maths, physics and computer architecture involved - don't get behind in these ever!

Anyway, enough scaremondering - it's awesome! When others are stuck in the library writing up 5,000 word essays, we're up in IT103 making games.

You'll have 6 classes, with 2 hours lectures each and 2 hours lab work. That's 24 hours a week (generally). You won't need a laptop in first year, but it will make life easier at every stage of your college life if have one. You'll need one towards third year and definitely fourth year though.

EpsilonCM

solarith wrote: »

I'm a 4th year EntSys (Game stream).

Are you considering going into the Music or Games stream?

You can expect between 30-40 in first year which will drop to about 20 in 2nd year and potentially drop to between 10-12 in third year. It's the same with all IT subjects, people think they can go in and not work, they fail. The most important thing to remember is: you do not have to be a slave, not even close! Just go to all classes and submit all assignments/complete all work and you'll be grand.

When you're programming, it's different to other things you may have experienced: you'll be thinking and thinking and you won't have a clue how to complete an assignment and get stuck: DON'T GIVE UP. This happens. It happens to people coding with 20 years. This is when you learn the cool stuff.

There is some maths, physics and computer architecture involved - don't get behind in these ever!

Anyway, enough scaremondering - it's awesome! When others are stuck in the library writing up 5,000 word essays, we're up in IT103 making games.

You'll have 6 classes, with 2 hours lectures each and 2 hours lab work. That's 24 hours a week (generally). You won't need a laptop in first year, but it will make life easier at every stage of your college life if have one. You'll need one towards third year and definitely fourth year though.

I only saw this now, Im going into the games stream, Thanks for all the information, The course really sounds great and thats good about the laptop as im waiting on my grant, I have a gaming pc to do work at home if I need to so I will be fine until my grant comes through and I can get a laptop.

SaveTheEwoks

Anyone got information on the music stream of this course?

solarith

I can ask the music lads if you have specific questions

SaveTheEwoks

solarith wrote: »

I can ask the music lads if you have specific questions

Cheers mate, appreciate it.

My biggest question would be how much maths/coding is involved in the music stream after first year. Other than that I was curious if anyone knew what the employment history was like for the music stream once graduated..

Thanks again!

Media999

If Maths and Coding isnt enjoyable for you anything IT related isnt a great choice. Thats really the whole point.

Massive dropout rate in IT courses. 100 start 1st year. 15 go into 2nd.

Whats the point in doing it if you dont like coding?

SaveTheEwoks

Media999 wrote: »

If Maths and Coding isnt enjoyable for you anything IT related isnt a great choice. Thats really the whole point.

Massive dropout rate in IT courses. 100 start 1st year. 15 go into 2nd.

Whats the point in doing it if you dont like coding?

Where did I say I didn't like coding? I just asked how much of it was involved after first year. You're jumping to conclusions about my motives.

Media999

No hassle buddy its just when people ask questions of how much maths is involved its usually an assumption that they dont like maths. So you do like it yeah?

SaveTheEwoks

You've probably heard the saying about assumption....I assume? :cool:

solarith

Media999 wrote: »

If Maths and Coding isnt enjoyable for you anything IT related isnt a great choice. Thats really the whole point.

Massive dropout rate in IT courses. 100 start 1st year. 15 go into 2nd.

Whats the point in doing it if you dont like coding?

Drop out rate is about 25 > 12 in first year, 50% is common in most IT courses.

There is a basic level of maths which you do in 1st and 2nd year (you need to do these in any BSc course, it's part of the BSc). It's not too bad, if you're reasonable at maths (lower level is grand) - then the only reason you'd have trouble is because you didn't do enough work. The games lads then go on to do physics but the music lads have no more maths.

Music guys will share Java programming module with Applied Computing and Games stream until 3rd year. It's not too bad. If you work reasonably hard for the first semester in programming you'll just 'get it'. (IMO the first semester is the most important [getting a good base]).


Re: employment of music guys.

Out of last year, one is doing working in an animation studio doing sound effects, another is a sound engineer (dunno what this is) in Cork. Not sure about the other. (There was just 3).

This year, one guy has a job as a junior software engineer already and another has a job too, I'm not sure what his field is though. I don't know about the rest.

SaveTheEwoks

That's fantastic info mate, I really appreciate it! You've confirmed my expectations, thanks a million!

Paidi28

EpsilonCM wrote: »

Im starting this course soon, anyone have any information on it as in what is the average timetable of a first year student in this course, what will I need computer/laptop wise. Is the course enjoyable etc etc.

Thanks in advance for your comments

I am starting this course this year I know it was said that we don't "need" a laptop but I would like to buy one anyway and would like advice on what specs it should have or anything else like that . Thanks a a mill Oh and I plan on specializing in gaming

Media999

What the budget?

If your spending big theres only one way to go and thats custom made.

http://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/

If your spending 5 or 600 id go for an ultrabook. Seriously nice to not have to carry a huge laptop around.

Also you actually do need a laptop. Of course you do. Imagine training to be a carpenter and having no tools. That makes no bloody sense.

Paidi28

I would be more in the 5 to 600 range , would ultrabooks have suitable specs for what I would be doing ? I'm only starting next week so I'm not sure exactly what requirements I'd need ?

MOC88

EpsilonCM wrote: »

Im starting this course soon, anyone have any information on it as in what is the average timetable of a first year student in this course, what will I need computer/laptop wise. Is the course enjoyable etc etc.

Thanks in advance for your comments

I was in applied first year this year and shared a few lectures. Everything said is pretty much spot on. The timteable will have you down for about 27/28 hours for first year but you'll be doing a lot of work outside of it so a part time job wouldn't be ideal unless you're extremely disciplined.

