Any Computer Science students?
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Original post by jordan.uni
It kind of sucks that it will be full of sweaty, smelly nerds and devoid of girls, but what else is there to expect on a computer science course?
However in my opinion there's no point in choosing a course just because of the male:female ratio.
I was told over the phone that the course is more focused on practical work as opposed to concentrating on theory. How about the maths also? Is the degree fairly maths intensive and if so, is all the maths material necessary provided? I.e lectures, material, etc.
However in my opinion there's no point in choosing a course just because of the male:female ratio.
I was told over the phone that the course is more focused on practical work as opposed to concentrating on theory. How about the maths also? Is the degree fairly maths intensive and if so, is all the maths material necessary provided? I.e lectures, material, etc.
Set theory is covered, along with a little bit of probability, and some function application (f(g(x)) and all that), as you'll be learning some other paradignms, like functional programming, most likely), but you shouldn't really need it. I've managed to get by without much Maths.
That said, some background, and the mindset for it, would make sense.
(edited 12 years ago)
Original post by jordan.uni
I was told over the phone that the course is more focused on practical work as opposed to concentrating on theory. How about the maths also? Is the degree fairly maths intensive and if so, is all the maths material necessary provided? I.e lectures, material, etc.
If the course was maths intensive, it would have required a maths A-Level. The highest level I did maths to was GCSE (and I didn't do great) but I've managed fine.
Cool.
What's the work like? How is it assessed? Like what is an example programming project, do you mostly provide coursework, sit exams or write papers?
What's the work like? How is it assessed? Like what is an example programming project, do you mostly provide coursework, sit exams or write papers?
Original post by jordan.uni
Cool.
What's the work like? How is it assessed? Like what is an example programming project, do you mostly provide coursework, sit exams or write papers?
What's the work like? How is it assessed? Like what is an example programming project, do you mostly provide coursework, sit exams or write papers?
It's a mix of the two, courseowrk and exam, depending on the module. example coursework includes simple C applications in your first year, progressing on to Android and other platforms.
For coursework, assessment varies depending on the type. If it's a written piece, normally you submit an electronic copy to the university's virtual learning environment and get feedback within a few weeks. For programming pieces, you'll normally be assessed in lab sessions by a teaching assistant (CS postgraduate) and get your mark there and then.
Original post by ADG
My biggest gripe would be that feedback on coursework can take anywhere from one week to the end of time (still waiting for one coursework mark now despite finishing lectures/labs in April
). Certain lecturers are very hard to get a hold of if you need something explainingThis. My dissertation supervisor is practically impossible to get hold of, and I'm pretty sure we never even got the marks back for some of our coursework.
Original post by Erratic
How many submissions are you allowed for your dissertation?
One, but you have several drafts with your supervisor.
A bit off-topic, but it seems pointless posting another thread. Do Lancaster still operate the 3 courses in the first year scheme?
Original post by jordan.uni
A bit off-topic, but it seems pointless posting another thread. Do Lancaster still operate the 3 courses in the first year scheme?
Yes.
Original post by Tathrim
Bingo. 
Anyways, your course information.
The Part I course consists of 6 modules:
SCC 110: Software Development
SCC 120: Fundamentals of Computer Science
SCC 130: Information Systems
SCC 140: Creative Technology
SCC 150: Digital Systems
SCC 160: Fundamentals of Communications Systems
Normal CS majors take SCC110-130 and SCC 150, and the others are taken if the student wants to as their minor subject (which I assume you are all aware is how Lancaster likes things to be done). Some take MATH101-105, Linguistics or something like that to balance the stuff around, but it's your choice.
the Creative Industries course swaps out 150 for 140, Comms and electronics take only 110 and 160, Managmenet and IT students only take 110 and 140, with system's engineering and minors students taking 110 and 120.
More detail on these modules can be found in the courses handbook here (not needing a password, as it's not on the intranet): http://www.lusi.lancs.ac.uk/OnlineCoursesHandbook/ModuleCatalogue/Listing.aspx?ModuleID=SCC&Year=000111&Category=000622
NB: SCC162 is not a CS course module, it's an adapted module for Electrical Engineering students.
