masters degrees in computing - opinions...

silverside

Hi
What do ye think about further study in computing?

I have a science degree and 6 years experience in C++ programming, but am thinking about going back to college part-time to do a MSc, partly for personal satisfaction and challenge, partly as a career move. I have kind of bluffed my way into programming and picked it up as I went along, I am a fairly good programmer but nothing spectacular, but I'd now like to really learn the kind of stuff that Computer Science graduates did, such as compiler theory, different software engineering methods, etc.

Preferably without costing the earth or taking too long!

So have people any experience of the following courses
DCU MSc in Computer Applications (seems good but pricey)
Griffith College Msc Computing
Maynooth Msc Software Engineering

Or have ye any other suggestions? Do employers care as long as you have experience? Are the courses any practical use?

Apologies if this is the wrong board, I thought about putting it in college work but thought it would get more reads here.

Evil Phil

You could have a look at the British Computer Society´s web site and see if they have anything you like.

Employers seem to take experience over qualifications everytime but it would still be a worthwhile endevour. Ask you employer will it benefit them if you do return to study a masters, and they might pay for it.

hussey

Originally posted by silverside
Hi
What do ye think about further study in computing?

I have a science degree and 6 years experience in C++ programming, but am thinking about going back to college part-time to do a MSc, partly for personal satisfaction and challenge, partly as a career move. I have kind of bluffed my way into programming and picked it up as I went along, I am a fairly good programmer but nothing spectacular, but I'd now like to really learn the kind of stuff that Computer Science graduates did, such as compiler theory, different software engineering methods, etc.

Preferably without costing the earth or taking too long!

So have people any experience of the following courses
DCU MSc in Computer Applications (seems good but pricey)
Griffith College Msc Computing
Maynooth Msc Software Engineering

Or have ye any other suggestions? Do employers care as long as you have experience? Are the courses any practical use?

Apologies if this is the wrong board, I thought about putting it in college work but thought it would get more reads here.

you would be much better doing a research masters, This would give ya a better qualification,
the DCU masters, is quite good, it is a mix of business/e-commerece type thing,

Tom Dunne

I'm doing the Griffith Masters in Computing. It's broken into five modules, you have to do three and a project (usually a software development project). See website here

So far, it hasn't been exactly earth shattering. The telecommunications can be vague and fluffy, but I found the computer graphics to be extremely interesting.

I hear the theory of concurrency to be a pain, but it seems to depend on your experience - if you are a reasonably competent Java programmer, you would be fine, if you have never programmed in Java, you are in trouble. The lecturer is supposed to be brilliant - really on the ball, knows his stuff and has written a book.

I'm starting databases next month (we have just done our semester exams), it looks more interesting. Overall, I wouldn't say it is the hardest of courses, but it does seem to depend on which subjects you choose.

I chose this course because of the length - one full calendar year (i.e. Sept. to Sept.) and find Griffith extremely good to deal with (well they can't be much worse than DCU). The cost is E4000 (doing a MSc. in computing and he can't even get the Euro symbol!).

I personally reckon in this day and age the more qualifications you have, the better. PM me if you want more info.

michaelanthony

The TCD MS in Distributed Systems is good and it doesn't cost the earth either.