[SunderX]

Hey guys, apparently results are out today, how did you all do?

I'm not believing my result, so I'm asking my DoS to double check.

Is anyone actually in Cambridge and can take a picture of the grade listing?

[thomas49th]

Hi, if I take this course:

http://www.cam.ac.uk/admissions/unde...sci/index.html

at the end of 3 years will I get my MEng degree or just a Beng? I cant work it out

Thanks

[espo]

http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/univ/camdata/tripos.html


Should answer your question....

[silver_j]

It's BA and it's not masters.

[etp]

How are the overall degree classifications awarded for CompSci? Is it like NatSci where it is all relative? Such that, bottom 10% get thirds, next 40% 2:2, next 40% 2:i, next 10% a first (or whatever), or are they marked absolutely so that the proportions aren't the same every year?

[alex_hk90]

(Original post by etp)
How are the overall degree classifications awarded for CompSci? Is it like NatSci where it is all relative? Such that, bottom 10% get thirds, next 40% 2:2, next 40% 2:i, next 10% a first (or whatever), or are they marked absolutely so that the proportions aren't the same every year?

I'm not sure but I thought that in most subjects it was a bit of both.

[SunderX]

(Original post by etp)
How are the overall degree classifications awarded for CompSci? Is it like NatSci where it is all relative? Such that, bottom 10% get thirds, next 40% 2:2, next 40% 2:i, next 10% a first (or whatever), or are they marked absolutely so that the proportions aren't the same every year?

First year Computer Science is graded exactly the same as NatSci, because Computer Science is in fact, treated as a NatSci subject. This diverges in the second year, but you can expect to be graded not only in the same individual exam rankings, but the same degree rankings as well.

[SunderX]

Also, the ratio 1st/2.i/2.ii/3rd is usually something along the lines of 25%/30%/35%/10%

EDIT: Proportion for 2.ii's is usually ~35%. Otherwise it doesn't add up to 100% ^_^.

[etp]

(Original post by SunderX)
Also, the ratio 1st/2.i/2.ii/3rd is usually something along the lines of 25%/30%/40%/10%

That's quite an unnerving statistic, considering how your life is supposedly over with a 2.ii (if TSR was to be believed). I'm quite worried by some of the posts in http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=792101 especially concerning that they would be looking at a first elsewhere, combined with the fact I'm quite positive I fluked my offer, I'm bricking it. How common is a 'I would be doing better somewhere else' among CompScis? How hard is the course providing I work at it?

[SunderX]

(Original post by etp)
That's quite an unnerving statistic, considering how your life is supposedly over with a 2.ii (if TSR was to be believed). I'm quite worried by some of the posts in http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=792101 especially concerning that they would be looking at a first elsewhere, combined with the fact I'm quite positive I fluked my offer, I'm bricking it. How common is a 'I would be doing better somewhere else' among CompScis? How hard is the course providing I work at it?

The thing is to go into uni not thinking that it's going to be a magical place - it doesn't change all THAT much from high school. There's also the added fact that as a computer scientist you may have to work against the grain a little, to break the stereotype of the closet geek. However, I find that the course is doable and even cool at times, but it comes down to a lot of work management, you need to make sacrifices in all the departments of quality/social/sleep/sanity to keep abreast of it all.

The real question though, is that if you don't take the chance, how would you have felt for the rest of your life after letting this opportunity pass you by? That's what I tell myself whenever it feels like Cambridge is getting to me, and I realise there was really no other way.

[theorviv]

Hi,
do you have any experience with NatScis doing the CompSci option / are a NatSci having done so?

I'm considerung taking it but
a) am wondering whether it will be really hard without previous programming experience
b) am not sure how interesting it is for NatScis as there still seem to be some uniquely CompSci elements in the paper 1 lectures.

Any advice? Thanks!

[SunderX]

(Original post by theorviv)
Hi,
do you have any experience with NatScis doing the CompSci option / are a NatSci having done so?

I'm considerung taking it but
a) am wondering whether it will be really hard without previous programming experience
b) am not sure how interesting it is for NatScis as there still seem to be some uniquely CompSci elements in the paper 1 lectures.

Any advice? Thanks!

The NatSci 25% Compsci option is a good choice if you intend on continuing in Natural Sciences in your second and third year, but either enjoy learning about computers or intend on doing something such as Physics, which may well have a large computational element in it later on.

a) No previous programming experience is required (you start off with a very obscure language that teaches you the basics) but it does help to be familiar with the basic concepts.
b) You're assuming that CompSci material is automatically boring to NatSci's, which is clearly rubbish, otherwise this option wouldn't exist . Whether the computer science option is interesting is purely up to the individual.

[SunderX]

(Original post by theorviv)
Hi,
do you have any experience with NatScis doing the CompSci option / are a NatSci having done so?

