[Smithy94]

(Original post by jqian)
Hey guys, sorry if this question has been asked before, but I was wondering if anyone could recommend any good Computer Science books to get a good basis for the course (I'm applying for 2013 entry), any suggestions will be appreciated , I have already heard about the Turing Omnibus but the reviews for the book is quite mixed so I'm not sure if I should read it.

I'd read it, having read it myself I thought that it was pretty interesting. However some of the chapters are much to short to cover certain topics so it ends up rushing through some things; it's a taster of certain areas of computer science more than anything. Some other books I'd recommend:

Code - Good introduction to hardware from the absolute basics up to the workings of an OS.
The Annotated Turing - Same author as Code, if you have any sort of interest in turing machines you'll love this, it goes over Turing's paper in full with loads of annotations to make it easier to understand.
The Code Book - Goes over the history of cryptography in quite a nice way, all the way from roman methods up to a bit on quantum cryptography. It's a really good introduction to the subject.

If anyone else has some suggestions I'd love to hear them, I'm planning on doing a lot of reading this summer!

[Dark Lord of Mordor]

Hello, I will probably be applying for Computer Science at Cambridge for 2013 entry this year, and was wondering about the Further Details box. Do we write the code which we want to apply for there (e.g. in my case CSNS) and where are most lectures etc. because I've heard the Computer Laboratory is quite far from the centre? Thanks for any replies

[TheUnbeliever]

(Original post by SrijanParmeshwar)
Hello, I will probably be applying for Computer Science at Cambridge for 2013 entry this year, and was wondering about the Further Details box.

If I recall the box you're talking about, leave it blank unless you're applying for the 50% maths option in first year.

where are most lectures etc. because I've heard the Computer Laboratory is quite far from the centre? Thanks for any replies

First year lectures are in the centre of town. Second and third year lectures are at the Computer Lab, as are practicals in all years. It's about 25 minutes at a brisk walk, but the Coton cyclepath makes it trivial on a bike.

[Dark Lord of Mordor]

(Original post by TheUnbeliever)
If I recall the box you're talking about, leave it blank unless you're applying for the 50% maths option in first year.



First year lectures are in the centre of town. Second and third year lectures are at the Computer Lab, as are practicals in all years. It's about 25 minutes at a brisk walk, but the Coton cyclepath makes it trivial on a bike.

Ah okay thanks for the information

[FO12DY]

(Original post by Dealmaster13)
Not trying to put you off, but I'd just like to warn you that myself and a few others applied to Churchill for CS + Maths, somehow managed to only get 3s in STEPs II and III instead of the expected 1s, and were subsequently summer pooled due to insufficient places available.

The relevant actions vary significantly between colleges.

Interesting, thanks.

Churchill's website states that CSM applicants who don't meet STEP offer are automatically considered for CSNS. Did you find that to be the case? Or are you saying that that stage was kind of skipped, as Churchill had insufficient places as it was?


Also, do you mind saying what A level grades you got for Maths(/FM) - just out of interest, I'm wondering how people do in STEP by comparison to A level maths.

Thanks.

[Dealmaster13]

On the website prior to our interviews, the terms were "1/1 in STEP II,III; CST + NST otherwise" (applicable to 2010 applicants) and post-interview stage this site was taken down and subsequently restored with the new terms being "2/2 in STEP II,III for CST + NST; summer pool otherwise"

It was A*s for maths, with I think 560-570 in each - nothing too extravagant nor too shabby, and probably what helped me survive through the summer pool process. I had a couple of FM retakes in June. The STEP exams are somewhat similar to the tripos exams you would face (apart from possibly NST IA maths) in the sense that it's very easy to come across an unfriendly paper on a personal level and suffer severely from it (to varying extents between different people of course). Even though I didn't end up a successful candidate, I'm glad to say that STEP has helped me immensely in coping with the very accessible NST maths course.

I think I got 49 and 52 for STEP, if it interests you.

Edit: Actually, it's fair to say that STEP has helped me significantly in my entire year's study in some shape or form

[FO12DY]

(Original post by Dealmaster13)
On the website prior to our interviews, the terms were "1/1 in STEP II,III; CST + NST otherwise" (applicable to 2010 applicants) and post-interview stage this site was taken down and subsequently restored with the new terms being "2/2 in STEP II,III for CST + NST; summer pool otherwise" ..[cut for brevity]..

Thanks. It definitely currently says 1/1 in STEP II,III for CSM (and Churchill cite this as a University requirement, despite Cambridge general course info page saying it "varies by college".

So were you pooled as a with maths, or with natural sciences candidate?


It makes it a difficult decision, because it's another layer of uncertainty. I want to study both EE and CS, so I plan to apply for EECS where I can, but not many offer it in the UK, so of the remainder I've gone for EE or CS, whichever looks best University for it, and those which include elements of the other one in the course, etc.

But obviously as Churchill will be my top pick, I don't want to regret my choice of Engineering/CS, and I partly wonder whether I'd be mroe likely to get a place to read Engineering than CS, again STEP is another layer stopping you. But then perhaps the added competition for Eng is an equally large layer of stop...

