Maths module before offer to study CSSE...

Picasso711

Hi I am hoping to get a place in CSSE in the arts side this coming September..

In the interview I was told there will be a place once I complete a 3 week maths course in July. I am a mature student and maybe a little rusty be quite confident I would do well and pass the exam at the end..

My question is can anyone who may have done the maths class or knows someone who done it just give me some details about it.. what they taught about? Type of math involved? Just general information about it please...

CSSE09

Few things mentioned here that might be useful for you http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=79927464

pal79

Hi there, I did this in 2010

The exam at the end is just 20 questions multiple choice.

It is a pre-calculus course and I would say it is on par to higher level Junior cert. As far as I remember they start with basic stuff indices, solving equations etc. They cover everything from scratch so I wouldn't worry about preparing. I think mine was only 2 weeks though, maybe they changed it.

Picasso711

Cheers Pal

Thats a good explanation. Quite confident now Appreciate that..
So are you still in the college ?

pal79

hiya, I just finished. I started off doing arts (maths studies, Computer science and maths physics) then switched to CSSE in 2nd year. I was also a mature student. Time flew by

jamesccp

I did this last year they use http://www.mathtutor.ac.uk/ alot. Do some work on indices in the algebra section that came up alot. Its run by Peter he is a really great tutor.

Picasso711

And how are you finding life after college Pal ?
how did you find maths physics ? I am going to pick either that or phillosophy.. do not know alot about either class but have an interest in both.. really like physic documentaries and have recognised some of the information given in the module break down section.. what do you think? Did you have a big interest before choosing maths physics?

Thanks James, are you studying CSSE ?

jamesccp

Yeah I'm doing CSSE. I did maths physics this year too. Its good I enjoyed it. The lectures are great. One bit of advice id give is use the math support centre every week for help with homework

Picasso711

Thats solid advice alright. I will definitely be taking advantage of that. It is only for 1st year maths physics or will you be carrying it on next year?

jamesccp

In CSSE you drop everything except Comp Sci modules and math for second year. Or you can change course if you wanted.

Picasso711

Do you live on campus guys james and pal?
Or how do you commute? What is the parking like on campus?

Picasso711

James could you please give me an idea of what your timetable was like in the first semester last year.?
Would really appreciate that...

jamesccp

Picasso711 wrote: »

James could you please give me an idea of what your timetable was like in the first semester last year.?
Would really appreciate that...

10 to 4 Monday and Tues. 9 to 6 wed. 9 to 1 Thurs. 9 to 10 Fri. It all really depends on when ur tutorials and labs are but that's how mine worked out

Picasso711

Thanks for that just wanted a general idea of how my week will be laid out. Also how much money did you spend on books and course material was needed at the beginning of first year. I will have to pick up a part time job but them hours seem very reasonable.

jamesccp

Picasso711 wrote: »

Thanks for that just wanted a general idea of how my week will be laid out. Also how much money did you spend on books and course material was needed at the beginning of first year. I will have to pick up a part time job but them hours seem very reasonable.

Ur hours will be less in arts. U wont have to spend anything really.i didn't need any books. So happy days

Picasso711

well thats good to hear ill be living off a tight budget unless I can pick up se part time work.. the maths course is beginning this monday for me. do you know if there is somewhere to park on the grounds for free or is it just pay and display.

I have read through the thread on parking in the college but that explains about having to get the blue permit but I imagine that will not resume untill the beginning of semester 1 ? but thats a guess...

TheBody

Picasso711 wrote: »

well thats good to hear ill be living off a tight budget unless I can pick up se part time work.. the maths course is beginning this monday for me. do you know if there is somewhere to park on the grounds for free or is it just pay and display.

I have read through the thread on parking in the college but that explains about having to get the blue permit but I imagine that will not resume untill the beginning of semester 1 ? but thats a guess...

You can park for free right in front of Logic House.

The clampers are only around during term time.

Picasso711

Thanks very much man you have been really helpfull and I greatly appreciate that... hopefully see you around campus next term... takecare...

BumbleB

What is your maths standard like ,Picasso. the calculus in first year is quite challenging. If your algebra is good you'll have no issue.

Picasso711

BumbleB wrote: »

What is your maths standard like ,Picasso. the calculus in first year is quite challenging. If your algebra is good you'll have no issue.

I would say maybe just slightly above average in most areas and maybe average in others. Started the Maths module today was very comfortable, I know it will get a lot harder though... Are you going into second year ?

BumbleB

Picasso711 wrote: »

I would say maybe just slightly above average in most areas and maybe average in others. Started the Maths module today was very comfortable, I know it will get a lot harder though... Are you going into second year ?

Yup. The thing that will kill you is the algebra if you are weak. I would recommend buying text and tests 7 and reading it before you start. It's a great basic book to get you ready for uni style maths and the recommended calculus book. If you have no previous experience in programming. I would also recommend starting to learn the basics of Java programming too then you will coast through first year.


The first semester is really tough because of the adjusting to academic life and the workload. A whole plethora of things can be dropped on you at once and its sink or swim. If you have the maths and programming under control then it will make life much easier.

I know I didn't sugar coat it but on an up side its a really worthwhile course and enjoyable but a lot of the time especially in the first semester you will be just keeping up and no more. Thats from observation. A lot of people struggled in programming and the calculus.

Picasso711

BumbleB wrote: »

Yup. The thing that will kill you is the algebra if you are weak. I would recommend buying text and tests 7 and reading it before you start. It's a great basic book to get you ready for uni style maths and the recommended calculus book. If you have no previous experience in programming. I would also recommend starting to learn the basics of Java programming too then you will coast through first year.


The first semester is really tough because of the adjusting to academic life and the workload. A whole plethora of things can be dropped on you at once and its sink or swim. If you have the maths and programming under control then it will make life much easier.

I know I didn't sugar coat it but on an up side its a really worthwhile course and enjoyable but a lot of the time especially in the first semester you will be just keeping up and no more. Thats from observation. A lot of people struggled in programming and the calculus.

Thanks BumbleB, appreciate the advice and will look in to getting that book.

I am very lucky in that I have a Oracle associate cert in Java and got it through taking a course in the last year. The exam for that cert is very difficult and from 17 in a class some having 3 attempts only 6 passed. I got 61% on my first attempt where 63% is pass.. Got it second time round.

I feel this will give me a good advantage this year as I have Java basics and that leaves more time to spend on the Maths areas that I struggle with. While I know a pure Java course is not near a year in Uni, I know I have benefited greatly having my academic side switched back on over the past year.

Are you going into second year ? Where you a mature student beginning the course ?

CSSE09

If you have a java cert first year programming won't be any problem, as for the maths go to the maths support center for help, fantastic tutors in there.

TheBody

How did you get on with the course?

Picasso711

I am still waiting for the result of the second exam but I am very confident my overall score is around the 75% mark.. Some class mates got 100%.. 50% is the pass mark

Was not as hard as I was expecting but at the same time it has taught so much that I took for granted. Stuff I taught I would have remembered from school.. Peter was our lecturer and he was really good and very nice too. I am really excited to get going now in september. Thanks for asking

Have you ever dealt with Peter or had him as a lecturer?

BumbleB

Picasso711 wrote: »

Peter was our lecturer and he was really good and very nice too. I am really excited to get going now in september. Thanks for asking

Have you ever dealt with Peter or had him as a lecturer?

Peter isn't a lecturer he is in the maths support centre.

agent graves

peter is an absolute god send.. that man seems to know every thing when it comes to the maths.. explains things very well while not just giving you the full answer.