Computer Science: So, what's it like?
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I'm currently in my first year of Mechanical Engineering but I'm not sure if I'll enjoy ME after graduation. The reason I didn't pick CS, or something similar, is because I thought it would be repetitive, I'd always be working till early in the morning on a project with an impossible deadline and always on the computer. Now I'm starting to think I should have chosen the computing route. I find the 'materials and manufacturing technology' module in ME really boring but the others aren't all that bad-I somewhat enjoy science, maths and design but I only find half of the physics in them interesting. The other students also seem a lot more motivated for this career path than I do so I'm starting to doubt if I really want to do this. I like programming and enjoyed computing in college, but I really don't want to choose a career path that I'd find boring, repetitive and am unmotivated for. So, I just wanted to know-what's computer science, or a similar career, like and, typically, the course in a UK university?
Thanks, Hassan.
BrownishMonstr wrote:
I'm currently in my first year of Mechanical Engineering but I'm not sure if I'll enjoy ME after graduation
I know how that feels, I was the same with Chemistry (see my profile here). I still remember the moment 17 years ago when I "snapped", during an Organic Chemistry lecture. The lecturer (with the most boring Brummie Accent I have ever heard) Explained in detail and at length how the reaction changed if the bromine group was moved one cabon atom to the left: It didn't. That is the about the only thing that I remember for two years on Chemistry. Needless to say I didn't do too well and switched to Physics, which I enjoyed much more but it took me years for my career to recover from the decision to read Chemistry.
BrownishMonstr wrote:
The reason I didn't pick CS, or something similar, is because I thought it would be repetitive
Done properly, it isn't: something new is always hoving into sight.
BrownishMonstr wrote:
I'd always be working till early in the morning on a project with an impossible deadline and always on the computer.
This might be a problem, it largely depends where you work, I've been pretty lucky since graduation, a stint at Accenture was the worst for long-hours, but they treated us quite well on the whole. Even at Uni, I worked into the small hours from time to time (see next paragraph). The CS courses in UK universities differ greatly. I did a "conversion" MSc at Newcastle for non-IT grads, which was hectic. That was because the MSc was pretty much the BSc condensed into 1 year (80%-90% of the compulsory courses, with two optional ones) and each course (including the dissertation) was made *slightly* harder to justify the MSc status. Topics covered on my course were: C++(OO design with c++ Emphasis), Machine Architecture, Software Engineering, Computing Environments, Requirements Analysis, Concurrency, Mathematics, Databases and Professional Issues(to keep the BCS happy, along with a horrible group project). I optionally took Artificial Intelligence & Software Project Management. The courses vary from Uni to Uni (Durham for example had courses in Human-Computer Interface design). I studied in 2001 so, they've probably got round to adding Internetified stuff etc so YMMMV. My advice is to try more programming, if you love it (especially the puzzle solving bit) then I'd consid
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BrownishMonstr wrote:
I'm currently in my first year of Mechanical Engineering but I'm not sure if I'll enjoy ME after graduation
I know how that feels, I was the same with Chemistry (see my profile here). I still remember the moment 17 years ago when I "snapped", during an Organic Chemistry lecture. The lecturer (with the most boring Brummie Accent I have ever heard) Explained in detail and at length how the reaction changed if the bromine group was moved one cabon atom to the left: It didn't. That is the about the only thing that I remember for two years on Chemistry. Needless to say I didn't do too well and switched to Physics, which I enjoyed much more but it took me years for my career to recover from the decision to read Chemistry.
BrownishMonstr wrote:
The reason I didn't pick CS, or something similar, is because I thought it would be repetitive
Done properly, it isn't: something new is always hoving into sight.
BrownishMonstr wrote:
I'd always be working till early in the morning on a project with an impossible deadline and always on the computer.
This might be a problem, it largely depends where you work, I've been pretty lucky since graduation, a stint at Accenture was the worst for long-hours, but they treated us quite well on the whole. Even at Uni, I worked into the small hours from time to time (see next paragraph). The CS courses in UK universities differ greatly. I did a "conversion" MSc at Newcastle for non-IT grads, which was hectic. That was because the MSc was pretty much the BSc condensed into 1 year (80%-90% of the compulsory courses, with two optional ones) and each course (including the dissertation) was made *slightly* harder to justify the MSc status. Topics covered on my course were: C++(OO design with c++ Emphasis), Machine Architecture, Software Engineering, Computing Environments, Requirements Analysis, Concurrency, Mathematics, Databases and Professional Issues(to keep the BCS happy, along with a horrible group project). I optionally took Artificial Intelligence & Software Project Management. The courses vary from Uni to Uni (Durham for example had courses in Human-Computer Interface design). I studied in 2001 so, they've probably got round to adding Internetified stuff etc so YMMMV. My advice is to try more programming, if you love it (especially the puzzle solving bit) then I'd consid
Newcastle Uni or Northumbria University? Did you know that when Northumbria changed over from poly status, they actually considered calling it the Central University of Newcastle upon Tyne until they realised what that would spell out.
