Computer Applications Maths?

Iopu

I am going to be applying to CA as a mature student this year. But I havent done maths in years. What is the maths module like on this course? Is it difficult? If I get a place on the course I need to make sure I dont get in trouble with the maths module.

polkabunny

The Maths module is basically at the level of Higher Level Leaving Cert Maths. There are a few mature students in the course every year, generally they focus on Maths as they struggle with that a little bit (but nearly everyone does anyway, whether straight from the Leaving Cert or not!). DCU does have support in place though, there's a Maths Learning Centre on campus, which is basically a free drop in service for anyone who's having any problems with maths. They also run some revision lectures during the year too

Iopu

Thanks for your reply polkabunny. I am going to start studying maths now in case I get in there and end up lost.

polkabunny

No worries, there's a general attitude with people doing CA of "we're all in this together" - everyone struggles with something or other at some point. Let me know if you have any more questions

Iopu

Thanks polkabunny. I was also wondering. Is the course difficult and are the exams tough?

xxmeabhxx

To be honest, it is hard but there's still people who do very well and get high marks so if you put some work into it then you'll be fine. Some exams are harder than others, in first year you'll really want to pay attention to maths and programming. The programming modules form the basis of the degree and really are necessary for going forward. Programming is good fun once you get the hang of it though and very rewarding. First years get so excited when they write working programs, even very simple ones.

polkabunny

If you put the work in, go to your lectures, and most of all understand the course material - you should be fine. Most important really is to seek help if you need it, whether it's with the course or with some personal problems you're experiencing!

internet_user

Just looking at this course online and it says that "DCU does not award points for the subject of mathematics at Leaving Certificate Ordinary Alternative or Foundation Level." Does that mean that if OL maths was in your top 6 subjects, you would have to swap it with the 7th?

xxmeabhxx

I did a quick google search and the leaving cert ordinary alternative level was a level that was only examined from 1990 - 1996. It seemed to have just been an extra level at which you could take maths. So your normal ordinary level maths should be fine, I'd say that information online just hasn't been updated in years, maybe double check your prospectus but when I did my leaving my ordinary maths was counted.

internet_user

xxmeabhxx wrote: »

I did a quick google search and the leaving cert ordinary alternative level was a level that was only examined from 1990 - 1996. It seemed to have just been an extra level at which you could take maths. So your normal ordinary level maths should be fine, I'd say that information online just hasn't been updated in years, maybe double check your prospectus but when I did my leaving my ordinary maths was counted.

Thanks for the reply, glad to hear that:) I'm guessing most people in this course would have done HL maths, so i wonder if I were to do this course would i be totally lost?

srsly78

Computer Science maths is easy!

1 + 1 = 10

See?

internet_user

srsly78 wrote: »

Computer Science maths is easy!

1 + 1 = 10

See?

woah, simple :rolleyes:

polkabunny

internet_user wrote: »

Just looking at this course online and it says that "DCU does not award points for the subject of mathematics at Leaving Certificate Ordinary Alternative or Foundation Level." Does that mean that if OL maths was in your top 6 subjects, you would have to swap it with the 7th?

I used ordinary maths to get in to the course, be a bit awkward then if it turned out that way!

internet_user

polkabunny wrote: »

I used ordinary maths to get in to the course, be a bit awkward then if it turned out that way!

did you find it difficult having done ordinary?

polkabunny

internet_user wrote: »

did you find it difficult having done ordinary?

Some parts I really struggled with. The one I really had difficulty with was induction, especially the rule. I had trouble with some of the probability theorems too, like Baye's theorem.
I struggled more though, because I refused to ask for help for most of the year. Always ask if you're struggling, no matter what it is

SebBerkovich

Maths wise, Complexity II almost sunk me.. definitely spend more time trying to pass that subject than i did for any other... and only just scraped by:cool:

internet_user

thanks for the replies, it sounds like an interesting course!

TripShip

How many places are on this course?

Useful.Idiot

internet_user wrote: »

Just looking at this course online and it says that "DCU does not award points for the subject of mathematics at Leaving Certificate Ordinary Alternative or Foundation Level." Does that mean that if OL maths was in your top 6 subjects, you would have to swap it with the 7th?

