Studying computer science at uni!

[FnG]magnolia;23520459 said:
On a geographical note, Stirling is a terribly depressing place to visit let alone live in for four years.
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I have a very attractive lady friend at Uni there studying English, she seems to love life there!
 
Unless you are attending a top notch uni (which unfortunately none of those are) you probably wont be hit with much maths unless you choose very math based modules (AI, Quantum Computing, Networking etc...) however a good understanding of maths will help you a lot.
 
I'm currently at Greenwich University studying Computing on my 2nd year.
During first year I would have to say Computing and Computer Science is very similar, almost identical in modules, the maths was actually pretty easy stuff (quantitative methods and statistics).
Got a C in Maths in my GCSE's also and didn't do A-Levels Math's.

The Greenwich campus is very nice. It's pretty much a tourist attraction site with the buildings (Queen Mary, Queen Ann, King Williams).
Only decent lectures are programming (you'll be taught Java first year, C# next) and System Architectures (was the harder option, which is compulsory I think for Computer Science) .

Also if you do plan on getting accommodation there, choose Avery Hill campus ;)
 
Hey! I was in a very similar situation to yourself in that I wanted to study CS but didn't have a Maths A-level (saying that I was quite good at it before A-Level but opted for different subjects).

I ended up going to Newcastle as they didn't have Maths A-Level as a pre-requisite. In first year for non A-level Maths students they give you a maths catch up module focusing mainly on the areas applicable to CS which you would have learned at A-level. For those with it they do a more intense module extending on the knowledge they should already have, however I don't think they had an big advantage over us in any way.

Honestly, it's one of those modules where if you put the work in you can come out with a very good score and I'm very happy I did it. A lot of the things taught in that module were quite alien to me but I put the work in and did well.

The rest of the course was very good and I met some really inspirational people. The only issues I had were that 1 or 2 of the 2nd year modules were a bit dry but I think that's normal since you're taught so many broad areas of CS. If you have any more questions I'm happy to answer (I'm currently out on placement and can only answer on 1st and 2nd year though.)
 
Did computer science at the Unversity of Salford, just finished on the development of a global commerce platform for Manchester United. The extra time you spend on your personal and professional development is just as important as the degree itself, the degree will only get you so far :)
 
Thank you guys for all the responses it really helped me.

I in the end have gone for comp science at two unis which were Kent and Lancaster. I also applied for
Information Technology in Organisations at Southampton
Information and Communication Technology (GH56) at Essex
Information and Communication Technology (G560) at Greenwich

Just a quick one i want to end my personal statement with this little bit;
I believe that I can attain(obtain?) this degree

Would I say attain or obtain?

Thanks
 
JonnyGLC said:
IT degree != CompSci degree, btw.
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Biz.Kid09 said:
Sorry I don't get what your trying to say? :/

Its late and i have been working all day :p can you explain it?
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He said that and IT Degree is not equal to a Computer Science Degree.

I agree, IT degree's are for people who wish to use word all day.

!= is something used in programming, it says "Not Equal"

Such as:

if (lowerGrid != upperGrid)
{
Shoot me
}
else
{
Dont shoot me
}
 
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Oh I know that, the course just looked particularly interesting?

also just quickly again anyone?

I want to end my personal statement with this little bit;
I believe that I can attain(obtain?) this degree

It will be in a sentence :p

Would I say attain or obtain?
 
Energize said:
Avoid Lancaster Uni like the plague, terrible comp sci course, very little maths though.
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Just seen this. It scores highly on the league tables for comp science hence why I saw it. What is so bad?

Are you studying it there?

Also anyone here know anything about Royal Holloway?
 
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Biz.Kid09 said:
Just seen this. It scores highly on the league tables for comp science hence why I saw it. What is so bad?

Are you studying it there?
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I graduated from there last year.

The department was so disorganized, lectures cancelled with virtually no notice, incorrect emails sent out from the department head, many mistakes in assignments. Some modules had bad teaching like the assembly language and c programming ones, I was told by the phd students marking the work that less than 30% of students handed in any work for the final coursework, I know I didn't. And while they boast about the amazing Infolab, undergrads are confined to the crappy engineering computer department with computers that often didn't have the required software!

There's also almost no flexibility in the degree, only 3 optional module choices in the whole degree, compare that to biology where all 10 modules were optional in the first year. Attendance was so low in some of the lectures for boring modules like software engineering I'm surprised the lecturer even bothered to turn up.
 
Thanks for that energize. I think I will take it off my list then. It is good to have some real world feedback.

Good job I had waited to see what people thought of that small detail in my PS before paying!
 
Egon said:
I guess the course has changed. There was very little true maths when I did my degree.

To answer Salsa, no you don't need A level maths to get on the course for most universities.

Edit: I probably should say they have a preference for it over most other a-levels, including that of A-level computing.
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I had a friend who applied to a red brick/Russell group uni for computer sciences. The course wanted AAB, he had BBD and still got an early offer. I can only assume it was his maths that pushed through.

Biz.Kid09 said:
Thanks kingorgg, can someone else just confirm that it would be obtain.
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I'd put obtain as well.
 
So are you actually looking at Computer Science or IT? because if its actually IT you are looking at then 99% of the replies here are useless to you and you wont see much if any math doing IT.
 
Biz.Kid09 said:
Computer Science at Kent, Lancaster, Newcastle, Greenwich and Stirling
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The University league table gives you some indication of how good a University is. Newcastle, Lancaster, Kent are all decent (according to the tables). I'd avoid Greenwich.

I'd certainly base your decision on location, syllabus, and career prospects (some Universities have better connections with employers than others).

In terms of maths modules, Newcastle have posted their modules online and the CSC1025 Mathematics module which is compulsory might stretch you if you haven't done A-Level Maths:

Syllabus
http://www.ncl.ac.uk/computing/current/module/CSC1025

Required modules for Computer Science
http://www.ncl.ac.uk/computing/current/degreeprogrammehandbooks/undergraduate/g400/
 
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