Info about courses in UL

Marteh

So I'm considering UL for either Computer Systems or Games Development. But I'm from Donegal do my other option is Sligo IT for Software Development (level 7) however I'm not sure this is the best idea in terms of employment, since places ask for level 8 degrees. Any feedback is helpful since change of mine ends soon!

Ave Sodalis

Marteh wrote: »

So I'm considering UL for either Computer Systems or Games Development. But I'm from Donegal do my other option is Sligo IT for Software Development (level 7) however I'm not sure this is the best idea in terms of employment, since places ask for level 8 degrees. Any feedback is helpful since change of mine ends soon!

In terms of the course, I'm not sure as I don't do it. I know a few people in Games and they have a lot of projects. Never really hear many complaints about, except for the workload.
As from being from Donegal, I'm from Donegal too and it's fine. There are plenty of us about and a bus runs from Supervalu in Donegal Town straight into UL and back at the weekends. There will also be plenty of people driving. If I ever get enough money to put a car on the road, I'll be one of those people and would be happy to give you a lift if needs be, but there's plenty others.

wnolan1992

Marteh wrote: »

So I'm considering UL for either Computer Systems or Games Development. But I'm from Donegal do my other option is Sligo IT for Software Development (level 7) however I'm not sure this is the best idea in terms of employment, since places ask for level 8 degrees. Any feedback is helpful since change of mine ends soon!

I'm doing Games at the moment. I answered a few questions on it here recently if you're interested.

I can't speak for the IT Sligo course, but I can say that I can't recommend both the Computer Systems and Games course in UL (they're very similar courses, a lot of shared modules and stuff) highly enough. Facilities are fantastic here, lecturers are enthusiastic and helpful, plenty of resources and supports available if you're struggling, etc.

I'm not sure if IT Sligo has it, but UL has Co-op. A 6-9 month work placement in 3rd year. This is a MASSIVE advantage. Do well on your Co-op and you could potentially have a job lined up to walk straight into after your fourth year exams.

Is it just the distance that's intimidating you or are you unsure if this is the sector you want to work in? If you're sure you want to work in development, I'd say go for Level 8. There's actually a fair amount of people from Donegal knocking around the place (yis are like a plague really :P).

Unless money is an issue (and even then there are grants available to help out), don't let the distance from Donegal to Limerick be the deciding factor. Choose the course you want to do first. Then work out the practicalities and figure out how to make it work if it's what you really want.

Marteh

Well it's not all the distance, but it is a slight factor, but it would be handy to go to UL since I already have the deposit down on student accom. One of the other things is I'm unsure about the job security in games development and the like, and I guess I'm somewhat unsure as to which one to do for sure.

wnolan1992 wrote: »

they're very similar courses, a lot of shared modules and stuff.

So if I started in one, and wanted to change either after the first year or during, how likely would it be that I would be able to do it?

Edit: one of my main concerns is a lvl7 vs a lvl8 in terms of employment, and the opinion some have that IT's are better for more practical things such as programming.

wnolan1992

Marteh wrote: »

Well it's not all the distance, but it is a slight factor, but it would be handy to go to UL since I already have the deposit down on student accom. One of the other things is I'm unsure about the job security in games development and the like, and I guess I'm somewhat unsure as to which one to do for sure.



So if I started in one, and wanted to change either after the first year or during, how likely would it be that I would be able to do it?

Edit: one of my main concerns is a lvl7 vs a lvl8 in terms of employment, and the opinion some have that IT's are better for more practical things such as programming.

As far as I'm aware, it's very doable to transfer between the courses. You might be required to do an extra semester if you switch, but I'm not 100% on that. Like there's a lot of shared content and I know they'll try and accommodate you where possible.

As for job prospects in games specifically, the Irish market isn't superb. There's a small number of jobs, and a lot of people looking, so you'll have to work your ass off.

But, the beauty of the games course IMO is that it's not overly specialised. We do some game specific stuff, but the majority of what we do can be applied to general Software Development. For example, I'm currently on Co-op doing Java development for a local Limerick company. There are people working for security firms, telecoms, etc. And down the road, you'd probably have an advantage over someone with a general software degree should a games job come up.

Really, both courses are great choices IMO.

I can't really speak for the IT's being better at practical, but I can say that there is a fair bit of emphasis put on practical work here. You'll have projects in almost every module, and invariably these tend to be programming projects of some description, with the odd design project thrown in there.

As for the level 7 versus level 8 stuff, I can't really say as I'm not an employer, but personally I reckon if it's a field you're interested in, go for the 8. Who knows, you might want to go on and do a postgrad after you're done, for which having the 8 done would be better.



Hope I@m not making you more confused with all my whacky opinions. :P

Marteh

Nah you're a huge help, sometimes it can be hard to get information on the courses you want to know more about! Thanks for taking the time out to explain stuff to me!

iLaura

wnolan1992 wrote: »

As far as I'm aware, it's very doable to transfer between the courses. You might be required to do an extra semester if you switch, but I'm not 100% on that. Like there's a lot of shared content and I know they'll try and accommodate you where possible.

