NUS Computing (Information Systems) Sem 1

[happidoolittle]

I see... does that mean IT is very difficult for someone who has zero knowledge in IT?

Actually the IT theory module are rather similar to Biz module that integrates some strategic thinking. Maths part I find it ok cuz I hv interest in maths but programming in my first sem is horrible although I spent many hours on it. Then, for my subsequent programming module, I made a significant improvement...my score jumps 4 grades. However, one is in c language the other is in java which I am better at... Btw, I also hv no knowledge in IT when I came to computing.

 

[Buaya_Hunter]

Better appeal to FASS during the appeal period. Trust me, Biz and IS is totally different with programming and maths although there's some interesting IT theory module.

Actually, IS got a lot of interesting but yet very layman modules
(like supply chain, customer relationship management, strategic planning). If u take a lot at the module descriptions, they can easily categorize into other disciplines.

However, those modules are probably lvl 3k and above modules (in outside world, they call it the senior/honours year modules), which means that it would typically be 3-4 semester before u can touch them (though I have seen many business oriented people in my cohort bring forward such modules, leaving most of these programming essential modules to the last few semesters.)

However, TS, do note that the ultimate veto module in IS degree is the 8MCs project module (Module code IS3102 or IS4102 depending on which IS degree u are taking), which involved developing a large scale software system (e.g Erp system)

So you have to make sure that you can at least stand doing programming work and possibly burn a month or two months of weekend/night (I know that the more zai people might beg to differ but when u go on playing the role of project manager/team lead or u are under a slightly more garang team lead/project manager, you will understand why).

I must make it clear that IS degree is not like MIS (Management of Infomation System) degree overseas, business-oriented course with some limited business applied programming (like VBA Marco, SQL, HTML that kind). NUS IS degree is more like a course that start out from CS fundementals and then branch towards the MIS stuffs (instead of the advanced CS materials that our cs counterpart study)

 

[mgx-alander]

a word of warning IS3102, moi fwen do until erm.... alot of overnites in campus to code out the damn thing (ERP System), and he is not bad at coding 1..

its at least 10x the workload of poo shu shu assignment the 8mc jin hard to get

 

[lvestige]

it depends on your aptitude.. some people after their first programming module, finds it ok and able to handle..

but some people after their 1st programming module, is unable to take it and in the end /quit

I think the maths part should be ok since i gotten B- at least for most of them but the programming part is the thing that will kill you if you are unable to figure out why and how it works and u are gonna code for the next 4years of ur life

a word of warning IS3102, moi fwen do until erm.... alot of overnites in campus to code out the damn thing (ERP System), and he is not bad at coding 1..

its at least 10x the workload of poo shu shu assignment the 8mc jin hard to get

That sounded really very complicated and tough. I have only used ERP system for accounting purposes, have never seen how the coding is done.

Actually the IT theory module are rather similar to Biz module that integrates some strategic thinking. Maths part I find it ok cuz I hv interest in maths but programming in my first sem is horrible although I spent many hours on it. Then, for my subsequent programming module, I made a significant improvement...my score jumps 4 grades. However, one is in c language the other is in java which I am better at... Btw, I also hv no knowledge in IT when I came to computing.

Thanks for the opinion! I am not that afraid of the theory modules, I am more afraid of the math modules because I have not touched math for 3 years and even back in sec sch I was poor at it. Although practice does make it perfect, I feel that I have no aptitude for math. Wondering if it will be tough to cope with both math and programming.

Actually, IS got a lot of interesting but yet very layman modules
(like supply chain, customer relationship management, strategic planning). If u take a lot at the module descriptions, they can easily categorize into other disciplines.

However, those modules are probably lvl 3k and above modules (in outside world, they call it the senior/honours year modules), which means that it would typically be 3-4 semester before u can touch them (though I have seen many business oriented people in my cohort bring forward such modules, leaving most of these programming essential modules to the last few semesters.)

However, TS, do note that the ultimate veto module in IS degree is the 8MCs project module (Module code IS3102 or IS4102 depending on which IS degree u are taking), which involved developing a large scale software system (e.g Erp system)

So you have to make sure that you can at least stand doing programming work and possibly burn a month or two months of weekend/night (I know that the more zai people might beg to differ but when u go on playing the role of project manager/team lead or u are under a slightly more garang team lead/project manager, you will understand why).

