Computer Science Canada :: View topic - Carleton Computer Science / Physics Program

I'm in my second year at Carleton in the Game Development stream. Honestly, I love it here. I can say with confidence that the program is great, it's highly underrated. Compared to CS in highschool, university is very different. CS in highschool for me was basically a Java programming class with an anoyingly slow pace. At Carleton, first year is a bit easy and there is a lack of CS courses with interesting material, but it picks up a lot second year.

First year at Carleton consists of 2 Java programming classes which cram in a lot more than you would have learned in highschool (Easy A+s if you've done a lot of programming in your free time though), a discrete math course, calculus, linear algebra, and the game dev course.

In my experience, the game dev course was A LOT of work. We focussed mainly on design issues in class and we had weekly assignments which often consisted of programming tasks accompanied by a small page sized report but would sometimes be something like a list of probability problems, create a board game, etc. We also had a team project where we had to design and program a game and include a 10 page report and present our game to the class. The exams in this course were a killer. We're talking like 20 pages of paragraph sized long answers where you better be writing for the full 3 hours or else you won't finish in time accompanied with a few probability questions and what not. I had like 98% on all the assignments and final project but walked out of the course with a B+ because the exams killed me. We learned a lot though Smile

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Let me add that only about 60 out of the 250 first year CS students were in the game dev course so it was a nice cozy class. I loved going to class and listening to the prof talk passionately about design issues as he highlighted examples from games that I was familiar with. Class participation was very high because everyone had so much interest in the subject matter. Prof. David Mould taught the course to me first year and he is clearly an avid gamer with a passion for games. You could see his face light up as he brought up examples from games that he loves.

In my opinion, if you don't want to go to Waterloo or U of T for whatever reason, Carleton is your best choice.

Your English mark should be fine. I got accepted with:

85 in Advanced Functions
99 In Computer Science
96 in Drafting
65 in English
79 in Physics
78 in Data Management

I hope this post was helpful!

Author:	MrTwiggy [ Fri Oct 21, 2011 7:02 pm ]
Post subject:	Carleton Computer Science / Physics Program
Hey, there. Was hoping to get some insight on the computer science and physics programs at Carleton, or perhaps similar programs in general. I'm in 12th grade and I'm hoping to go to Carleton for my Honours in computer science (Game Development stream) and get a minor in physics (I love physics, but I think I can see myself more likely to try and go into the game development industry or anything as a programmer rather than becoming a physicist). I do realise that the difference between the Game Development cs stream and others at carleton is really only a few classes, so anyone that has experience with an stream or perhaps a minor in physics would be much appreciated! Or even just any computer science at all. How difficult is Computer Science at a university level and how similar or different is it to high school computer science courses? (ICS4U) Any thoughts on a physics minor/major in general, or a computer science major? What are your thoughts on the types of job oppurtunies that exist with either. Also, how important is your english mark when it comes to physics/computer science programs? I'm fairly postive I'll be able to get atleast a 70, but I'm not sure how much higher than that. I believe that my other marks in more related subjects, such as maths and physics will bring my overall average probably somewhere in the 82-86 range. Do they look at your english mark specifically when decided admission? Is 82-86 enough to get into the carleton program(s)? Any thoughts on Carleton in general? Also, if I apply for a minor in physics, which requires some classes that requires grade 12 physics. Would that make physics one of my requirements? On top of that, I'm in my first semester of 12th grade, and I don't take grade 12 physics until next semester. And someone told me that when they review your marks for early admission, they use your grade 12 first semester marks for the most part, unless you haven't done a prequisite course yet in that semester, in which case they will look for the grade 11 version of that course as one of your mark averages? Is this true, and if so, will they look at my grade 11 physics mark? How would these marks look in general as a basis for acceptance into Carleton/related schools and programs? English: 70 Computer Science: 90 Physics: 80 Advanced Functions: 90 Calculus & Vectors: 85 Comm. Tech: 80 Average: 82.5% Sorry for the long post, and thanks in advance for any potentially helpful posts!

