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Geek Culture / Computer Science

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UnderLord
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Posted: 11th Nov 2005 05:31
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Im thinking of going for my computer science degree before I go for a networking degree. What do you think?

But as I don't know much about the topic of Computer Science, I was wondering what does it focus on. Im going to google for the topic of computer science. But I thought there most likly there is atleast one person on this forum that has a degree and could help me understand what im getting into before I actually sign up for a class.

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Jeku
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Posted: 11th Nov 2005 05:59 Edited at: 11th Nov 2005 06:03
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There's tons of theory and programming. It's pretty tough, but it's generally required for a game programmer job

EDIT:

Just to reinforce, I didn't do a Comp Sci degree. I did a Computer Information Systems degree--- less theory and more programming, basically. The problem with my 4-year degree is that most companies have never heard of it. Big mistake

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JoelJ
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Posted: 11th Nov 2005 06:10 Edited at: 11th Nov 2005 06:10
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Quote: "The problem with my 4-year degree is that most companies have never heard of it. Big mistake "

it'll catch on don't worry

but Computer science is more GENERAL of the computer field, from what I understand


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Arkheii
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Posted: 11th Nov 2005 12:19 Edited at: 11th Nov 2005 12:57
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@Jeku: Doesn't your degree fall under compsci?

Meh, I'm taking compsci right now (freshman) - aiming for Software Technology. Mortality rate is pretty high because of Compro subjects. Ironically for me, it pulls up my low grades in subjects like religion and sociology (useless subjects that we're required to take up).

We started with C. First term was like, hardcore printf's, scanf's, recursion with plenty of time pressure (seriously). They restricted us from using arrays and structures to see how we can manage without them. Our final project was to make a calendar generator.

This term is more on data structures. Arrays, C strings, structs, vectors, etc. Focusing also on sorting algorithms and pointer arithmetic. This term's final project is a database manager + anything we want that uses that data. I'm planning on hacking together an old skool rpg.

Honestly, nothing I haven't already learned from Gamedev.net But some of the exams and stuff have little hacks and tricks that I really learned from. You'll like it, trust me.

edit: I'm attaching a pdf so you can see what kind of projects to expect.

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Chenak
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Posted: 11th Nov 2005 12:57
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Wow, C? Thats awesome, would love to learn that. We're stuck with Java and ASM .
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adr
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Posted: 11th Nov 2005 14:01 Edited at: 11th Nov 2005 14:03
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Quote: "I did a Computer Information Systems degree--- less theory and more programming"


Oddly enough, "Information Systems" was the degree handed out to people at our uni who couldn't cope with either the programming or theory.

I did a "Software Engineering" degree . Apparently when they created and titled the degree, the phrase "Software Engineering" was very much the flavour of the month, but signups for that particular course were falling by the time I got there. It was silly really - in terms of course material, it only differed to "Computing Science" by ONE compulsory module over the full 3 years.

I liked the sound of "Software Engineering" though - much more than "Computer Science". The "Science" bit makes it sound academic and detatched from the professional world... little do those employers know that it was basically the same course.... mwuhahahaha!

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re faze
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Posted: 11th Nov 2005 16:19
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Quote: "java and asm"

same here. thats a real even match huh?

but i was scared that the classes would be oversaturated, but the class is 50% of the size it was at startup so that calmed me down.

I need someone intelligent to talk to me about my problems too...
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Jess T
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Posted: 11th Nov 2005 16:25
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I'll have finished my first year of a Bcs in Games Technology in two weeks...

It's great fun - Learnt Java, C++, a whole load of crap I never needed to know about Data Communications, Operating Systems, and how Animals use their senses ( I know, "wtf?" is right! )...

But, so far I'm on track for a D average ( at the lowest... Depending on how I go in these exams, I reckon I'll have a HD for the year ).

Mine's only a 3 year course, with Honours, or Industry Experience on the top of that, but it's all Game creation specific ( having said that, we [unfortunatly] share alot of classes with B.it students, who smell, have no lives, and are completely scared of girls even though the average age of them all is about 27ish )...

So, yeah

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Jeku
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Posted: 11th Nov 2005 20:16
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Quote: "@Jeku: Doesn't your degree fall under compsci?"


Technically yes, as our University matches the Simon Fraser University comp sci degree closely--- the real difference is more programming and less textbook theory memorization. This is both good and bad, I guess. Even though I have a hard time memorizing textbook points, it would have been beneficial to get a more recognized degree. Technically, though, I would say a CIS degree is more difficult than a CS degree (or so I'm told).

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Dazzag
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Posted: 12th Nov 2005 01:40
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We didn't do that much theory when I did my computer science degree (this was 10 years ago though). But it's def the main one that employers look out for.

Personally I found functional programming a total waste of time, and robotics being a bit daft, but a lot of fun.

Cheers

I am 99% probably lying in bed right now... so don't blame me for crappy typing
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Antidote
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Posted: 12th Nov 2005 03:34 Edited at: 12th Nov 2005 04:10
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My AP compsci class doesn't have much theory. Granted this is high school but we are the 52nd best high school in the country(or something like that). William G. Enloe high school. Check us out

Anyway I've never heard of looking into the theory. My class is very lab based.


http://forum.thegamecreators.com/?m=forum_view&t=63573&b=5
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Great Knight
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Posted: 12th Nov 2005 08:39
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I am taking Computer Science now. Its pretty much a study of every thing in the computer world. Its pretty easy in some parts, but the networking and communication class is one of the harder ones.
What is cool is that I get to skip a Java course and go to a Harder one. This is at college level too lol. I find the programming part easy. I get pretty high grades around 92 to 100 for programming. Networking and Communication has lots and lots of terms and lots to learn and is business orianted too.

