how useful is a computing degree, honestly
- Thread starter joeconway
- Start date
huh?Or use public profiles
None of my profiles are public?
##EDIT##
Its shocking how many forums im part of!
Even found some game mods i forgot i made.
Last edited:
Perhaps I'm being overly harsh, but from what I've seen of your posts, you're as close to being a mathematician as Jade Goody is to being a super model. It seems that you're someone who's done a little maths during their degree, and decided it would be trendy to proclaim yourself a mathematician! Not a big thing, I realise, but it's a personal dislike of mine.
A 1.1? I think you mean a 1st. Jesus - do they give these things away in cornflakes packets these days!... so that's what I did.. a 1.1 in CompSci
Back to the original topic. Threads like this always result in two clear viewpoints: those without degrees will try to convince you (and themselves) that they're not an important attribute, while those with them will have you know you can't mow the lawn without one. It's down to horses for courses! Intel aren't about to hire someone from Bangor with a 2:2 in business IT administration, and someone with a 1st from Oxford in Computer Science isn't likely to apply to for a tech-support position at the local Tesco.
If you've enough sense about you, you'll do a little research and find out the prerequisites for your chosen career. It's down to you to decide whether or not you're capable of obtaining those prerequisites.
A 1.1? I think you mean a 1st. Jesus - do they give these things away in cornflakes packets these days!
What is that intended to mean?
I'm a PT postgraduate maths student, and my job is in the majourity CS / Maths research. So what should I should I say I am?
Davem
I assume PT means "part time"? I think you're someone who's done a degree that's used some maths, and whatever you do now also uses some maths - because of this, you believe it's ok to call yourself a mathematician.
I have a degree in maths, Cert of Advanced Study and am in the middle of a PhD - and I wouldn't call myself a mathematician (I'm currently a PhD candidate). The fact that you seemed to think that learning how to integrate in A-Levels had anything to do with asymptotic analysis reinforces my opinion that you're someone who likes to talk "maths", but isn't all that clued up! Don't get me wrong - I'm sure you know more maths than the average A-Level student, but to call yourself a mathematician is bordering on the ridiculous - I honestly don't think you'd pass a degree-level exam in the subject. Sorry if I'm being harsh, but it's a pet hate of mine.
Awesome, good luck with the interview/assesment.
My girlfriend's dad used to work in senior management for EDS, and I know for a fact they do not generally disgriminate when it comes to degree subjects. He was always, and infact still is of the opinion that a degree shows a certain level of maturity and capacity for learning. They'll be looking for someone who has the ability to adapt, learn and be flexible in a role rather than someone who already thinnks they know it all already.
I assume PT means "part time"? I think you're someone who's done a degree that's used some maths, and whatever you do now also uses some maths - because of this, you believe it's ok to call yourself a mathematician.
I have a degree in maths, Cert of Advanced Study and am in the middle of a PhD - and I wouldn't call myself a mathematician (I'm currently a PhD candidate). The fact that you seemed to think that learning how to integrate in A-Levels had anything to do with asymptotic analysis reinforces my opinion that you're someone who likes to talk "maths", but isn't all that clued up! Don't get me wrong - I'm sure you know more maths than the average A-Level student, but to call yourself a mathematician is bordering on the ridiculous - I honestly don't think you'd pass a degree-level exam in the subject. Sorry if I'm being harsh, but it's a pet hate of mine.
No offense taken fella, everyone is welcome to their opinions
I don't need to prove anything. You don't know me from Adam, you have no idea what I do or do not understand about maths. And for you to think a comment about asymptotics and integration sums up my knowledge in this area is worrying (and I'd argue extensively about the links between asymptotics and integration).
For the record I have passed degree level maths modules
Out of interest when is it okay, do you think, to call yourself a mathematician. Do you have to wait until you have CMath or CStat status?
Wow you're so great. You're doing a Phd in Maths and therefore you think you can belittle everyone else.
When you're employed by an institution to research in a particular area of mathematics and have your work regularly published in reputable journals.
Flattery will get you everywhere. However, I don't think I've belittled anyone, have I? I've simply stated that for a certain person to call themselves a mathematician is being misguided, to say the least.Wow you're so great. You're doing a Phd in Maths and therefore you think you can belittle everyone else.
ha ha so let me get this right, you can work in mathematics all your life but unless you publish a article in good journal you're not a mathematician.
So according to your logic (which should be really sound clearly if you do a PhD in maths) I could solve one of the Millennium problems (maths challanges with a $1 Mil prize) but if I'm not at a "institution researching a particular area of mathematics and my research is not regularly published in a reputable journal" I'm still not a mathematician.
Right, okay, sure.
Last edited:
I can only assume that you're confusing the notion of "using" mathematics, and "doing the work of a mathematician".
An accountant uses mathematics all his (or hers) working life, and I don't think anyone would be silly enough to suggest that accountants are mathematicians. Perhaps this sheds light on the apparent naivety of your initial comment. If you didn't realise this, and were perhaps using the word "mathematician" to mean "someone who uses mathematics", it might make a little more sense.
It would appear that many years of experience teaches dignity, respect and a degree of humility where as many years of academia does not
I think you being very silly. What I was saying is that someone could spend their entire life researching in mathematics (as you would care to define it) without publishing an article on the matter. Whether it be in pure maths in number theory or applied maths on differential equations, you do not have to publish anything to be a mathematician!
That definition you give has to be one of the worst in history! So before Albert published his great works, so when he was a patent clerk he wasn't a physicist because he wasn't employed by a "insitution to research in a particular area of physics".
This would be akin to saying an artist isn't artist unless his work appeares in gallery. It's nonsense.
Last edited:
Sorry Rotty!
ok mate, my mistake in the 1st instance was just a bit annoyed that you hadn't acknowledged it as a genuine mistake
no hard feelings, I have had a very difficult day