Timestamps as it’s quite a long video 😊 1. Intro 00:00:00 - 00:01:43 2. What did we originally study? 00:01:44 - 00:02:43 3. What kind of work experience do we have? 00:02:44 - 00:04:00 4. Did we research other universities? 00:04:01 - 00:05:57 5. Why a CS conversion course? (i.e. why not a bootcamp) 00:05:58 - 00:08:43 6. Should you teach yourself to code (i.e. why we chose a master's course over teaching ourselves to code) 00:08:44 - 00:12:57 7. Is the course what we expected? 00:12:58 - 00:17:25 8. Do we feel more qualified in our job searches? 00:17:26 - 00:21:27 9. Would we recommend the course so far? 00:21:28 - 00:23:11 10. How should future students prepare for a CS conversion course? 00:23:12 - 00:26:38 11. How are the Newcastle University facilities? 00:26:39 - 00:28:24 12. Thank you to Jess and George and general chit chat 00:28:25 - 00:29:08 13. Outro 00:29:09 - 00:28:33
Hello Tof! A question for your friend George, I was told after posting question on a few CS online forums that an Msc in CS (conversion course) from the UK is equivalent to an undergraduate minor in CS in the U.S. based on the curriculum content. Is this a correct ascertain or am I off base?If this is correct, does George foresee any barriers in the US. such as employment? I would like to know since I'm personally exploring a few online Msc CS conversion courses from the UK. Msc course see to me more accessible in the UK for those without a computing background compared to other traditional MS program in CS in the U.S.
Hi Daniel, George Here! I would say it is more equivalent to a cs bachelors in the U.S. I have definitely learned much more here than I did in my CIS minor from the states. However, this course is a get what you give. You can essentially pass this course and not learn much, but if you put in the effort then you will absolutely have what you need to get/start an internship or entry-level job in the states. If you do not have much/any cs experience then the conversion option is excellent! The only thing I would say is to pick a more practical task for your thesis and take a large/"important" role in your team project(s). Hope that helps. Feel free to message me if you have any other questions!
@@georgeblack8971 Hello George, I appreciate the insight. This is all very good information and I applaud you for taking the leap into this degree across the pond. The conversion course seems very tempting for the same reasons you and I have sited here. The program that I have I was eye balling was U of Essex and UOL because of my family commitments, cost, and the length of the modules. I like the fact that the modules for both programs are not accelerated. There are some MSCS programs like UPenn but require the upper level math like discrete mathematics and Calculus. The UOL online program does require discrete math for algorithms. It doesn’t look most conversion courses require high level math and seem more vocational in manner. I also heard you said you are a math undergrad major. Do you believe the lack of math focus in the CC curriculum is a potential issue in the US? Do you also foresee an issue with the perception of calling an MSc in CS but truly undergrad in content in the US for employment? Sorry to ask so many questions, I’m interested but a bit hesitant in enrolling.
@@georgeblack8971 Hello George! I have an additional question relating to the Thesis. I know traditionally a Thesis/Dissertation in the US involves involves researching an original topic with largely bibliography to support your augments and such. I would imagine that is not much different in the UK. For Thesis/Dissertation in a technical degree like this, can you clarify what types of practical tasks would one opt for in this project? I'considering the University of Essex online for the conversion course, do you have any feedback on that program?Thanks in advance for the feedback, cheers. I hope all is going well for you in your program.
How much maths have you encountered on the course. Ive have a good understanding of JavaScript and understand the logic of it and have been self learning web development for a year now but my actual maths maths is like gcse level(not even good gcse level because ive forgotten most of it). Is it worth me getting to a higher maths level? Also is it even worth me doing a course like this after a year self teaching? I kind of just want to fill knowledge gaps/mentorship and the legitimacy of an actual computer science qualification before i start applying for jobs.
Hi! I wouldn’t say that there’s a lot of maths on the course at all. There are no modules that have a heavy maths component or maths exam. However when figuring how to make a block of code work there are times maths will be involved. Especially with arrays, so I would definitely recommend reviewing GCSE maths! But from what we’ve learned I haven’t needed anything from my Maths A-level at all Do you mind me asking what languages you’ve learned? If you’ve also learned Java or Python yourself and have created a few projects yourself I wouldn’t bother with the course! If you haven’t the course could help you become more well rounded!!
