DT211 VS DT288(Again)

Naikon

Look, I know this has been asked before on numerous occasions but I have put both courses in the top 2 slots of the CAO form, and I need to know which course is "better" in the long run for use of a better word.

I feel Computing would fit me better as more Networking and systems stuff seems to be less emphasised in 228, but I feel a good Programming "mindset" is needed which 228 appears to offer.
Basically will 221 provide a good programming foundation for somebody who doesent see Programming as a sole career, but rather a Skill that can be applied to other computing areas, for example like shell scripting?

I dont like the idea that with 228 its four years study with no break or no award, whereas 211 seems more modular with 3 exit points and continuation options.
Even though the courses are both level 8 Honours Degree,s is one course held to a higher regard than the other, even though they have different outcomes?
These courses seem very alike, and If anybody could clear the differences I would be a happy man.

Gahhh this is so Confusing:(

Naikon

Bump:o

Stench Blossoms

Dt228

Binomate

orla wrote:

Dt228

QFT

Naikon

Ok, but why?
sorry If I come across as a bit arrogant but I cant seem to differentiate between the two courses as they appear to be pretty damm similar.
should I just toss a 50 cent coin and select the first position based on the outcome?:D

Creamy Goodness

orla wrote:

Dt228

helpful ya big dyke :D.

naikon,

i can only give ya advice on dt228 as that's what i'm doing.

looking at the prospectus of dit dt211 looks fairly similar to dt228 especially in the core subjects like programming/algorithms and data structures/software engineering/web development.

as you said yourself dt211 is more geared towards networking as it pops up in first, second and third year where as in dt228 networking appears only briefly in first year a couple of slides if i can recall correctly in computer architecture) and i think it pops up in data communications in second year (not sure as i'm only doing this subject this semester but since there's only a month left in the semester i doubt it goes into great details i'd imagine it'd be more on network topography.

also dt211 has a class on how to build a pc, which is probably simple to the likes of yourself but i wish dt228 had that as then i could of breezed through it .

what you need is someone here that's done dt211 and could go into more detail about the networking side of the course as you seem fairly certain that's the area you want to be involved in.

on the topic of shell scripting, you're covered whatever course you go for because shell scripting is covered in the operating system subject (this was probably my favourite part of the O/S subject).

dt228 was held in a higher regard when i was applying to the CAO as it was a level 8 course and dt211 was only a level 7. now as you're aware they are both level 8 courses.

with regards to the structure of dt228 and dt211, it's true that with dt228 you have to complete the four years to get a reward and that dt211 is more modular allowing you to exit whenever you want. but surely there'd be no problems in taking a year out if you went with dt228 at any stage.

don't know if that reassured you or anything but if you've any more questions or queries just shoot.

Naikon

Cremo wrote:

helpful ya big dyke :D.
also dt211 has a class on how to build a pc, which is probably simple to the likes of yourself but i wish dt228 had that as then i could of breezed through it .

Sounds like a very handy class I must say:D
Although I am not oblivious to the fact that I can't expect "easy" subjects in subsequent years of the course.
On closer inspection, both courses are "nearly" identical in terms of core material, but with different specialisms like Networking/systems, large scale software development etc in later years.

Oh, another question is the final year project(little early to be asking I know)
Can projects be selected and approved on basis of viability, or is the project taken from a pre-defined list of topics?
I have most of the facts now, just need to choose as they are both pretty good courses from what I have read on each from the comp.dit site.
Just have to get through this leaving cert which is starting in less than two months:eek:

Thanks again:)

Creamy Goodness

you can make your own project sure, just as long as it's approved by the college.

or you can some lecturers publish lists of projects that you can choose if you so wish.

Stench Blossoms

DT228 has more girls. Thats all the advice i can give. Oh and a higher drop out / fail rate because its only for really really smart people.

Vokes

Naikon,

Having done neither of those courses (FT225 grad ) and only from looking at each prospectus, I look at the Computing course outline and I see pretty interesting things like:

Building a PC, Computer Physics, Set up your own Business, WAN technologies, Security, Network Programming, Spatial databases.

...some of which are covered by DT228 (but not till year 4 looks like) and some of which aren't done at all by DT228. Plus all the while there appears to be a good grounding in various progamming disciplines.

On the other hand DT228 has that full-time internship which will stand you in good stead.

Best advice would be to contact the respective progamme directors of the courses on email them your original post word for word and other questions.

Naikon

orla wrote:

DT228 has more girls. Thats all the advice i can give. Oh and a higher drop out / fail rate because its only for really really smart people.

I thought Computer Engineering would be for "really really smart people"?
That course is an Electrical Engineering course basically.

I also checked out FT225 and it looked alot more involved than both 221 and 228 as its more of a physics/applied science degree with computing thrown in on the side alongside programming etc(minus the software engineering route)
I wouldn't want to pursue a physics degree, but an overview in 211 is nice.

Now that 228 and 211 are level 8 degree courses, its proving harder to choose as they are very similar courses.
Operating systems for example is taught by the same lecturer in both.
The core material in both are the same modules in many cases.

The internship in both courses is a plus.
I also noticed 211 prepares you for the CCNA exam.

I think I will E-mail both course Directors and ask them some questions and decide by weighing up the pros and cons.

Again thanks for the help everyone.

Naikon

Cremo wrote:

there'd be no problems in taking a year out if you went with dt228 at any stage.

Thats a bit reassuring, as I thought it was four years straight or no award.
Not that I intend to take a year off during the course...but the option is always nice.

Creamy Goodness

check that out first though with the course directors, i'm not sure if it's doable but i don't see how there would be a problem with it.

Naikon

Sure, will do.
I think it would be possible, with personal circumstances forms etc.
A proper reason would be needed I reckon, but I cant see them rejecting such a proposal.
Thanks for the heads up though, I will ask this question in the E-mail I have yet to send.
I dont expect a quick response though:p

grimm2005

hey, just saw this topic now.

I'm in first year DT228. Hugh Mcatamney (OS lecturer) told us the other day that DT228 is much broader and covers a lot more areas wheras DT211 isn't as broad but concentrates a lot deeper in certain subjects (such as OS). He was sayin that the little OS we did this semester is pretty much all we'd be doin (which i was pretty dissapointed to hear) but in DT211 they do a lot more apparently. He basically said DT228 will give more options at the end tho cos of the broader knowledge of the whole IT area.

Hope that helped

twinQuins

Just saw this myself, too.

I'm in DT211 (the only one here it would seem), year 3, so I've missed out on some of the changes that took place. Networking was never really my thing (I'd taken the CCNA before entering the course and from that I knew), and this was never anything more than a stepping-stone into DT228 for me.
The networking side is presented very well though for the most part you're really getting what's on the CCNA syllabus.
From what I've heard about the mathematics in DT228, it's no comparison in DT211, so you can make your mind up on that count.

If you just want programming as an incidental skill alongside networking then this course would probably be what you want.
I'm sorry I can't really say anything more positive about the course, because frankly I didn't really like it. Plus everything that needed to be said has pretty much been; just thought you might want to hear from someone in DT211.