Author:	Tony [ Fri Oct 21, 2011 7:26 pm ]
Post subject:	RE:Carleton Computer Science / Physics Program
Ontario high school Computer Science is not standardized, so it's hard to compare. The safe answer is that University will be getting much more complex from year to year, every year. Job opportunities with CS -- all of them. Every industry uses computers in some capacity. The specifics obviously depend on your skill level and drive. Co-op experience will put you far far ahead. (protip: you don't have to be in a co-op program to get co-op jobs; you'd just have to try much harder for that first one. It's easy after.) English is probably the most relevant of the courses, applying to University. It might simply take a few years to realize that. I don't know how Carleton in specific does their admissions (UWaterloo is said to look at English in specific). It is probably a fair assumption that given the same overall averages, an applicant with balanced marks would be preferred over one with a mix of high and low marks.

Author:	Raknarg [ Fri Oct 21, 2011 7:29 pm ]
Post subject:	RE:Carleton Computer Science / Physics Program
Yeah, about the english, having that low is dangerous. Although it's a seemingly useless course, universities ask for that mark in particular. Waterloo, for one, asks for at least 80 - 85 in english at least. If I didn't know any better, I would say it's just to spite us.

Author:	X Abstract X [ Sat Oct 22, 2011 8:36 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Carleton Computer Science / Physics Program
I'm in my second year at Carleton in the Game Development stream. Honestly, I love it here. I can say with confidence that the program is great, it's highly underrated. Compared to CS in highschool, university is very different. CS in highschool for me was basically a Java programming class with an anoyingly slow pace. At Carleton, first year is a bit easy and there is a lack of CS courses with interesting material, but it picks up a lot second year. First year at Carleton consists of 2 Java programming classes which cram in a lot more than you would have learned in highschool (Easy A+s if you've done a lot of programming in your free time though), a discrete math course, calculus, linear algebra, and the game dev course. In my experience, the game dev course was A LOT of work. We focussed mainly on design issues in class and we had weekly assignments which often consisted of programming tasks accompanied by a small page sized report but would sometimes be something like a list of probability problems, create a board game, etc. We also had a team project where we had to design and program a game and include a 10 page report and present our game to the class. The exams in this course were a killer. We're talking like 20 pages of paragraph sized long answers where you better be writing for the full 3 hours or else you won't finish in time accompanied with a few probability questions and what not. I had like 98% on all the assignments and final project but walked out of the course with a B+ because the exams killed me. We learned a lot though . Let me add that only about 60 out of the 250 first year CS students were in the game dev course so it was a nice cozy class. I loved going to class and listening to the prof talk passionately about design issues as he highlighted examples from games that I was familiar with. Class participation was very high because everyone had so much interest in the subject matter. Prof. David Mould taught the course to me first year and he is clearly an avid gamer with a passion for games. You could see his face light up as he brought up examples from games that he loves. In my opinion, if you don't want to go to Waterloo or U of T for whatever reason, Carleton is your best choice. Your English mark should be fine. I got accepted with: 85 in Advanced Functions 99 In Computer Science 96 in Drafting 65 in English 79 in Physics 78 in Data Management I hope this post was helpful!

