University - Video Game/Programming Career

[Myth]

Hey all just a quick question,

I've got a place guaranteed at Plymouth University next year after doing a foundation year (Passed it with a fairly high overall aggregate) and I'm trying to decide between two courses and thought some of you with experience in the industry may be able to help.

The two courses are

Computing http://www.plymouth.ac.uk/courses/un...s%29+Computing
Computer Science http://www.plymouth.ac.uk/courses/un...mputer+Science

After reading through the description and modules they seem very similar (quite a few modules are shared between the courses) but I get the feeling that the Computer Science one would be better for me. However the standard Computing one looks quite interesting too, possibly slightly easier.

Overall I'm just wondering which degree you guys think I should go for and if either would hinder a decent career at the end of it.

[vanpeebles]

Do you want to program for a living or just generally work in computing?

[Myth]

Have my heart set on programming really, was originally 3D work but never had the art skills to follow it up at a high level.

[vanpeebles]

Looking at that the Computing one has a lot of specialist areas you can pick at Year 4?

[abigsmurf]

Computer Science tends to be more technical and deal more with the nitty gritty of IT. You'd probably learn more advanced coding techniques in it.

My advise on optional modules:

Avoid the 'easy' credits/points, they can be horrible courses that teach you zero practical information.

I had an 'introduction to multimedia' module like that. Huge amounts of non-taxing but time consuming coursework, was taught stuff I knew was incorrect or inaccurate and the head of the module who reminded me of Professor Umbridge from Harry Potter.

Avoid these 'buzzword' filled courses with zero practical content, go for the hard stuff; the networking, database, OOP, API and data structure courses.

[Flabio]

The CS one looks to be a harder course, and covers more of the 'cutting edge' than the Computing one.

Tough call though, from that they seem very similar.

Give the uni a call and ask to have a chat with someone in the department about it. They should be able to tell you which ones have the higher math content, etc... (in general CS tends to be more theoretical, Computing tends to be more practical, but it's impossible to tell from the descriptions on the website there).

[Myth]

I'm guessing I should be looking for more practical than theory not vice-versa?

[Dirty Sanchez]

From the last coverage in Edge about what the industry is looking for they seemed to be interested in the core skills rather than the fluff. Core skills being top grade maths and physics.

I'd aim to come out with the potential to be a great programmer/analyst rather than someone with skills that are out of date before you get chance to use them.

[Decider-VT]

I've just completed a Computer Science foundation year. The one thing that was drummed into us from the beginning was that you'll need core skills in maths and to develop the ability to think logically and deal with some very abstract ideas when problem solving.

Getting a good CS degree will do anything but hinder you- you'll have a good degree to fall back on if things don't work out for some reason.

[NW2013]

Yeah, if you go for Computer Science there'll be all other sorts of industries you could work in if you don't get into video games in the end.

[Myth]

Thanks for all the feedback guys, really appreciating it.

[egparadigm]

From the last coverage in Edge about what the industry is looking for they seemed to be interested in the core skills rather than the fluff. Core skills being top grade maths and physics.

This is what I have read as well. They really want people who've studied hard sciences like Physics.

My dad works for a software engineering company and I think I've had conversations with him along those lines.

[Salsa Party Animal]

Just be careful as if you are not that good at programming it can be time consuming.

[Rep]

Just be careful as if you are not that good at programming it can be time consuming.

Sorry but that's the most ridiculous thing i've ever heard, nobody expects you to enter University and know how to program. That's the reason you're there. I graduate in July for BSc Software & Systems, and had never programmed in my life the day I walked in. Once you pick up the basic concepts, the rest is a easy, just practice.

[averybluemonkey]

I've got a MA in Comp Sci. Always choose Comp Sci. over Computing or Computer Engineering when the option is available. Comp Sci courses provide a far stronger underpinning and understanding of how things work and are more desirable in any programming industry. I'd also recommend always taking the hardest, most mathematical options whenever you get a choice between modules. At the end of the day no company worth their salt cares whether you got a 2:1 instead of a 1st but start talking about stuff like Denotational Semantics and the like and you'll get their attention.

This in particular caught my eye from the Comp Sci listng "Exciting and challenging Computer Science Workshop in Stage 1, delivered by members of research groups." I was lucky enough to get to spend a lot of time being tutored by the PHD students at our place and getting access to these people is an invaluable aid that can really help you go beyond the course material.