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re faze
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Posted: 12th Nov 2005 14:50
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i took ap computer sci, and now my college comp sci class is so easy i actuall lost points for using an array in one of the beginning projects.

I need someone intelligent to talk to me about my problems too...
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Antidote
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Posted: 12th Nov 2005 15:09
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Quote: "i actuall lost points for using an array in one of the beginning projects.
"


I hate it when teachers say that because they haven't told you about it you can't use it. Or teachers who say that you don't understand something until they tell you about it. Why can't I use things that are more efficient or things that make more sense just because you haven't told me about them? Does this mean I wont understand them if you don't tell me? Are you the supreme overlord who decides if we understand something or not? Come one! Sorry for the rant but it gets me pretty mad


http://forum.thegamecreators.com/?m=forum_view&t=63573&b=5
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re faze
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Posted: 12th Nov 2005 17:53
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I used a loop for the 2nd project and lost 2pts and lost another 3 for lack of comments and indentation c'mon! its 10 friggin lines!!

I need someone intelligent to talk to me about my problems too...
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Chenak
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Posted: 12th Nov 2005 19:47
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Well comments and indentation is quite important, but loosing marks for using something advanced is just... unfair . Here we actually get extra marks for using stuff we haven't learnt yet
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Undercover Steve
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Posted: 12th Nov 2005 22:11 Edited at: 12th Nov 2005 22:12
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Sucks to be all of you Living in the modern age and not commenting.pheff

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re faze
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Posted: 13th Nov 2005 00:16 Edited at: 13th Nov 2005 00:16
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Hey, I know what im doing, i mean, its 10 lines! i dont comment for less than 20
and if the ide doesnt indent, why should i?

I need someone intelligent to talk to me about my problems too...
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TKF15H
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Posted: 13th Nov 2005 03:04
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First day of Basic C Programming at my uni, the teacher asked us to make a few simple programs (no need for arrays/loops or malloc).
I did everything using very optimized code (even tossed in some inline asm with MMX ). The result: I don't have to go to class anymore, I just have to show up for the tests.

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re faze
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Posted: 13th Nov 2005 03:09
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@tkf15h
do you happen to use 3dws?

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TKF15H
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Posted: 13th Nov 2005 03:17
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Nope, I just code. I seem to have no talent with 3D modeling at all.

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UnderLord
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Posted: 13th Nov 2005 07:11
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Thanks Arkheii for the pdf file.

Welp this has been fun =P.

Now lets find out how much classes cost

When we talk to god, we're praying. When god talks to us, we're schizophrenic.
http://dbworlds.darkuniverse.net/
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Dazzag
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Posted: 13th Nov 2005 14:15
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Quote: "I don't have to go to class anymore"
*Have*? Think I went to something like 10 lectures in the last year.

Quote: "Now lets find out how much classes cost"
Would really really think about not going these days. I mean it costs a fortune. When I went it was all like practically free (didn't have to pay for any teaching, and they gave you a grant as long as your parents wern't loaded). Oh yes, twas like a 3 year holiday (we were right on the sea) with more beer. Nice. Perhaps I would have taken it more seriously if I'd had to pay for anything, but then perhaps I wouldn't own a house now and still be up to my ears in debt. Bwahahahahaha. Bloody students.....

Cheers

I am 99% probably lying in bed right now... so don't blame me for crappy typing
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Jeku
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Posted: 13th Nov 2005 19:20
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Dazzag - You didn't have to pay the loans back?

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adr
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Posted: 13th Nov 2005 21:45 Edited at: 13th Nov 2005 21:53
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Unfortunately, our govornment has set targets for 50% of young people to go into "higher education" (or is it "further education"?). That makes grants totally unsustainable nowadays. My older sister and brother got grants - you didn't have to pay them back. Grants are amazingly difficult to get now, so pretty much everyone is taking out as much as they can to pay their way through uni. I came out of university around £12,000 in debt ($21000 USD, $25000 CAD).

But it's ok - you only have to pay back the loans* if you earn over £11,000 .... People on benefits get more than £11k, and they're supposedly on the poverty line.

It makes me wanna puke - I'll be paying back my student loans until I'm pissing in my pants.


</rant>

* This threshold has recently been increased by a charitable £4,000.

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Dazzag
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Posted: 14th Nov 2005 00:46
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Quote: "Dazzag - You didn't have to pay the loans back?"
What loans? When I went to Uni we got grants (and no tuition fees). It was enough to pay for lodging, food, and alcohol. And no you never had to pay them back.

Quote: "you only have to pay back the loans* if you earn over £11,000"
Friend of mine doesn't have to pay hers back until she earns something like £25k a year.

Oh, and I lived cheaply enough (ie. no books or clothes to pay for constant partying) to avoid loans and only come out with about a £500 overdraft which I luckily paid off quickly because programmers were gold a decade ago (bit like plumbers these days)

Now the UK has screwed the students (they will be paying for everything come next year I believe) much like most of the rest of the world, then expect normal resumption of only turn of the century toffynose tosspots ever going to college. Luckily, if you are even slightly clever (and most of you probably are if you are on this forum), then this is not much of a downside educationally speaking (didn't teach me much I needed for the future), but a total downer in a terms of living life to the full for a few years (before being ground down in the sheer hell of work) and the sad fact that most employers won't even look at your CV without a degree on it (I know, I used to do it. Best way to filter through the *hundreds* of applicants - lose a few stars, but there is no better way).

Cheers

I am 99% probably lying in bed right now... so don't blame me for crappy typing
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