SIM UOL I.T computing:How's the curriculum

[fplolz]

What's the curriculum like ? The curriculum stated on the website is really general..nothing specific like what exactly will be taught etcetc..

i got like 3 more months before the course start.. and i thought i might as well use the time to get a head start.

Also , current and past students of UOL computing... what text books you all use ah..

 

[higanbana]

Year 1 student here. I'm in Creative Computing but most modules we take are same with the Computing and Information course.

Here you can see the information. http://www.londoninternational.ac.u...ystems-bsc-diploma-work-entry-route#structure

To interpret this for example for Intro to Java,
Basic Types and Expressions; Assignment Statements; Loops and Conditionals (Simple and Nested); Handling Simple I/O; Objects and Classes; Methods with and without parameters; Inheritance; Constructor Methods (and the use of 'new'); Method Overloading; Method Overriding; Arrays and simple sorting; Basic File Handling; Try and Catch (Simple Exception Handling); Implementing Simple Graphical User Interfaces; Incorporating Applets in a Web page; Simple builtin Dynamic Structures - Vectors; Types vs. Classes; Scope of Variables; Code Layout and Documentation.

This tells you the various sub topics which are separated by ;
A simple google should help you understand. (However, googled information might be very in depth and the examination/syllabus might not necessarily be in depth.)

If you got no background in programming, I suggest you try out some simple java tutorials before school starts. Programming can be quite intimidating if you don't have the knack for it so better to start early.

The course materials are mailed to you once you done all the payments. Its basically a book of notes/textbook they call 'study guide'. Usually, majority of the exams are based on the study guide so you should not fail if you are able to understand everything in the study guide.

For Subjects with a lot more theory like Computer systems, the subject guides has 'external reading resources' that tells you where you can read up on more in depth information regarding certain topics where the study guide does not cover much. Questions in exams regarding such in depth information rarely comes out; even if they do, its just a few. The extra reading is mostly for courseworks. Courseworks require some outside research.

 

[fplolz]

To interpret this for example for Intro to Java,
Basic Types and Expressions; Assignment Statements; Loops and Conditionals (Simple and Nested); Handling Simple I/O; Objects and Classes; Methods with and without parameters; Inheritance; Constructor Methods (and the use of 'new'); Method Overloading; Method Overriding; Arrays and simple sorting; Basic File Handling; Try and Catch (Simple Exception Handling); Implementing Simple Graphical User Interfaces; Incorporating Applets in a Web page; Simple builtin Dynamic Structures - Vectors; Types vs. Classes; Scope of Variables; Code Layout and Documentation.

This tells you the various sub topics which are separated by ;
A simple google should help you understand. (However, googled information might be very in depth and the examination/syllabus might not necessarily be in depth.)

Man , this is useful Kinda have a better idea what to expect for my time in SIM UOL now

Wow , thank you thank you Man , this is goood , knowing this now , i can search for the information i need to study.

How about you ? were you previously experienced in programming before joining your course? Also , how are the people like there? Are they mainly experienced people.. or..freshies to programming like me

 

[higanbana]

Man , this is useful Kinda have a better idea what to expect for my time in SIM UOL now

Wow , thank you thank you Man , this is goood , knowing this now , i can search for the information i need to study.

How about you ? were you previously experienced in programming before joining your course? Also , how are the people like there? Are they mainly experienced people.. or..freshies to programming like me

I entered with a poly diploma that has some background in scripting. However, that did not qualify me for exemption for that module so I have to take that too. Knowing some other basic programming stuffs in advance would definitely help you follow the lessons easier. (if you are scratching your head during lectures, you will start to feel stressed and that is never a good feeling )

Well since you are going the IT course, the cohort would be larger. Mine's Creative Computing and not very popular so its smaller. Generally, there is little to none group projects required as far as I know in year 1. The closest thing to 'group work' is probably just simple class sharing (presentations..). Do try to make a few friends; don't have to be many. Things like 'helping to tap card' will come very very useful You'll understand that when your term starts.

The people there range from: Poly/ITE/JC grads, foreigners. I haven't seen any older generation in my cohort but I won't be surprised. All may or may not have experience in programming. But don't worry, as far as I can tell, there won't be a lack of people who don't have experience in programming.