I'm not a stalker, I just know things. Oh by the way, you're out of milk.
Forgive your enemies - it messes with their heads
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I'm currently in my first year of Mechanical Engineering but I'm not sure if I'll enjoy ME after graduation. The reason I didn't pick CS, or something similar, is because I thought it would be repetitive, I'd always be working till early in the morning on a project with an impossible deadline and always on the computer. Now I'm starting to think I should have chosen the computing route. I find the 'materials and manufacturing technology' module in ME really boring but the others aren't all that bad-I somewhat enjoy science, maths and design but I only find half of the physics in them interesting. The other students also seem a lot more motivated for this career path than I do so I'm starting to doubt if I really want to do this. I like programming and enjoyed computing in college, but I really don't want to choose a career path that I'd find boring, repetitive and am unmotivated for. So, I just wanted to know-what's computer science, or a similar career, like and, typically, the course in a UK university?
Thanks, Hassan.
well finish your first year and move to CS in 2nd year. First year is same generally- so you can easily move to CS in 2nd year. If you are outside UK and like to study in the UK then let me know as i know very renowned education consultant who would be happy to help you. CS is definitely challenging - you learn something new everyday but it has it's boring part like you don't interact much with clients(depends on your job mainly) and sometimes a small problem could make your life hell and that's where CP comes into place to help in such situations :).. I hope you chose the right path .. All the best.
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Newcastle Uni or Northumbria University? Did you know that when Northumbria changed over from poly status, they actually considered calling it the Central University of Newcastle upon Tyne until they realised what that would spell out.
I'm not a stalker, I just know things. Oh by the way, you're out of milk.
Forgive your enemies - it messes with their heads
-
I'm currently in my first year of Mechanical Engineering but I'm not sure if I'll enjoy ME after graduation. The reason I didn't pick CS, or something similar, is because I thought it would be repetitive, I'd always be working till early in the morning on a project with an impossible deadline and always on the computer. Now I'm starting to think I should have chosen the computing route. I find the 'materials and manufacturing technology' module in ME really boring but the others aren't all that bad-I somewhat enjoy science, maths and design but I only find half of the physics in them interesting. The other students also seem a lot more motivated for this career path than I do so I'm starting to doubt if I really want to do this. I like programming and enjoyed computing in college, but I really don't want to choose a career path that I'd find boring, repetitive and am unmotivated for. So, I just wanted to know-what's computer science, or a similar career, like and, typically, the course in a UK university?
Thanks, Hassan.
Firstly, be sure that you are really bored with the course and not just with things in general. Then rather than ask this bunch of (what's the word I'm looking for?) you should be talking this over with your supervisor.
Henry Minute Do not read medical books! You could die of a misprint. - Mark Twain Girl: (staring) "Why do you need an icy cucumber?" “I want to report a fraud. The government is lying to us all.” I wouldn't let CG touch my Abacus!
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I'm currently in my first year of Mechanical Engineering but I'm not sure if I'll enjoy ME after graduation. The reason I didn't pick CS, or something similar, is because I thought it would be repetitive, I'd always be working till early in the morning on a project with an impossible deadline and always on the computer. Now I'm starting to think I should have chosen the computing route. I find the 'materials and manufacturing technology' module in ME really boring but the others aren't all that bad-I somewhat enjoy science, maths and design but I only find half of the physics in them interesting. The other students also seem a lot more motivated for this career path than I do so I'm starting to doubt if I really want to do this. I like programming and enjoyed computing in college, but I really don't want to choose a career path that I'd find boring, repetitive and am unmotivated for. So, I just wanted to know-what's computer science, or a similar career, like and, typically, the course in a UK university?
Thanks, Hassan.
BrownishMonstr wrote:
career path that I'd find boring, repetitive
Programming is not repetitive and boring, there are always new challenges and puzzles to solve, and if you are bored at work you can always start your own freelance programs and just program for fun and getting new challenges. That will be fun, given you love those kind of challenges.
BrownishMonstr wrote:
and am unmotivated for
That might turn your fun down. If you feel unmotivated for that then there is no point in jumping on that boat. But it seems to me that you are in a career dilemma right now. I am not sure for UK, but where I learned we were allowed to change majors in second year. The first year used all the similar courses and subjects for all the engineering majors. So if that's the same case where you study then I belive stay in Mechanical for a while and also try and learn some basic programming concepts and some programming language, try out some programs in your free time; after 5-6 months if you still find it boring and repetitive then stay in Mechanical engineering.
