Comments on: Computer Science at University of Guelph

By: Taylor

Taylor — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 08:39:10 +0000

Allowing students to choose a area of application or minor is a great idea. Minors oftentime are just as important during postgraduate study or in the workfoce as a major.

By: allie

allie — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 22:57:06 +0000

I love the idea of computer science as a major. When I went to college, the focus was on getting a degree to showcase you as a scholar. The push for me was to graduate magna cum laude, “with honors”. How impressive, right? Well, what a waste of time. I learned nothing practical. I didn’t learn any skills to take to the workplace, into the job I would soon hold. In retrospect, I would go into computer science, learning things that you mentioned, such as java, etc. These skills stay with you for life,and are used practically on a daily basis. Do I think about psychosocial paradigms, Freud, and cognitive therapy? No, I ended up as a nurse, not a psychologist. But most of my time is spent on a computer truth be told. I would LOVE to know more about computers, scripting, programming, etc. Computers are the way of the future!

By: Bobrobyn

Bobrobyn — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 20:31:12 +0000

I’m at Guelph as well, and I love the Area of Application idea as well (I’m probably going to get mine in Cognitive Neuropsychology — other popular ones are psychology, criminal justice, math & stats, and business). The only weakness at Guelph is the fact that the first year’s pace isn’t the greatest. They assume you come in without knowing how to program at all — but this allows you to keep your average for first year up (and if you don’t know C, you’ll learn it here). I think this suits getting used to university life, and supports learning on your own, too (I learned about Linux during this time). Second semester is better, you move at a decent pace, and from second year on you move at a great pace.

I love the university, the city, and the program for it’s flexibility. I’d say come take a look at the campus when you are looking at universities — that’s what got me to decide to come here.

By: Adam McKerlie

Adam McKerlie — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 18:44:01 +0000

Anytime Tony, I’m just glad that you spread some good light on Guelph’s CompSci program. A lot of people don’t think its respected since Guelph was mainly a Science/Agriculture University.

By: Tony

Tony — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 18:38:21 +0000

Area of Application does sound like a nifty idea — personally I understand the subjects studied much better if I get to immediately apply the material. Though if it’s just a more accessible minor, then I guess it’s not as unique as they make it sound. At any rate, it’s probably a good idea to pick up some courses of secondary interest.

@Adam – thx for the additional info on CS @ Guelph!

By: Adam McKerlie

Adam McKerlie — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 16:16:24 +0000

I had a 72 average and I got in. The area of application means you need 8 courses in another area of study. 10 courses gets you a minor so you’re better off with taking two extra courses in that area.

3rd year courses include: Networking, Database design, Computer Modeling, Design Theory, Software Engineering, Intro to Artificial Intelligence .

I love it here at Guelph, the campus is really laid back and the Profs are excellent.

By: Paul Butler

Paul Butler — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 16:10:47 +0000

I like the idea of area of application courses. It seems like a CS education is that much more valuable when you have domain knowledge in some specific area, like health, finance, or a science.