Computer Science!

[explicit4u]

Sooooo I'm thinking of doing Computer Science at uni (still have to get through A-levels first) and I just had a few questions and figured this would be the best place to ask.

Firstly, how did you find it? I have no problem working with computers 24/7 or doing loads of maths but I still don't really know what to expect! Would I be up all night programming or is it nothing like that?

How competitive is the Job market? Would I be better off doing a masters with an Industrial Placement to increase my chances of getting a decent job after?

MONEY! I know Computer Science is quite an 'open' degree so you can do loads of stuff with it, but is there an average salary statistic for Computer Science grads? If not what kind of post-grad jobs do people usually go for?

And finally, is there any other general advice or things I should know about computer science?

danke!

 

[explicit4u]

Modern "Computer Science" courses can be very lightweight compared to the old school ones. Make sure you check the syllabus of the University you are applying for to get one that is focused on the areas you want. If you get on a maths and programming heavy course I'd expect it to be hard work unless you just happen to be some kind of super genius, however like I said the state of modern CompSci graduates isn't like it used to be (mine was 1996-2000 and the syllabus of that was a lot more intense than newer courses)

Job market is saturated. Money depends on what you end up doing but don't expect to walk out of University into a super-paying job. Have a look on IT Jobs Watch for wages.

Don't see the point in doing a Masters unless you fancy going on to do a PHD.

Good luck.

I can tell you one thing no matter how hard it is it isn't as hard as doing a degree whilst working full time. My second degree in Psychology (with the OU) is punishing to say the least!

If the market is saturated what can you do to stand out (apart from going to a good uni). I see a lot of jobs from that link are related to banking, how does that work? Would taking Computer Science with Business be helpful for those kind of jobs? Also, would being certified (e.g. by Microsoft or SAP) increase employability/salary?

Oh and I wouldn't even dream of having a full time job while I'm in uni, that must be killer!

<snip>

thanks, just out of interest how big is your class and is it all male? I've heard a lot of things about a lack of girls doing computer science - hardly surprising though!

My only advice is check the times and gaurdian league tables and only do it somewhere decent.

Doing it somewhere naff won't further your career enough to be worth the time and debt.

Obviously it depends on my grades for A-Level but I'm already looking at places like Bath/Bristol/Imperial Collage London/UCL/Cambridge which are all rated pretty highly so I'm not worried about finding a decent uni!

 

[explicit4u]

I think there are roughly 100 or so people doing CS, from that 10 or so are girls so yea, the stereotype is quite true here

Thought so!

Look at CompEng as a more technical alternative. Job market is completely different and IME a lot better. I've just graduated and only one person from our year hasn't got a job yet, but chances are he will within a month or so. Highest employment rate in the Uni and highest starting salary too

Interesting, what's the difference between Computer Science/Engineering?

 

[explicit4u]

Hard to explain, and varies wildly depending on institution. Really its the difference between working on computer/microprocessors INSIDE real things, like cars/planes/STUFF in general, or working with applications on Desktop PCs etc. Ofcourse thats a massive generalisation but you get the point hopefully. You would never get a CompEng grad working as tech support/server admin etc. that kinda thing.

The course itself will likely have more real content, like C/ASM programming, hardware/OS architecture and electronic engineering. Less 'fluff' like project management/java/webtech.

Computer engineering is building computers, from the electronics upwards. Computer science is more about what use they can be put to.

Ah so is it like a mixture of Compute Science and Electrical Engineering eg. Robotics or something?

Personally I'm more interested in the software/programming side of CS, I'm not 100% sure about it though which is why I favour Computer Science over Software Engineering, which I find is more limiting.

 

[explicit4u]

Thanks for all the info so far guys

Theoretically CompSci shouldn't be a general subject. It's the study of algorithms, data structures, compilers etc. It's an academic subject really, the practical counterpart would be Software Engineering. Either degree is a foundation for a Programmer.

So you can still do Software Engineering (as a job) with a Computer Science degree?