I think what this means is that there aren't extra "bonus" points awarded if you do Ordinary or Foundation level, as opposed to the 25 point bonus you are rewarded if you get over a D3 grade in Higher Level maths.

fox235

that's the complete list of all courses taught http://www.dcu.ie/registry/module_contents.php?function=4&programme=CA
And you can check out the descriptions of each course.

rosmoke

Hi,

I'm wondering what's the purpose of course credits here in Ireland, because where I'm coming from you could've failed a number of exams, 2 for example and still passed the year if you would've got enough credits (at least 40 credits from 55) something like that.

Thank you very much !

Iopu

rosmoke wrote: »

Hi,

I'm wondering what's the purpose of course credits here in Ireland, because where I'm coming from you could've failed a number of exams, 2 for example and still passed the year if you would've got enough credits (at least 40 credits from 55) something like that.

Thank you very much !

It varies between colleges. But in dcu you must pass all modules to progress to the next year. This link should give a better explanation.


http://www.computing.dcu.ie/~davids/CA_FAQ.html

rosmoke

Thanks for your reply,

I'm not really sure but I guess that when we register online, we can pick from a list of modules. Does picking more modules will help us in any way to advance to the next academic year or it doesn't matter?
If we choose more modules do we still have to pass all modules to advance in next year? Because in this case we would have less to study if we would pick less modules?
Or maybe picking a number of extra modules is mandatory ?

Sorry for so many questions
Thanks.

Konata

rosmoke wrote: »

Thanks for your reply,

I'm not really sure but I guess that when we register online, we can pick from a list of modules. Does picking more modules will help us in any way to advance to the next academic year or it doesn't matter?
If we choose more modules do we still have to pass all modules to advance in next year? Because in this case we would have less to study if we would pick less modules?
Or maybe picking a number of extra modules is mandatory ?

Sorry for so many questions
Thanks.

You can't take more than 60 credits in a year and you must earn all 60 credits to advance to the next year. Each module is usually worth 5 credits, some are 10 credits. Some modules will be compulsory and others may be optional but you must register for 60 credits, no more and no less. Usually this divides into 30 credits per semester but sometimes you might have 25 in one and 35 in the other.

Iopu

The modules in first and second year of the CA course will be chosen for you. Third and forth year have optional modules in which you may chose your preferences.

rosmoke

What have you studied in the first year at maths? Logarithms, polynomials .. ?
I'm trying to refresh my memory because I haven't done maths for a few years.

Thank you.

Iopu

rosmoke wrote: »

What have you studied in the first year at maths? Logarithms, polynomials .. ?
I'm trying to refresh my memory because I haven't done maths for a few years.

Thank you.

We studied: truth tables, proof by induction, sets, relations and functions, counting and probability. More functions, limits and continuity, differentiation, integration, curve sketching and optimisation. Good luck!

war2k10

Sorry for butting in here, im just wondering if you would say the course is very hard for someone that has done OL maths in school or is manageable ?

Iopu

war2k10 wrote: »

Sorry for butting in here, im just wondering if you would say the course is very hard for someone that has done OL maths in school or is manageable ?

I would say that it's manageable. Semester one isn't too difficult. Semester two gets hard. But there's enough simple-ish questions on the end of module exam to get a pass mark. Before even getting into the more difficult stuff.

war2k10

Iopu wrote: »

I would say that it's manageable. Semester one isn't too difficult. Semester two gets hard. But there's enough simple-ish questions on the end of module exam to get a pass mark. Before even getting into the more difficult stuff.

Well that's something at least I just want to know that if you have OL maths and you put in the work there's a good chance you will pass :P

Iopu

war2k10 wrote: »

Well that's something at least I just want to know that if you have OL maths and you put in the work there's a good chance you will pass :P

You'll be fine. Semester two of maths is not really do-able (the night before the exam so I suggest you stay on top of it from the beginning.

war2k10

Iopu wrote: »

You'll be fine. Semester two of maths is not really do-able (the night before the exam so I suggest you stay on top of it from the beginning.

Thanks I just wanted someone to tell me that

The course looks very interesting I have to say