Part II
Part II doesn't have that much information about it as of yet, as it's only just been finalised.
However, the core module titles taken with ALL degrees (except Management and IT - will post more details if needed) are as follows:
SCC201 Databases
SCC202 HCI - User interfaces (Except CS&E)
SCC203 Computer Networks
SCC204 So5ware Design
SCC205 Prof. Issues/ Research Method
SCC306 Advanced Internet & Mobile Applications - (third year module)
There are a further set of modules that are taken as part of different degrees. I will just be posting the standard CS ones, any questions for the other schemes can be answered later, so the post isn't too cluttered. Needless to say that CI, CS&E, and SE have differences in second and third year.
Second year:
SCC210*Group*Project*
SCC211*Operating*Systems*(including threads, concurrency)
SCC212*Advanced*Programming*(likely to be functional programming - suggestion of using Scala)
Third year core:
SCC300*Final*Year*Project*(30*Credit)*
SCC311*Distributed*Systems*
SCC312*Languages*&*Compilation*
SCC361*Artificial*Intelligence
3rd year options (choose 2)*
SCC360*Computer*Science*Seminars*
SCC365*Advanced*Networking*
SCC366*Media*Coding*&*Processing*
SCC369*Embedded*Systems*
ICTF301*Security*and*Risk*
I can't give much more detail than that, I've been out of the loop for a year, but I can cover any additonal questions in a PM.
Anyways, your course information.
The Part I course consists of 6 modules:
SCC 110: Software Development
SCC 120: Fundamentals of Computer Science
SCC 130: Information Systems
SCC 140: Creative Technology
SCC 150: Digital Systems
SCC 160: Fundamentals of Communications Systems
Normal CS majors take SCC110-130 and SCC 150, and the others are taken if the student wants to as their minor subject (which I assume you are all aware is how Lancaster likes things to be done). Some take MATH101-105, Linguistics or something like that to balance the stuff around, but it's your choice.
the Creative Industries course swaps out 150 for 140, Comms and electronics take only 110 and 160, Managmenet and IT students only take 110 and 140, with system's engineering and minors students taking 110 and 120.
More detail on these modules can be found in the courses handbook here (not needing a password, as it's not on the intranet): http://www.lusi.lancs.ac.uk/OnlineCoursesHandbook/ModuleCatalogue/Listing.aspx?ModuleID=SCC&Year=000111&Category=000622
NB: SCC162 is not a CS course module, it's an adapted module for Electrical Engineering students.
Part II
Part II doesn't have that much information about it as of yet, as it's only just been finalised.
However, the core module titles taken with ALL degrees (except Management and IT - will post more details if needed) are as follows:
SCC201 Databases
SCC202 HCI - User interfaces (Except CS&E)
SCC203 Computer Networks
SCC204 So5ware Design
SCC205 Prof. Issues/ Research Method
SCC306 Advanced Internet & Mobile Applications - (third year module)
There are a further set of modules that are taken as part of different degrees. I will just be posting the standard CS ones, any questions for the other schemes can be answered later, so the post isn't too cluttered. Needless to say that CI, CS&E, and SE have differences in second and third year.
Second year:
SCC210*Group*Project*
SCC211*Operating*Systems*(including threads, concurrency)
SCC212*Advanced*Programming*(likely to be functional programming - suggestion of using Scala)
Third year core:
SCC300*Final*Year*Project*(30*Credit)*
SCC311*Distributed*Systems*
SCC312*Languages*&*Compilation*
SCC361*Artificial*Intelligence
3rd year options (choose 2)*
SCC360*Computer*Science*Seminars*
SCC365*Advanced*Networking*
SCC366*Media*Coding*&*Processing*
SCC369*Embedded*Systems*
ICTF301*Security*and*Risk*
I can't give much more detail than that, I've been out of the loop for a year, but I can cover any additonal questions in a PM.
Do yiu do any tuition ... on certain topics?
Just need a bit of help on 2.
Original post by jordan.uni
It kind of sucks that it will be full of sweaty, smelly nerds and devoid of girls, but what else is there to expect on a computer science course?