I know one of my friends is switching from Games to Systems and is repeating 2nd year 'cause she obviously can't switch now and start doing co-op straight off the bat. She is gonna repeat the whole year to catch up on the two different modules for this year, though she did have a choice to just repeat those two modules that were different

wnolan1992

A girl? Doing Games?

Haha, you had me going there for a second.



:P










FTR, I'm not being sexist, it's just a running joke about how few girls do this course.

LAC

Marteh wrote: »

So I'm considering UL for either Computer Systems or Games Development. But I'm from Donegal do my other option is Sligo IT for Software Development (level 7) however I'm not sure this is the best idea in terms of employment, since places ask for level 8 degrees. Any feedback is helpful since change of mine ends soon!

Game Development when I did it was a fairly decent asides from workload although prepare to have no social life if you want to survive in it . As to employment I did game development and I found work in a software development job so you shouldnt worry too much about that

Marteh

LAC wrote: »

Game Development when I did it was a fairly decent asides from workload although prepare to have no social life if you want to survive in it . As to employment I did game development and I found work in a software development job so you shouldnt worry too much about that

Was the workload all practical stuff or more revising theory for exams? Would you have been working most evenings and weekends? And does that apply for every year or just later years? Thanks!

LAC

Marteh wrote: »

Was the workload all practical stuff or more revising theory for exams? Would you have been working most evenings and weekends? And does that apply for every year or just later years? Thanks!

There was a lot of practical in it but there was theory as well(Anyone that had JJ will know this) you had to learn but it basically boiled down you either know or you don't kind of stuff not a lot of room for waffle in it. There is bit of a work load but it isn't as bad as I make it out to be and as it can be pretty interesting considering such as graphics,AI and algorithms to name a few.

Personal I found second year the toughest of them all but after that you should be fairly solid. I really enjoy 3rd and 4th year I enjoyed coming to work as you have very little exams and a lot more labs and practical work although that could have changed as it constantly changing.

Hope that helps

onethreefive

Could anyone tell me about HPSS? Has the course content changed recently or the same as previous years?

TogCuig

Anybody have anything on the MSc in Applied Physics?

pronoP2

Hello there,

Was employed for 2 years, thought let's do some more study. Was looking down through the courses and this one was a bit intriguing at UL.

MEngg Information and Network Security.
How are the lectures and the whole workload. What kind a job opportunity I can expect from it.

regards.

LCK97

Any information on Science Ed in UL please would be greatly appreciated! First choice on CAO, I'm a leaving cert student having done biology, ag science and OL maths

iLaura

LCK97 wrote: »

Any information on Science Ed in UL please would be greatly appreciated! First choice on CAO, I'm a leaving cert student having done biology, ag science and OL maths

Hi! I'm currently going into fourth year of science ed, and was the education department rep so I am aware of all the changes that have been made to the course for this coming year. I assume you've chosen Biological Science Ed (LM092)? Feel free to ask me any questions!

DaleCooper

Does anyone have any opinions on the ME in mechanical engineering course if theyve done it? Whats the timetable and workload like, would you get away with working part time in semester 1 and 2 without effecting grades. Also what were the class sizes, lecturers and online course notes like? Thanks

cynic

Has anyone done the Festive Arts MA or know anyone who has? I'd love to know if it's good quality or not, what it's like, if people are glad they did it etc.

Anyone have any experience in the HR courses. I'm aiming to to the degree in human resource management.

Aragneer

Anybody done or doing the MA in Comparative Literature and Cultural Studies?

yy2015

Anyone doing Mathematical Sciences what it like what the first year workload like

Maximuss_Power

I've searched this thread but have seen no info from someone who has completed or is currently completing this course. Any personal experience about the course, modules, lecturers or any advice would be greatly appreciated as I'm looking forward to starting this course in September

Ave Sodalis

Maximuss_Power wrote:

I've searched this thread but have seen no info from someone who has completed or is currently completing this course. Any personal experience about the course, modules, lecturers or any advice would be greatly appreciated as I'm looking forward to starting this course in September

Which course?

Maximuss_Power

Industrial Biochemistry (LM064)

Ompala

Maximuss_Power wrote: »

Industrial Biochemistry (LM064)

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=94382361

FameHungry

Anyone here done International Insurance & European Studies? (LM043) It was asked before but no one replied to the user.

cobrien14

European studied (LM040)? The more advice the better!

WigglesXxX

So I have posted this already just in the UL thread and no replies, hoping to maybe get some help here.

I am in my third and possibly final year in NUIG studying psychological studies and soc&pol, I was wondering when applying for the psychology conversion course in UL and other universities do I apply through the CAO or the university itself or do I apply through both the university and the CAO?

Also as the psychology conversion course in UL is an M.A Psychology (conversion course) would I be able to get a SUSI grant even if I have the grant for the three years I have been in university. Much advice needed. Thank you

marno21

Anyone here doing Electronic & Computer Engineering (LM118)?

ricimaki

marno21 wrote: »

Anyone here doing Electronic & Computer Engineering (LM118)?

I'm in fourth year now, taking the electronics stream. Any particular questions about it?