The lessons are structured: Lectures/ Workshop , Labs, Tutorial. 3hrs, 3hrs, 1.5 hrs respectively.

Workshop is basically lectures but not the type in lecture halls. Its those rooms with 'movable tables' so you sit in small groups etc. Personally I prefer these to LT because can sit lazily and there's table to lean plus plenty of leg room to move around.

Labs are just computer labs.

Tutorials are conducted in classroom-like settings. However, its in workshop type rooms so its pretty chill too. Tutorials are doing exercises (like worksheet questions etc.) that involve more 'writing down'. Lectures are just listening. However depending on your lecturer, they might incorporate some stuff similar to tutorials.

For grades, just remember that 20% coursework (cw 1= 10%, cw 2= 10%), 80% exam. Some modules don't have coursework so that means 100% exam based.
You need to pass both coursework and exam to consider 'pass' for that module. The passing mark for exam paper is 40%.

My advice for coursework is to do as early as possible. Don't have to complete it asap but start early. Last minute rushing might cost you some marks. Personally I'm a coursework type of person so that 20% is probably my best chance of scoring well. (ugh hate exams). And mind you, that 20% is quite tedious. The coursework submission deadlines are quite anal too. You'll come to realize it.

 

[fplolz]

Do try to make a few friends; don't have to be many. Things like 'helping to tap card' will come very very useful You'll understand that when your term starts.

hahhaha i heard about that one , the attendance **** thingy .

The people there range from: Poly/ITE/JC grads, foreigners. I haven't seen any older generation in my cohort but I won't be surprised. All may or may not have experience in programming. But don't worry, as far as I can tell, there won't be a lack of people who don't have experience in programming.

wow , that's a relief .. Won't be going in like a fish out of water then would be using this time before uni starts to ... read up before hand.. Doing Java in conjunction with android right now.. progress is horribly slow though.

The lessons are structured: Lectures/ Workshop , Labs, Tutorial. 3hrs, 3hrs, 1.5 hrs respectively.

Workshop is basically lectures but not the type in lecture halls. Its those rooms with 'movable tables' so you sit in small groups etc. Personally I prefer these to LT because can sit lazily and there's table to lean plus plenty of leg room to move around.

Wa , like this .. does it mean .. like .. you have .. a pseudo form class ? Like .. a group of people whom you share the same modules with and are grouped together? i worry for my social life. I.T course....

For grades, just remember that 20% coursework (cw 1= 10%, cw 2= 10%), 80% exam. Some modules don't have coursework so that means 100% exam based.
You need to pass both coursework and exam to consider 'pass' for that module. The passing mark for exam paper is 40%.

GG. Coursework so time consuming but it is only 20 % of overall ? waa.. Is there anywhere i can find pass year test/exam papers? singapore kiasu spirit ftw

 

[higanbana]

wow , that's a relief .. Won't be going in like a fish out of water then would be using this time before uni starts to ... read up before hand.. Doing Java in conjunction with android right now.. progress is horribly slow though.

Wa , like this .. does it mean .. like .. you have .. a pseudo form class ? Like .. a group of people whom you share the same modules with and are grouped together? i worry for my social life. I.T course....

GG. Coursework so time consuming but it is only 20 % of overall ? waa.. Is there anywhere i can find pass year test/exam papers? singapore kiasu spirit ftw

Wah android, not really necessary for year 1 at least..

Something like a form class. But its not fixed. Compared to poly, dun have a care person/form teacher that sort of thing.

If your batch is big, lets say 60 people, then maybe 1/2 of these people will be scheduled 8 to 9.30 and the others 9.30 to 11. However they split the half is random. So you see your timetable put what room, then you go what room loh.

Like I said before, there will be shared modules over some courses. This means the split will be even bigger and more random. But you don't really have to worry about group work cuz there's almost none.

Yeap there are past year papers on the london portal VLE. You can go dig/ find them after you got your account.

 

[fplolz]

hmm , still haven't gotten my london vle account.. only received my simconenct one. and the simconnect system.. is, at best , unintuitive to use

ahh.. so the style is like normal university style uhh , no form class but rather , a group of people whom you would be grouped more often with ..hmm not too bad.. might join some clubs for social life then..