However in my opinion there's no point in choosing a course just because of the male:female ratio.
I was told over the phone that the course is more focused on practical work as opposed to concentrating on theory. How about the maths also? Is the degree fairly maths intensive and if so, is all the maths material necessary provided? I.e lectures, material, etc.
However in my opinion there's no point in choosing a course just because of the male:female ratio.
I was told over the phone that the course is more focused on practical work as opposed to concentrating on theory. How about the maths also? Is the degree fairly maths intensive and if so, is all the maths material necessary provided? I.e lectures, material, etc.
Hey @jordan.uni
I am a second year computer science student and a computer science ambassador here at Lancaster and I'm not sure i agree with the whole gender ratio and "full of sweaty, smelly nerds and devoid of girls".
I understand it may have been a case a few years ago but recently (the year i'm in specially) the gender ratio has drastically changed and I would say its probably 6:4 now. The stereotype of all computer science students being geeks is also soon changing. There are a lot of good looking, aesthetic, "normal" people that take computer science. Yes, there are a few geeks that come under the category of "your typical cs student" But i can promise you its a very small percentage of people lol.
The course has changed a lot too, and it changing more for the upcoming year. The teaching office is making the course more customisable with you guys getting to chose your own modules starting second year and choose from a wide range including Cyber security, operating systems, databases, Artificial intelligence etc.
The course is both theoretical and practical. They will teach you all the theory required and ask you to practically apply for your coursework. However the exams will require you to know and understand all the theory as well.
Coming from someone who actually enjoys maths- unfortunately there isn't too much math involved in the course. But if you don't like math then thats a good news for you!
In your first year, there will be a discrete mathematics module however, that's pretty much all the maths you do here.
If you are still interested in maths - there is an option to choose a minor in maths.
I hope this helps, Please let me know if there is anything else you want to know!
Vyomika
Original post by Lancaster Student Ambassador
Hey @jordan.uni
I am a second year computer science student and a computer science ambassador here at Lancaster and I'm not sure i agree with the whole gender ratio and "full of sweaty, smelly nerds and devoid of girls".
I understand it may have been a case a few years ago but recently (the year i'm in specially) the gender ratio has drastically changed and I would say its probably 6:4 now. The stereotype of all computer science students being geeks is also soon changing. There are a lot of good looking, aesthetic, "normal" people that take computer science. Yes, there are a few geeks that come under the category of "your typical cs student" But i can promise you its a very small percentage of people lol.
The course has changed a lot too, and it changing more for the upcoming year. The teaching office is making the course more customisable with you guys getting to chose your own modules starting second year and choose from a wide range including Cyber security, operating systems, databases, Artificial intelligence etc.
The course is both theoretical and practical. They will teach you all the theory required and ask you to practically apply for your coursework. However the exams will require you to know and understand all the theory as well.
Coming from someone who actually enjoys maths- unfortunately there isn't too much math involved in the course. But if you don't like math then thats a good news for you!
In your first year, there will be a discrete mathematics module however, that's pretty much all the maths you do here.
If you are still interested in maths - there is an option to choose a minor in maths.
I hope this helps, Please let me know if there is anything else you want to know!
Vyomika
I am a second year computer science student and a computer science ambassador here at Lancaster and I'm not sure i agree with the whole gender ratio and "full of sweaty, smelly nerds and devoid of girls".
I understand it may have been a case a few years ago but recently (the year i'm in specially) the gender ratio has drastically changed and I would say its probably 6:4 now. The stereotype of all computer science students being geeks is also soon changing. There are a lot of good looking, aesthetic, "normal" people that take computer science. Yes, there are a few geeks that come under the category of "your typical cs student" But i can promise you its a very small percentage of people lol.
The course has changed a lot too, and it changing more for the upcoming year. The teaching office is making the course more customisable with you guys getting to chose your own modules starting second year and choose from a wide range including Cyber security, operating systems, databases, Artificial intelligence etc.
The course is both theoretical and practical. They will teach you all the theory required and ask you to practically apply for your coursework. However the exams will require you to know and understand all the theory as well.
