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Computer Science

johnmcdnl

Computer science??? yes? no? maybe?

any opinions on whether I should do this course next year or not..

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meathawk

Well, I've been doing it this year and just make sure you keep on top of everything. Software engineering is probably the best/worst module ever. You make small games from code purely and you get accustomed to Eclipse which is like a environment to use most computer programming languages and Graphical User Interfaces. I say it's the worst because it's the most tricky and the most work. Also in first year you take two programming modules which are supposed to help you with java in general which is what software engineering uses as its primary language. This year they made a cock-up and instead we were taught processing so we had to learn java in three weeks to get ready for Software Engineering. If you are denominated you'd be in a different class so you'd be learning java from the start anyways which next would be like.
One other thing is you take maths modules within science and algorithmic problem solving. Both are fairly manageable but algorithmic problem solving is a bit of craic if you have mates in the class but a bit stressful when you have to do assignments. First year in general is not too stressful. I can only imagine what software engineering two has in store for me.

rog871

Im doing it now, i just finished my first year and have exams in a couple of weeks. See if you can find out a bit about the course in the college of your choice. Apparently, alot of computer science courses dont involve much programming and are based on theory. I am in IT Tallaght, there is a alot of practical work, which is good. Just make sure you know it's the right course for you...alot of people drop out. Anyway take a look at my course, tis a bitta craic.;)

http://www.it-tallaght.ie/FullTimeCourses/Computing/Name,17463,en.html

Jack Bracken

rog871 wrote: »

~snip

Heh, I think he meant UCD's course specifically.

I'm just finishing up first year of CS and I love it so far. Learned a lot, made a lot of great friends, and most of the material is interesting. Just eh, make sure you do continuous assessment and you won't run into any of the problems I had.

If it really is something you're interested in then go for it. You can always change to something else if you don't like it.

Killer Pigeon

johnmcdnl wrote: »

Computer science??? yes? no? maybe?

any opinions on whether I should do this course next year or not..

Comp. Sci in UCD is arguable the best in the country. You have around 8/12 (which include 5/12 comp. sci. modules and 3/12 maths modules) compulsory modules 2/12 option module which you can chose from the science omnibus (like Physics, chemistry, biology) and a further 2 elective modules that you can chose from anywhere in the university. I'd say go for it.

Seifer

Just coming to end of 4th year now and I can't really recommend it.
If you do well in all of your modules every year you will still not be in any way desirable to good software companies. You have to be willing to program on your own time, as a hobby. As somebody said above, this is because you are supposedly learning the theory of computer science but the theory is pretty useless if you can't apply it.
The course has visibly dumbed down as I've progressed through it and there will be people that graduate who can't program.
Tbh I don't know if all Irish computer science courses are like this but I haven't heard of any that are much better.

Fad

Dont do it through Science Omnibus, you're just in for a head ache that way...

johnmcdnl

i'm getting the vibe that this course is pretty much all theory with not much practical work basically??

dunno if that'd suit me to much tbh i'd be much more at home if i could actually do stuff make stuff etc etc

is there any similar course which focus more on the practical side of things

meathawk

Hey now, there's a lot of practical work. You general spend like 6 hours a week in the active learning centre in the computer science building. All your projects are programming based. I find it very hard to believe that someone could get through the 4 years without being able to program. There is also a support centre if you run into difficulties with programming. The only theory module in first year is comp architecture. Which is a bit **** but the rest is practical work.

rainbow kirby

meathawk wrote: »

I find it very hard to believe that someone could get through the 4 years without being able to program.

Rare, but it does happen. I've known a few people who got to 4th year with minimal programming skills.

Seifer

meathawk wrote: »

Hey now, there's a lot of practical work. You general spend like 6 hours a week in the active learning centre in the computer science building. All your projects are programming based. I find it very hard to believe that someone could get through the 4 years without being able to program. There is also a support centre if you run into difficulties with programming. The only theory module in first year is comp architecture. Which is a bit **** but the rest is practical work.

There are assignments that require you to program but not much of it is practical

Wait until you get to 4th year and you'll see. UCD's culture of as long as you keep paying we'll keep letting you repeat ensures that people that cannot program graduate with a computer science degree thus devaluing it for those who can.

johnmcdnl

ahhh that's not so bad..

I just really really don't want to end up in a course where theory means everything basically

i just wanna be able to do stuff and not learn about it sorta lol

if i don't know a whole lot about programming now am i at much of a disadvantage.. i know the basics but that's all

Seifer

johnmcdnl wrote: »

ahhh that's not so bad..