I'm considerung taking it but
a) am wondering whether it will be really hard without previous programming experience
b) am not sure how interesting it is for NatScis as there still seem to be some uniquely CompSci elements in the paper 1 lectures.

Any advice? Thanks!

The NatSci 25% Compsci option is a good choice if you intend on continuing in Natural Sciences in your second and third year, but either enjoy learning about computers or intend on doing something such as Physics, which may well have a large computational element in it later on.

a) No previous programming experience is required (you start off with a very obscure language that teaches you the basics) but it does help to be familiar with the basic concepts.
b) You're assuming that CompSci material is automatically boring to NatSci's, which is clearly rubbish, otherwise this option wouldn't exist . Whether the computer science option is interesting is purely up to the individual.

[SunderX]

How did that manage to post 5 times?

[Mustardseed]

(Original post by theorviv)
Hi,
do you have any experience with NatScis doing the CompSci option / are a NatSci having done so?

I'm considerung taking it but
a) am wondering whether it will be really hard without previous programming experience
b) am not sure how interesting it is for NatScis as there still seem to be some uniquely CompSci elements in the paper 1 lectures.

Any advice? Thanks!

I'm a CompSci, not a NatSci, but I have spoken to lots of NatScis who have done just this, so I feel qualified to comment. I would say you certainly don't need to worry about it being boring (and it sounds as though you've checked out the syllabus so you wouldn't get any surprises; I did speak to one guy who had assumed that digital electronics would be involved and then realised that was only on Paper 2).

As for the previous experience issue, inevitably the majority of people on the course are going to have done some programming before, but this may range from 'a little mucking about in spare time' (such as in my case) to 'having worked for a software company for a year' or 'taken part in the International Informatics Olympiad'. (Interestingly, it seems that programming experience is not strongly related to end-of-year exam performance, looking at the list from this year.) I don't think this needs to be an issue, as long as you're not intimidated by this - some of the NatScis said that they felt out of their depth and as though all the CompScis doing Paper 2 as well would automatically be a million times more confident and better than them, but as long as you realise that this isn't the case and don't let it put you off, I'd say the CompSci option is very worthwhile. I know at least one NatSci is switching into second-year Computer Science...

[theorviv]

Thanks both of you!

(Original post by SunderX)
b) You're assuming that CompSci material is automatically boring to NatSci's, which is clearly rubbish, otherwise this option wouldn't exist . Whether the computer science option is interesting is purely up to the individual.

What I meant was that CompSci-only material is most probably automatically boring to me . I'm only really interested in the stuff that is helpful for physics further on, more for having a sound basis in tidy, efficient programming than for relishing the subject.

[SunderX]

(Original post by theorviv)
Thanks both of you!



What I meant was that CompSci-only material is most probably automatically boring to me . I'm only really interested in the stuff that is helpful for physics further on, more for having a sound basis in tidy, efficient programming than for relishing the subject.

Paper 1 then would a be a pretty good bet, since you'll be doing the basics of programming along with some operating systems stuff and (likely) Algorithms. They tend to mix around the subjects each year, but you're most definitely avoid the digital electronics and probably the discrete maths, which are definitely the most compsci intensive bits.

[Mustardseed]

(Original post by SunderX)
Paper 1 then would a be a pretty good bet, since you'll be doing the basics of programming along with some operating systems stuff and (likely) Algorithms. They tend to mix around the subjects each year, but you're most definitely avoid the digital electronics and probably the discrete maths, which are definitely the most compsci intensive bits.

Not so - the "new" Discrete Maths I is on Paper 1. That said, it's hardly CompSci-intensive; just sort of logic and sets type stuff. This year just gone, anyway, and looking at the provisional timetable for next year I would warrant it's staying the same.

But yes, my DoS told us last year that they do (try to) put the things that they believe will be most relevant and useful to the NatScis on Paper 1, so a pretty good bet is exactly what that is...

[SunderX]

(Original post by Mustardseed)
Not so - the "new" Discrete Maths I is on Paper 1. That said, it's hardly CompSci-intensive; just sort of logic and sets type stuff. This year just gone, anyway, and looking at the provisional timetable for next year I would warrant it's staying the same.

But yes, my DoS told us last year that they do (try to) put the things that they believe will be most relevant and useful to the NatScis on Paper 1, so a pretty good bet is exactly what that is...

I took a look at the new Paper 1 they offered my college kids this year and they're changed the format quite a bit now. They didn't used to split Discrete Maths into 1 and 2 - we had ours delivered in one horrendous block .

I got 6/20 for that question :P.

[theorviv]

Hm, I only found the 2008/09 material on the website (saying an update would occur over summer) - could you send me the link to the provisional stuff for next year?