University help Bsc CS

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Ghost02

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I'm not sure if this is the best section to post this in but seeing as I would like to do a software development related degree I figure it is more relevant than any other section. I have applied to the University of Pretoria to do a Bsc CS and have been accepted into the degree but I applied late and am still waiting for a spot in the res. My question is that if it would be wise to start of at UKZN seeing as I would be able to stay at home while doing this and transfer second year or complete the Bsc at UKZN and do my honours at Pretoria (is that possible?). Does it make a big difference to future employment if I go to UKZN first? Any advice would be highly appreciated.

Thanks
 
I'd hazard a guess and say no

At the end of the day your degree will come from UP and it will have a UP badge and stamp on it. The only time where you might need to dig up your UKZN Records are for bursaries and scholarships.

PS: if you go work for a research n development company they might ask for your academic results ontop of your degree, otherwise nobody cares about your undergrad past once youve graduated.
 
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If compsci is still based @ the howard college campus - do it! The science and engineering faculties @ UKZN are held in high regard. I did my engineering degree there and have had no issues getting jobs/post graduate placements/ international recognition etc...
 
Thanks for the replies so far. Is it difficult to transfer from university to university and is the education at UKZN at a level where I won't be far behind when I transfer? I don't want to do anything detrimental to my future.
 
Would I be able to do my honours at Tuks after doing a Bsc at UKZN?
 
Ghost02 said:
Would I be able to do my honours at Tuks after doing a Bsc at UKZN?
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You will have a BSc from Natal, so providing your marks are good enough, you should be accepted.

Sent from my U20i using Tapatalk
 
So then it wouldn't be that detrimental to my future (employment) if I do the BSc at UKZN and then just do honours at Tuks?
 
UKZN is a good university, so dont stress. Just do really well :) Tuks is good, but WITS and UCT are better - so why are you so keen to go to Tuks if academic standing is your main criteria?
 
Tuks IT department has pretty much been ruined by the new HOD. He has a god complex and as a result of his personality he pretty much caused every lecturer worth a damn to quit.

Unless you want to be taught by newly graduated students, avoid.
 
I just figured Tuks was really up there, if UKZN is also decent then that would be great for me as it is way more economically viable for me just to study there, thanks for the comments so far. It feels like this is quite a big decision that I need to make and I value your guys opinions :)
 
Gnome said:
Tuks IT department has pretty much been ruined by the new HOD. He has a god complex and as a result of his personality he pretty much caused every lecturer worth a damn to quit.

Unless you want to be taught by newly graduated students, avoid.
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Lol! The curriculum is still of very high standard but the person in question ruined any administration. IT department takes 4+ weeks to release marks. Last semester we got our semester marks 3 days before the exam. 3 DAYS!

Since his takeover, data structures and algorithms has also become a grueling module. 8 hour assignments for 0.8% of your semester mark. Practicals are near impossible and the tutors receive no proper guidance.

To Ghost02, UP's academic curriculum is A grade, unfortunately the CS department is a mess. Maybe I just assume the Engineering department's methods is the norm, cause they are a fine polished machine of a department.

One massive plus point for the CS department at UP is the sandwich buffet at class representative meetings. Those are nom nom.
 
SLAQ said:
Lol! The curriculum is still of very high standard but the person in question ruined any administration. IT department takes 4+ weeks to release marks. Last semester we got our semester marks 3 days before the exam. 3 DAYS!

Since his takeover, data structures and algorithms has also become a grueling module. 8 hour assignments for 0.8% of your semester mark. Practicals are near impossible and the tutors receive no proper guidance.

To Ghost02, UP's academic curriculum is A grade, unfortunately the CS department is a mess. Maybe I just assume the Engineering department's methods is the norm, cause they are a fine polished machine of a department.

One massive plus point for the CS department at UP is the sandwich buffet at class representative meetings. Those are nom nom.
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As a grad of UP engineering, I can confirm that it's one of (if not the) best in the country. There are some amazing people there that really make it top notch (Dr Sinha is a great example).
 
SLAQ said:
Lol! The curriculum is still of very high standard but the person in question ruined any administration
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SLAQ, once you go into the industry, you'll realize that what you learned at UP is out of date by years.

Now mulitply that by the fact that all the lecturers who kept that curriculum "up to date" are now gone and you'll realize that by the time he reaches 3rd year, everything he learned will be years behind.

If you are doing it for the piece of paper anyway, do it somewhere better. UCT or Stellies for example, I'd go to Stellies personally.
 
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Gnome said:
SLAQ, once you go into the industry, you'll realize that what you learned at UP is out of date by years.

Now mulitply that by the fact that all the lecturers who kept that curriculum "up to date" are now gone and you'll realize that by the time he reaches 3rd year, everything he learned will be years behind.

If you are doing it for the piece of paper anyway, do it somewhere better. UCT or Stellies for example, I'd go to Stellies personally.
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So if there is no chance of starting off at Stellies or UCT ( I didn't apply to those), starting off at UKZN and doing honours at a "proper" university would still work fine?
 
Ghost02 said:
So if there is no chance of starting off at Stellies or UCT ( I didn't apply to those), starting off at UKZN and doing honours at a "proper" university would still work fine?
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Nobody really cares where you studied. The piece of paper at the end just shows them that you have what it needs to see it through and that's all they are looking for. What you studied is pretty much the same as what people studied at other places. Finishing one degree at one institution and carrying on with another is generally not an issue. You might even want to start working after 3yrs earning some money and study part time at Unisa which many people do.

Don't get to hung up about which university you study at as employers generally don't give a schit, they are only interested in the end result which is that piece of paper you get that says you stuck with it for x amount of years.
 
ponder said:
Nobody really cares where you studied. The piece of paper at the end just shows them that you have what it needs to see it through and that's all they are looking for.
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Yep. I was only saying stay away from Tuks because you obviously want to learn as much as you can if you are going to spend such a large amount of money anyway.

If you do a BSc(CS) @ Tuks you have to be prepared to pay around R25K per year. At that price, I personally would rather learn at the best place I can.
 
Most employers arent really stressed about what you studied. They just want to know that you are disciplined, can think. Work in a team, work under stress, are reliable, and can be productive. Having a university education shows a bit about someones reliability.

I have been in software development for 11 years. I have an accounting degree. The extent of my IT at uni was writing about 10 lines of BASIC, and some crap about punch cards. Whenever I have looked for an IT job, in SA or in the UK, I get one in about 3 weeks. And thats in a recession.
 
Thanks to everyone for the feedback, based on what was said here I think I will start off at UKZN and then probably just do my honours somewhere else.

Much apreciated :)
 
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