I must make it clear that IS degree is not like MIS (Management of Infomation System) degree overseas, business-oriented course with some limited business applied programming (like VBA Marco, SQL, HTML that kind). NUS IS degree is more like a course that start out from CS fundementals and then branch towards the MIS stuffs (instead of the advanced CS materials that our cs counterpart study)

Thanks for the insight! I am not sure if I can stand programming as I have not done any during my poly years, I feel skeptical when my friend who studied IT tells me that programming is easy to comprehend. Actually I am not really certain if IT is my cup of tea.

 

[Buaya_Hunter]

That sounded really very complicated and tough. I have only used ERP system for accounting purposes, have never seen how the coding is done.

Thanks for the opinion! I am not that afraid of the theory modules, I am more afraid of the math modules because I have not touched math for 3 years and even back in sec sch I was poor at it. Although practice does make it perfect, I feel that I have no aptitude for math. Wondering if it will be tough to cope with both math and programming.

Thanks for the insight! I am not sure if I can stand programming as I have not done any during my poly years, I feel skeptical when my friend who studied IT tells me that programming is easy to comprehend. Actually I am not really certain if IT is my cup of tea.

1. Just go through ur introductory modules and see how thing goes. It might be a bit tough for beginner (not because of the content, but how SOC assess their student) but once you get the hang of it, you should be fine. Don't be demoralised if u don't do as well u would like to because every batch there would be quite a number of people (who are competition caliber) to upset the grading.

2. Actually, for IS, maths mod are pretty much standalone modules. I would say that for ur core IS modules, you would never need anything more than a understanding of basic calculus (a maths level) + simple regression (except for a notorious IS4XXX module). I would dare to say that the maths requirement for certain business discplines (like supply chain, finance) is more stringent than IS.

But if u take CS modules, mastering the stuff that the discrete maths module teaches will help a lot. But of course, I wish u do well for ur maths modules cos it's ur grade at stake.

 

[lvestige]

1. Just go through ur introductory modules and see how thing goes. It might be a bit tough for beginner (not because of the content, but how SOC assess their student) but once you get the hang of it, you should be fine. Don't be demoralised if u don't do as well u would like to because every batch there would be quite a number of people (who are competition caliber) to upset the grading.

2. Actually, for IS, maths mod are pretty much standalone modules. I would say that for ur core IS modules, you would never need anything more than a understanding of basic calculus (a maths level) + simple regression (except for a notorious IS4XXX module). I would dare to say that the maths requirement for certain business discplines (like supply chain, finance) is more stringent than IS.

But if u take CS modules, mastering the stuff that the discrete maths module teaches will help a lot. But of course, I wish u do well for ur maths modules cos it's ur grade at stake.

Hey Buaya_Hunter, what do you mean by the 'maths mod are pretty much standalone modules'? Does that mean that I do not need them to progress further?? I did pretty bad for Amath in sec school so now I am worried that I am going to stumble even in areas of basic calculus.

 

[mgx-alander]

Hey Buaya_Hunter, what do you mean by the 'maths mod are pretty much standalone modules'? Does that mean that I do not need them to progress further?? I did pretty bad for Amath in sec school so now I am worried that I am going to stumble even in areas of basic calculus.

yes.. once u are done in ma1301, go do 1312 then do st2334 then u can forget everything about it except for that notorious IS4xxx which i duno wat lol

cs ppl on the other hand requires st2334 for AI, 1101r for graphics / machine learning... (if u take) cannot throw away

 

[MoxLotus]

Hey Buaya_Hunter, what do you mean by the 'maths mod are pretty much standalone modules'? Does that mean that I do not need them to progress further?? I did pretty bad for Amath in sec school so now I am worried that I am going to stumble even in areas of basic calculus.

Why not go and pick up the calculus textbook by james stewart? browse through and see how much u can understand? Try self-studyin it a bit to see if u can cope. I think thats a pretty good gauge on whether u can cope with the sem 1 maths module.

 

[mgx-alander]

Why not go and pick up the calculus textbook by james stewart? browse through and see how much u can understand? Try self-studyin it a bit to see if u can cope. I think thats a pretty good gauge on whether u can cope with the sem 1 maths module.

when i first went back to studies after i ord

i buang all moi mid term as in F all

i think culture shock ... couldnt understand a thing.. too long nv use brain in saf

 

[lvestige]

Why not go and pick up the calculus textbook by james stewart? browse through and see how much u can understand? Try self-studyin it a bit to see if u can cope. I think thats a pretty good gauge on whether u can cope with the sem 1 maths module.

