CompSci or Data Science?

My first post!

As a mature student entering university for the first time, I have offers for Applied/CompSci at The University of Leeds or Data Science at Hallam University.

I like both courses for different reasons, but I don’t know which one to pick.

If anyone has any advice I would be very interested to hear.

Reply 1

username1799249

Computer Science. More general, broader and will no doubt cover the basics of data science. It will give you more options come graduation. The only reason to specialise in data science is if you have a path in mind for when you leave.

Good luck!

Reply 2

Decker

Thanks for the reply,

You make some very valid points, I think it might be a risk to specialize too early. Although, Hallam did say they have no trouble finding a year in industry placements for data science students, don’t know how true that is.

Reply 3

Raman9

Computer Science is a better course for undergrad. If you are really interested in Data Science you can get an MSc.

Also, Leeds is an infinitely better institution than Hallam.

Reply 4

Decker

I agree with you Summit,

I have been to a couple of open days at The University of Leeds, and think it is much better than Hallam. I live in Sheffield at the minute so Hallam would be a morestraight forward choice.

Reply 5

Raman9

Original post by Decker

Have you considered University of Sheffield?

Reply 6

Decker

I didn't get in University of Sheffield, prefer the course at Leeds (although I would say that)

Reply 7

username738914

If this was Data Science at Nottingham/Warwick, I would hands down say go for it. But I'm not convinced of the quality of mathematical/computer science education you'll receive at Hallam.

Stick with Leeds to be on the safe side.

Posted from TSR Mobile

Reply 8

username738914

Original post by ByEeek

Not necessarily..

Data Science is even more broad than CS, at least at the unis I've applied to. You're mixing maths, computer science theory, programming and statistics into one degree. The options you have open after graduating are probably even more broad than CS just because of how far reaching the degree is.

Posted from TSR Mobile

Reply 9

Decker

Hi Princepieman

The Data Science course at Hallam seems to be more practical than Warwick/Nottingham with the emphasis on using the software such as SAS,SAP, r and learning Python.

You seem to be applying for Data Science

Do you think this makes the course better or worse than you thought?

Reply 10

username738914

Original post by Decker

For me, I'd prefer a course to be focused on the fundamentals of whichever discipline of CS/Maths it's trying to teach. Fundamentals are key, they are what give you the framework to think about how applications would play out, hence why CS degrees focus on theory because ultimately languages can and do become extinct.

You can always teach yourself programming languages and such, but you can't scrimp on the rigorous theoretical base of stats, pure maths and computation theory.

Posted from TSR Mobile

Anyone?

Finding a University and the right course is a nightmare!

The Data Science course at Hallam has been discontinued,they let me know at the last minute.
Thanks Hallam…..

My options:

Firm Leeds doing CompSci finish that, then do a Masters in Data Science.

Find another Data Science course firm that, but I have only 2 days to research

Reject all my offers, take a chance on not going toUniversity in September and go through clearing to find a course/uni. This will give me more time to research the courses/uni

Which is the best option, if my goal is to be employed in some aspect of Data Science