computer science module

[D.P.]

Doesn't strike me as a particularly math-oriented module?

networking is very mathematical, considering that a network is a type of graph and events happen stochastically and probabilistically youve covered two of the main fields in Mathematics.
Network Maths is a degree in itslef.

Look here: http://www.networkmaths.ie/courses

Fundamentals of Probability
Introduction to Dynamic Systems
Formation control
Nonnegative Matrices & Positive Systems
Introduction to Optimisation
Discrete event & Hybrid systems
Fundamentals of Graph Theory
Markov Processes
Numerical Linear Algebra
Queueing theory
Game Theory



Part of my work covers network robotics systems, everything I ever do in this regards is purely mathematical

 

[dowie]

Doesn't strike me as a particularly math-oriented module?

You're joking right????

Tis a few years back since I studied it but IIRC, in networking, we covered signal processing, Fourier analysis etc.. one of the modules was basically just applied a maths module.

 

[dowie]

But what if the skill base in a traditional CS degree aren't useful in the real world. Let's think technical here. Should CS include more web dev stuff? What about some management skills to effectively work in teams etc?

Should an English literature course focus more on journalism and less on Shakespeare?

Should a media studies course focus more on how to supervise a team in McDonalds?

Just because a decent portion of grads go onto certain jobs doesn't mean a uni should necessarily change a subject in order to cater for the needs of employers.

Yes polys are guilty of this - people at fish & chip unls (the sort of advertise on the tube or on TV) will probably be more likely to do say a cisco course as part of their degree in lieu of say learning the various theory behind networks. I'm sure this is much more valuable in terms of getting an entry level job too.

The problem I have with this is that universities (polytechnics aside) are not supposed to be vocational training centers - proper research led universities are places for you to further your knowledge in a particular field. If you're smart you can apply that knowledge and get a job regardless - problem is today that more people are going to university who traditionally wouldn't have been suitable and more people want to be spoon fed knowledge.

Perhaps we need a divide/distinction between proper universities and former polys.

 

[Energize]

This is my uni's first year comp science course.

Java Programming
Programming Fundamentals
Object-Oriented Programming
Project
Programs and Data
Simple and Linear Data Structures
Stacks, Queues, Graphs and Trees
Searching and Sorting
Systems Architecture
Introduction to Computer Architecture
Machine and Assembly Language Programming
Networking and Systems Issues
Computational Fundamentals
Discrete Mathematics
Algorithms and efficiency
Web Technologies
Introduction to Web Technologies
Practical Web Technologies
Project
Software Engineering
Software quality and testing
Programming-in-the-large
Professional Issues

Have to wonder what on earth, "professional issues" and "programming in the large" are supposed to be.

 

[D.P.]

Perhaps we need a divide/distinction between proper universities and former polys.

This distinction exists, but it is not black and white.
Top employers know the top universities and hunt for the top students from the top degrees from the top universities. My first job the interviews were only open to 5 universities in the UK.IN my last year I went to lots of jobs fairs end graduate sheme evenings. Companies like citi group who only visited select universities and invited the top 10 students to dinner and chat etc.