Computer Science

[Potatoman]

Where can i do a course in computer science? What does it involve? I work full time so it will have to be over the internet or distance learning.

[MargeB]

Learning to program, Operating Systems, a bit of hardware. Lots and lots of programming. It's a great degree. I personally wouldn't do it without being very strong at Maths, for the career options afterwards apart from anything.

Great thing about CompSci is that it's a really popular subject to teach, and because of the programming, it is easy (better?) to do by distance. I sat through Comp Sci lectures at uni...what is the point in teaching programming via lectures?????????????????/

Try the Open Uni as a good place to start. And it has a good reputation.

[OBonio]

Might be worth trying A-Level Comp Sci too. Most good colleges will run it. Only 2 years at 5 hours a week. OU is a lot more demanding. What it involves : programming (should be teaching OO now I'd hope), systems design, project life cycle, basic compression algorithms, sorting algorithms (how many ways to skin a cat?), use of pointers (linked lists, binary trees, doubly linked lists etc). Essentailly, a very good grounding in all things computers. Maybe with a bit of a sway to programming.

[MargeB]

Object Oriented.

What's a project life cycle?: Like this?:

1) argue about who does what

2) grudgingly accept roles

3) push back deadlines realizing they are unrealistic

4) Blame manager for your disproportionate workload

5) Inform client of project delay

6) Mad scramble with bad code to realize new deadline before client sues.

[OBonio]

Ok, I should have said the theory of a project life cycle. Preliminary study, feasability study, investigation, analysis, design, implementation and maintenance is what I learnt at A-Level. Real life looks more like your scenario though. In stage 6 of a major release at the moment. Joy.

[MargeB]

Good luck!

I've just been reading too much Dilbert :-)

[OBonio]

I still maintain an age old Dilbertism from about 1995 :

That's not a bug, it's a feature.