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I'm currently in my first year of Mechanical Engineering but I'm not sure if I'll enjoy ME after graduation. The reason I didn't pick CS, or something similar, is because I thought it would be repetitive, I'd always be working till early in the morning on a project with an impossible deadline and always on the computer. Now I'm starting to think I should have chosen the computing route. I find the 'materials and manufacturing technology' module in ME really boring but the others aren't all that bad-I somewhat enjoy science, maths and design but I only find half of the physics in them interesting. The other students also seem a lot more motivated for this career path than I do so I'm starting to doubt if I really want to do this. I like programming and enjoyed computing in college, but I really don't want to choose a career path that I'd find boring, repetitive and am unmotivated for. So, I just wanted to know-what's computer science, or a similar career, like and, typically, the course in a UK university?
Thanks, Hassan.
BrownishMonstr wrote:
working till early in the morning on a project with an impossible deadline
I've never had to do that and I wouldn't take any job that involved it, no one should. If developers wouldn't put up with it, management would have to stop expecting it. As has been said, you have to love it. If you love programming -- the problem solving and everything -- and do it in your spare time anyway, then you should enjoy doing it as a job. And don't judge the whole profession based on one or two job experiences. Some companies are good to work for and others aren't, keep trying. My last job was great -- I was basically the only one working on the project and I had complete freedom -- much like with school assignments. I've also worked where they specified exactly how I was to code and I had no room for creativity -- that was bad.
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I'm currently in my first year of Mechanical Engineering but I'm not sure if I'll enjoy ME after graduation. The reason I didn't pick CS, or something similar, is because I thought it would be repetitive, I'd always be working till early in the morning on a project with an impossible deadline and always on the computer. Now I'm starting to think I should have chosen the computing route. I find the 'materials and manufacturing technology' module in ME really boring but the others aren't all that bad-I somewhat enjoy science, maths and design but I only find half of the physics in them interesting. The other students also seem a lot more motivated for this career path than I do so I'm starting to doubt if I really want to do this. I like programming and enjoyed computing in college, but I really don't want to choose a career path that I'd find boring, repetitive and am unmotivated for. So, I just wanted to know-what's computer science, or a similar career, like and, typically, the course in a UK university?
Thanks, Hassan.
Computer science in Uni can be a bit dry but the employment path can be diverse and rich. Change is a constant which is why I have been doing this for a long time now. Others may not enjoy the sometimes furious pace of change and new technologies but I find it keeps me alive (and employed). It certainly pays to be a fast learner though.
Prepare to put mustard on those words, for you will soon be consuming them along with this slice of humble pie, that comes direct from the oven of shame, set at gas mark 'egg on your face'.
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Newcastle Uni or Northumbria University? Did you know that when Northumbria changed over from poly status, they actually considered calling it the Central University of Newcastle upon Tyne until they realised what that would spell out.
I'm not a stalker, I just know things. Oh by the way, you're out of milk.
Forgive your enemies - it messes with their heads
Newcastle Newcastle, the MSc was by far the best in the area at the time. At the time, the conversion course at Northumbria was really just a DB thing with enough generic Comp Sci to justify it not having a DB management type title. Sunderland (other than being Sunderland) had an emphasis on the "softer" Internet topics like how to design a pretty website and Dreamwaver. Seriously. Durham (where I did my undergrad degree) didn't lower itself to admit students to anything other than research MScs, though you can tack on an extra year to a BSc to come out with an MSci. And I didn't go to Teeside because I didn't need a skank ho' :-). I was aware about Northumbria Uni, my best mate's mother was librarian there, it was someone in the library who spotted it on the letterhead. Until I heard this, I though it was an urban myth!
Sort of a cross between Lawrence of Arabia and Dilbert.[^]
-Or-
A Dead ringer for Kate Winslett[^] -
Firstly, be sure that you are really bored with the course and not just with things in general. Then rather than ask this bunch of (what's the word I'm looking for?) you should be talking this over with your supervisor.
Henry Minute Do not read medical books! You could die of a misprint. - Mark Twain Girl: (staring) "Why do you need an icy cucumber?" “I want to report a fraud. The government is lying to us all.” I wouldn't let CG touch my Abacus!
See you next Tuesday Sir?
