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Best Place To Do Computer Science

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  • 17-05-2014 2:43pm
    #1
    JohnM212
    Registered Users Posts: 4 ✭


    Created an account to ask this, I need some advice.

    I have my mind set now on doing computer science, I hope to get into the games industry if all goes well. My Favourite subjects are Maths, Applied Maths and Physics so I think CS would be a good fit for me. I am trying to decide what college to put first on my CAO and I was wondering which college is the best? Or are some better suited to different things? My leading candidates right now are UCC and NUIG but I have heard that Trinity is quite good.

    Any advice would be appreciated, thanks!
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    #2
    thenightrider
    Registered Users Posts: 1,647 ✭✭✭thenightrider


    If you want to get in to games do a games programming degree like the one in dkit.


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    #3
    JohnM212
    Registered Users Posts: 4 ✭JohnM212


    I think I would prefer not to limit myself by doing such a specific degree. Thanks though!


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    #4
    Exo
    Closed Accounts Posts: 217 ✭✭Exo


    UCD should be on your priority list. They would be more suited to your wants to go on and develop games etc. - it's on a more hands-on basis, TCD wouldn't be the best choice in terms of CS courses, despite its parrot-like reputation.
    Nicke011 wrote: »
    n5L1EQb.png

    Computer science is nothing about programming games. Computer science is science about how computer works and how are they used. It gives teaches you how to become a programmer later if you want to, but it doesn't make you a programmer. From my research they are far away from gaming and that kind of stuff.

    There are courses for game developing, which makes you a developer or a programmer. After courses like that you are a programmer and you can make all kinds of software, including games. :)

    As you can see in the diagram, Computer Scientist is on a theory side, while a programmer is on the programs side.

    That's as far as I know :)

    You couldn't be more incorrect - I hope you're not considering on doing CS. There are graphic/game development modules that explicitly do those types of things, and you may choose to specialise in that field and do a project on in your latter years.

    "Computer Science is the scientific and practical approach to computation and its applications." - your explanation contradicts the official statement of the phrase. A programmer develops; in return, they can be called developers. They develop, everything and anything - games, software, hardware. Programming is the core and soul of CS. Everything falls under its umbrella. Courses which do not consider themselves CS courses (by another name, not including Computer Applications & Computing), only do small specific aspects of it and fall in the outer edges of CS per se.

    Please abstain from spouting out incorrect advice to potential hopefuls. Also, that graph is ridiculous.


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    #5
    OwenM
    Registered Users Posts: 859 ✭✭✭OwenM


    Exo wrote: »
    UCD should be on your priority list. They would be more suited to your wants to go on and develop games etc. - it's on a more hands-on basis, TCD wouldn't be the best choice in terms of CS courses, despite its parrot-like reputation.



    You couldn't be more incorrect - I hope you're not considering on doing CS. There are graphic/game development modules that explicitly do those types of things, and you may choose to specialise in that field and do a project on in your latter years.

    "Computer Science is the scientific and practical approach to computation and its applications." - your explanation contradicts the official statement of the phrase. A programmer develops; in return, they can be called developers. They develop, everything and anything - games, software, hardware. Programming is the core and soul of CS. Everything falls under its umbrella. Courses which do not consider themselves CS courses (by another name, not including Computer Applications & Computing), only do small specific aspects of it and fall in the outer edges of CS per se.

    Please abstain from spouting out incorrect advice to potential hopefuls. Also, that graph is ridiculous.

    Exo is correct, you are spouting a load of nonsense. If I was to off the cuff define it I might say it is 'the science of computation'. A true computer scientist might be engaged in, among many other pursuits, creating or improving algorithims for sorting or searching, some argue that is more of a mathematical problem.

    The graph is funny - someone who can set a dvr to record a program on telly and talk to people is a 'coder'.

    To the OP, I don't think you will get an objective answer here, who could give you an unbiased answer? The snob factor will always provide a justified bias towards the Universities over the IOT's. Whatever you end up doing I suggest you do a straight 4 year honours degree and think it should have a Co-op placement in it. Look at UL's Computer Systems degree maybe.


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    #6
    InReality
    Registered Users Posts: 1,374 ✭✭✭InReality


    Visit the places as well. UCD and NUIG have some horrible buildings and architecture , while UCC has a lovely grassy campus.


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    #7
    Exo
    Closed Accounts Posts: 217 ✭✭Exo


    InReality wrote: »
    Visit the places as well. UCD and NUIG have some horrible buildings and architecture , while UCC has a lovely grassy campus.

    UCD has beautiful architecture and buildings as it already stands. Don't generalise - the CSI building has been renovated and modernised (which would be one of the only relevant buildings for OP). Have you not seen the new science centre development for UCD - it has already finished two phases last October. It accommodates all science disciplines, a huge step forward that cost UCD just shy of €200 million to develop. Cork bias?


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    #8
    Mr. G
    Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 4,621 Mod ✭✭✭✭Mr. G


    Exo wrote: »
    UCD has beautiful architecture and buildings as it already stands. Don't generalise - the CSI building has been renovated and modernised (which would be one of the only relevant buildings for OP). Have you not seen the new science centre development for UCD - it has already finished two phases last October. It accommodates all science disciplines, a huge step forward that cost UCD just shy of €200 million to develop. Cork bias?

    Dublin bias?

    I think it's personal preference. I would prefer UCC than UCD myself :pac:


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    #9
    wnolan1992
    Moderators, Entertainment Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators Posts: 14,009 Mod ✭✭✭✭wnolan1992


    I'm doing Computer Games Development in UL, and I would recommend it.

    Don't be put off by the name, the course won't pigeon-hole you as a games developer, in fact it's more of a general CS degree leaning towards games than the other way around. It also has the benefit of the 9-month Co-op work placement. People in the past have worked for EA games in Texas and DemonWare, as well as a whole host of general development jobs.

    If you still think it's too specialised, I'd recommend having a look at the Computer Systems degree. I can't recommend UL's CS department highly enough tbh, the staff and facilities there are great.


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