Getting a feel

Now that I've had two weeks of lectures & practicals in my modules, I think I'm in a better position to give you a quick run down of them.

Data Structures & Algorithms I
Not nearly as bad as it sounds. It's basically a continuation of Programming I & II last year, though this year seems to be focusing less of java and more on general programming skills. Though Java is still the language of choice. We actually had a test this week, worth 5% of our final grade. Nothing too bad, just a recap of the stuff we covered last year and a very handy reintroduction to Java for those who haven't been studying it all summer, i.e. me.

Databases and Info. Systems I
So far I'm flying through this because I spent my entire summer teaching myself PHP & SQL to work on my website. So the topics we're covering now seem a touch basic. Its all been theory and a bit boring up till now. Though I had my first practical yesterday and I was using Microsoft access. I could go on a rant about the craptacularness of Access and how Computer Science students shouldn't be using it. But leaving that aside. It actually led me to a really nice incident with the admin in Comp Sci.

To run MS Access you have to run Windows obviously. So I raised a stink that there was no option for Mac/Linux users, of which I am one exclusively. Though within about 4 emails I was directed to the Systems Admin guy who gave me a free copy of Windows (of my choice, I chose XP due to the age of my laptop) and offered to help install it. I was mighty pleased at the helpfulness of everybody and their willingness to give me hundreds of euros worth of software for free.
But anyway. On with the story.

Discrete Maths for Comp. Sci.
Taught by the famous Henry McLoughlin. He teaches Algorithmic Problem Solving in the first semester of First Year and he teaches Discrete Maths in much the same style in Second Year. I have to say he really is an excellent teacher. And I mean teacher. Not a lecturer who imparts his knowledge to 300 students then walks off. He actively engages the students, works through things step by step and genuinely cares about his topic. Now Discrete Maths may sound scary, but it really isn't. By 2nd year you'll have a thorough grounding in the principles from Algorithmic Problem Solving and Formal Foundations. I'm really looking forward to this module.

Web Multimedia: An Overview
I don't even want to talk about this one. This one should not be a core module for computer science students. Even the lecturer said so. We're covering basic (x)html, CSS, javascript e.t.c. and based on the notes and lecturer's comments, its not going to get much harder. Our first practical consisted of writing out 2 paragraphs in html and making certain text bold, and others italic. This really should be an elective, but alas, its on my course and I'll do it. Hey it'll be the easiest A I'll ever get.

Linear Models in the Sciences
One of my 2 maths modules this semester. So far I like this one. Seems to be going along at a nice even pace. Its going to cover matrices with a bit of calculus. Nothing too taxing, but interesting nonetheless.

Mathematical Logic
My other maths module. This one is a stage 3 module however, so I'm taking 3rd year modules in 2nd year. This one seems to be aimed at computer scientists however as most of the class are from my course, and the topic is very similar to formal foundations last year. Though no truth tables thank FSM.

So there you have it. A quick rundown of my modules. That bunch will last me till Christmas, then I'll get a new batch in the New Year. I'm looking forward to this semester. I think it'll be good fun. Well bar the 4 3hour gaps I have in my timetable.