Computer Applications First Year Undergraduates (DCU)

Steevy

Anyone starting Computer Applications this Month? Wanna start here to make friends already

DeBlanka

Steevy wrote: »

Anyone starting Computer Applications this Month? Wanna start here to make friends already

IRL Friends? Pfft, that's what my computer's for

Steevy

DeBlanka wrote: »

IRL Friends? Pfft, that's what my computer's for

SO you've made loads from computer? Good for ya.. Well its time to leave virtual world and into the reality

Lockky

I'm doing that course. Don't really know what I'm in for to be honest! Should be good craic though I hope

Edit: does anyone know what the hours are like? iv been reading up on it but havent yet come across any answer. cheers

ThatGuyHughesy

I'm doing the course too, can't wait!

I added the computer applications timetable to my Google calendar and it was around 19 hours a week.

Lockky

yeah just found it there. fridays off - sweeeeet

Nitsuj

link to timetable, please?

ThatGuyHughesy

http://www.dcu.ie/timetables/feed.php3?prog=CA&per=1&week1=1&week2=12&hour=1-30&template=student


If you have Google calendars you can add the timetable with this URL: http://ical.dcu.ie/gCal/default.aspx?PoSiCalOra&p1=CA1

Zhavey

Another CA first year here, can't wait to start.

polkabunny

Just to note guys, the timetable isn't finalised until about a month into the semester. Also, with regard to friends, there was 150 of us last year, you will all be in the same boat, it's no hardship making friends unless you're completely unwilling to put yourselves out there!

Bumblebee Man

Another 1st year here. 2nd go at college for me.

Nitsuj

I suggest everyone spends the next week (until orientation) getting a head start on java.

polkabunny

Nitsuj wrote: »

I suggest everyone spends the next week (until orientation) getting a head start on java.

Just a note, you're taught Java from the basics, there's no requirement to learn it beforehand. We also use a class created by one of the lecturers a lot (Console) during first year as well.
I would suggest not starting from scratch by yourself, however if you already have somewhat of a knowledge of Java, you may prefer to refresh it.

Nitsuj

polkabunny wrote: »

Just a note, you're taught Java from the basics, there's no requirement to learn it beforehand. We also use a class created by one of the lecturers a lot (Console) during first year as well.
I would suggest not starting from scratch by yourself, however if you already have somewhat of a knowledge of Java, you may prefer to refresh it.

Is there anything I should know before hand?

I'm on a mac and I'm thinking I should dual boot Win7 on my mbp.

punk_one82

Nitsuj wrote: »

Is there anything I should know before hand?

I'm on a mac and I'm thinking I should dual boot Win7 on my mbp.

You'll probably be using Linux for your Java dev in first year. I can't remember needing Windows specifically.

polkabunny

Nitsuj wrote: »

Is there anything I should know before hand?

I'm on a mac and I'm thinking I should dual boot Win7 on my mbp.

No, previous experience in programming or anything isn't required. It's the first year of a course, there was people coming who used computers for solitaire and typing only, and who are doing very well.
Some people have Macs, a lot of people start off with a Windows machine and maybe dual boot with Ubuntu, Kubuntu or the likes (Linux distros, not necessary). But all the lab computers have XP and OpenSuse on them, and some of them have Windows 7 too.
If you're really interested in the ins and outs, study some things in your free time. I'd also advise joining Redbrick the networking society (I'm the coming years Events Officer) - it's the most relevant society to your course, and you get access to your own webspace, IRC, dev server and can request a virtual machine if you want. We plan on having a load of talks this year too

polkabunny

punk_one82 wrote: »

You'll probably be using Linux for your Java dev in first year. I can't remember needing Windows specifically.

For assignments, it doesn't really matter. In labs, first semester is done through OpenSuse, and second semester is done through XP. They have added Windows 7 to some of the computers, so unsure if they'll be used this year or not.
Also, your web design work in labs is generally done through Windows too.

Nitsuj

What were the hours like last year? I don't mind having a lot of lectures/tutorials, but I also want to have some free time. In other words, I don't want the course to consume all of my time. I see exercise and going out as being important factors of college life.

Zhavey

Just wondering if anyone has the same problem, the timetable isn't loading for me on my Google Calendar? I've tried removing it and putting it back on a few times but it doesn't seem to be working. :P

While I am thinking - what is the rules on laptops in lectures for CA? Can we use them for notes in class or?

Nitsuj

Timetable links weren't working for me either. Give it a bit of time, should go back up.

As for notes, I'd imagine laptops are allowed, but most lecturers should be putting up notes up on moodle (or w/e it's called).

Isaac702

Zhavey wrote: »

Just wondering if anyone has the same problem, the timetable isn't loading for me on my Google Calendar?

The Google Calendar links were added at the beginning of last year and have never worked correctly. When it does work and the timetable has been changed it can take a few weeks for it to appear on the gCal timetable. It isn't something to rely on.

Use the old html version of the timetable. Its a lot more reliable.
A few CA students in the past have written parsers for that which output the gCal format. If you ask around someone might be able to provide a link.

Zhavey wrote: »

While I am thinking - what is the rules on laptops in lectures for CA? Can we use them for notes in class or?