[Sketch]

Another quick question, do CompSci undergrads/postgrads get any sort of extra support due to the nature of the course? e.g. a greater wifi bandwidth than other undergrads for certain projects and research etc, and/or specifically financial support for hardware you might need? I've never really heard of anything along those lines. Also, is going for the full Masters degree a popular choice, or do most people get scouted by 'Silicon Fen' or start their own businesses at light speed? And how hard is it to get into Part III, just out of interest?

i'm sorry if these questions have been repeated many, many times.. i've still yet to go to a CompSci open day

[Goldfishy]

(Original post by FO12DY)
I'm wondering how people do in STEP by comparison to A level maths.

It's very possible to do well at A level maths and further maths (say high A*s, all modules 90%+) and to not do well at STEP. The style of questions is very different, and it'd definitely be worth having a look at some past paper questions before you decide. I'm sure there will be lots of people with this question in the Cambridge Maths thread too.

(Original post by FO12DY)
I don't want to regret my choice of Engineering/CS, and I partly wonder whether I'd be mroe likely to get a place to read Engineering than CS, again STEP is another layer stopping you. But then perhaps the added competition for Eng is an equally large layer of stop...

FWIW, the Engineering part has a tiny bit of programming. Also, don't worry too much about the competition and which one is easier to get into - correct subject choice is far more important, and if you're good enough you'll get in for either.

[TheUnbeliever]

(Original post by Sketch)
Another quick question, do CompSci undergrads/postgrads get any sort of extra support due to the nature of the course? e.g. a greater wifi bandwidth than other undergrads for certain projects and research etc, and/or specifically financial support for hardware you might need?

I'm not aware of any such arrangements, although it's not impossible that some college does so. They're not really necessary, though. You don't need to buy any hardware yourself. Having your own computer is useful, but only to the same extent that it is useful for every other subject. If you have more esoteric requirements for e.g. a Part II project, the Lab will supply you. (Within reason, but reason is more generous than you might suspect.)

Also, is going for the full Masters degree a popular choice, or do most people get scouted by 'Silicon Fen' or start their own businesses at light speed? And how hard is it to get into Part III, just out of interest?

One of the others probably has a better handle on this than me, but based on the back-and-forth on the mailing list, I think there's a large minority interested in taking it but only a small number ultimately end up doing so - in part because of fairly restrictive entry requirements. (See the latter pages of the application form. As I've mentioned previously in this thread, it's worth having a poke around the pages intended for current students on the Lab website.)

A few do start their own businesses. Headhunting-wise, there will be no shortage of recruiters contacting you specifically if you're even moderately visible, and there is a steady stream of opportunities advertised through various channels via the Lab and careers service.

[Dealmaster13]

(Original post by FO12DY)
So were you pooled as a with maths, or with natural sciences candidate?

With NS

You have the option to apply for either of the following:
Computer Science with NS (first year half CS, half NS; possible to switch to NS at start of or after 1st year)
Computer Science with Maths (first year half CS, half Maths; may only switch to maths at start of 1st year if permission granted)
Natural Sciences (may switch to CS [given permission] or Engineering [given permission] after 1st year given relevant courses are taken)
Engineering (may switch to NS after 1st year; probably can't switch to CS with ease, but course does cover C programming etc)
{Maths with Physics (may switch to maths or NS after 1st year)}

As I see it, the courses are ordered as follows in terms of ease of switching:
Maths>Engineering>CS>NS
If you study maths, you may switch to pretty much any related (such as the ones mentioned above) course without too much difficulty; so good STEP grades can be a powerful asset


Most colleges require a first or a strong dissertation (i.e. prize winner) to move on to part III, with there being approximately 25-30% part II candidates fulfilling either one of these requirements each year

[ukdragon37]

(Original post by Sketch)
Another quick question, do CompSci undergrads/postgrads get any sort of extra support due to the nature of the course? e.g. a greater wifi bandwidth than other undergrads for certain projects and research etc, and/or specifically financial support for hardware you might need? I've never really heard of anything along those lines.

The only benefit will be a bunch of free Microsoft software you have access to, including a multitude of editions of Windows you'll never need and Visual Studio (but sadly not Office).

(Original post by Sketch)
Also, is going for the full Masters degree a popular choice, or do most people get scouted by 'Silicon Fen' or start their own businesses at light speed? And how hard is it to get into Part III, just out of interest?

It has become a popular course after they introduced the choice. The requirements are such that you need to be (roughly) in the top quarter of the year. In my year it is very popular and there were actually a bit of activism to get the department to relax the entry requirements. This might be the reason for why many informal exceptions to the formal requirements were made this year. There is always a mixture of what people want to do after their degree but you'll have plenty of opportunities coming your way to enable you to do whatever you decide. In my year, generally the top quarter are getting another degree (e.g. Part III), the rest are going into work with a significant proportion becoming entrepreneurs.

