Computer Science!

explicit4u

explicit4u

explicit4u

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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! :D 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!
 
Computer Science isn't really about computers for a start, you won't need to know anything about using Windows/Linux or the innards of a PC to do the course (although you might cover some small areas, but mostly in theory).
It's more about the science of computation, so lots of maths or designing algorithms in languages you might not be familiar with (R, Prolog etc).
If you're more interested in the programming/architecting software side you might want to consider Software Engineering too.
 
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!
 
Just finished first year today studying Computer Science at Newcastle (last exam was 7 hours ago :) ). I've found it on the whole very good. The modules have all been very interesting, quite broad at the moment, ie we learn programming, maths, computer hardware, programming for the web etc. but I think thats a good thing in first year and on the whole I've enjoyed them all. Obviously if you've programmed before you'll know what to expect from those type of modules but I did have to write some essays that I didn't really expect on certain subjects like new technologies for the future.

I do know people who do leave all the coursework to the last minute and end up programming all night, however you are given a deadline normally 4 weeks or so in advance so unless you leave it all to the last couple of days, normally it won't involve an all night session.

I'm currently enrolled to do a placement year, think the experience will look great on my CV afterwards and anyone I've talked to has said it was one of the most beneficial things they've done.

Can't really help on the salary side of things, would be interested to know myself actually :).

Good luck for the A-Levels! .
 
LordSplodge said:
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!
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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!

Jamie23 said:
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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! :p

mglover070588 said:
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.
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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!
 
mglover070588 said:
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.
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Scrap the Guardian league tables - look at The Times ones for CS. I don't know why but when it comes to engineering and technology (research quality and grad prospects) the Guardian tables are lol
 
explicit4u said:
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 in the the top 15 (according to most tables) so I'm not worried about finding a decent uni!
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That is absolutely fine. If you were saying you wanted to go to the likes of Staffordshire I would tell you to re-think your future.
 
I'd defiantly recommend doing the Masters with an Industrial Year. I'm just about to finish my Industrial Year at the moment, and I've got sponsorship out of it for my last two years, which includes a Summer Placement next year and interview after I grad. I'm doing an MEng in Software Engineering.

You may end up doing many all nighters if you leave your programming till the last minute and find a show stopping bug! As some of my friends found out.

As said, it's more about the theory and design, rather than being savvy with Windows/Unix.
 
explicit4u said:
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! :p
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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 :)
 
explicit4u said:
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!
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Get into a decent Comp Sci uni and get a 1/1. Simples.

I fancy a career change (Clinical Psychologist) and to do that I need an Accredited degree with The British Psychological Society and so that means doing a degree with the Open University in my free time. Thankfully it isn't Computer Science. That I wouldn't want to do whilst working. ;)
 
Jamie23 said:
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 :)
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kenshinu said:
10? That's good going! Double the amount in my classes last year, with class of roughly 140.
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There was 1 in my Computer Science class. Shows the courses have gone soft if girls can now do it. :o:p:)
 
In general wages in the IT industry were excellent around 10-15 years ago but have been stagnant since then. Whilst there will always be work for good computing folk, there is an awful lot of competition and huge swathes of jobs are now outsourced to India, particularly entry-mid level stuff which makes it doubly tough for graduates to compete in the marketplace.

If you are dead set on working in computing, i'd recommend an education in a science/engineering discipline that is of interest and to apply computing skills to that. If you want the big money in the banks, then Maths/Physics at a good institution is the way to go.
 
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 :p
 
Jamie23 said:
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 :)
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:D Thought so!

Chris1712 said:
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 :p
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Interesting, what's the difference between Computer Science/Engineering?
 
explicit4u said:
:D Thought so!



Interesting, what's the difference between Computer Science/Engineering?
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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.
 
Chris1712 said:
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.
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A proper Computer Science course wouldn't teach you any of the skills to be tech support/admin either.
 
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