Chaos Project

General => Academics => Topic started by: KK20 on October 20, 2014, 09:21:56 pm

Title: What class should I take?
Post by: KK20 on October 20, 2014, 09:21:56 pm
Registering for my last semester of classes for the Spring and am torn as to what I should take. I'm mainly asking what you think is more beneficial for me in the future like when it comes to getting and having a job.

Data Security and Encryption Techniques: System security and encryption. Current issues in security, encryption and privacy of computer based systems.
- It's not a particular interest of mine, but if it's mostly algorithms, I'm game for it.

Web Programming and Data Managemet: Various techniques for developing Web-based database applications using software engineering methodology. Introduce concept and architecture of Web servers, Web database design techniques, client/server side programming, and Web applications tools and techniques.
- Supposedly difficult but the professor is one of the better ones. Never really had an eye in this stuff but it does sound useful to know. Friend wants to take it with me.

Introduction to Game Design and Production: Current and future technologies and market trends in game design and production. Game technologies, basic building tools for games and the process of game design, development and production.
- Basically "How to use Unity 101" from what I've heard. This is super easy to pass and takes probably no effort from me at all.

All classes listed above meet once a week in the night.

The other classes I'm taking are Earth History (stupid Geology general education stuff), Computer Graphics (sounds interesting), and Software Testing (easy class). I'm also hoping I can find some kind of internship to do during this time as well, if that factors in anything. What do you think?  :hm:
Title: Re: What class should I take?
Post by: G_G on October 20, 2014, 09:46:11 pm
I think it'd boil down to what you're really interested in or what would challenge you the most or what kind of field you'd rather be working in. Since there are thousands of "how to" things for Unity already, I wouldn't see the point in taking that class, unless you're feeling lazy or would rather focus your time on other classes/aspects of your life. Or if game development is the field you want to go in, at least you could say you've had enough experience in Unity to make an indie game or get hired on in a small game development company. Of course, easier said than done.

I'd go for web development. The internet is extremely beneficial to a lot of businesses. You could even become a freelance web developer for small businesses or startups. You know, because not everyone knows how websites work. And you said it'd probably be a challenging class. It wouldn't hurt to have the knowledge under your belt, especially if you do release a successful game or would just like to build a bug tracking system for your Advance Wars engine. Just throwing ideas out there.

As for the data security, if you're not really interested, I wouldn't do it. To reiterated, it really boils down to wanting to challenge yourself, increase your knowledge in lesser known areas, taking it easy for other aspects of your education/life, or taking what's best for your future career.
Title: Re: What class should I take?
Post by: winkio on October 20, 2014, 10:50:49 pm
Web programming.  Useful for literally any programming job, and having just recently done a job search, lots of companies are looking for programmers with web development skills, in particular .NET, Ruby on Rails, and Java.
Title: Re: What class should I take?
Post by: Blizzard on October 21, 2014, 01:57:07 am
Web Programming and Data Managemet
Like winkio and gameus already said, this is probably the most useful. Not only should you learn about web development, but also a bit about databases and the MVC design pattern which are very, very useful. Best pick IMO as well. It doesn't matter how hard it is or how much work you will have to put into this class. It's worth it. This is the knowledge that you will most likely will be using in the future.

Introduction to Game Design and Production
This might sound great, but Unity is not that hard. If it was a generic class, I'd recommend it over web dev. But if it's just Unity, just pass. You can learn the majority of Unity with tutorials in 2 weeks if you put your heart into it.

Data Security and Encryption Techniques
I've had this stuff mostly within other classes while at the university, even in my graduate program. It might sound interesting, but trust me, it's not. Algorithms are cool in general, but stuff is boring as fuck. The only algorithm worth learning is the one for asymmetric encryption anyway. Literally more than half of the stuff we learned isn't used anymore, because it's inferior technology. Unless you want a job as a security expert in the future, this class will be a waste of time. We even had good professors on these classes and they were still horrible. Don't waste your time on this.

*** BONUS ***
Computer Graphics
You will most probably learn how to use matrix transformations for 2D and 3D and 2D image manipulation as well as techniques for analyzing and filtering 2D graphics. If you're into this stuff, it's definitely interesting, especially in game development on a lower level. But it's also not that easy. At least it wasn't easy on my university. I haven't taken it myself, but I know a few people that did. And they were far from stupid. In fact, they had better grades than me, but they still had problems with this class. Your call if you really want to take it. Also, maybe the program for this class at your college isn't that difficult. Best you ask around if anybody knows anything about it.
Title: Re: What class should I take?
Post by: KK20 on October 21, 2014, 02:07:52 am
Alright glad to know there's a general consensus here :P I've added Web Programming to the cart. I haven't worked with databases much at all so I could use the experience.

I can actually graduate without having to take one of these classes, but while I'm paying the same amount regardless of how many classes I take, might as well get something else, right? I just don't want to overload myself with this being my last semester. Currently no plans to go for a Masters, mainly because I'd have to pay for it and I think I can get what I want with just a Bachelors. We'll see...

EDIT:
The Computer Graphics class is actually a requirement if you want to take the Game Development elective track; it's not a general elective class like the Data Mining class I took last semester. But yeah, this school isn't really that difficult; there's a lot more emphasis in writing papers than there is in actual coding.
Title: Re: What class should I take?
Post by: Blizzard on October 21, 2014, 02:20:18 am
That doesn't surprise me. Then you should definitely go for Computer Graphics.
Title: Re: What class should I take?
Post by: PhoenixFire on October 23, 2014, 09:04:58 am
Quote from: KK20 on October 20, 2014, 09:21:56 pm
I'm also hoping I can find some kind of internship to do during this time as well, if that factors in anything.


I wish you lived around here, because we do paid internships here, and we're in the middle of hiring people like crazy; basically, we're expanding and moving offices in ~4 months, and we currently don't have any interns. Closest we have are the new hires that are placed in a 3-month inter-esque position, and if they're a good fit, we keep them on as full-time.

-starts hypnotizing you and chanting- you will move to boston... you will move to boston....
Title: Re: What class should I take?
Post by: KK20 on October 24, 2014, 02:17:09 pm
Like that will work ;b

My school might have just screwed me over. Even with a registration time 30 minutes after the very first wave of students (whom are either graduating or have "special" privileges), the geology class I need was already filled. Expected since there is only one offering of it (as opposed to three this year) and only 12 seats in the class (versus this year's total of 70). The lab portion is still open, but they extended it another hour, conflicting with Computer Graphics.

Regardless, I am not postponing my graduation again just for one stupid class. I deserve some kind of rights for this.
Title: Re: What class should I take?
Post by: Blizzard on October 24, 2014, 02:28:48 pm
Man, that sucks. :/
Title: Re: What class should I take?
Post by: WhiteRose on October 24, 2014, 03:31:49 pm
That's terrible. :( I hope you get it worked out.