Enterprise Computing - Maths

Cravez

Hi folks

I'v searched the forum in regards the course but don't think I came across any posts about the Maths aspect. Just wondering from anyone who has done or currently doing the course how they found the maths if they came from an Ordinary Level Maths background or were weak at maths?

I am a bit older now, while haven't touched on Maths since secondary school I have worked in jobs which required a fair amount of numeracy and calculations. But at the same time still a bit worried if I were to apply for and go for this type of course that would have focused Math classes.

Thanks!

Nordie Durdle

Michael Cravez wrote: »

Hi folks

I'v searched the forum in regards the course but don't think I came across any posts about the Maths aspect. Just wondering from anyone who has done or currently doing the course how they found the maths if they came from an Ordinary Level Maths background or were weak at maths?

I am a bit older now, while haven't touched on Maths since secondary school I have worked in jobs which required a fair amount of numeracy and calculations. But at the same time still a bit worried if I were to apply for and go for this type of course that would have focused Math classes.

Thanks!

Had been wondering the same myself, am currently studying 'Discovering Mathematics' with the Open University to prepare for it.
Hoping to start Enterprise Computing in September as a mature student.

Cravez

Nordie Durdle wrote: »

Had been wondering the same myself, am currently studying 'Discovering Mathematics' with the Open University to prepare for it.
Hoping to start Enterprise Computing in September as a mature student.

Cool man, how are you finding doing that module from the Open University? Would it be math friendly for those who have not done it in a while? How is the module taught? (online lecturers, videos, text?)

Anyone else still able to shed light on the original OP?

Nordie Durdle

Michael Cravez wrote: »

Cool man, how are you finding doing that module from the Open University? Would it be math friendly for those who have not done it in a while? How is the module taught? (online lecturers, videos, text?)

Anyone else still able to shed light on the original OP?

I have started it yesterday, attending the first tutorial in Tallaght IT.
Like everything I've seen from the Open Uni it looks superb, it's taught from really well written course text books, a dvd and support is given by an assigned tutor. He or she is available at all times to answer queries via email or phone. The few I've delt with have been great, really helpful and knowledgeable - as you'd expect.
There are a series of face to face tutorials too, designed to help you work through problem areas and you can swap details with other students to form a support group.
I'd highly recommend the OU route for anyone preparing to go back to study, use it as a barometer of how you'll cope studying again.

As for how well it will prepare I can't be sure but successful completion of the course should leave you somewhere close to higher leaving cert level and somewhere in-between GCSE and A-Level. That's guess work on my part though from looking over the subjects covered.
It runs from Feb to Sep so too late now to apply for this year but if anyone reads this thread it may help them prepare for next year.

polkabunny

Hey lads, the confusion is probably cropping up because the maths module is mostly posted about under Computer Applications (CA). It's the same maths module for both courses
Maths can be tough, you really have to keep on top of it but a lot of people come in from ordinary level and pass it. At the end of the module, you're at a level slightly above higher level

Cravez

polkabunny wrote: »

Hey lads, the confusion is probably cropping up because the maths module is mostly posted about under Computer Applications (CA). It's the same maths module for both courses
Maths can be tough, you really have to keep on top of it but a lot of people come in from ordinary level and pass it. At the end of the module, you're at a level slightly above higher level

None confusion at all , just wanted to get any insight from Ordinary Level Maths or Mature Students who've done the course and how they found the maths.

I have no issue's with knuckling down and doing the study, I guess it's the thought of what to expect if I were to start after not having done Math in 7 or so years.

How is the Math support center? if you have alot of problems are they a great resource if you are willing to knuckle down to do the work on it?

polkabunny

Michael Cravez wrote: »

None confusion at all , just wanted to get any insight from Ordinary Level Maths or Mature Students who've done the course and how they found the maths.

I have no issue's with knuckling down and doing the study, I guess it's the thought of what to expect if I were to start after not having done Math in 7 or so years.

How is the Math support center? if you have alot of problems are they a great resource if you are willing to knuckle down to do the work on it?

No worries I did ordinary level maths myself, I did struggle but that was more because I'm really really bad at asking for help!

Some people do have to face into that alright, and it can be bloody terrifying when it's been so long, and people just associate Maths with headaches and nightmares and everything bad!

Personally, I didn't use the Maths Learning Centre because I had friends who were amazing at Maths, when I allowed them to help me. However, people did use it last year and found it really helpful, and they did a brilliant revision seminar for the EC/CA Maths module (MS121) at the end of second semester too which was a massive help

dave oc

I'm in EC 3rd year at the moment. I did Ordinary level maths at school and was 5 years out of school when I started the course. I never liked maths and was really worried about it too. I just put in a little more effort in that module and I did really well in it. I went to all lectures and tutorials for maths (tutorials are just practical classes were you work through questions from the current topic in the lectures) and it wasn't as bad as I thought.

I found the lecturer for the first semester was excellent, I think her name was Angela. She was a little eccentric, but I found her lecturing style really effective and helped me understand the module easily. I never needed to go to the maths learning centre but I hear its quite good if you really get stuck. As mentioned above its the same module for both Enterprise Computing and Computer Applications, so if you know anyone who did that course you can ask their advice also. All I'd say is once you show up to lectures and put in some extra work into it you should be fine in passing the module. Surprisingly for me it was actually one of my better results for my 1st year modules, which I was shocked with!

Cravez

Thanks for that Dave