Sort of a cross between Lawrence of Arabia and Dilbert.[^]
-Or-
A Dead ringer for Kate Winslett[^] -
I'm currently in my first year of Mechanical Engineering but I'm not sure if I'll enjoy ME after graduation. The reason I didn't pick CS, or something similar, is because I thought it would be repetitive, I'd always be working till early in the morning on a project with an impossible deadline and always on the computer. Now I'm starting to think I should have chosen the computing route. I find the 'materials and manufacturing technology' module in ME really boring but the others aren't all that bad-I somewhat enjoy science, maths and design but I only find half of the physics in them interesting. The other students also seem a lot more motivated for this career path than I do so I'm starting to doubt if I really want to do this. I like programming and enjoyed computing in college, but I really don't want to choose a career path that I'd find boring, repetitive and am unmotivated for. So, I just wanted to know-what's computer science, or a similar career, like and, typically, the course in a UK university?
Thanks, Hassan.
When you get to the point when you can choose, DON'T PICK THE RED PILL. :suss:
Panic, Chaos, Destruction. My work here is done. or "Drink. Get drunk. Fall over." - P O'H OK, I will win to day or my name isn't Ethel Crudacre! - DD Ethel Crudacre
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Newcastle Newcastle, the MSc was by far the best in the area at the time. At the time, the conversion course at Northumbria was really just a DB thing with enough generic Comp Sci to justify it not having a DB management type title. Sunderland (other than being Sunderland) had an emphasis on the "softer" Internet topics like how to design a pretty website and Dreamwaver. Seriously. Durham (where I did my undergrad degree) didn't lower itself to admit students to anything other than research MScs, though you can tack on an extra year to a BSc to come out with an MSci. And I didn't go to Teeside because I didn't need a skank ho' :-). I was aware about Northumbria Uni, my best mate's mother was librarian there, it was someone in the library who spotted it on the letterhead. Until I heard this, I though it was an urban myth!
Sort of a cross between Lawrence of Arabia and Dilbert.[^]
-Or-
A Dead ringer for Kate Winslett[^]Keith Barrow wrote:
I didn't go to Teeside because I didn't need a skank ho'
Both my wife and I went to Teesside. At the time it was the premier computing and maths department outside Oxford and Cambridge.
I'm not a stalker, I just know things. Oh by the way, you're out of milk.
Forgive your enemies - it messes with their heads
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Firstly, be sure that you are really bored with the course and not just with things in general. Then rather than ask this bunch of (what's the word I'm looking for?) you should be talking this over with your supervisor.
Henry Minute Do not read medical books! You could die of a misprint. - Mark Twain Girl: (staring) "Why do you need an icy cucumber?" “I want to report a fraud. The government is lying to us all.” I wouldn't let CG touch my Abacus!
No fair Henry! I get to play tonight and you're telling them not to feed the inmates!
Panic, Chaos, Destruction. My work here is done. or "Drink. Get drunk. Fall over." - P O'H OK, I will win to day or my name isn't Ethel Crudacre! - DD Ethel Crudacre
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No fair Henry! I get to play tonight and you're telling them not to feed the inmates!
Panic, Chaos, Destruction. My work here is done. or "Drink. Get drunk. Fall over." - P O'H OK, I will win to day or my name isn't Ethel Crudacre! - DD Ethel Crudacre
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Hey Nagy, Are you doing more OU this year? if so which modules?
Dave Find Me On: Web|Facebook|Twitter|LinkedIn
Latest Article: Data Historians! You Bought It, Use It! Real World Example
Nope. I am finished, for now. I have my BSc(Hons) Comp Sys Prac (Open) (2.1) :-D
Panic, Chaos, Destruction. My work here is done. or "Drink. Get drunk. Fall over." - P O'H OK, I will win to day or my name isn't Ethel Crudacre! - DD Ethel Crudacre
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Nope. I am finished, for now. I have my BSc(Hons) Comp Sys Prac (Open) (2.1) :-D
Panic, Chaos, Destruction. My work here is done. or "Drink. Get drunk. Fall over." - P O'H OK, I will win to day or my name isn't Ethel Crudacre! - DD Ethel Crudacre
Congratulations. That's fantastic.
I'm not a stalker, I just know things. Oh by the way, you're out of milk.
Forgive your enemies - it messes with their heads
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Nope. I am finished, for now. I have my BSc(Hons) Comp Sys Prac (Open) (2.1) :-D
Panic, Chaos, Destruction. My work here is done. or "Drink. Get drunk. Fall over." - P O'H OK, I will win to day or my name isn't Ethel Crudacre! - DD Ethel Crudacre
Well done. I'm not finished yet, 2 more years to go.... Doing M366:Natural and Artificial Intelligence and M364:Fundamentals of Interaction Design this year... :( Wish it was over.
