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Computer Science as an Elective

  • 21-08-2014 11:48am
    #1
    UCDCritic
    Closed Accounts Posts: 272 ✭✭


    There is a computer science module about programming I'm thinking of doing however I really don't know much about computers at all.

    I would assume most other people in the class have been playing with mother boards since they were toddlers.

    I think computers are an important tool so I'd like to learn more about them (and one day be the Irish Edward Snowden :D).

    Can anyone who has done it before please tell me of your experience?

    Is there maths involved, and so forth....


Comments

  • #2
    risenbass
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 103 ✭✭risenbass


    I assume you're talking about programming 1. It is an introduction to computer programming and some concepts. There is no working with motherboards or any components involved so no need to worry there. It wouldn't be the easiest of electives but it isn't overly hard. Programming 2 however starts to get a bit more difficult.

    There isn't any maths involved. There are weekly labs with TA's where you do small assignments and get graded on them. All together they are worth about 40% of your overall mark so it a nice way to build up marks before the final exam.

    Most people going into this module have little to no idea about programming so you shouldn't be worried about that.


  • #3
    UCDCritic
    Closed Accounts Posts: 272 ✭✭UCDCritic


    Yeah it's programming 1

    That sounds good.

    And I like modules were everything isn't dependent on a final exam.


  • #4
    mhangasor
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 51 ✭✭mhangasor


    I'm in computer science myself and to be honest wouldn't recommend a programming module as an elective. It will be fairly easy stuff but if you haven't done programming before it will seem hard. The people who help at tutorials are terrible and there isn't much support if you are struggling.

    Having said that, I didn't actually do programming 1 myself as it's just an elective purely for people outside CS to learn a little programming so maybe it's better run.

    I'd only pick it if you're really determined to learn it and don't mind having to put a good bit of work in for an elective!


  • #5
    UCDCritic
    Closed Accounts Posts: 272 ✭✭UCDCritic


    To do the course would I need my own computer for doing the work?

    Would I need any software packages?

    For example I did a bit of web design years ago and you needed Dreamweaver as part of creating the websites.

    What sort of books would you need?

    Wouldn't mind getting a little head start


  • #6
    OneOfThem Stumbled
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 934 ✭✭✭OneOfThem Stumbled


    UCDCritic wrote: »
    To do the course would I need my own computer for doing the work?

    Would I need any software packages?

    For example I did a bit of web design years ago and you needed Dreamweaver as part of creating the websites.

    What sort of books would you need?

    Wouldn't mind getting a little head start

    There are two separate modules.
    Introduction to Programming I
    and
    Programming I

    They should not be confused. Introduction to Programming I is probably more difficult as it tends not to have any practicals. Yeah.

    Introduction is likely C++
    Programming I is C and a little Perl (lol)

    You shouldn't need any texts, and if you do there's no need to look too far. C has got so many good texts dedicated to it you'll trip over them.

    You'll need a computer in all practicals for them to have any value for you.

    In terms of specialised software... gcc is about all you need. Notepad++ is also a good idea. Probably a good idea for website creation too...

    There's a lot of assignments, but nothing too tricky.

    do
    work();
    while(!done)


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