IT Masters Courses

G

giggidy

Guest
Hi,

This is my first post on these forums, though I have been lurking for a while!!

I am just wondering if someone had any recommendations about doing a Masters course in IT. I did a BSc in IT through Oscail (Distance Ed thingy in DCU) and found it ok. The lack of tutorials for the degree modules was a bit tough but I got through it. I then decided to do a Masters in Internet Systems with Oscail but I have found the lack of tutorials very difficult. It's now 100% online so you have to try and use chat rooms and forums to look for help; you can also email the tutors but I have found it very hard to write down in an email what I don't understand about a particular topic (if that makes sense), even if you can describe what you don't understand the tutor responses leave a lot to be desired!!

So I have decided to see out the year with Oscail and then switch to something else. I have had a look at DBS who do a MSc in Computing which I am interested in [broken link removed]

I would be interested in any suggestions that anyone would have regarding Masters courses in IT. I am a programmer so a course with a programming element would definitely be of benefit to me - I am also interested in the multimedia aspects of IT as well so something in that area would interest me as well.

As I mentioned before the lack of any real support from the faculty is a big reason why I am considering transferring, for this reason I would be reluctant to sign up to the Open University.

Thanks for any advice

giggidy
 
Hi I would look at the part time MSC in Information Management Systems in TCD: [broken link removed]

That being said DIT do a part time masters called Applied Computing for Technologists, I completed this a couple of years ago. They have some multi-media elements in the course as well as programming. TBH none of them to a very high standard however I know they have some new lecturers and the course should get better. You are not going to learn to be an expert programmer from this course unless your thesis is heavily programming oriented.

If you were in a position to do a full time course without doubt the best one is the MSC in Networks and Distributed systems in TCD.

Hope this helps
 
cousin_borat said:
If you were in a position to do a full time course without doubt the best one is the MSC in Networks and Distributed systems in TCD.
Click to expand...
Hi
Why is it without doubt the best I.T. course in Dublin? Surely there are a large number of courses out there, and what may suit you may not suit someone else. Also, without having done all the courses then how do you know which one is best?
Gearoid
 

Whoa there.... OK, I guess I'm in a better position than most to pass judgement, but you are right I haven't got round to doing all the courses

I done my undergrad in Trinity and considered the MSC in Networks and Distributed Systems. The reason I did not persue this path is that at the time industry experience while studying p/t was a more appealing option. I'm familiar with the syllabus of the NDS MSC and know some of the lecturers personally as well as people who have completed the degree. If the OP were to complete this course then he would a very solid foundation in best practice programming skills since the course is heavily project based, there are also options to incorporate multimedia aspects since there is some crossover with the TCD MSC in Multimedia.

As for DIT, I completed the masters I referred to so the opinions are based on my impressions.

Since the OP seems to be looking solely at part time/semi distance courses his options are limited in Ireland right now. In fact I wasnt even aware of the DBS course.

I don't know anything firsthand about DCU's MSC in Information Technology.

I've seem your previous posts where you have offered excellent advice to people in terms of IT careers so perhaps you could offer your .02 cents to the OP
 
Hi Cousin_Borat,
Sorry for being somewhat direct. It's just that there are now such a large number of courses out there it would be difficult to give definitive advice as to which was best. I just picked up on the "without doubt the best.." line and queried it. As you said yourself, you don't have any knowledge of the DCU courses, so perhaps the advice was a little to definitive. Just a thought.

To be honest I'm in the industry a long time so my knowledge of current courses isn't up to date.

I think the OP needs to give some more indication as to why they want to do the masters instead of for instance doing some industry certifications. I didn't even get a notion as to what the OP's current role was. There was the mention of "I'm a programmer" but I wasn't sure whether this was at college or in work, or if in work, why a Masters would help them progress in their current role, or move on to a better one. It would just be better to get some more background before doling out any thoughts on the subject.

By the way, I was a little surprised at the reading material for the distributed systems course. The latest publication was 2000. Maybe I'm wrong here, but perhaps the lecturers involved need to review some more recent developments as the industry/technology has moved on a lot.

Gearoid
 
Alot of the reading material on the site needs to be updated, don't think theyre using that, especially some of the distributed systems material. There used to be a heavy CORBA element in the course (IONA did come out of trinity) but I assume the course has evolved to incorporate newer Service Oriented Principles.

To the OP, I agree with Gearoid, you need to think some more about what exactly you are looking for. When you mention programming its hard to know what exactly you mean.
 
Cousin_Borat.
Thanks. That's exactly what I was going to ask. Without bamboozling a non-technical audience, I was wondering why SOA and Web Services weren't mentioned. If it only covers material up until 2000, I'd give it a miss as it would indicate that the lecturers were out of touch, and just churning out the old material.
 
