Computer Science at Aston University

Hi, I'm about to enter Aston Universities Computer Science degree and I would love some help.
I really like being prepared and want to be ahead of the game when I enter university. If there are any previous students out there, is there any material I could read up on beforehand, books or online?
Also, I'm pretty confident in Python but what other languages will I be expected to learn at Aston, I'd rather start learning now.
Thanks!

Reply 1

winterscoming

19

Their website mentions Java, which is fairly typical for most Computer Science degrees:
https://www2.aston.ac.uk/eas/about-eas/academic-groups/computer-science/software-used-in-computer-science

Although their site suggests downloading BlueJ, Eclipse or NetBeans, I think those are all quite old-fashioned tools. There's a much more modern tool for Java that you can get for free called IntelliJ IDEA (Community edition is free): https://www.jetbrains.com/idea/download/
(The python IDE from jetbrains is also very good). The debugger tool in IntelliJ is really good.

If you're already confident in Python, then learning Java is mostly going be really about learning a new syntax, and a new set of tools. All the concepts like variables, strings, if/else, for/while, functions, arrays/lists, etc will be the same. The biggest difference you'll notice is how Java variables use "static" (fixed/set-in-stone) data types whereas python variables have "dynamic" (changable) data types. But the core concepts of computational thinking are the same. But there are certain rather simple and basic things in Java which will probably seem counter-intuitive and awkward/fiddly coming from Python. It's just a matter of getting used to Java's own idioms/patterns and its quirks.

You can get the basics of Java here. Some new syntax to learn, new errors to recognise, new terminology, new tools, new libraries, etc:
https://www.udacity.com/course/java-programming-basics--ud282
https://www.udacity.com/course/object-oriented-programming-in-java--ud283

Also Java's runtime environment (virtual machine) is different to Python's. You may find yourself needing to learn a bit about that and the differences around the way it handles memory and exceptions etc. (And of course Java is compiled, Python is interpreted, so that changes things too).

(edited 4 years ago)

Reply 2

Moonschool

9

Hi @elianaozin

I'm a current Computer Science student at Aston, going into my final year, so hopefully I'll be able to help out!

As @winterscoming said the main programming language at Aston is Java. In the first term we will be using an IDE called BlueJ and in the second term (and probably throughout second year) they will teach you to use Eclipse (you can choose a different one, but you won't be supported with different IDEs).

The first year Java modules are based on the BlueJ book - Objects First With Java - A Practical Introduction Using BlueJ - which can be found in the Aston library when you arrive. Make sure you pick up a copy, as all the lectures will be referencing it!

At Aston we do not use Python, but of course the skills you've already learned from it will become useful!

In the first year, you will also learn the basics of the web (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) and learn about Computer Systems (CPU, binary, etc) as well as Maths (which I've earned from other students is easy if you've already done A-Level Maths).

The most important thing though is to not worry. As long as you complete your work each week, you will be on track to get a great grade. Don't stress too much about getting started before the term starts.

If you PM, I can send you a few lectures and some course specifications, if you want though.

Also, don't forget to join the Computer Science society during Freshers Week! They will be a big help during your first year, for sure!

Reply 3

NHD-15

6

Original post by Moonschool

Hi @elianaozin

I'm a current Computer Science student at Aston, going into my final year, so hopefully I'll be able to help out!

As @winterscoming said the main programming language at Aston is Java. In the first term we will be using an IDE called BlueJ and in the second term (and probably throughout second year) they will teach you to use Eclipse (you can choose a different one, but you won't be supported with different IDEs).

The first year Java modules are based on the BlueJ book - Objects First With Java - A Practical Introduction Using BlueJ - which can be found in the Aston library when you arrive. Make sure you pick up a copy, as all the lectures will be referencing it!

At Aston we do not use Python, but of course the skills you've already learned from it will become useful!

In the first year, you will also learn the basics of the web (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) and learn about Computer Systems (CPU, binary, etc) as well as Maths (which I've earned from other students is easy if you've already done A-Level Maths).

The most important thing though is to not worry. As long as you complete your work each week, you will be on track to get a great grade. Don't stress too much about getting started before the term starts.

If you PM, I can send you a few lectures and some course specifications, if you want though.

Also, don't forget to join the Computer Science society during Freshers Week! They will be a big help during your first year, for sure!

Hi I'm thinking of specialising in cyber security through doing computer science at Aston or West London uni (I have no computer science experience), when comparing the two modules, I'm still unsure on what uni to choose, what would you

(edited 3 years ago)

Reply 4

Moonschool

9

Original post by mukhtar1122

Hi I'm thinking of specialising in cyber security through doing computer science at Aston or West London uni (I have no computer science experience), when comparing the two modules, I'm still unsure on what uni to choose, what would you recommend