Higher Diploma in Applied Computing Technology

engrob

Hi Everyone

I know there are some posts on here already about this course at UCC, but I just had a small question to anybody doing/finished the course.

Is it suitable for someone with little to know advance computer knowledge to get on board? I have done no programming, have no SQL experience etc etc. I wanted to build my skill set after a degree in Genetics, in which computer science was limited to very basic bioinformatics (online applications!). Everyone else seems to be pretty keyed in already from the talk in their posts

Got offered a place so just wanna make sure I'm not gonna be a fish out of water. I'm a fast enough learner usually

Cheers

Rob

telekon

Go for it, they start from scratch. You don't need to know jack sh*t about anything.

starlit

engrob wrote: »

Hi Everyone

I know there are some posts on here already about this course at UCC, but I just had a small question to anybody doing/finished the course.

Is it suitable for someone with little to know advance computer knowledge to get on board? I have done no programming, have no SQL experience etc etc. I wanted to build my skill set after a degree in Genetics, in which computer science was limited to very basic bioinformatics (online applications!). Everyone else seems to be pretty keyed in already from the talk in their posts

Got offered a place so just wanna make sure I'm not gonna be a fish out of water. I'm a fast enough learner usually

Cheers

Rob

You be an ideal candidate for the course. I did it when it started. They start from scratch and they will take it from there. Though as the course progresses it get a little bit more intense but its fine. You'll have no problems with it and lecturers are approachable and willing to help as best you can. Once you get to grips with the material and study notes you be fine, very important you understand what you are learning. Make every attempt with the assignments no matter how simple or hard they are!

Keep practising the coding and so on and keep on top of assignments you be grand. Its quiet a straight forward course for the most part bar a few tricky one or two modules depending how easily and quickly you pick things up.

Keep on top of it and you be grand. Its a course you could do really well in even if you haven't experienced advanced computing before.

The background you be coming from isn't too bad. It be a course that could blend with most degrees in particular multimedia/science/business/business information system type degrees. Your background be quiet different but it be worth having some kind of advance IT skills behind you make you more employable in your field or outside it even depends what path you want to go.

You did a bioinformatics module, well the fact you touched on it in college, the Hdip will be a good help to you in that case!

You won't be as most people be in the same boat as you coming from different degree backgrounds or similar to your own even!

Have you looked at the other hdip its in modelling and statistics not sure if that's the title of the course but I think pure maths I think that wouldn't be of any interest to you? There is a Masters in it as far as I can remember.

Great you got offered a place best of luck with the course!

Manach

In general UCC do a good job is transitioning from the primary degree to that more focused on IT. I'd experience of this, and found that the diploma gave me a good starting point on a job search in that industry.

I8A4RE

Does anyone know if its possible to gain entry to the M BIS with decent results in this course. Cheers

g5fd6ow0hseima

I8A4RE wrote: »

Does anyone know if its possible to gain entry to the M BIS with decent results in this course. Cheers

Over the past while, i've been thinking about this course - giving good thought to doing it in 2013 - but I'd like to ask any graduates of this course how valuable have you found it to be when looking for employment? I have a BA in International Relations (utterly irrelevant) but feel that this course would make me slightly more employable. Looking at jobs in the IT industry, obviously this h.dip wont open the doors that a BA would, but I'm asking how far one can actually get with this course. Personally I couldnt see myself progressing to a masters afterwards, so what worth would it have in its own right?

starlit

Kaelyn Incalculable Compass wrote: »

Over the past while, i've been thinking about this course - giving good thought to doing it in 2013 - but I'd like to ask any graduates of this course how valuable have you found it to be when looking for employment? I have a BA in International Relations (utterly irrelevant) but feel that this course would make me slightly more employable. Looking at jobs in the IT industry, obviously this h.dip wont open the doors that a BA would, but I'm asking how far one can actually get with this course. Personally I couldnt see myself progressing to a masters afterwards, so what worth would it have in its own right?

Is your BA more humanities related than business related? I think you could get into the BIS course. Though I think you may need to have had an element of Business or IT in your degree but I think you could get into to the BIS course with any Degree.

I think the best way to find out if your eligible is to contact the course co-ordinator before applying for a course. They could give you more information on the course and answer any questions you may have on the course.

