Any Advice for an aspiring student

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S3cretz

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Hi guys im looking for some advice.

I want to study into a a .net sql centric database heavy area.
I want a degree not a diploma.
Im shure I want to be a programmer have been all my life ive worked as an intern before so im pretty shure.
And I have been teaching pascal and java to school students for a while.
I also absolutely love databases.

Please im rather confused as to wich university or institution to go to or wich alternatives to follow.
 
I reckon your best bet based on what you've said is a BCom/BBusSci degree with a major in Information Systems.

I can only speak for UCT's curriculum but it is .Net centric with commerical-type programming using sequal DBs.

There is also a Database Management course thrown in for second year covering SQL, Database Admin and Data Warehousing.

Then there is the Project Management side of it which is focused pretty much throughout - so if you're looking for the highest paid IT positions, those are them.
 
Dean said:
I reckon your best bet based on what you've said is a BCom/BBusSci degree with a major in Information Systems.

I can only speak for UCT's curriculum but it is .Net centric with commerical-type programming using sequal DBs.

There is also a Database Management course thrown in for second year covering SQL, Database Admin and Data Warehousing.

Then there is the Project Management side of it which is focused pretty much throughout - so if you're looking for the highest paid IT positions, those are them.
Click to expand...
Thanks but im geussing an actual position as an project manager is still years of experience away after a degree?
 
I went a different route, but yea I'd assume so.

You mentioned that you'd like to be a dev anyway, so that's a very common route to go.
 
Yeah - do a BComm (Commercial - which is more "Management" centric) or a BSc - Scientific which is more Maths and Dev friendly - and get that under your belt. Once you have that, do additional diplomas or courses in specific areas you want to work in (Like .Net / ASP / SQL etc) - every certification counts (not just the degrees) but the BSc would be a good start / foundation.

Remember -its a tough curriculum, so be strong in your Maths and Sciences (need B's or Preferably A's for those on Higher grade.

Also, sure is not spelled shure :)
 
Bsc Computer Science majoring in Information Systems. cyberbob1979 is definitely right about certs. Oh he's right about the spelling thing too ;)
 
Do a comp sci degree if you love programming so much... also, expand your analytical and problem solving abilities. As for universities - I think UCT/Wits/Tuks are the best? UKZN (where I studied) aint that bad, but its not as internationally recognised as the aforementioned.
 
Thanks guys im a little less lost now.

And your 100% sure about the shure thing right ? XD
 
S3cretz, I'm not looking to step on anyones toes here, but all this talk of ASP/SQL/certificates seems useless after an Information Systems degree - it's all covered in there. That's not to say that there aren't maybe some advanced topics that aren't covered - but I have a feeling that no one else here has actually done the degree.

Regarding the CompSci or Info Systems choice - it comes down to what you're looking for in future. Many people see "programming" and immediately think CompSci.

Do CompSci if you're looking for problem-solving, advanced "engineering-type" programming (for lack of a better term).
However, do Information Systems if you're looking to do commercial-type programming (business-related projects) as well as project management.

The guy who mentioned BSc CompSci majoring in IS seems a bit confused. I know UCT has/had a BSc Business Computing degree which included CompSci and may have also covered some/all of the Info Systems courses, but check with the universities regarding those options if you're into that.
 
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I think ive decided

Im going to go for an
BSc Honours in Computer Science, at UCT
With a Major Computer Science.

Now just to get those distinctions in the NSC!
 
I think most development houses will be more impressed by a candidate with a Comp Sci degree as opposed to an IS one (assuming the same amount of experience i.e. none). The reason: Comp Sci teaches you how to problem solve which is a critical component of any software development, regardless of it being scientific or business oriented. A Comp Sci degree also usually has more mathematical and theoretical subjects (in my experience) which, although not always directly applicable in your job, makes you think in a certain way. If you enjoy low level (i.e. not UI) programming, problem solving, theoretical mathematics and logic then a Comp Sci degree would be advisable. Otherwise consider the IS degree which generally has less programming and theoretical subjects but more higher level topics (such as database and user interface design) as well as more focus on the management aspects. If you do eventually want to move into a management position, don't think you can't with a Comp Sci degree: many project managers and team leaders come from programming backgrounds, enrolling in general management, business and specific PM courses later in life when they're sick of coding.
 
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