@@toftalkscomputerscience958 thankyou for replying , as a self taught in a pendemic person, youte literally the first person ive been able to speak to about this. I know JavaScript so not java or python. My focus so far has been on front end web development. So im probably not very well rounded but quite good at that particular subject. Theyve upped the fee again so its more than the loan now! I probably wont be applying until after the pandemic so ive got plenty of time to think on it. Maybe you could do a video on going to uni in the pandemic, that would be interested for people think of going
Hi! I think JavaScript could be a great step into web dev and if you want to become a full-stack developer or a programmer you could learn Java or Python at a later date. I would really recommend getting a few projects under your belt that you can put on your CV and then start applying for jobs. That way you can see what you're qualified for and then apply to the course if you feel you need it! Thanks for the video request, I'll definitely make a video on the uni experience during the pandemic :)
Thank you for this video , I’m considering a MSC computer science. I know Java is used in this degree but do you learn SQL, NoSQL, Python and JavaScript too?
Hi! Really glad we can help :) We learn SQL and JavaScript as part of the course syllabus and we learn about some NoSQL databases, but we do not learn much NoSQL and no Python. Though if you needed Python for your dissertation I'm sure the Computing school would help teach you, but it wouldn't be the formal lectures which is how we learned Java.
Thank you so much for replying! Could you please do a video or tell me more about the application process, preparing for post grad, how many words you needed to write etc, what transferable skills are required, what is assumed about the conversion student? How you can covey passion? Is doing CFG web dev and Digital Leap( Tech for humanities students) enough?
Definitely, I’ve got a break coming up in the next few weeks where i’ll focus on creating more detailed videos. I’ll make sure to create a video on the application process 😊
Timestamps as it’s quite a long video 😊
1. Intro
00:00:00 - 00:01:43
2. What did we originally study?
00:01:44 - 00:02:43
3. What kind of work experience do we have?
00:02:44 - 00:04:00
4. Did we research other universities?
00:04:01 - 00:05:57
5. Why a CS conversion course? (i.e. why not a bootcamp)
00:05:58 - 00:08:43
6. Should you teach yourself to code (i.e. why we chose a master's course over teaching ourselves to code)
00:08:44 - 00:12:57
7. Is the course what we expected?
00:12:58 - 00:17:25
8. Do we feel more qualified in our job searches?
00:17:26 - 00:21:27
9. Would we recommend the course so far?
00:21:28 - 00:23:11
10. How should future students prepare for a CS conversion course?
00:23:12 - 00:26:38
11. How are the Newcastle University facilities?
00:26:39 - 00:28:24
12. Thank you to Jess and George and general chit chat
00:28:25 - 00:29:08
13. Outro
00:29:09 - 00:28:33
I'm looking into pursuing a conversion course, so I really appreciate this video. Thanks to all three of you for sharing your knowledge!
Thank you so much :D
You're welcome!
Hello Tof! A question for your friend George, I was told after posting question on a few CS online forums that an Msc in CS (conversion course) from the UK is equivalent to an undergraduate minor in CS in the U.S. based on the curriculum content. Is this a correct ascertain or am I off base?If this is correct, does George foresee any barriers in the US. such as employment? I would like to know since I'm personally exploring a few online Msc CS conversion courses from the UK. Msc course see to me more accessible in the UK for those without a computing background compared to other traditional MS program in CS in the U.S.
Hi Daniel, George Here! I would say it is more equivalent to a cs bachelors in the U.S. I have definitely learned much more here than I did in my CIS minor from the states. However, this course is a get what you give. You can essentially pass this course and not learn much, but if you put in the effort then you will absolutely have what you need to get/start an internship or entry-level job in the states. If you do not have much/any cs experience then the conversion option is excellent! The only thing I would say is to pick a more practical task for your thesis and take a large/"important" role in your team project(s). Hope that helps. Feel free to message me if you have any other questions!
