Uni Course for Computer related Career.

[AMC]

Hey Guys,

Im genuinely unsure where the best place for this thread is, but I guess Im looking for help/advice, and its (teniously) computer related, so here goes:

Im attempting to make my final decision regarding exactly which course Im taking at university.

I have fairly good idea which direction I would like to head towards, but there are a number of options and courses, and I obviously want to get it right.

I am DEFINITELY going to do a Bsc/Masters of Science: Computer science.

However, there are a load of different combinations for this qualification.
Many of you guys will have done a similar thing, or work in the IT industry, and know what employers look for (or what you look for).

In the distant future (though this isnt set in stone) I would like to work for an IT company or business offering internet related services (probably not full time webhosting - but Im not completely ruling it out). I think I would like to focus on the software side of things, however, I would like to pick up/expand basic skills and knowledge regarding hardware ( so a small part ).

The last part (although Im almost positive on this one) is should I do a Masters or Bachelors. I put this in to give the option of comment, but Im 99% certain Ill be going down the masters route, and either getting a placement, or going abroad for study/placement, for the extra year.

When looking through the various choices I have, I was particularly taken with a: Masters in Computer Science and Business , as I also have a keen interest in economics, and the workings of companies etc ...

Opinions ?

My A levels (note: havent actually completed them yet) are Maths, Further Maths, Chemistry and Physics.

My further maths is statistics based rather than mechanics (for those of you who are really interested)

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Sorry for the long winded question, and while Id love your opinions, I realise its a fairly personal decision. Anyhow, I trust you lot , so would be great to have some people to bounce thoughts off :beer:

 

[Decker]

What would you see yourself doing in 5-10 years?

Paper stuff is fine (hell I've got my share) but what do you want to do that will interest you for 8 hours a day 5 a week.

The internet side is fine but what part? Datacenter architecture? Data handling? Database's?

Sorry mate too much to consider I know what i like doing and can only give advice on that.

What do you see you and the wife and kids doing in 10 years might be a thing to think about - suicidal or happy!

 

[AMC]

Decker thats a hard question for me to answer - computers in general just really grab my interest, and have consistently done so for several years.

My interest shows no sign of abaiting, so I figured why not persue it as a career.

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The fact is I really havent had enough 'face to face' experience of the industry as a whole to be able to definitevly tell you EXACTLY which elements I prefer.

The description for the course I was looking at is as follows.

BSc in Computer Science with Business

Year 1: - Introduction to programming with Java. Algorithms and data structures with Java. Software engineering. Systems I – computer architecture and operating systems. Computation I – numbers and structure. Computability and decidability. Introduction to accounting and finance.

Year 2: - Programming languages. User interface programming. Databases. Compilers. Projects and their management. Computation IV - algorithms. Mathematics for applications. Organisational behaviour. Business economics. Company finance.

Final Year: - A choice can be made from units in computer science and business. Business units offered: Business forecasting; Business information; Technology & innovation management; Supply management; Business policy; Strategy and human resource management. A personal project is also undertaken.

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Master of computing (MComp)

The first three years of this degree course are essentially the same as the degree in computer science. In the fourth year a major research project is undertaken, chosen from one of the research themes of the department. Students will be integrated within a research group and will work in close association with staff and research students. Students will receive further support through an extensive set of research seminars and lectures on Entrepreneurship.

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If I can find it again, I will post the description for the normal computer science course.

And I more meant Web technology development and maintanence (software engineering), the other things such as netowrking, and hardware maintanence/technology etc ... is just to satisfy my interest, and give me a solid/basic ground knowledge in these relevant areas to my subject of choice.
Please also note, Im not definite on the web thing either, it is merely the place where I have had the most experience. However, (another wishy washy answer comin up) it is where I can most see myself

As for the last question - obviously, happiness and a decent quality of life is important. However, I dont believe that the two are mutually exclusive .

As for your chosen area - again - Im interested in everyones thoughts/experience, so could you share it with me ? You never know, I might find that it interests me too

Thanks for your reply Decker

EDIT: here is the other course I was considering (straight computer science) - please note, that this too would be done as a masters:

Year 1 : - Introduction to programming with Java. Algorithms and data structures with Java. Software engineering. Systems I – computer architecture and operating systems. Systems II – low-level programming and C. Computation I – numbers and structure. Computation II – computability and decidability.

Year 2: - Programming languages. Functional programming. User interface programming. Graphics. Databases. Compilers. Projects and their management. Mathematics for applications. Computation III. introduction to formal logic and semantics; Computation IV; Algorithms.

Final Year: - A choice can be made from a list of: units on theoretical computer science; units on the applications of computer science; units on software engineering; networking units and multimedia units. A personal project is also undertaken.