MH140 - computer science and software engineering (arts entry)

McLovin_Ward

Hi all, I've just done my LC and am confident of being offered a place in the CS course in tomorrow's round 1 offers. I have a fairly good level of maths and I have an interest in computers and technology in general but I have never done programming so I'm wondering will this course be too difficult for me? will it be manageable with no programming experience prior to the start of the course as I've heard there is a very high drop out rate? I really need help on this matter as it's worrying me a bit! Thanks in advance to any replies!!

CSSE09

Don't be worrying, the high drop out rate is from people that have no idea what the course actually involves. They start from the beginning assuming no prior knowledge. Go to lectures, do all the labs and you'll be grand, best of luck tomorrow.

McLovin_Ward

CSSE09 wrote: »

Don't be worrying, the high drop out rate is from people that have no idea what the course actually involves. They start from the beginning assuming no prior knowledge. Go to lectures, do all the labs and you'll be grand, best of luck tomorrow.

Thanks! I got offered the course and accepted straight away with delight! Im doing the Computer Science And Software Engineering option in MH140 but I was wondering do you think I could change over to do the Computer Science, Multimedia and Web Developmemt option within the same course even though the former was what I put on my cao when asked which option I would like to choose? Thanks in advancefor any replies!

brainiac

McLovin_Ward wrote: »

Thanks! I got offered the course and accepted straight away with delight! Im doing the Computer Science And Software Engineering option in MH140 but I was wondering do you think I could change over to do the Computer Science, Multimedia and Web Developmemt option within the same course even though the former was what I put on my cao when asked which option I would like to choose? Thanks in advancefor any replies!

Hey there mate,

I am heading into 4th year of this course myself now this year, so if you have any questions about it, give me a shout. Yes, as far as I know you'll be allowed to switch from MH140 to MMWD as it has slightly looser requirements.

McLovin_Ward

brainiac wrote: »

Hey there mate,

I am heading into 4th year of this course myself now this year, so if you have any questions about it, give me a shout. Yes, as far as I know you'll be allowed to switch from MH140 to MMWD as it has slightly looser requirements.

Cheers Brainiac!
Where would I go or who would I ask with regards to changing over?

brainiac

McLovin_Ward wrote: »

Cheers Brainiac!
Where would I go or who would I ask with regards to changing over?

You'll get your orientation guide soon, as part of your first week you'll have a registration session where you confirm your course acceptance and pay your contribution. So you'll be able to talk to them about it, but if they are too busy you'll be able to go to the Registrar's Offices and request a change there.

There'll be plenty of student ambassadors around on the first week, so they can direct you to anywhere you need to be.

twin_beacon

McLovin_Ward wrote: »

Hi all, I've just done my LC and am confident of being offered a place in the CS course in tomorrow's round 1 offers. I have a fairly good level of maths and I have an interest in computers and technology in general but I have never done programming so I'm wondering will this course be too difficult for me? will it be manageable with no programming experience prior to the start of the course as I've heard there is a very high drop out rate? I really need help on this matter as it's worrying me a bit! Thanks in advance to any replies!!

well done on getting the course!
Don't worry about never having done programming before, I never wrote any code before I went to college! If you have an interest in computers, thats great, and a good start. Being good at maths is a good advantage.

McLovin_Ward

Would it be better to have a tablet or laptop for this course?

LawlessBoy

Doing this course myself. Looking forward to starting and was wondering the same thing also

GarIT

I believe that you will need to talk to the department head to get permission to change course. It should be fine though. Personally I wouldn't change to MMWD unless you really want to do something with media CSSE is a much better course.

To complete the course you will require access to a Windows pc with Eclipse and Microsoft office (daily) and Linux (occasionally from 2nd year onwards). The university CS labs will have everything you need but they are not always free when you need them so if you can afford it you are probably best getting a laptop.

For lectures I recommend a pen and paper. Most people, myself included, get much more distracted than helped by bringing a laptop to lectures. Notes are provided online for all modules except maths which you will need to make yourself and writing is so much easier than a laptop for diagrams, formulae etc.

Simpson2

Hello there!
Just got my results and I'm fairy confident I'll get offered the MH201 course. I definitely plan on studying CS as part of the degree. This might be a silly question but @GarIT, if you have your own laptop, are you allowed to use other IDEs/Text-Editors like Sublime?
Thanks!

LawlessBoy

Just finished 1st year in MH140. At home you can use whatever you like. During labs ect though you will be asked to use the same program as everyone else it just makes it easier to grade and read through if everyone is using the same program.

Simpson2

Ah I see. That makes sense now. Thank-you!