@@georgeblack8971 Hello George, I appreciate the insight. This is all very good information and I applaud you for taking the leap into this degree across the pond. The conversion course seems very tempting for the same reasons you and I have sited here. The program that I have I was eye balling was U of Essex and UOL because of my family commitments, cost, and the length of the modules. I like the fact that the modules for both programs are not accelerated. There are some MSCS programs like UPenn but require the upper level math like discrete mathematics and Calculus. The UOL online program does require discrete math for algorithms. It doesn’t look most conversion courses require high level math and seem more vocational in manner. I also heard you said you are a math undergrad major. Do you believe the lack of math focus in the CC curriculum is a potential issue in the US? Do you also foresee an issue with the perception of calling an MSc in CS but truly undergrad in content in the US for employment? Sorry to ask so many questions, I’m interested but a bit hesitant in enrolling.
@@georgeblack8971 Hello George! I have an additional question relating to the Thesis. I know traditionally a Thesis/Dissertation in the US involves involves researching an original topic with largely bibliography to support your augments and such. I would imagine that is not much different in the UK. For Thesis/Dissertation in a technical degree like this, can you clarify what types of practical tasks would one opt for in this project? I'considering the University of Essex online for the conversion course, do you have any feedback on that program?Thanks in advance for the feedback, cheers. I hope all is going well for you in your program.
How much maths have you encountered on the course. Ive have a good understanding of JavaScript and understand the logic of it and have been self learning web development for a year now but my actual maths maths is like gcse level(not even good gcse level because ive forgotten most of it). Is it worth me getting to a higher maths level? Also is it even worth me doing a course like this after a year self teaching? I kind of just want to fill knowledge gaps/mentorship and the legitimacy of an actual computer science qualification before i start applying for jobs.
Hi! I wouldn’t say that there’s a lot of maths on the course at all. There are no modules that have a heavy maths component or maths exam. However when figuring how to make a block of code work there are times maths will be involved. Especially with arrays, so I would definitely recommend reviewing GCSE maths! But from what we’ve learned I haven’t needed anything from my Maths A-level at all
Do you mind me asking what languages you’ve learned? If you’ve also learned Java or Python yourself and have created a few projects yourself I wouldn’t bother with the course! If you haven’t the course could help you become more well rounded!!
@@toftalkscomputerscience958 thankyou for replying , as a self taught in a pendemic person, youte literally the first person ive been able to speak to about this. I know JavaScript so not java or python. My focus so far has been on front end web development. So im probably not very well rounded but quite good at that particular subject. Theyve upped the fee again so its more than the loan now! I probably wont be applying until after the pandemic so ive got plenty of time to think on it. Maybe you could do a video on going to uni in the pandemic, that would be interested for people think of going
Hi! I think JavaScript could be a great step into web dev and if you want to become a full-stack developer or a programmer you could learn Java or Python at a later date. I would really recommend getting a few projects under your belt that you can put on your CV and then start applying for jobs. That way you can see what you're qualified for and then apply to the course if you feel you need it!
Thanks for the video request, I'll definitely make a video on the uni experience during the pandemic :)
@@toftalkscomputerscience958 so you mean if I already learnt Java and did. some projects, then I don’t need to go for this conversion course right ?
Thank you for this video , I’m considering a MSC computer science. I know Java is used in this degree but do you learn SQL, NoSQL, Python and JavaScript too?
Hi! Really glad we can help :)
We learn SQL and JavaScript as part of the course syllabus and we learn about some NoSQL databases, but we do not learn much NoSQL and no Python. Though if you needed Python for your dissertation I'm sure the Computing school would help teach you, but it wouldn't be the formal lectures which is how we learned Java.
Thank you so much for replying! Could you please do a video or tell me more about the application process, preparing for post grad, how many words you needed to write etc, what transferable skills are required, what is assumed about the conversion student? How you can covey passion? Is doing CFG web dev and Digital Leap( Tech for humanities students) enough?
Definitely, I’ve got a break coming up in the next few weeks where i’ll focus on creating more detailed videos. I’ll make sure to create a video on the application process 😊
Here's the video I made on the application process: th-cam.com/video/Cj0EuF0gfFg/w-d-xo.html :)
@@toftalkscomputerscience958 This video is unavailable =(