Is it enjoyable is a 'how long is a piece of string' question. Work hard and get a good base in java in the first semester and you'll enjoy it I think. If you don't work hard to make sure you understand java then you won't enjoy it. I would have hated the programming if I hadn't worked hard at the beginning because I would have been completely lost but I ended up loving it.

Media999

Paidi28 wrote: »

I would be more in the 5 to 600 range , would ultrabooks have suitable specs for what I would be doing ? I'm only starting next week so I'm not sure exactly what requirements I'd need ?

For 5 to 600 hundred the games wont be fantastic.

Ask yourself do you really need the games as if i was you i would get an nice light ultrabook thats easy to transport to college and maybe save for a PS4 or something.

You end up dragging around a heavy gaming laptop that becomes a pain in the arse as soon as you get lots of work and have no time for games.

MOC88

EpsilonCM wrote: »

Im starting this course soon, anyone have any information on it as in what is the average timetable of a first year student in this course, what will I need computer/laptop wise. Is the course enjoyable etc etc.

Thanks in advance for your comments

You won't need anything specifically great for gaming in first year, you;ll only be doing very basic game engine stuff - all the proper game programming starts in second year with maths etc. Best thing to do is to wait and ask your lecturers exactly what you need or what have they planned.

Forever21

MOC88 wrote: »

You won't need anything specifically great for gaming in first year, you;ll only be doing very basic game engine stuff - all the proper game programming starts in second year with maths etc. Best thing to do is to wait and ask your lecturers exactly what you need or what have they planned.

Any idea on the cost of books & equipment needed for first year. Thanks

MOC88

Forever21 wrote: »

Any idea on the cost of books & equipment needed for first year. Thanks

I can only say for the classes we shared, if Im talking to any of the ents systems tonight ill give you more info.

Programming will probably be blue-j (not definite so dont get it yet)

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Objects-First-Java-Practical-Introduction/dp/0132835541/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1377961681&sr=1-2&keywords=blue+j

you'll probably get one second hand from one of the second years though for about 20e. (I won't eb selling mine I hoard books)

For the web development in first semester you should be able to get a pdf online of the book - but the lecture notes and the stuff you can find online for css and html is generally just as good. If youve a msart phone you can actually download some references for html and css for tagging etc.

The maths depends on your aptitude for it. Generally speaking the notes and exam papers which you can get off the online service for wit (moodle) for free should be enough.

Entertainment Industry won't need any books.


For the second semester

---

operating systems we didn't really need a book - just learn the notes back and forward, do the labs and c.a. and you'll fly through it.

computer architecture - there is a book and "Computer Organisation and Architecture" its about the range of the blue j one. I didn't get it but wish I had, still passed but the lectures can be confusing at times without a book

---

Don't worry about the second semester for now anyway.


So the blue-j book (probably), a calculator, a few refill pads and the laptop for the first semester really. Try and keep yourself organised so afew folders wouldn't go amiss .

The laptop is the big expense so theres no harm in waiting and asking the lecturers exactly what you should be looking at for the four years. I got one without a graphics card ebcause I'm doing applied so I'm not sure what you need if you're doing ent.s with the gamin or sound engineering after first year.

Best of luck and get a good start!

Forever21

MOC88 wrote: »

I can only say for the classes we shared, if Im talking to any of the ents systems tonight ill give you more info.

Programming will probably be blue-j (not definite so dont get it yet)

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Objects-First-Java-Practical-Introduction/dp/0132835541/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1377961681&sr=1-2&keywords=blue+j

you'll probably get one second hand from one of the second years though for about 20e. (I won't eb selling mine I hoard books)

For the web development in first semester you should be able to get a pdf online of the book - but the lecture notes and the stuff you can find online for css and html is generally just as good. If youve a msart phone you can actually download some references for html and css for tagging etc.

The maths depends on your aptitude for it. Generally speaking the notes and exam papers which you can get off the online service for wit (moodle) for free should be enough.

Entertainment Industry won't need any books.


For the second semester

---

operating systems we didn't really need a book - just learn the notes back and forward, do the labs and c.a. and you'll fly through it.

computer architecture - there is a book and "Computer Organisation and Architecture" its about the range of the blue j one. I didn't get it but wish I had, still passed but the lectures can be confusing at times without a book

---

Don't worry about the second semester for now anyway.


So the blue-j book (probably), a calculator, a few refill pads and the laptop for the first semester really. Try and keep yourself organised so afew folders wouldn't go amiss .

The laptop is the big expense so theres no harm in waiting and asking the lecturers exactly what you should be looking at for the four years. I got one without a graphics card ebcause I'm doing applied so I'm not sure what you need if you're doing ent.s with the gamin or sound engineering after first year.

Best of luck and get a good start!

Great info thanks

Paidi28

Media999 wrote: »

For 5 to 600 hundred the games wont be fantastic.

Ask yourself do you really need the games as if i was you i would get an nice light ultrabook thats easy to transport to college and maybe save for a PS4 or something.

You end up dragging around a heavy gaming laptop that becomes a pain in the arse as soon as you get lots of work and have no time for games.

I'm not worried too much about playing games on it I just want to make sure if I buy a new laptop it will be good enough to do the work in the course .

MOC88

Paidi28 wrote: »

I'm not worried too much about playing games on it I just want to make sure if I buy a new laptop it will be good enough to do the work in the course .

Any decent laptop would be but the problem is you might have to be able to run a graphics engine on it in 2nd/3rd/4th year so I'd say its best to wait until you get in - your first week won't be any real work more about getting organised so you will have time to get the right one.

a fat guy

Paidi28 wrote: »

I'm not worried too much about playing games on it I just want to make sure if I buy a new laptop it will be good enough to do the work in the course .

You'll be wanting to make sure it runs Unity then, I believe you'll be using that software later on in your course.