This discussion is now closed.

Check out other Related discussions

Computer Science question

How hard is it to get a first? Like, how many hours of extra revision/learning would I have to put in to get a first?
This is actually just out of curiosity, I'm wondering how hard Computer Science actually is.

Thanks

Reply 1

Psyk

16

Define extra. I think it's easier to get a first in CS than some arts subjects as your goal is more clearly defined. It's hard to say how much work you'll have to do because people who have a natural aptitude for technical and mathematical things won't have to put as much extra effort in as people who don't. But I don't think you have to be a genius or have to work excessive amounts to get a first.

Reply 2

Babyangel452

It all depends on how well u grasp the subject. There are a few of the courses which are 'common sense' once you get them, so dont require much effort except the occasional practice sessions (maths, programming, logic etc) ... but there are a few others that are more theoretic (e.g. computer architecture) which might require you to sit down and read. But computings the sort of course that once you get it, its easy to go far.

Reply 3

Gotham

You could say Degree Class = Time * Ability.

Some people are naturally gifted over most topics of study. For example I didn't read anything outside lectures in the first year. However that does not imply you will get top marks. Those who got a first generally, unlike me spent their time wisely working slowly towards reaching goals. If I had some coding to do I did it the night before or in some cases on the morning of hand in; did I pass it yes, was it my best no.

Some not so clever people do better simply be spending more time to study.

Reply 4

davidt

It also depends where you go too!

The good thing about CompSci, as with maths and all sciences, is that the answer is more well defined than in the arts or humanities. If you're asked to write an algorithm it either works or it doesn't. Whereas with the arts if you're asked to paint a picture it's up to the person judging as to whether it's good or not.

Reply 5

ThE_OnE

1

the question is well defined but the question is usually bloody hard too. You wont get a first at Bristol unless you produce something pretty amazing for your final year project considering half of your year marks for the final year are on that! but yes generally you need to be producing work of excellent quality that is efficient and well structured and solves the task at hand in an elegant manner. Go beyond just reading and modifying an example out of a textbook or google.

That having been said, I have seen the standards at other universities and been shocked what some people got firsts for. So it depends what uni you go to too slightly as to how hard it is to get but this is also reflected by the uni's status too.

Reply 6

Babyangel452

davidt

It also depends where you go too!

The good thing about CompSci, as with maths and all sciences, is that the answer is more well defined than in the arts or humanities. If you're asked to write an algorithm it either works or it doesn't. Whereas with the arts if you're asked to paint a picture it's up to the person judging as to whether it's good or not.

Programming (and indeed a fair few other compsci modules) is still a bit of an art form. You can ge the coding and the algorithm right, bt the true beauty lies in the styling and readability of your code.

Simple example would be somelike like sorting. Use bubblesort algorithm, ad you'll eventually sort through all the numbers. Use quicksort algorthm, and you'll get it done ALOT quicker.

... both sets of code wont get the same marks, tho both of them are 'correct'!

So perhaps its not as 'artsy' as drawing a picture or writing an essay, but it still requires a greate deal of fluency on the part of the writer.

Reply 7

davidt

Babyangel452

Programming (and indeed a fair few other compsci modules) is still a bit of an art form. You can ge the coding and the algorithm right, bt the true beauty lies in the styling and readability of your code.

Simple example would be somelike like sorting. Use bubblesort algorithm, ad you'll eventually sort through all the numbers. Use quicksort algorthm, and you'll get it done ALOT quicker.

... both sets of code wont get the same marks, tho both of them are 'correct'!

So perhaps its not as 'artsy' as drawing a picture or writing an essay, but it still requires a greate deal of fluency on the part of the writer.

True that. But the order of both algorithms is clearly defined, so you can prove there an then which is better. But yes, programming is indeed an art form. Nothing like a beautifully written, succinct piece of code...

Reply 8

Babyangel452

davidt

But yes, programming is indeed an art form. Nothing like a beautifully written, succinct piece of code...

Getting a little dreamy eyed there david...simmer! :biggrin:

Reply 9

XBR

Are there many essays to write for comp science?

Reply 10

Psyk

16

I haven't written a single "essay". There are other forms of written work you may have to do but it's very different in style to an essay. Even then there isn't really a lot of it.

Reply 11

XBR

cool.
Would the amount of written work be less or more in a computer games programming course compared to comp science?

Reply 12

Psyk

16

I'd guess a games course would have more because presumably there would be a few basic design modules, but I don't really know.

Reply 13

XBR

ok kool.
I hope there aint too much cause I really dont like writing loads. I had to do a 70 page documentation at college so I hope I dont need to go beyond that.

Reply 14

Psyk

16

Well it's likely you will have to write reports and documentation for any projects you do.

Reply 15

OCC++

is there a computer games programming course as opposed to a comp sci course or it is just a subset of a typical comp sci course?

Reply 16

Psyk

16

OCC++

is there a computer games programming course as opposed to a comp sci course or it is just a subset of a typical comp sci course?

I think it depends on the uni. I think some are more or less a comp sci course with a specialisation, some are separate courses (although I would expect them to have some of the same modules as CS).

Computer Science question

Related discussions

Latest

Trending

Trending

Articles for you