While you're deciding what to do, perhaps you'd consider hopping in to something like 6.00x (I think it's still open for signups anyway, it started this past Monday) or CS50x (starts October 15th) at edX? Or similar offerings at Coursera/Udacity. They should complement what you're learning in your access course and they may also help with figuring out what to aim for with your degree.
To do with University Decisions...
- Thread starter PraxxtorCruel
- Start date
You likely did a lot better at GCSE maths too. How did you find learning and coping with the math elements of the degree?
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That's some pretty awesome stuff you posted there. I'm definitely going to look into it. Did you or are you doing the same thing? Are you aiming for university level study or have you already done so and in what?
Hah, it is interesting but isn't AI & Robotics even harder? Isn't it all about Math and from the sounds of it, I don't stand a chance if I don't do A-level Math lol
.Two cases come to mind:
(Read this on a student forum)
A student who successfully completed a BTEC course in Computing/Software Development managed Distinction in all her assignments and managed to enroll on an CS undergraduate degree course. She mentioned that she struggled to understand the math concepts and that not doing any Maths at level 3 she felt quite disadvantaged. Even quite a few A-level Math students also struggled but still had the edge over her. Needless to say she never mentioned if she dropped out or whatnot.
(Friend of mine)
Then again, I know a friend who done an Access to Computing course a year back and went to study Computer Science BSc at Bath and mentions that he did indeed struggle a bit in the beginning. He wholeheartedly agrees that the Access course has far too little Math and that it will work against you in the beginning. Although he did mention if oneself is willing to put that extra bit of work in everyday it isn't out of reach as he himself done so.
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I just went the traditional route from A levels to 3 year university degree.
I didn't struggle with the maths at all, in fact I hardly noticed it, perhaps due to it being intergrated into the subject matter so well? I had to do two maths modules in my first year which were titled something like "maths for computing" which everyone had to do and pass in order to continue.
I was generally decent at maths anyway but didn't enjoy it, I did physics at A level fairly comfortably without having maths A level alongside it (most of the other people doing physics at A level were also doing maths).
I wouldn't really recommend anything maths based or technical like comp sci to someone who is basically bad at maths though.
I remember back when I was applying for universities that some wanted A level maths and some didn't, perhaps that has changed now though?
My current career is nothing to do with computers now though if that is relevant?
Id guess that a physics A level is also fine to get used to the level of maths. I was terrible at A level maths and chemistry and struggled immensely with the calculations. If a person hasn't even tried A level maths or physics, I don't don't think its advisable to go straight into a comp Sci degree without any kind of preperation on the level of mathematical skills you need to have. Then some people may not be studying those A levels and could still he great at maths, but if you are good enough for it then there's no reason why you shouldn't be studying maths + physics as they can get you into almost everything.