Have you looked at the BIS/Business courses? I think the one for information systems for business performance or the innovation for european business might be a better option for you. All in the BIS department.

Depends what career path you want to follow. I am so undecided what to go for myself as I have considered the BIS masters too despite having a similar degree background to BIS and having completed the hdip in Applied Computing Technology also. I feel like I am running out of options job wise.

I think for you well the IT h dip will open a certain amount of doors, you learn a good number of things but mainly in the area of programming, design and development areas of IT. I don't know how much it will help you with your BA but jobs point of view maybe technical support might be something you could get into job wise. There are many opportunities out there its handy to have a IT course behind you whether or not you want to use it or not in the future.

If you can't see yourself doing a Masters in computing after the Hdip I suggest to look at other Masters. You could still do the Hdip and do another Masters in a different discipline like the multimedia one or a BIS one but not sure if you be able to get into the e-commerce one as you will be learning Java in the Hdip.

The hdip would be worth having though, you never know how the job market will change. Anyone with having learnt advance computing will have an advantage over some candidates that just have your BA say. Though making you more employable over them but at the same time its not a fast track into a programming job either. To be honest as I have said in other threads you be able to balance out the two like work in an IT company and do something relevant to International Relations say. It put you in a good position that way. Though how it balance with International Relations I don't know.

Weigh it all up though, look at the course details more clearly, research thoroughly what the subjects may involve. You might like and be good at a certain module you could pursue that then as another course or Masters if you wanted.

starlit

I8A4RE wrote: »

Does anyone know if its possible to gain entry to the M BIS with decent results in this course. Cheers

Ya, I know of someone who did get into the BIS Masters after completing this course so you be able to get in with having a certain amount of software development related modules completed.

Java results won't be a big deal though but would be for the Masters in Computer Science and the Software/mobile Masters.

Once you get a second class honours in the hdip or above you get into the BIS Masters no problem.

Even if you only got a 2:2 from your degree you get in, though they will probably prefer if you get a 2:1 rather than a 2:2 in the hdip that is the impression I get.

Its more of a business course than a technical course but my understanding is you may need to have previously learnt computing/software development related modules and a certain grasp of programming not major but have had it as part of your educational background or degree or hdip.

Ya sure I am sure you need good results from the hdip to get into the BIS Masters but as I have said once you get a 2nd class honour or above and pass all your modules then you be grand.

Ardennes1944

sorry to bother you again doovdela but would a BA in single honours economics and this hdip be fairly employable?

starlit

Ardennes1944 wrote: »

sorry to bother you again doovdela but would a BA in single honours economics and this hdip be fairly employable?

No problem, happy to help and any other queries you have just give me a buzz.

I'd imagine any business related course be handy to add to an IT qualification.
You could end up in a IT company and do something related to Risk Management or Auditing, Business Analyst maybe while having a understanding of IT and how an IT business is run. You need to really look into it more thoroughly from an economics points of view but handy to have a bit of programming and design behind you it might be useful for some jobs but you need to really research it more as economics be different to general business, accounting, marketing, strategic planning, project management/management and IS.

It may or may not make you more employable, doing any course doesn't guarantee you a job but it be a help to bridge a skills gap perhaps. Work experience is more important but saying that you won't know until you try out the hdip, it may not be for everyone, suits some people more than others but its meant for anyone who had little or no IT background. If you do have an IT/IS background you fly through most parts of the course.

Ardennes1944

absolute legend kiddo. just applied anyway
1. CKR40 MSc Computing Science
2. CKO08 Higher Diploma in Applied Computing Technology
3. CKR05 MSc in Interactive Media
4. CKQ01 MSc Qualifying - Computer Science
5. CKA17 Higher Diploma in Arts - History (FULL-TIME)

g5fd6ow0hseima

doovdela wrote: »

Is your BA more humanities related than business related? I think you could get into the BIS course. Though I think you may need to have had an element of Business or IT in your degree but I think you could get into to the BIS course with any Degree.

I think the best way to find out if your eligible is to contact the course co-ordinator before applying for a course. They could give you more information on the course and answer any questions you may have on the course.