The rules on laptops vary based on what lecturer you have. Generally they are allowed however some lecturers see laptops in lectures more as a disadvantage than an advantage to students. (I can sort of agree with this. If you look at what the majority of students with laptops out are doing it usually isn't taking notes.)

They will generally tell you their opinions on laptops in lecturers in the first lecture you have with them.

Most lectures put note up on Moodle or their own webspace.

polkabunny

Nitsuj wrote: »

What were the hours like last year? I don't mind having a lot of lectures/tutorials, but I also want to have some free time. In other words, I don't want the course to consume all of my time. I see exercise and going out as being important factors of college life.

Anywhere from 17 to 21 hours, depending on the week. You do get loads of free time, I know that the lads in my class used to go play football at lunch a few days with people from Enterprise Computing. The course won't consume all your time, you just have to stay on top of the course work.
In first semester, the one thing that *everyone* attends in the programming labs, as these get marked. If you feel you're able to catch up on notes without attending lectures, you can always use the lecture times for something else.

Zhavey wrote: »

While I am thinking - what is the rules on laptops in lectures for CA? Can we use them for notes in class or?

As Isaac said, it depends really on the lecturer. Some don't mind, some will tell you they don't want to see sight nor sound of it. One of my friends took offence to one lecturer saying that and sat at the back of all of her lectures playing games on Steam
I found it helped sometimes. Most of the time though, I was sitting on Facebook and Twitter, and once sat through a Programming lecture working on a Web Design assignment. I find pen and paper can help a bit more than a laptop!

Nitsuj

Wow, 17-21 hours is actually quite good, seeing as secondary school was about 30 hours, and even that was grand even though I had to commute home. Not to mention, it seems like Fridays might be almost free days for us CA students.

Lockky

Nitsuj wrote: »

it seems like Fridays might be almost free days for us CA students.

Hopefully the timetable doesnt change too much cos im liking the idea of a 3 day weekend!

Useful.Idiot

Lockky wrote: »

Hopefully the timetable doesnt change too much cos im liking the idea of a 3 day weekend!

If your Fridays are free then I would say lecturers would try their hardest to avoid scheduling anything on a Friday. I think in 1st or 2nd year we got the class reps to reschedule certain Friday lectures so that Fridays were free!

polkabunny

Useful.Idiot wrote: »

If your Fridays are free then I would say lecturers would try their hardest to avoid scheduling anything on a Friday. I think in 1st or 2nd year we got the class reps to reschedule certain Friday lectures so that Fridays were free!

We had free Fridays except for around 5 Fridays during the year... It was pretty nice. The odd Friday coming in was a balls for the commuters, as we were only in for 2 hours or so.

Mr. Pink

I'll be seeing a lot of you there I started the course last year but have to repeat maths this year.

The Fridays off are such a help especially when all the assignments start coming in but due to the D.I.C.E. module and having to work with business students some of you may have to be in fridays for group work and everyone will be in for the module moved due to the D.I.C.E. seminars.

As polkabunny said you should join Redbrick its great help if you've any problems either with the course or computers in general. We also have a common room that's great to flake out in between lectures or just for a bit of craic.

All in all good choice of course and once you put the work in it will really pay off for you and be really enjoyable. Take it from me you cant get by skimming on work lol :P

polkabunny

Mr. Pink wrote: »

I'll be seeing a lot of you there I started the course last year but have to repeat maths this year.

The Fridays off are such a help especially when all the assignments start coming in but due to the D.I.C.E. module and having to work with business students some of you may have to be in fridays for group work and everyone will be in for the module moved due to the D.I.C.E. seminars.

As polkabunny said you should join Redbrick its great help if you've any problems either with the course or computers in general. We also have a common room that's great to flake out in between lectures or just for a bit of craic.

All in all good choice of course and once you put the work in it will really pay off for you and be really enjoyable. Take it from me you cant get by skimming on work lol :P

I'm repeating Computer Programming 2... Fresher's for life yo
Yea, DICE (your business module) ended up being a lot of work for us, we were the first year to take it! They said they've changed the course, but that's one subject that takes a lot of work, and you should try to do as soon as you can.
At the end of the year it was running into a few subjects coming to a head, as far as I remember there was a report and presentation for Problem Solving, a report and presentation/YouTube video for DICE, a programming asssignment and a Networks assignment, all on top of exams just a few weeks away.
If you keep on top of work and actually try your best, you can get through. I know that I only went to a few tutorials and a few lecturers for Programming 2, and was too lazy to try and get the top marks on the assignments! Definitely come back to bite me in the arse :rolleyes:

Nitsuj

Hey, just making sure, we have nothing on schedule for the first day of orientation (tomorrow, 17th September), right?
Cheers.

bookshelf17

Any predictions on the points it will be next year?

ThatGuyHughesy

Nitsuj wrote: »

Hey, just making sure, we have nothing on schedule for the first day of orientation (tomorrow, 17th September), right?
Cheers.

Nope, the website says we have nothing till Tuesday http://www4.dcu.ie/students/orientation/schedule/computer-applications.shtml