(Original post by TheUnbeliever)
One of the others probably has a better handle on this than me, but based on the back-and-forth on the mailing list, I think there's a large minority interested in taking it but only a small number ultimately end up doing so - in part because of fairly restrictive entry requirements. (See the latter pages of the application form.

Although you say that (and it's the same as what I expected), I haven't heard of any rejections in our year so far due to everyone who needed to do well actually doing well and the apparent informal relaxation that happened when push came to the shove.

[FO12DY]

(Original post by Dealmaster13)
With NS

You have the option to apply for either of the following:
Computer Science with NS (first year half CS, half NS; possible to switch to NS at start of or after 1st year)
Computer Science with Maths (first year half CS, half Maths; may only switch to maths at start of 1st year if permission granted)
Natural Sciences (may switch to CS [given permission] or Engineering [given permission] after 1st year given relevant courses are taken)
Engineering (may switch to NS after 1st year; probably can't switch to CS with ease, but course does cover C programming etc)
{Maths with Physics (may switch to maths or NS after 1st year)}

As I see it, the courses are ordered as follows in terms of ease of switching:
Maths>Engineering>CS>NS
If you study maths, you may switch to pretty much any related (such as the ones mentioned above) course without too much difficulty; so good STEP grades can be a powerful asset


Most colleges require a first or a strong dissertation (i.e. prize winner) to move on to part III, with there being approximately 25-30% part II candidates fulfilling either one of these requirements each year

Thanks, and you were successful in an offer for CS with NS from another college then?

Reassuring to know it does happen.. :/

[Dealmaster13]

Yeah - very grateful

I can't comment on the odds of Summer Pool success, but they should be around 20% overall (mathmos definitely have it tough)

[1stSFOD-D]

Firstly, thank you for your advice.

I am studying in Singapore, took the Singapore-Cambridge GCE A level

0. Is it possible for someone like me to be admitted to Cambridge?
A - level:
H1 project work: A
H1 general paper: E
H2 mathematics: A
H2 physics: A
H2 chemistry: A
H2 economics: A
H3 Essentials of Modern Physics: distinction=A
The highest obtainable grade for all subjects is A, E is the lowest that pass

relevant o level subject:
english: B3

I have a few award in singapore math olympiads



1. I would like to apply for computer science, can you recommend a few college that are quite good in this, but not too competitive.

2. I am also very passionate in physics, - do you think taking Computer Science with Nature Science is a good idea? - Does this make it a double degree? - It says on ucas that its a 3ft - ba, I look at other courses that are 4 ft master, does this mean there is no master to read for this degree?

3. If i take a 1yr deferment, can i enroll early in case there is some changes?

thank you, i really appreciate your kind advice.

[SunderX]

1. Churchill and Queens are the biggest colleges for Computer Science. They usually have around 8 students each per year, and are fairly competitive. Most other colleges will have at most 1-2.

2. All CS students must take a Natural Sciences maths module and a bench science subject in first year. This can be Physics, but can be any of the allowed subjects on the Cambridge website page. You do not get a double degree out of this, and it's only for the first year - you go full CS in 2nd and 3rd.

The BA course here is only 3 years. If you do well, you have the option on staying on for a 4th year to do Part III Computer Science now, which will award a Masters.

3. I believe you can apply and defer for at most 1 year, keep this in mind in case you have to do NS.


I'm not too familiar with how Singapore education awards match up with British ones, but they look pretty good. Keep in mind that you also need to show creativity and interest in interview as well however.

[1stSFOD-D]

Thank you for your information.

I will like to ask that if I did not indicate that I need deferment first, and I a offered a place; can I apply for 1 year deferment later if there is some unexpected change during National Service ?

Thanks.

[LogicGoat]

Is there anyone who's willing to give tips on how to write a good personal statement?

[FO12DY]

(Original post by LogicGoat)
Is there anyone who's willing to give tips on how to write a good personal statement?

If any successful candidates are happy to share, that'd be cool

Trying to reduce mine.. it's at 1,658 characters over the limit, after removing 'fluffy' bits...

Basically I need to decide on two paragraphs that aren't (or are less) worth saying :/


Edit: The worst thing is that if unsuccessful, there'll always be that "oh, what if I hadn't cut that bit", just like the "oh, if only I'd revised a bit more", etc..

[ukdragon37]

(Original post by LogicGoat)
Is there anyone who's willing to give tips on how to write a good personal statement?

You can submit yours to the PS Help service on TSR to have comments given to you

(Original post by FO12DY)
If any successful candidates are happy to share, that'd be cool

Trying to reduce mine.. it's at 1,658 characters over the limit, after removing 'fluffy' bits...

Basically I need to decide on two paragraphs that aren't (or are less) worth saying :/


Edit: The worst thing is that if unsuccessful, there'll always be that "oh, what if I hadn't cut that bit", just like the "oh, if only I'd revised a bit more", etc..

There's a library of them on TSR. See http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/wiki...nal_Statements and http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/wiki...nal_Statements and http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/wiki...nal_Statements Mine should be in there somewhere actually