Hi

Thanks for your replies, I will check out your recommendations today.

In response to cousin_borat and gearoid regarding my current situation. I am working as an Analyst Programmer with 8 years experience and a degree in IT - mainly in developing financial applications, but I have worked on a variety of windows based applications. Main development language has been VB6 but I have been involved in java and .net development. I

do have a lot of Industry experience but I was looking to do a Masters to update my skill set and keep up to date with new technologies. I thought a Masters would be a good way to do this. I have found, and this is just my personal experience and in no way a reflection on anyones opinion, that programmers with certification doesn't actually mean that much - I mean you can learn the material without ever really being able to program. I base that opinion purely on experience I have with a couple of contractors who have come in with tons of certification but very little practical knowledge.

I know you can apply the same logic to a college course but I think that something that will take two or three years to complete would require an awful lot more effort and commitment.

Distance Education wouldn't really suit a masters I think, but I would also be reluctant to give up my job. Part-Time is, I think, my best bet.
 
MSc Knowledge Management DIT Kevin Street
DIT Open Day is on the 27th Feb from 4 - 8pm I think are the times.
Can I ask if anyone has experience or knows people who may have studied
the above programme. I am also looking at the MSc Management Information Systems in TCD as well which is an evening programme. I am at present 3rd year studying an evening BSc IT. Which is better the DIT programme or the TCD programme?
Thanks.
 
I think Ronan Bradley is in charge of the DIT course, he's a very knowledgable guy. Used to be CEO if Polarlake, he has this Blog http://www.ebizq.net/blogs/soaroads/ mainly related to SOA.

They're both pretty different courses in terms of syllabi so depends on where your interest lies.
 
Hi gigiddy,
I'm probably playing devil's advocate here, but, are you sure you need a Master's course to update your skills?

Firstly, can you possibly talk to people in work and see if you can move to something that stretches you more?

Secondly, if you know you can programme already, and you have 8 years experience behind you, then why not train yourself further in .Net or Java in your own time? Download some ebooks. Set up the software on a home PC. Find yourself a project you can work through to teach yourself the skills you may need. To prove you haven't been idle then perhaps do some MCSE's, Java Certification, Linux Certifications, Oracle Certification or whatever tickles your fancy. I know Industrial Certifications are not indicative of programming ability but they do give you a broad overview of a technology. Make up for the lack of practical aspects by working through a project.

I've often taken this approach when learning new skills or when I'm stuck on a project. It is much easier with Java or Oracle as all the software is free but I'm sure .Net programming can be learned at home without much trouble. You also have previous experience so surely it's just a case of polishing up what you know and covering the blind spots.

You might be looking at a move to .Net as the best course of action given current experience. Also knowledge of a database would be useful for smaller companies with broader roles.

I'd be wary that any course wasn't tailored exactly to my needs.

To tell you the truth, I'm in a very similar situation to you at the moment but I'm taking a D.I.Y approach. I've got a hit list / syllabus of areas I am looking at in order and methodically. Where necessary I'm creating my own projects to do this. It might require a little extra work but it's in my own time and I'm not shelling out thousands to work on a syllabus that's unlikely to meet my own needs.

If I was doing a Masters it would be in Technology Management or Security which would not be possible to learn on your own.

For pure programming which is what you've been indicating you want to do, then book in hand and D.I.Y would suffice, at least for me.

Best of luck,
Gearoid.
 
Hi Gearoid,

Thanks for that advice - I will have a look at some certification. I already have a Java Certified Programming exam done and passed so I think I will take the next level of exam.

The IACT send in a lot of material about courses so I will have a look at what they are offering.

I would be very interested in the Linux certification - have you seen any advertisements for courses in this?

Thanks

giggidy
 
From a quick browse on the web Red Hat Certified Engineer looks like a good certification. Also Oracle are now using Red Hat in their Unbreakable Linux product thus forcing much greater adoption of Red Hat by the linux community.

Perhaps try Prometric as they have a test centre in Dublin.
 
Can I ask a question regarding the different programming, technology and
networking certifications...my own background is in computer operations and data backup and retrieval....the prices for working on a certification with the different software training compaines here in dublin is very expensive especially for someone who would be paying out of their own pocket...are the self study guides user friendly especially for someone not familar with the technology?

As an example I am looking at the Microsoft Certifications for SQL 2005 and also Database Administrator. Also can I ask if anyone has completed self study for Cisco CCNA or CCDA?

Andy
 
I will be looking into Certifications but haven't completed any as yet. In terms of Oracle certifications, I know of several contractors in the market who combine a holiday with certification. Two examples of places to get certified on the cheap for Oracle are India and South Africa. Prices are far cheaper than here.
I don't know if this is similar with MCSE's etc.
 
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