Have you looked at the BIS/Business courses? I think the one for information systems for business performance or the innovation for european business might be a better option for you. All in the BIS department.

Depends what career path you want to follow. I am so undecided what to go for myself as I have considered the BIS masters too despite having a similar degree background to BIS and having completed the hdip in Applied Computing Technology also. I feel like I am running out of options job wise.

I think for you well the IT h dip will open a certain amount of doors, you learn a good number of things but mainly in the area of programming, design and development areas of IT. I don't know how much it will help you with your BA but jobs point of view maybe technical support might be something you could get into job wise. There are many opportunities out there its handy to have a IT course behind you whether or not you want to use it or not in the future.

If you can't see yourself doing a Masters in computing after the Hdip I suggest to look at other Masters. You could still do the Hdip and do another Masters in a different discipline like the multimedia one or a BIS one but not sure if you be able to get into the e-commerce one as you will be learning Java in the Hdip.

The hdip would be worth having though, you never know how the job market will change. Anyone with having learnt advance computing will have an advantage over some candidates that just have your BA say. Though making you more employable over them but at the same time its not a fast track into a programming job either. To be honest as I have said in other threads you be able to balance out the two like work in an IT company and do something relevant to International Relations say. It put you in a good position that way. Though how it balance with International Relations I don't know.

Weigh it all up though, look at the course details more clearly, research thoroughly what the subjects may involve. You might like and be good at a certain module you could pursue that then as another course or Masters if you wanted.

Sorry, apologies after you writing all this, but I accidentally quoted someone else in relation to the BIS.

To clarify, my BA is solidly humanities, but as some of my fellow graduates have went on to to masters in business and diplomas in other things, and have gained employment in those areas as a result, my whole approach to this h.dip in computing is based upon working in the IT industry as a career.

So it seems from the second half of your comment that it's more something which opens up doors for postgraduate study in this area, which is understandable. In my case, I would hope there's a company out there who sees some use in my degree - I know one person who got into Google in Dublin with just the BA in I-relations. So my thinking is that if I have a mildly interesting BA together with this diploma in computing, it could open up doors to working with the larger IT companies who employ from a broader spectrum of more than just straight up programmers / developers.

starlit

Kaelyn Incalculable Compass wrote: »

So it seems from the second half of your comment that it's more something which opens up doors for postgraduate study in this area, which is understandable. In my case, I would hope there's a company out there who sees some use in my degree - I know one person who got into Google in Dublin with just the BA in I-relations. So my thinking is that if I have a mildly interesting BA together with this diploma in computing, it could open up doors to working with the larger IT companies who employ from a broader spectrum of more than just straight up programmers / developers.

This would be my view point on this. A classmate of mine has an accounting and business background, did the same hdip as me and went on to work in a IT company but in accounts. So from that point of view have a knowledgeable background in IT can help get your degree more noticeable in certain companies. From the point of view of IT skills you learn from the Hdip can open other doors for you too other than a job you could get into with your degree but you could get into something totally different be it IT or something else. You might develop a talent for a certain module or area IT from the hidp and might pursue that along with your degree or not. Its possible.

The job market will constantly change. You could still end up in a business/humanities job or end up in the area of IT that blends with your degree example Social media might be an example but not sure what your degree involves but saying that social media or digital marketing/cloud computing could be something you could get into or something different again more geared towards IT like multimedia or IS. You could still end up doing something in programming depending how well you get on in the course and how much you like and good at certain areas of the course.

engrob

Thanks for the words of encouragement above, feel a lot more confident now that its worth giving a go with no previous IT background!

I've considered quite a few similar courses at this/Masters level at different unis, but this one seems most like what I'm after. I don't want a heavily maths and theory based course, I want to learn the practical applications side of things, and then will maybe move onto a Masters in some specialisation or other.

I applied via PAC and got accepted less than 24 hours later, which made me feel a bit suspicious.... I hope there are enough people applying for the course to run and its a high-calibre course! The other option I liked was MSc Computer Science (Conversion) at UCD

Anyway, will check it out on a visit to Cork soon and hopefully be moving there asap

starlit

engrob wrote: »

Thanks for the words of encouragement above, feel a lot more confident now that its worth giving a go with no previous IT background!

