What is the effect of BSc or HND in computer science in getting employed as a programmer?
I can only answer this from the perspective of the United States. I know three developers who had no college after high school. The other two were already working in fields related to software engineering and were able to post up. That said, the one who had no degree had to work for free for a company for a month before they'd hire him.So a two year degree will probably make it harder for you to land your first job if you aren't already working with a company. In the US, most two year degrees transfer immediately to four year institutions so at least here, you could finish your first year, get an internship, and if the company's willing, you can get hired on as a programmer. Or, you can finish out your last two years and have a BSc.Now, with all of that said, you won't be getting equal pay to a BSc for probably 3yrs. I don't know why that's a magic # in the USA but generally once you have 3yrs experience working as a software engineer the piece of paper that represents your degree ceases to matter. I keep saying "in the USA" because I have heard anecdotally that in Europe, your degree matters more, which tells me that it's harder to work your way into a position without a degree.That exists somewhat in the USA, if you work for the government. It's not uncommon for advancement to be capped, for example, I know in the USGS you're not going to make management without a PHD. Keep that in mind as well: you may want to finish the BSc because maybe in ten years you hate engineering and want to do something else. With BSc, you have the main prereq needed for a master's degree (MSc) in an entirely different field. That path is closed to you with the 2yr option.I don't like taking risks, so my 2pence is to get the BSc.
I am studying for a computing HND. What are good/suggested universities in the UK to get a computer science bachelor's degree in one year?
I hope this list from Mercury Virtual Website will helps you to find suitable university for Top Up Degree.http://www.mercuryvirtual.com/co...
What are the pros and cons of doing (edexcel) HND (2 years), BSc (1 year), and straight BSc (3 years) in mechanical engineering?
Irshan, thanks for the A2A.A straight BSc is probably the best way to go for the certificate to be more accepted in the market place. It is a commitment though. You have to complete all three years or you have nothing.The HND route does give you a certificate in hand after two years so if you get fed up or decide the profession is not for you at least you have something. The down side is two fold. A degree obtained like this may reflect badly and you may not get the entry requirements to move onto the one year degree course.Really it is a confidence choice. If you have confidence go straight for the BSc. If not go for the HND. this is assuming, of course, that you have chosen your career wisely.Choose something you like and not something which pays.Alan
If one were to do a Master’s in Computer Science with an unrelated bachelor’s degree, what courses would be the minimum prerequisites?
This may be of limited use to the OP since he is American and I am British, but I was in this situation some years ago.I have a degree in English Literature, and had become slightly bored with teaching English, and in need of a change of direction. I took a couple of years out from teaching and did an HND (Higher National Diploma) in Computing; my only real qualifications for this course were good basic Microsoft Office skills, the ability to study effectively and being able to think logically, but in fact it went well and I achieved mostly Distinction grades.The course overall was at about half of a first degree standard. I was invited by the university to go on to an MSc, which they were confident would be well within my capacity, but I would certainly have found it quite challenging, even with two years' of programming (Visual Basic, Ada, Java, SQL etc), systems analysis, database design, advanced spreadsheet work and data analysis, project management and so on. I would not have wanted to attempt it with any less preparation.In the event, it didn't happen, because I accidentally fell back into teaching (A level Computing and ICT) instead, but that was the situation. You really will need good foundations; you couldn't just go straight into it without them.
Is it possible to become a good software engineer without getting a degree in computer science?
The short answer is yes. I have a B.S. in mechanical engineering and landed a software engineer job at Lockheed. But it wasn’t easy as it sounds. This is how I did it:I was already studying some stuff on the side with Java, C# and Android App Development.I was driving trucks at the time, so during my free time over the road, I read books on how to be successful. What I mostly got out of the books was to get a mentor.My sister’s mom has a cousin that works at Lockheed and he holds a managerial position at the company (remember this point, it’s important).I asked him to take me under his wing and listen to his advice. Three months passed, he gets in contact with one of his colleagues who has a startup. I had already made a snake game out of Java and published a simple Android app to Google Play store at this point (so I was serious).His colleagues asked me to write a instructional manual how I made that snake game. I wrote it with beautiful graphics and snippets and he loved it. He hires me on for 6 months for an internship (needed experience to penetrate the programming world).During this internship, I listened, worked and gave results to my mentor’s colleague. I finished stuff I didn’t know about like RESTful API, developing websites, photoshop and using Git for BitBucket. The point is I learned the process of software development cycle and how it pertains to business.Six months passed, internship ended and my mentor tells me about a job opening in his company. He tells me to edit my resume with keywords on the job description. I did that and let him review it. I submitted and the screening HR calls me in 2 days.The HR says I have a phone interview. I tell my mentor and my mentor starts talking to the manager looking to hiring on for this position (software engineer). He is asking questions like what is the manager looking for in the candidate and so on.He relays the information to me and then I have my phone interview. When I say I knew exactly what to say, I knew exactly what to say in this interview. 10 out of 10 best interview of all times.Five days passed and I received a phone call. I said, “Hello, it’s me.” They said, “Lockheed will like to extend an offer your way. How does this ‘large sum of money’ sounds to you?” I said, “That will do.” Hung up and went on the toilet.The rest is history.
Which reputable and low cost school in UK can you convert HND/HNC to a BSc?
Most UK universities will accept a HND or HNC qualification for BA or BSc 1st year or 2nd year entry. Whether you are offered a place on the 1st year or 2nd year of the BSc course will depend on your exam marks and the reputation of the university.When I was an undergraduate BSc ( Hons ) Chemistry student at Royal Holloway, University of London, one of my 1st year classmates was a 24 year old chap with a HND in Chemistry. And when I was at University of Hull completing a MSc in Analytical Chemistry there were a Chinese girl in the department who'd joined the department as a 2nd year undergraduate after completing a HND at Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen.It is even possible to get on to a Pharmacy or a Dentistry degree with a HND. But I've never heard of anybody getting on to a Medical degree with a HND. But people who've managed to do that are probably out there.It is also possible to study for a postgraduate Master's with only a HND. Some of the ex-polytechnics will recruit MSc students who only have a HND.If you are an overseas student I don't think there are any low cost universities in the UK. The University of London's International programme /Distance learning courses would be your best option if you don't have much money. As a University of London student on the International Programme you complete the same degree course as the full time University of London students; but you are allowed to complete each lecture course at your own pace. You can even qualify to become a lawyer by completing the Law degree.University of London International Programmes
Is 'o' level certificate in computers is equal to B.Sc computer science?
An O Level is equivalent to a GCSE, you need to do A levels or GNVQs after that - approx 2 to 3 years. Then a 3 year course at Uni or a HND to get to that level.