MSc Computer Science Conversion Info

RockaSocka

Hi,
I wanted some recommendation/advice from the faculty or current/past students of this program.

I'm an international student with a bachelor's degree in a highly quantitative subject. However, I got interested in CS and I've been studying it independently for about two and half years now. I have a strong background in mathematics and theory in general.

I want to get into the machine learning and AI field. Particularly ML/AI research, but industry would be fine too. I already have good knowledge of machine learning, both theory and actual implementation. I can program in 6 languages, with good programming proficiency in 3 (C, Java, Python), and basic proficiency in the other three (Ruby, Javascript, MATLAB). I am confident that my knowledge of algorithms is at par with at least an average CS undergrad (upto Network flows, Linear programming). Also had around 5 semesters worth of electronics in undergrad.

My main incentive for applying to this degree is to eventually get into a more advanced program (either a research master's or a PhD), which usually require one to have taken certain prerequisite courses in CS. Based on my background, would this conversion degree benefit me?

As an international student, I will have to pay an exorbitant fee for attending this course (20,000 euro's for one year). So, the three questions I have to faculty/students are:

1. What are the job prospects after getting this conversion degree? Please understand, I have to repay the debt from taking a loan as I cannot afford the degree otherwise.

2. Is the course content watered down? I have a mathematical inclination and would expect at least a semi-rigorous treatment of the subjects.

3. Would I have to continue (can I?) on to take a second master's degree with negotiated learning right afterwards in order to gain deeper knowledge / get a more rigorous treatment of the subjects?

Thank you for taking your time to read this. Any help would be much appreciated.

OneOfThem Stumbled

RockaSocka wrote: »

Hi,
I wanted some recommendation/advice from the faculty or current/past students of this program.

I'm an international student with a bachelor's degree in a highly quantitative subject. However, I got interested in CS and I've been studying it independently for about two and half years now. I have a strong background in mathematics and theory in general.

I want to get into the machine learning and AI field. Particularly ML/AI research, but industry would be fine too. I already have good knowledge of machine learning, both theory and actual implementation. I can program in 6 languages, with good programming proficiency in 3 (C, Java, Python), and basic proficiency in the other three (Ruby, Javascript, MATLAB). I am confident that my knowledge of algorithms is at par with at least an average CS undergrad (upto Network flows, Linear programming). Also had around 5 semesters worth of electronics in undergrad.

My main incentive for applying to this degree is to eventually get into a more advanced program (either a research master's or a PhD), which usually require one to have taken certain prerequisite courses in CS. Based on my background, would this conversion degree benefit me?

As an international student, I will have to pay an exorbitant fee for attending this course (20,000 euro's for one year). So, the three questions I have to faculty/students are:

1. What are the job prospects after getting this conversion degree? Please understand, I have to repay the debt from taking a loan as I cannot afford the degree otherwise.

2. Is the course content watered down? I have a mathematical inclination and would expect at least a semi-rigorous treatment of the subjects.

3. Would I have to continue (can I?) on to take a second master's degree with negotiated learning right afterwards in order to gain deeper knowledge / get a more rigorous treatment of the subjects?

Thank you for taking your time to read this. Any help would be much appreciated.

While there's already a thread on this...

The MSc is geared primarily towards industry , so while there may be some focus on ML and AI, it will likely be relatively ancillary.

Job prospects are very good, but you say that you want to get into research? The two are mutually exclusive (if you have to pay off a debt through working, that mightn't make research an option for you). The Conversion can also be used as an entry point for research. Most people in computer science don't bother with masters and leave with a BSc or jump straight to PhD (skipping masters). You can also take the NL masters afterwards, though the final semester of the Conversion masters is made up exclusively of NL masters modules anyway.

JavaScript isn't really taught in universities. Few academics have great backgrounds in web based technologies.

You have a mathematical inclination... does this mean you would rather pursue a mathematical masters? The MSc conversion programme aims to produce industry grade programmers and technicians who will readily find work in good IT jobs.

The Converison course appears pretty good, and isn't watered down. Some of the early material will likely be irrelevant to you (as you have a solid background already). However the pace seems pretty fast, and many appear to enter the masters with some sort of relevant background. I'd advise looking at the specific modules being offered to see if they are a good fit for what you want.

BigStupidGuy

Thanks! I had similar questions myself.

1: Very good
2: It's like a 4 year degree compressed into one, so I think it's really intense yeah, I've heard it's 9-6pm everyday 5 days a week but don't quote me on that.
3: No idea, was wondering that myself.

I was actually thinking it could be smarter to just do a more specialised degree in software development maybe, rather than the more general one at UCD, does anyone have any opinion on that?