I've considered quite a few similar courses at this/Masters level at different unis, but this one seems most like what I'm after. I don't want a heavily maths and theory based course, I want to learn the practical applications side of things, and then will maybe move onto a Masters in some specialisation or other.

I applied via PAC and got accepted less than 24 hours later, which made me feel a bit suspicious.... I hope there are enough people applying for the course to run and its a high-calibre course! The other option I liked was MSc Computer Science (Conversion) at UCD

Anyway, will check it out on a visit to Cork soon and hopefully be moving there asap

No problem, glad to help.

Its a very practical course. The first few weeks its theory then three weeks into the course there be more labs and the rest of the course be a mixture of theory, practical and labs. There is no actual maths in the course. A bit of calculations alright here and there in some modules but it be mostly logical maths likes theorems and binary. You will learn new applications as well based on the programming languages you be learning.

The course will start from scratch anyway so you be able to get on par with what they are teaching on the course but you will be expected to learn as the course goes on to keep on top of things. This course isn't all that heavy a course, its doable, not that hard but some subjects might be depends how you grasp them some might be hard to get your head around but the others shouldn't be too bad. The course has the core computer science subjects.

If the h dip is what you are after then go for it. I think the MSc in Computing UCD is very much a conversion course off the bat to be honest. Its modules are very mixed. You pick and choose them but there is a stream you go by based on the general subjects you choose but you can pick and choose them I think.

Ya after the course, pick your Masters and specialise in something that is specific is what I would recommend rather than something a bit too broad and not specialise on anything specific. Gaining in depth knowledge and skills in something is better I think if you want to pursue a Masters. You have the option to work and maybe lecture in the future if you wished.

That's great. Congrats and best of luck. They were nearly a month before they accepted me. I don't think that is the case, its June and approaching July so they will want to have numbers sorted out early as possible, maybe not many have applied yet there is still time for people to apply they might be waiting till they finish exams/college/get their results before they apply! Sometimes the deadline might be extended to apply. Try not to worry or think like that, I wouldn't be suspicious at all just meant they had time to look over your application.

They mightn't be enough people applying at the moment but before the summer is out a lot more people will apply I think its early days yet unless they applied during the year, sometimes I think applying early is good but not so good sometimes I think its better to go nearer to the time of the deadline though I know applying earlier you get a better chance to get a place and be accepted I think until nearer the deadline is better in my opinion then you know its ok then.

I say the course will run, I be stunned if it didn't as I'd say a lot of people be interested in the course as IT seems to be an increasingly popular area for those to specialise in after their degree whether it in IT or something else. My thinking is the course be more popular now than when it started as it was a new course when I started it. If someone wanted to do a masters in IT the hdip be a first step in the right direction to make a better decision about pursuing IT or to go into a Masters in that area or something else. You make a better decision what career to follow I think by doing the hdip. Give you an insight what IT is about.

Cork is a big city and a lot of people from Cork and surrounding cork areas/counties be interested in the course if its slightly different to other hdips in IT. I think for those starting out in it, its the perfect IT course really. Something more specific in software development hdip might be a bit too difficult for someone starting out in IT, that's my opinion unless you have a degree in IT would a specific Hdip in IT be something to consider. This hdip is quiet broad but the subjects blend well together.

Its a good standard of the course, the course is geared towards work related skills expected in IT but I think work away at the subjects get the benefit out of the course, what you put in you get out of it. If you find a subject hard get help or grinds. Think outside the box too though while completing the course not just go with books and notes but do outside research as well. Practice the coding to the best of your ability. Keep your head down and get on with the work in the course and you do great.

You get to learn something new and different and that's a good thing!

Great you'll love Cork, its a lovely city! Best of luck with it!

engrob

Thanks, it seems that the course should be what I'm after then, didn't want anything too general or too much theory.

Was only really concerned about the course not running as I will be quitting my job and moving! Don't want to arrive with my pants down. Have heard of courses at other places being cancelled due to low numbers.

Well it seems grand to move ahead with my plans then, find a place to live etc! Any idea on the textbooks needed for a bit of reading before hand?

