Computer Science, bitta help lads?

RuairiMul

well, im in 6th at the moment and considering cs, the maths part is a bit daunting and im currently averaging about 50 - 60% in tests, got 59 in mocks and hoping to get the b3, is maths a massive factor in cs? interested more in the web design aspect sooner than the coding, any help appreciated.

mad turnip

is this higher level maths or ordinary?

RuairiMul

mad turnip wrote: »

is this higher level maths or ordinary?

sorry, ordinary.

mad turnip

Well from what I've heard from my friends doing Computer Applications and the likes the maths isn't too difficult if you put the work in. But computer science isn't really about web design (html, css and javascript) its more about programming like java or C.

CSSE09

RuairiMul wrote: »

well, im in 6th at the moment and considering cs, the maths part is a bit daunting and im currently averaging about 50 - 60% in tests, got 59 in mocks and hoping to get the b3, is maths a massive factor in cs? interested more in the web design aspect sooner than the coding, any help appreciated.

The maths is a pain especially in 1st/2nd year however CS has very little web design, in fact in the 4 years I only had one module on it so if that's what you'd like to do I'd suggest look elsewhere.

Physick

Hello! If you go into the CSSE, in first year first semester you will be doing a module in differential calculus and a module in linear algebra. I know a lot of people who did ordinary level maths and found it manageable to do this module because they put the work in from the start and got a whole new start on the calculus front. The linear algebra was also manageable because again, they take you from the start.

In second semester of first year you would be doing integral calculus and data analysis. The integration is hard, but if you've put in the work in first semester, and are willing to work at it, then it should definitely be passable. Data analysis introduces areas of statistics and graphs, essentially efficient ways to produce certain types of data in a variety of different ways. There is a multiple choice exam for data analysis if I remember correctly.

In second year (As a CSSE student), you take one maths module per semester. In first semester it is a calculus module, which doesn't involve too much integration, and is more about getting to terms with vectors / partial derivatives, which again follows on from first year. In second semester you will be doing the arts version of linear algebra, which further goes into vectors and matrices relating to each other. Can be a bit tedious but is not conceptually impossible.

As the person above said, I think there is only one proper web design module done in second semester of second year for CSSE students, so if that is your main interest then it might not be for you.

Having said that, college is a great time to try out different areas of study and you might find yourself being pulled towards a discipline you never thought you would like. Studying two years of maths into college might seem very daunting but it is not impossible. Once you get passed the notation difficulties which everyone has starting off, having adept knowledge of calculus / data analysis / linear algebra has tons of benefits for anyone interested in computer science.

Hope that helped!

koHd

Physick wrote: »

Hello! If you go into the CSSE, in first year first semester you will be doing a module in differential calculus and a module in linear algebra. I know a lot of people who did ordinary level maths and found it manageable to do this module because they put the work in from the start and got a whole new start on the calculus front. The linear algebra was also manageable because again, they take you from the start.

In second semester of first year you would be doing integral calculus and data analysis. The integration is hard, but if you've put in the work in first semester, and are willing to work at it, then it should definitely be passable. Data analysis introduces areas of statistics and graphs, essentially efficient ways to produce certain types of data in a variety of different ways. There is a multiple choice exam for data analysis if I remember correctly.

In second year (As a CSSE student), you take one maths module per semester. In first semester it is a calculus module, which doesn't involve too much integration, and is more about getting to terms with vectors / partial derivatives, which again follows on from first year. In second semester you will be doing the arts version of linear algebra, which further goes into vectors and matrices relating to each other. Can be a bit tedious but is not conceptually impossible.

As the person above said, I think there is only one proper web design module done in second semester of second year for CSSE students, so if that is your main interest then it might not be for you.

Having said that, college is a great time to try out different areas of study and you might find yourself being pulled towards a discipline you never thought you would like. Studying two years of maths into college might seem very daunting but it is not impossible. Once you get passed the notation difficulties which everyone has starting off, having adept knowledge of calculus / data analysis / linear algebra has tons of benefits for anyone interested in computer science.

Hope that helped!

Spot on. Only one small change is Data Analysis exam is no longer multiple choice.

RuairiMul

well lads, cheers for all the help, much apperciated, think ill keep cs on the cao maybe 3 or 4th choice, but we'll see how things turns out! might be seeing yous about the town!

Tasder

Have a look at this course in NUIM http://www.nuim.ie/courses/?TARGET=QUALIFICATION&MODE=VIEW&QUALIFICATION_CODE=SCMWD&SUBJECT_CODE=&OFFERING_CODE=U_HONS_DEGREES&TARGET_SOURCE=PS#ANCHOR_SEARCH It's computer science and media put together, could be something you were looking for

WhiskeyGoblin

Advice from someone who's repeating all 4 of the maths modules. It's doable, but bloody hell, you HAVE to put work in. Don't do what I did and brush it off.

peacock169

All 4!!?? Ah **** man, best of luck.