Author:	MrTwiggy [ Sun Oct 23, 2011 11:43 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Carleton Computer Science / Physics Program
X Abstract X @ Sat Oct 22, 2011 8:36 pm wrote: I'm in my second year at Carleton in the Game Development stream. Honestly, I love it here. I can say with confidence that the program is great, it's highly underrated. Compared to CS in highschool, university is very different. CS in highschool for me was basically a Java programming class with an anoyingly slow pace. At Carleton, first year is a bit easy and there is a lack of CS courses with interesting material, but it picks up a lot second year. First year at Carleton consists of 2 Java programming classes which cram in a lot more than you would have learned in highschool (Easy A+s if you've done a lot of programming in your free time though), a discrete math course, calculus, linear algebra, and the game dev course. In my experience, the game dev course was A LOT of work. We focussed mainly on design issues in class and we had weekly assignments which often consisted of programming tasks accompanied by a small page sized report but would sometimes be something like a list of probability problems, create a board game, etc. We also had a team project where we had to design and program a game and include a 10 page report and present our game to the class. The exams in this course were a killer. We're talking like 20 pages of paragraph sized long answers where you better be writing for the full 3 hours or else you won't finish in time accompanied with a few probability questions and what not. I had like 98% on all the assignments and final project but walked out of the course with a B+ because the exams killed me. We learned a lot though . Let me add that only about 60 out of the 250 first year CS students were in the game dev course so it was a nice cozy class. I loved going to class and listening to the prof talk passionately about design issues as he highlighted examples from games that I was familiar with. Class participation was very high because everyone had so much interest in the subject matter. Prof. David Mould taught the course to me first year and he is clearly an avid gamer with a passion for games. You could see his face light up as he brought up examples from games that he loves. In my opinion, if you don't want to go to Waterloo or U of T for whatever reason, Carleton is your best choice. Your English mark should be fine. I got accepted with: 85 in Advanced Functions 99 In Computer Science 96 in Drafting 65 in English 79 in Physics 78 in Data Management I hope this post was helpful! Wow, thanks a lot for that post! You've only gotten me more excited and relieved about my choice! If you don't mind my asking, do you happen to remember around what time you applied, and when you recieved your offer? Did you get an early admission offer with your marks? Also, did you apply or get into Co-Op, and if so, what has your experience been like so far with it?

Author:	X Abstract X [ Sun Oct 23, 2011 1:08 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Carleton Computer Science / Physics Program
Yes I applied and got into co-op. Co-op typically starts in the summer after your 2nd year but I'm choosing to start it in the fall after my 2nd year. So, there's nothing I can say on that subject yet. I applied in November I believe and If I recall correctly, I got accepted in February. Mind you, I stayed an extra year in highschool so I had like 8 4U/4M courses done by that point.

Author:	tigerhunter [ Wed Oct 26, 2011 8:59 pm ]
Post subject:	RE:Carleton Computer Science / Physics Program
Hi MrTwiggy I have to say Carleton is a much better school than it ranked. I was there for my first year in engineering (though i just transferred to another university due to personal reason). I will answer some of your questions as long as i know. Please forgive my grammar or spelling mistakes because i am a international student, but i will try to avoid them. For English course: I do not think they would specially pay attention to your Eng4U mark. My grade 12 was in an international high school in Toronto. And i think about 75% in Eng4U is an average grade for my friends went to Carleton (three of them are in CS program). So, do not worry about it. For admitted mark and general thoughts: I think mid-85 is probably good enough for CS program. CU is really good because after i transfer to "one of the best University in Canada", i found that the materials that CU taught is not even a little bit less and worse, at least in first year level. For high school physics course, I took that course about from Jan to March. Not exactly but it was at that period, because it was snowing. ^.^ So, i don't think it would be late. And i think your grade is really good. Do not worry. Wish you can go to CU. You will never regret for it.

Author:	smartbomb [ Thu Jun 14, 2012 10:58 am ]
Post subject:	RE:Carleton Computer Science / Physics Program
I graduated from Carleton's Honours Computer Science in Info. Systems Security a little over a year ago, and get this: I never got accepted to Carleton when I applied! The way around this, apply as "UNDECLARED". Once you're in the door, take courses that you can transfer to your regular program and talk to the Undergrad Advisor for Computer Science and see what classes you will need to take to transfer to Computer Science. From there on in, the only other hard part was to maintain my average to remain in the Honours program, which I did You can even try this trick at pretty much any university you want. Even go as far as contacting the undergrad advisor's at each institution and find out what you will need to do to transfer from an undeclared to computer science major. Good Luck