Thanks for your help anyway

starlit

engrob wrote: »

Thanks, it seems that the course should be what I'm after then, didn't want anything too general or too much theory.

Was only really concerned about the course not running as I will be quitting my job and moving! Don't want to arrive with my pants down. Have heard of courses at other places being cancelled due to low numbers.

Well it seems grand to move ahead with my plans then, find a place to live etc! Any idea on the textbooks needed for a bit of reading before hand?

Thanks for your help anyway

No problem. I'll PM you the book details. I say the numbers applying for the course should be grand. It was a reasonable number at first when I applied but the numbers increased as the course went on. So it should be a popular course choice for people like you who are interested in the course.

Best of luck with it!

McGr

doovdela wrote: »

No problem. I'll PM you the book details. I say the numbers applying for the course should be grand. It was a reasonable number at first when I applied but the numbers increased as the course went on. So it should be a popular course choice for people like you who are interested in the course.

Best of luck with it!

Hi doovdela, any chance you'd PM me the book details also?

engrob

Hi

A bit of a tangent, but I have to get a new computer for starting the course and wanted any advice that people have. Basically I wondered wether its best to get a laptop or desktop? what is the best OS to have on it? what are the required specs?, and are there any specialist programmes that I need to buy/install?

I will be buying it when I arrive in Ireland as will cost too much to get shipped, and am looking for the cheap but quality option, rather than the top of the range. I'm on a limited budget as it is. Sorry for being a bit clueless when it comes to advanced computing.

Cheers!

Ardennes1944

got accepted on tuesday for this course and a masters in interactive media!

see ye there!

clansman

Ardennes1944 wrote: »

got accepted on tuesday for this course and a masters in interactive media!

see ye there!

What course will you pick?

Ardennes1944

this id say

starlit

Ardennes1944 wrote: »

got accepted on tuesday for this course and a masters in interactive media!

see ye there!

Congrats and well done! Have you decided which course to go for?

engrob wrote: »

Hi

A bit of a tangent, but I have to get a new computer for starting the course and wanted any advice that people have. Basically I wondered wether its best to get a laptop or desktop? what is the best OS to have on it? what are the required specs?, and are there any specialist programmes that I need to buy/install?

I will be buying it when I arrive in Ireland as will cost too much to get shipped, and am looking for the cheap but quality option, rather than the top of the range. I'm on a limited budget as it is. Sorry for being a bit clueless when it comes to advanced computing.

Cheers!

I say you be best to get a laptop. Though you will have access to the labs assigned to the class specific for your course. A laptop is handy though. Acer, HP, Asus be models to go for but I highly recommend Toshiba. You could get a good laptop for good value. Think the Samsung is the best on the market at the moment, you can get a nice sleek laptop.

Go with windows rather than a mac due to the coding applications. The application for Java doesn't work on Mac's I don't think.

I recommend getting the Windows Operating System as most of the applications you be learning be compatible with Windows OS and you will be using computers with Windows OS in the lab. So best to have both compatible for when doing assignments with these applications as its a nightmare going from one OS to the next. If you can at all stick with either XP or Windows 7, I wouldn't recommend Vista. You can use an application to practice your unix/linux code on Windows OS without having to change into the Unix/Linux OS - Kubuntu.

The only other OS be linux/unix but you only need that for one module. The computers in the labs have the option to go into the Unix/Linux OS so be enough for you to complete the module in the second semester.

You be installing some of the applications on your laptop/desktop as you go through the course. Most of them be on the computer labs anyway I think. Gimp, Inskcape, Audicity, Dr Java (Java), Putty (for the SQL/Databases). To practice PHP - Easy php, Notepad ++ for html, php and css. They might have changed what applications to use since I did the course but the coding be no different except for Java, the lecturer will use the most up to date edition of Java. Most of the applications are free to download you don't need to buy anything unless you want to buy Linux/Unix OS. Be sure to have Microsoft applications like powerpoint, excel and word though.

John Doe1

Ive been offered a place on this course and just got my 2:1 so all being well I should be starting in september. Reading through these comments are very encouraging also. Are there many arts graduates like myself who are on this course?

engrob

Thanks again for your advice doovdela! will give me a heads up when I start looking soon. I was thinking laptop anyway, so will start researching it a bit.