I just really really don't want to end up in a course where theory means everything basically

i just wanna be able to do stuff and not learn about it sorta lol

if i don't know a whole lot about programming now am i at much of a disadvantage.. i know the basics but that's all

You won't be at a disadvantage, no. They cover everything from the beginning.
If you don't start programming beyond what you are told to do in college you will be at a disadvantage when it comes to finding a job.

Killer Pigeon

betafrog wrote: »

Where'd you hear that from? Cause I can tell you it is a crock of ****e...

Having spoken to a number of industry insiders including Google, Ebay and a few others, the Computer Science courses in Ireland are looked upon very poorly in general. The only graduates that are in anyway desirable are the ones that went out of their way to extend their knowledge outside of college, eg getting internships, getting involved in Open Source Development etc.

If you're looking to get a decent job in the IT industry you'll need to work hard outside of the course to have a chance. If you just want a piece of paper at the end of 4 years that makes it look like you know what you are talking about then go ahead.

It's completely understandable that a college degree isn't enough to secure a job, this is true in every technical field, work experience in paramount. CS degree aren't all looked down upon either. I think someone in google said that they were only accepting people who had degrees from UCD/TCD/UCC. My earlier comment, if you read back on it, was entire based on the education you receive in comparison to other Irish universities, not the likelihood of getting a job afterward, however you probably would have a better change if you had a 1.1/1.2 computer science degree from UCD plus 2-3 years experience than someone from DCU or elsewhere with the same amount of experience.

Xhristy

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Killer Pigeon

betafrog wrote: »

You see the problem lies in what you define as being able to programme. You may well think that you can program by the end of the degree but you will vastly under qualified for any jobs.

Try this one OP,

http://dcu.ie/prospective/deginfo.php?classname=CA&degree_description=B.Sc.+in+Computer+Applications+%28Bachelor+Honours+Degree%29

Ah, is that the same computer applications course in DCU that had the largest drop out rate of any other degree in the Republic of Ireland (not just for computer science). Just wondering.

Seifer

Killer Pigeon wrote: »

It's completely understandable that a college degree isn't enough to secure a job, this is true in every technical field, work experience in paramount.

No, it's not true in every technical field. If you come out of college with an engineering degree you get hired based on what you did in college. For computer science they will look at what you did outside it.
To get good work experience you're going to have to be good and that means working outside the course on your own.

CS degree aren't all looked down upon either.

Nope, just Irish ones because they produce graduates that aren't qualified.

I think someone in google said that they were only accepting people who had degrees from UCD/TCD/UCC.

Those comments were made in relation to grade inflation and refered to all college courses. Try getting a job with google doing nothing but the UCD course material (even achieving a 1:1) and see how you get on.

My earlier comment, if you read back on it, was entire based on the education you receive in comparison to other Irish universities, not the likelihood of getting a job afterward, however you probably would have a better change if you had a 1.1/1.2 computer science degree from UCD plus 2-3 years experience than someone from DCU or elsewhere with the same amount of experience.

The degree will get you into the technical test (note, not the interview). IT companies are very good at checking to see if you can actually do what they are going to pay you to do. After a short technical test they will know if you are qualified or not.

Your point about work experience is valid but since the UCD course offers no credits for placements or such it's only another reason to avoid it.

Killer Pigeon wrote: »

Ah, is that the same computer applications course in DCU that had the largest drop out rate of any other degree in the Republic of Ireland (not just for computer science). Just wondering.

The drop out rate is probably directly related to the low points required to do the course. People with 315 points aren't going to make a good computer scientist (generally).
And UCD's course suffers from the same problem but hides it better with all its stage X bs.

johnmcdnl

if ucd is being dumbed down then where should i go to do some form of a computer course that will be recognised in a good light basically then....

i really can't see myself doing anything other than working with computers in the future tbh so I just want to get a course that will stand out

Korvanica

betafrog wrote: »

A good example of this is Formal Foundations. In one year over 60% of students failed the module but the grading was changed to be graded against a curve to pass as many people as possible.

:eek: but but, its so easy.

OP i'm just finishing 4th year too, ucds computer science course is s***e. Simple as that. Its all over the place and some modules seem like they were just picked out of thin air and thrown into the course, so they dont fit in with the rest of the course at all.

I heard DCU or DITs courses are pretty good.