Dave Find Me On: Web|Facebook|Twitter|LinkedIn
Latest Article: Data Historians! You Bought It, Use It! Real World Example
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Keith Barrow wrote:
I didn't go to Teeside because I didn't need a skank ho'
Both my wife and I went to Teesside. At the time it was the premier computing and maths department outside Oxford and Cambridge.
I'm not a stalker, I just know things. Oh by the way, you're out of milk.
Forgive your enemies - it messes with their heads
The skank ho' bit wasn't referring to the Uni, but Teeside's secondary reputation, after smog. I had a friend who went there ages ago, called Neil Duffy, on the off chance you know him. It was (and probably still is) a really good department but I decided against it to keep costs down. I was self-funded and living with someone so the rent was low. Naturally enough, two months into the course we split up, so that plan went t's up & I had to take out a pretty big loan. Ho hum, still it worked in the end I suppose.
Sort of a cross between Lawrence of Arabia and Dilbert.[^]
-Or-
A Dead ringer for Kate Winslett[^] -
I'm currently in my first year of Mechanical Engineering but I'm not sure if I'll enjoy ME after graduation. The reason I didn't pick CS, or something similar, is because I thought it would be repetitive, I'd always be working till early in the morning on a project with an impossible deadline and always on the computer. Now I'm starting to think I should have chosen the computing route. I find the 'materials and manufacturing technology' module in ME really boring but the others aren't all that bad-I somewhat enjoy science, maths and design but I only find half of the physics in them interesting. The other students also seem a lot more motivated for this career path than I do so I'm starting to doubt if I really want to do this. I like programming and enjoyed computing in college, but I really don't want to choose a career path that I'd find boring, repetitive and am unmotivated for. So, I just wanted to know-what's computer science, or a similar career, like and, typically, the course in a UK university?
Thanks, Hassan.
I am an ex Mech Aero engineer. Computer engineering is (generally) dull by comparison, but, it pays better and you can travel a lot with it. Having said that designing radiator hose clips for BL isnt that much fun either... And then SW engineering can be fun too, especially military stuff, or anything in the kernel.
"It is a remarkable fact that despite the worldwide expenditure of perhaps US$50 billion since 1990, and the efforts of tens of thousands of scientists worldwide, no human climate signal has yet been detected that is distinct from natural variation." Bob Carter, Research Professor of Geology, James Cook University, Townsville
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I'm currently in my first year of Mechanical Engineering but I'm not sure if I'll enjoy ME after graduation. The reason I didn't pick CS, or something similar, is because I thought it would be repetitive, I'd always be working till early in the morning on a project with an impossible deadline and always on the computer. Now I'm starting to think I should have chosen the computing route. I find the 'materials and manufacturing technology' module in ME really boring but the others aren't all that bad-I somewhat enjoy science, maths and design but I only find half of the physics in them interesting. The other students also seem a lot more motivated for this career path than I do so I'm starting to doubt if I really want to do this. I like programming and enjoyed computing in college, but I really don't want to choose a career path that I'd find boring, repetitive and am unmotivated for. So, I just wanted to know-what's computer science, or a similar career, like and, typically, the course in a UK university?
Thanks, Hassan.
I have dual degrees - EE undergrad, CS grad. It's a great combination for what I do which is embedded software. Programming is fun, making things move is fun, and the level of creativity is fun. The meetings, documentation, long hours and high pressure are not so fun. But I think that is somewhat standard fare for any engineer, although probably a bit worse for us in software since we are always the last ones working on the product before it ships. For software engineers salaries are good and jobs are pretty plentiful even when the economy tanks. But that might change. The trend is to offshore software work. I think that trend will continue since it is particularly easy to do with software. I prefer not doing UI/HMI type work because everyone has an opinion about it and yours counts the least. Desktop and web technology changes all the time so if that is what you want to do be prepared to learn and relearn lots of things every year or two. Databases and server work would bore the hell out of me. With embedded I get to work with engineers from lots of different backgrounds - electrical, mechanical, motion and process control, and physics. I get my hands dirty and I have lots of input into other aspects of the products besides software. For me it worked out great. I'm not sure about the UK but here in the US typical coursework would include 1 year each of chemistry and physics, math thru Calc II or beyond, maybe a numerical methods class. Then they will get you into a core language like C++ and teach you the basics of algorithoms and data structures. From there they will probably touch on methodologies, computer architecture, language theory, networks, AI, databases. Often you get to chose a concentration from this list. Expect the first two years to overlap with the other engineering disciplines, so it will be easy to change up until the third year.
modified on Monday, January 17, 2011 8:18 AM