Which COMPUTER DEGREE at Abertay???

[medianewbie]

Dd has to choose between 3 offers (all at Abertay) for the 6th (!)

I told her to just pick one as they are all v simliar in Y1 but she's stressing.

Can I list the modules so anyone can advise please?

Computer Science (CS)
Yr1: Computer hardware, architecture, operating systems ('chaos')
Development practice, C++ programming, Software design, Networking.
Same for Computing (C)
Same for CS+Cyber (CS+C) except Dev Prac is swapped for Intro to Security

Yr2:
CS:
Data structures, App design, Sec Web Dev, Data Sci & Algorithms, User design
C:
user design swapped for programmign
CS:
Programming & Penetration testing

Y3:
CS:
Green computing, Professional project planning, prototype, Development & delivery (PPPDD) Software Engineering practice, AI & machine learning
C:
Web Dev, PPPDD, Software dev for mobiles, Machine learning, Soft Eng prac
CS+C:
Software Engin practice, Machine Learning, Networking 2, Ethical Hacking 1&2

Y4:
CS:
Human centered Security, Enterprise systems Egineering, Big Data,
Large language models, Hons Project, Dissertation
C:
Eneterprise systems, Big Data, Internet of things, Cloud computing,
Hons Project, Dissertation
CS+C:
Human centered security, IoT, Cloud, Maths for Cyber, Hon project, dissertation.

If you read all that - Thank you!!

(it seemed rude to ask people to look it up)

it seems that all 3 are almost identical in 1st yr, & much of 2nd yr.
But she'd prefer to 'pick the right one' from the start.

I'm thinking CS or CS+C (she has an HNC in Cyber already)

Can anyone who knows about the detail comment please? She's very 'stuck'.

Check if she does CS/C would they still let her switch to Cyber. I suspect her Cyber HNC would more than make up for their Intro module so switch possible. She can then spend the year seeing exactly where her interests lie (or where best job opportunities are) and make an informed decision for 2nd year.

I did a joint degree with computing and advice then was to go as general as possible. If that's still good advice now then CS over C (as C looks to be more software development). Doing +Cyber with that HNC might be an easy module pass whilst she's finding her feet in 1st year.

Thank you @SandyIrving I was hoping you'd see this ! x

Shout out to @poetryandwine too

It's often possible to transfer between two such similar courses, once you've found out which elements you prefer, provided you do it before they diverge. She should probably contact their admissions people and ask about it. They may be able to reassure her that it doesn't matter if she changes her mind when she gets there, or they may be able to tell her that it's always possible to transfer from course A to course B but not necessarily from course B to course A. If she has an HNC in cyber that might mean that they'd let her transfer to CS+cyber at second year even with the missing module.

Hi, OP - I agree with both @SandyIrving abd @lanthanum My uni focusses on CS, because it is easy to move from the general to the specific. Also good students have flexibility for as long as they have the background.

So eg if your DD wanted to swap between CS and C after Y1, as long as she is doing well it should be a snap. To swap from CS or C to CS + Cyber she would be missing one module.

If it is not a first term module and she realised early on, she could swap before missing it out. Or I would bet £££ her stellar HNC in Cyber means they might find a way to help. Worst case, my honest opinion is that you are better off with a CS degree anyway, on the principle above. Then do a project or dissertation involving cyber if you love it, to get it on your CV (along with than HNC)

I vote for CS with independent study in the area of cyber if that is still a core interest of DD in Y4.

Thank you @lanthanum

@poetryandwine do you work at Abertay? Is it only CS degrees you are linked to there? I have a question if you don't mind? It isn't a CS question though so no problem if you only deal with that side of things.
I wondered if you knew any of the lecturers for the Biomedical Science degree and whether you think their teaching is good?

Thank you @poetryandwine
My feeling was either straight CS (we met the course Head who was fab) or the CS&Cyber Degree. I'd be happy if she tried either of those.

I am sorry, @Bcdfghjk but I do not work at Abertay

Liking a Head of Course is a big plus!

I'm relieved you don't work at Abertay @poetryandwine. I worry I've said far too much that could identify Dc as it is.

No advice but just wanted to say my daughter does a similar course at abertay and it's a fantastic university! She is thoroughly enjoying it

I would have warned you, OP

@poetryandwine Yes, it did occur to me after that you would have pm'd me as you have been kind & 'professional' in your advice & support. I just had a wee panic once the thought was 'out there' !

Speaking of panic. Had 'decided' on CS at Abertay. Dc woke me at 1am to say perhaps they should choose Napier after all as they'd just discovered Abertay ° isn't NCSC accredited whereas Napier is (till Sept 24). Poor kid is SO stressed.

This is only relevant if she is doing Cyber. We all think she should do CS!

CS. It is easier to get more coding experience later than to learn more concepts later.

@poetryandwine Yes. Abertay have offered CS which Napier didn't (they offered either Computing or Cyber & Forensics Y2 - too specific & direct entry a bad idea although could get home in 60mins if needed for support whereas Abertay is 3hrs & dc much prefers Edinburgh to Dundee as a city).
I think the thinking was Abertay is famous for Cyber, 'Cyber Quarter' & all that so very surprised it doesn't have an accredited degree (tho it does have a Gold Standard for teaching & Napier 'only' Silver). I need to stop fretting too. 'Choose' myself, so can advise if asked & encourage to apply for one of them.

Well. YP has just accepted an offer.
CS + C at Abertay. So that's something:
A big 'step on the way' to September.

THANK YOU all so very much for good advice (& keeping me company whilst I stressed). I appreciate it so much.

They are also starting a p/t job (ooof) tomorrow, which they may settle into & thus refuse come September but if that happens at least they'll have an option.