Seifer

johnmcdnl wrote: »

if ucd is being dumbed down then where should i go to do some form of a computer course that will be recognised in a good light basically then....

i really can't see myself doing anything other than working with computers in the future tbh so I just want to get a course that will stand out

Read the thread. The course you do is pretty much irrelevant. If you want to stand out then start programming now.
You will not get a good IT job based solely on any degree.
I can't recommend any other course to you as I've only done the UCD one and haven't heard much about others. I would personally look for one that offers industry placements in 3rd year.

Royale with Cheese

I'm doing a Masters that lets me take undergraduate modules in UCD. Did a Grad Dip in IT in DCU last year, and then straight into this masters this year where I took mainly 4th year modules. For someone with only 1 year's experience I found the 4th year modules in UCD very easy, I actually got a 1st last semester. A lot of it was learn off stuff from the notes and then just write it out in the exam, and you're done.

I'm taking 2 modules from the Software Engineering Masters in DCU this semester. Yes they are postgraduate modules so they're supposed to be more difficult, but the difference between them and the stuff I did in UCD last semester is absolutely huge.

Blut2

Someone should also probably advise this poor lad on the social side of the course. Theres a hell of a difference in talent between Computer Science and Law/Commerce/anything Med related. Hell, even between CompSci and more mainstream science stuff like BioChem. CS has probably the lowest amount of normal people / good looking girls of any college course.

But if its what youre realllllly into then fire away I guess, just keep in mind socialising is a big part of the college experience.

Xhristy

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johnmcdnl

lol i'm a taken man so whist will wee about the women lol

:p
and i will be joining some sports team or something and joining socieites so i'm not to worried about that end of matters

i'm not a lad who like to die a hole in the sand for myself lol trust me

just don't want to end up doing 4 years in college and realise i've got a pretty useless cert...

i'm getting the jist that if i want anything that i'll need to do a bit extra in my own time to bump myself up in the eyes of an employer but that'll be the same for anyone doing any cs or computer course in general in ireland

remus808

Blut2 wrote: »

Someone should also probably advise this poor lad on the social side of the course. Theres a hell of a difference in talent between Computer Science and Law/Commerce/anything Med related. Hell, even between CompSci and more mainstream science stuff like BioChem. CS has probably the lowest amount of normal people / good looking girls of any college course.

But if its what youre realllllly into then fire away I guess, just keep in mind socialising is a big part of the college experience.

OK fair enough there aren't many girls, but your wrong about the social side of the course. My course is more social than anyone elses I know, whether it be in Arts, Business or any other faculty. People frequently come into college and waste a whole day just hanging around chatting to people etc - I've done it many times myself. Then outside of college, for those that are into drinking/clubbing etc we go out literally all the time.. as in theres a night out of some description pretty much every week! There was about 20 people from my class at my birthday recently, and it's not even that big a class!

So yes I would definitely consider it more social than any other course I know of. The way the course/department is structured you spend pretty much all day with your class in the lab, which is basically a common room. Unreal banter.

dyl10

I know of a medium sized software firm in Dublin who employ UCD comp sci grads to work phone support...

Frisbee

betafrog wrote: »

A good example of this is Formal Foundations. In one year over 60% of students failed the module but the grading was changed to be graded against a curve to pass as many people as possible.

Same thing happened with our Foundations of Computing module this year, it had to be graded on a curve. And not only that, but the first curve still wasn't even low enough to have a respectable number of people pass the course so the curve had to be re-curved.

And still a load of people had to repeat it this semester, never in my life have I been more delighted to see a C-

rainbow kirby

Frisbee wrote: »

Same thing happened with our Foundations of Computing module this year, it had to be graded on a curve. And not only that, but the first curve still wasn't even low enough to have a respectable number of people pass the course so the curve had to be re-curved.

Somehow that doesn't surprise me. Back when I was in third year, that course used to give everybody nightmares.

Frisbee

rainbow kirby wrote: »

Somehow that doesn't surprise me. Back when I was in third year, that course used to give everybody nightmares.

I'm still having nightmares about it.

Like WWII Pacific Theatre Allied Vet Flashback style nightmares.

Dave!

Frisbee wrote: »

Same thing happened with our Foundations of Computing module this year, it had to be graded on a curve. And not only that, but the first curve still wasn't even low enough to have a respectable number of people pass the course so the curve had to be re-curved.

And still a load of people had to repeat it this semester, never in my life have I been more delighted to see a C-

Yep, happened in my year as well

Pretty ridiculous

Xhristy

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