Coming from someone who actually enjoys maths- unfortunately there isn't too much math involved in the course. But if you don't like math then thats a good news for you!
In your first year, there will be a discrete mathematics module however, that's pretty much all the maths you do here.
If you are still interested in maths - there is an option to choose a minor in maths.
I hope this helps, Please let me know if there is anything else you want to know!
Vyomika
Do you have any advice on how to develop critical thinking and problem solving skills before starting
Original post by Lancaster Student Ambassador
Hey @jordan.uni
I am a second year computer science student and a computer science ambassador here at Lancaster and I'm not sure i agree with the whole gender ratio and "full of sweaty, smelly nerds and devoid of girls".
I understand it may have been a case a few years ago but recently (the year i'm in specially) the gender ratio has drastically changed and I would say its probably 6:4 now. The stereotype of all computer science students being geeks is also soon changing. There are a lot of good looking, aesthetic, "normal" people that take computer science. Yes, there are a few geeks that come under the category of "your typical cs student" But i can promise you its a very small percentage of people lol.
The course has changed a lot too, and it changing more for the upcoming year. The teaching office is making the course more customisable with you guys getting to chose your own modules starting second year and choose from a wide range including Cyber security, operating systems, databases, Artificial intelligence etc.
The course is both theoretical and practical. They will teach you all the theory required and ask you to practically apply for your coursework. However the exams will require you to know and understand all the theory as well.
Coming from someone who actually enjoys maths- unfortunately there isn't too much math involved in the course. But if you don't like math then thats a good news for you!
In your first year, there will be a discrete mathematics module however, that's pretty much all the maths you do here.
If you are still interested in maths - there is an option to choose a minor in maths.
I hope this helps, Please let me know if there is anything else you want to know!
Vyomika
I am a second year computer science student and a computer science ambassador here at Lancaster and I'm not sure i agree with the whole gender ratio and "full of sweaty, smelly nerds and devoid of girls".
I understand it may have been a case a few years ago but recently (the year i'm in specially) the gender ratio has drastically changed and I would say its probably 6:4 now. The stereotype of all computer science students being geeks is also soon changing. There are a lot of good looking, aesthetic, "normal" people that take computer science. Yes, there are a few geeks that come under the category of "your typical cs student" But i can promise you its a very small percentage of people lol.
The course has changed a lot too, and it changing more for the upcoming year. The teaching office is making the course more customisable with you guys getting to chose your own modules starting second year and choose from a wide range including Cyber security, operating systems, databases, Artificial intelligence etc.
The course is both theoretical and practical. They will teach you all the theory required and ask you to practically apply for your coursework. However the exams will require you to know and understand all the theory as well.
Coming from someone who actually enjoys maths- unfortunately there isn't too much math involved in the course. But if you don't like math then thats a good news for you!
In your first year, there will be a discrete mathematics module however, that's pretty much all the maths you do here.
If you are still interested in maths - there is an option to choose a minor in maths.
I hope this helps, Please let me know if there is anything else you want to know!
Vyomika
What is the average grade achieved in A levels/BTECs by students on this course? Would you say that most students are intelligent?
Original post by Anonymous
What is the average grade achieved in A levels/BTECs by students on this course? Would you say that most students are intelligent?
The A level requirement for this course at LU is AAB so I would guess its what most people get when they start here. In terms of intelligent, I would say yes a lot of people are already pro programmers/hackers with full time remote jobs as well as a first class. A lot of students have been coding since they were young teens so they are impressively good at the course here.
I hope this helps.
Vyomika(LU Student Ambassador)
Original post by Lancaster Student Ambassador
The A level requirement for this course at LU is AAA so I would guess its what most people get when they start here. In terms of intelligent, I would say yes a lot of people are already pro programmers/hackers with full time remote jobs as well as a first class. A lot of students have been coding since they were young teens so they are impressively good at the course here.
I hope this helps.
Veronica
I hope this helps.
Veronica
Will ppl who haven't coded before struggle there
Original post by Lancaster Student Ambassador
The A level requirement for this course at LU is AAB so I would guess its what most people get when they start here. In terms of intelligent, I would say yes a lot of people are already pro programmers/hackers with full time remote jobs as well as a first class. A lot of students have been coding since they were young teens so they are impressively good at the course here.
