Computer science for mature students.

mickmac76

Hi all

I'm considering applying for computer science for 2014 and just have a couple of questions that some of you might be able to answer. I had a look at the course handbook but it left some questions.

Can anyone outline the maths sylabus for firt year. I just want to refesh my maths background before any potential start. Also is there any book recommendation for the maths class.
In a similar vain can anyone recommend a book that would cover the basics of the electrotechnology and telecommunications modules. I did leaving cert physics a long time ago but the details are dim and a refresher of these types of subjects would be handy.
Finally can anyone give a rough idea of the number of mature students in the course and do they seem to cope with the materials. Just a little nervous about the taughts of studying again after so long.

Mick.

mulciber

mickmac76 wrote: »

Hi all

I'm considering applying for computer science for 2014 and just have a couple of questions that some of you might be able to answer. I had a look at the course handbook but it left some questions.

Can anyone outline the maths sylabus for firt year. I just want to refesh my maths background before any potential start. Also is there any book recommendation for the maths class.
In a similar vain can anyone recommend a book that would cover the basics of the electrotechnology and telecommunications modules. I did leaving cert physics a long time ago but the details are dim and a refresher of these types of subjects would be handy.
Finally can anyone give a rough idea of the number of mature students in the course and do they seem to cope with the materials. Just a little nervous about the taughts of studying again after so long.

Mick.

Hi Mick,

I'm currently a first year CS student. I'm not a mature student but hopefully I can give you some insight into the course.

Thus far we have done linear algebra (Matrices) and we've done integration. I doubt you'll need a book as you're given lecture notes online and you are given maths tutorial sheets for practice.

For electrotechnology I would just recommend going over the electricity part of the Leaving Cert physics course. The majority of electrotech is going over fairly basic principles and what certain circuits do, what certain components do, etc.

I don't know about telecoms as I'm only starting the module next semester.

I myself haven't talked to any mature students from CS. I'm not even sure if there are any mature students in our year. I think I may have seen one person who could be a mature student but she could also be someone who's just sitting in on the lectures.

I hope this has cleared a few thing up for you.

Grimebox

I graduated last year. Out of the 20 or so students in fourth year, one was a mature student. There two others (maybe more) who fell by the way side in first year. The two who dropped out didn't seem all that interested and weren't prepared for what they were getting themselves in for. This is only conjecture on my behalf though.

mickmac76

Thanks for the quick replies. I studied a little linear algebra a long time ago so that should be helpful. I taught the maths would consist of subjects like graph theory and sets and logic and so on.
Grimebox you say 20 graduated last year. According to the TCD website there are 80 places on the course. Have they expanded the course recently or is the dropout rate really that high.
I'm disappointed to hear there are so few mature applicants, not that i mind younger students it's just that different age groups can have a different outlook and its good to talk to someone with the same concerns as yourself.

Mick.

tyty

Logic, sets, graph theory and more will also all be covered during the first two years.

shanefitz360

mickmac76 wrote: »

Thanks for the quick replies. I studied a little linear algebra a long time ago so that should be helpful. I taught the maths would consist of subjects like graph theory and sets and logic and so on.
Grimebox you say 20 graduated last year. According to the TCD website there are 80 places on the course. Have they expanded the course recently or is the dropout rate really that high.
I'm disappointed to hear there are so few mature applicants, not that i mind younger students it's just that different age groups can have a different outlook and its good to talk to someone with the same concerns as yourself.

Mick.

They've expanded the course. The year we started there was 56 out of a possible 64 (i.e. the course wasn't even full).

Moomat

I was considering Computer Science next year as a mature student also. The LC maths requirement is pretty high and applies to mature students. You need higher level, I'm doing LC maths this year in the evenings but it's just ordinary level. Speaking to people at the recent open day it seems that the maths requirement rules out many mature students.

mickmac76

Yeah I'm aware of the higher level maths requirement . I did ordinary level myself as well but I've done a few open university courses in maths and science and I'm told there's a good chance this will be accepted by TCD.

Mick.

Moomat

There's a very helpful lady in the mature students office, Clodagh Byrne, she'd be worth emailing to confirm the maths requirement. There may be something extra you can do in the meantime to up your chances. The maths seemed like a deal breaker when I was talking to them. Computer Science and Business accept Ordinary Level but it's an A2 I think.