Computer science/Math science ?

mrac

Hi, i'm thinking of doing either maths or computer science in ucc next year. I think I would be slightly more interested in computer science although I know one or two who did cs and said that it wasnt a great course and that it isnt considered to be a "good" degree.
If anyone knows anything about either of these degrees could they tell me a bit more about the degrees and what they think of them, would be much appreciated.
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JC 2K3

It's only their opinion, and considering the points are low a lot of people who barely scrape the required points get in and subsequently drop out because I imagine it's a hard enough course, especially if you're not very into computers.

I'm gonna do CS in Trinity and it seems like a very interesting course. The degree at the end isn't the most valuable undergraduate degree you can get, but IT has loads of job vacancies right now, and you can always do a postgrad degree later anyway.

I say go for it!

JackKelly

I know one or two who did cs and said that it wasnt a great course and that it isnt considered to be a "good" degree.

I'm a second year CS student in tcd, and when I filled out my CAO, CS didn't feature. Instead I put down things I thought I was interested in. It was only after Christmas in my first year that I realised what i was doing (physics and maths) wasn't what I was interested in. So I switched to CS and it was the best choice I've ever made.
Initially I (childishly) thought the same as your friends, that it can't be that good a course if the points are so low etc. Honestly, don't think that for a second. I cant only speak for myself here in trinity (and i've heard CS courses (especially) differ between college) , but Computer Science is not an easy degree by any stretch of the imagination, and - as far as i know - has the highest drop out rate in most college. Be prepared to put in a good bit of work if you want to do well. I find myself having a lot more assignments and work to do than a lot of people I know in "higher points" courses. Points only reflect demand, not difficulty.

JC 2K3 wrote:

I'm gonna do CS in Trinity and it seems like a very interesting course. The degree at the end isn't the most valuable undergraduate degree you can get

Depending how you interprete valuable, a CS degree from Trinity is a BAmod degree, above a BA and a BSc and only given out in three colleges worldwide, so it's actually (on paper) the most valuble undergraduate degree you can get.

mrac

How much maths is involved? I have heard mixed things about how much of it is in cs.

JackKelly

Directly, not a lot. You have one maths class and that's it, and in first year, it's a fairly easy course. Indirectly, Computers are based on maths so most of it is in someway mathematically relevant.
If you like maths, there is a lot of maths there to look at, if not, you can get by fine with out it. There is the option to specilise in Maths in third and fourth year here if you want.
When I started college, I was doing a maths degree for the first 3 months before I switched. Now in cs, we still covering a lot of topics that had been done in the maths degree within those 3 months. So take from that what you like.

eamoss

Im in 1st year in Maynooth doing Computer Science & Software Engineering. Like TimAy said the course is focused on Maths and if your like me and did pass Maths for the LC you will find it hard but you will get by(tho I did get last min help of one of my mates who is doing a maths degree). But after 2ed year you dont do Maths.

My course has the highest drop out rate and I have heard that is the hardest undergrad course you can do in Ireland because of doing two degrees in one (CS degree & SE degree). Will ask one of the lads in my class if TCD CS is harder because he was in TCD last year doing CS. I find the course very boring tbh and I am thinking of leaving but that is only because I dont like Maynooth its self but that is because I have been unlucky with a lot of stuff.

Now after I finished my course(if I ever) there will no shortage of jobs for me. Mainly because in 3rd year I go off and do a placement for a year.

Naikon

I am also interested in Computing, but my own opinion leads me me to believe that computer science courses are not all the same.
For instance, the CS course in Trinity is closer to an electronic engineering course than the course in Maynooth for example, hence the HC3 maths entry requirement.

The course would be excellent if you want to build compilers or design Hardware.
If you look at the Maynooth course, I certainly noticed there is a very big emphises on Algorithmic and compiler design ect.
This course is Excellent if your prospects lie with designing serious stuff like compilers and certain specialised Application software.

These courses are great if you want to become the next John Carmack or Von Neumann, but if your interests are a little more along the lines Information Technology like for example designing websites, setting up, maintaining server/network nodes, Security issues, documenting and building custom kernels,scripting, building and analyzing scalable systems for a company, designing in house software for a companies payroll system for example, you have to pick a course based on the outcomes of that course.

I know this a little long but you have to have an idea of what area you want
to do.
Do a bit of research with regards to each area.
Take a look at this to see differences/similarities in each area, its not exhaustive however.

http://cs.nku.edu/whichdegree.html

Nehpets

I am hoping to do CS is Trinity too.(I filled in my CAO the other day) I was thinking UCD but it seems UCD has no hardware involved.. and Trinity is closer So CS in UCD is 2nd.

I like maths - but I am in no way brilliantly amazing at it. Obviously hoping to get better than a C in it (requirement for TCD). If not I'll be off to UCD. I've never heard that it's a worthless degree tbh. Just search jobs on Monster.ie or Loadzajobs.ie and there seems to be plenty of jobs with good money Hopefully it will stay like that.

I also really like applied maths but funnily enough I don't like physics at all. Mainly because I'm not doing great in it!

"Points only reflect demand, not difficulty."

qft