Thanks MoxLotus, will do so soon. Btw do you have any books to recommend for programming? I will like to know how it is like too as well. Thanks.


Edit: Guys, does the 4 years IS programme include honors? Thanks.

 

[mgx-alander]

Thanks MoxLotus, will do so soon. Btw do you have any books to recommend for programming? I will like to know how it is like too as well. Thanks.


Edit: Guys, does the 4 years IS programme include honors? Thanks.

yes include honors

 

[MoxLotus]

Thanks MoxLotus, will do so soon. Btw do you have any books to recommend for programming? I will like to know how it is like too as well. Thanks.


Edit: Guys, does the 4 years IS programme include honors? Thanks.

Beginning C: From Novice to Professional by Ivor Horton, Published by Apress.

C: How to program(7th edition) or
C++: How to program(8th edition) or
Java: How to program(9th edition) by Deitel & Deitel.

Any of the above mentioned books are suitable for beginners. Especially the How to series with lots of exercise to practice on at the end each chapter.

Here is one more textbook recommended for computing maths module:

Discrete Mathematics with its applications(4th Edition) by Susanna S. Epp

This book is very clear and concise which makes self-studying possible just by reading the text. Exercises are given at the back of each section of a chapter to test your understanding of the concepts taught in that particular section.

Do not buy the 3rd edition as the chapters are not as well arranged compared to the 4th edition.

 

[lvestige]

yes include honors

Thanks mgx-alander!

Beginning C: From Novice to Professional by Ivor Horton, Published by Apress.

C: How to program(7th edition) or
C++: How to program(8th edition) or
Java: How to program(9th edition) by Deitel & Deitel.

Any of the above mentioned books are suitable for beginners. Especially the How to series with lots of exercise to practice on at the end each chapter.

Here is one more textbook recommended for computing maths module:

Discrete Mathematics with its applications(4th Edition) by Susanna S. Epp

This book is very clear and concise which makes self-studying possible just by reading the text. Exercises are given at the back of each section of a chapter to test your understanding of the concepts taught in that particular section.

Do not buy the 3rd edition as the chapters are not as well arranged compared to the 4th edition.

Thanks MoxLotus! Do we learn only C and Java in IS? is C the same as C++? Sorry I am confused.

 

[happidoolittle]

Thanks MoxLotus! Do we learn only C and Java in IS? is C the same as C++? Sorry I am confused.

C and C++ is different. C is procedural language while C++ and java is object oriented. U will learn C in 1st sem, java in 2nd sem.

 

[MoxLotus]

Thanks mgx-alander!



Thanks MoxLotus! Do we learn only C and Java in IS? is C the same as C++? Sorry I am confused.

C and C++ are very similar as C++ is just C with obj oriented programming. most of the things u learn in C++ are applicable in C

 

[lvestige]

C and C++ is different. C is procedural language while C++ and java is object oriented. U will learn C in 1st sem, java in 2nd sem.

C and C++ are very similar as C++ is just C with obj oriented programming. most of the things u learn in C++ are applicable in C

I see.. so are these the only languages we will learn in IS or are there even more at higher levels?

 

[mgx-alander]

I see.. so are these the only languages we will learn in IS or are there even more at higher levels?

u will learn cs1010 C, cs1020 java basics

IS2103 Java EE, CS2102 pick a web language and implement DBMS... (php aspx)

thats all i know.. duno about higher lvl mods

 

[MoxLotus]

I see.. so are these the only languages we will learn in IS or are there even more at higher levels?

computing in uni is not about the number of language, its more about applying the computing theories on to the piece of code that u r gonna write. language can be self-taught in 24 hours. no big deal on how many language one knows. =)

EDIT: the only exception is assembly language which is very hard to learn. and knowing it will teach u a lot about memory management as well as computer architecture.

 

[fzhfzh]

You will learn assembly in CS2100, which is also required by IS students. Although it's not very extensive coverage of assembly (there's no single assembly anyways, they are just like API for processors), but it gives you some idea.

 

[mgx-alander]

the assembly is a pain man