I hope this helps.
Vyomika(LU Student Ambassador)
I hope this helps.
Vyomika(LU Student Ambassador)
What would u recommend to someone who never coded before to do before starting the course so they don't struggle
Original post by Anonymous
What would u recommend to someone who never coded before to do before starting the course so they don't struggle
I had never coded before university either. I had taken a coursera course on java the summer before university and that sort of helped me with knowing basics like loops, arrays etc. So i would definitely recommend a summer course on coding for C and Java.
Java is used primarily in this course, while they teach you other languages as well.
In terms of struggle, If you are willing to learn and work hard then no it will not be a struggle. In first year I would try to do my courseworks with the help of youtube, stack overflow, and ask my coursemates for help. Most coursework grading criteria is given along with the coursework (eg to reach grade D 'abc' should compile, to reach C 'abc+d' should compile, to reach B 'abcd+e' should work and compile etc.)
So I would aim for grade C or B and try to work towards whatever criteria needs to be met. This worked well because first year is not counted so I could try and work without worrying about getting low grades.
If you seem to be lost without knowing how to continue, don't be ashamed of asking others. Everyone helps everyone.
Also I would recommend you try to NOT miss the labs. That is where you can get real support from teachers/assistants over small projects that teach you concepts that were taught in the lecture that week.
I hope this helps and all the best!
Vyomika(LU Student Ambassador)
(edited 1 year ago)
Original post by Lancaster Student Ambassador
I had never coded before university either. I had taken a coursera course on java the summer before university and that sort of helped me with knowing basics like loops, arrays etc. So i would definitely recommend a summer course on coding for C and Java.
Java is used primarily in this course, while they teach you other languages as well.
In terms of struggle, If you are willing to learn and work hard then no it will not be a struggle. In first year I would try to do my courseworks with the help of youtube, stack overflow, and ask my coursemates for help. Most coursework grading criteria is given along with the coursework (eg to reach grade D 'abc' should compile, to reach C 'abc+d' should compile, to reach B 'abcd+e' should work and compile etc.)
So I would aim for grade C or B and try to work towards whatever criteria needs to be met. This worked well because first year is not counted so I could try and work without worrying about getting low grades.
If you seem to be lost without knowing how to continue, don't be ashamed of asking others. Everyone helps everyone.
Also I would recommend you try to NOT miss the labs. That is where you can get real support from teachers/assistants over small projects that teach you concepts that were taught in the lecture that week.
I hope this helps and all the best!
Vyomika(LU Student Ambassador)
Java is used primarily in this course, while they teach you other languages as well.
In terms of struggle, If you are willing to learn and work hard then no it will not be a struggle. In first year I would try to do my courseworks with the help of youtube, stack overflow, and ask my coursemates for help. Most coursework grading criteria is given along with the coursework (eg to reach grade D 'abc' should compile, to reach C 'abc+d' should compile, to reach B 'abcd+e' should work and compile etc.)
So I would aim for grade C or B and try to work towards whatever criteria needs to be met. This worked well because first year is not counted so I could try and work without worrying about getting low grades.
If you seem to be lost without knowing how to continue, don't be ashamed of asking others. Everyone helps everyone.
Also I would recommend you try to NOT miss the labs. That is where you can get real support from teachers/assistants over small projects that teach you concepts that were taught in the lecture that week.
I hope this helps and all the best!
Vyomika(LU Student Ambassador)
Ok. Would you mind giving me example of what type of programming tasks that they typically ask for during year 1? Just so I know what to expect.
Original post by Anonymous
Ok. Would you mind giving me example of what type of programming tasks that they typically ask for during year 1? Just so I know what to expect.
Sure!
So I remember in my first year, one of the early weeks we had learned about loops in java, and that week's lab task was to code a demo slot machine using loops.
Module 120 in first term had mostly maths tasks that required critical thinking etc.
Hope this gives you some idea!
Vyomika(LU Student Ambassador)
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