Good to see there are some others being offered a place and taking an interest, and from different first degrees. Should make for a good mixed set of people to meet and work with.

To those applying I have a question: how are you funding the whole thing? just self funding? Because with the €3000 fees and living costs on top I am sh*tting myself! Am I missing some way to get funding or a loan? because I've not come across it. God knows what I would do if they wanted the full €10,000 of fees or whatever it should be

Cheers

John Doe1

engrob wrote: »

Thanks again for your advice doovdela! will give me a heads up when I start looking soon. I was thinking laptop anyway, so will start researching it a bit.

Good to see there are some others being offered a place and taking an interest, and from different first degrees. Should make for a good mixed set of people to meet and work with.

To those applying I have a question: how are you funding the whole thing? just self funding? Because with the €3000 fees and living costs on top I am sh*tting myself! Am I missing some way to get funding or a loan? because I've not come across it. God knows what I would do if they wanted the full €10,000 of fees or whatever it should be

Cheers

Hey man here is a 2000 euro bursary for all postgraduates doing a one year full time course. Good luck(:

http://www.studentnews.ie/ucc-announces-postgrad-grant-scheme-to-allay-hardship-of-grant-cuts-5888

Ardennes1944

im coming from arts too john

engrob

John Doe1 wrote: »

Hey man here is a 2000 euro bursary for all postgraduates doing a one year full time course. Good luck(:

http://www.studentnews.ie/ucc-announces-postgrad-grant-scheme-to-allay-hardship-of-grant-cuts-5888

Thanks for that, will have a look and see what I can sort asap!

clansman

engrob wrote: »

Thanks again for your advice doovdela! will give me a heads up when I start looking soon. I was thinking laptop anyway, so will start researching it a bit.

I was doing a bit of research my self. It would be interesting to see if we are looking for the same spec.
Basically I was looking at
i5 CPU probably second gen
15" high res 1366 x 768
6-8gig RAM
SSD (I have a SSD in my desktop and my god is it good!!!)
Light weight
maybe a second HHD
maybe a discrete graphic card

Did you look at ultrabooks?
I was looking at this but I am not sure about the 13" screen and the price...

engrob wrote: »

To those applying I have a question: how are you funding the whole thing? just self funding? Because with the €3000 fees and living costs on top I am sh*tting myself! Am I missing some way to get funding or a loan? because I've not come across it. God knows what I would do if they wanted the full €10,000 of fees or whatever it should be

I have applied for the grant with SUSI but I am not gettting my hopes up.
I will be getting the BTEA but other than that it will be self funding.

engrob

clansman wrote: »

I was doing a bit of research my self. It would be interesting to see if we are looking for the same spec.
Basically I was looking at
i5 CPU probably second gen
15" high res 1366 x 768
6-8gig RAM
SSD (I have a SSD in my desktop and my god is it good!!!)
Light weight
maybe a second HHD
maybe a discrete graphic card

Did you look at ultrabooks?
I was looking at this but I am not sure about the 13" screen and the price...




I have applied for the grant with SUSI but I am not gettting my hopes up.
I will be getting the BTEA but other than that it will be self funding.

Those specs look good to me, roughly what I will be hoping to get, but I'm limited by price. The ultrabooks look really good but are beyond my budget!

I wanted to set the limit at €500. I think the main points for me are 15", i5 and 6gig RAM. How vital would you consider a SSD? because it pushes the price up and have heard mixed reviews re. their speed in laptops. And is there any real reason to pay more and get i7?
I have a 500GB ext.HDD already and high capacity internal HDDs seem pretty standard nowadays, so no problems there.

I've not bought a laptop in years so anyone's advice on specs is most welcome, I don't want to be buying something with specs that will be slow or pathetically out of date in 6 months!

Cheers

deRanged

just to clarify for anyone wondering if they *have* to get a laptop.
You don't - this class has a dedicated lab on the ground floor in the Western Gateway building. The machines in there are high spec and have all the software you need for the course. The lab is open when the building is, 08:00 till 22:00.
By all means buy one, but if you have other things to do with the money, don't worry.

disclaimer: I work in the CS dept in UCC, though not as a lecturer. my posts are my own etc.