As Salamu Alaykum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuhu World!
The amount of A level repetition in your average computer
science degree can be both relieving and mind-numbing at the same time. One
hand, I’m more than happy to know everything that is being said in a lecture
but on the other hand, I feel like I could be learning something new.
Maybe it’s because A level computer science isn’t really a
popular subject so most students don’t take it therefore implying the need to
go over it in the degree. However, a lot of people I’ve met are in the same
boat as me which is refreshing in some ways.
My contention is, once A level computer science gains some
more popularity (the chances of which would be greatly if exam boards *cough*
OCR would write a decent specification), universities should list it as a
requirement to have it as part of their offer.
I know this wouldn’t be ideal for some since a few
universities already require maths and further maths meaning their A level
choice would practically be made automatically should they wish to apply to
said unis.
However, doing A level computer science should mean the
course will be completely new and by default, be shorter. Since A level content
is already mastered to some degree by successful applicants, the standard bachelors
course could be only 2 years with a year abroad or in industry. How about that
huh?
Instead, you basically waste nearly a whole year revisiting
stuff you already know and then have to take an optional sandwich year to do a
year in industry or go abroad. Or even better, those with A level computer
science could be offered the opportunity to do a masters in 3 years.
These are just my ideas but knowing the UK education system,
it’s highly unlikely this would ever happen. If unis did require computer science
at A level, they’d just add harder stuff to the course which is fine I guess,
but slightly unnecessary.
Anyway, onto the day itself. Oh yeah, it was just a 2 hour
lecture coupled with the usual 1 hour tutorial for the computer systems module
and guess what was being taught? Binary! Simple binary arithmetic that’s even
mentioned in GCSE courses so I guess you can see where I’m coming from.
Can’t really say much more apart from the fact that reading
week is edging even closer and I can’t wait for it.
Hope this helps!
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