Just started Bsc (hons) Computer science course.

[Azani]

Hey, was wondering if anyone that has finished the course or currently studying has any tips or found some really good study materials. On the programming module we're currently doing c# so any really useful advice on that would be grateful too.

If you want to have a look at the modules,

anglia.ac.uk/ruskin/en/home/prospectus/ugft/computer_science_.html

[simonpreston]

The best people to ask are your lecturers/teachers. They will know exactly what material they will use over the course and, in many cases, will ask you to buy/borrow those anyway (be warned - they can get expensive ) Hint: look for older editions - unless they specifically tell you to get the latest - you can usually find them for peanuts. Also check the library before anybody else does.

So yeah, badger your lecturers for advice. You're paying them for it.

[Azani]

The best people to ask are your lecturers/teachers. They will know exactly what material they will use over the course and, in many cases, will ask you to buy/borrow those anyway (be warned - they can get expensive ) Hint: look for older editions - unless they specifically tell you to get the latest - you can usually find them for peanuts. Also check the library before anybody else does.

So yeah, badger your lecturers for advice. You're paying them for it.

Luckily most of the books we have had to read have ebook versions which is great

[Hicks12]

Good for you, wish you all the best on your course! Im currently in my second year of Computing and I know we shared alot of modules with Comp Sci in my uni, I cant really give you suggestions for C# apart from "Microsoft Visual C# 2010: An introduction to Object Oriented Programming" by Joyce Farrell http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/111152975...SIN=1111529752 / http://www.pcworld-books.co.uk/catal...ubcat=14&cat=B

Mines the 4th edition and I think I bought it for <£15 somewhere, amazon was slightly more expensive and PCworld was ~£25 but it seems the price has gone up but id say keep an eye out or check your library its certainly helped me a bit . Past the C# part id heavily recommend w3schools for alot of things, one of the best resources ever .

Apart from that id just say grab the ones recommended and have a read, read it as much as you can as it will help, dont expect your lecturer to spoon feed you as to what pages you should be reading etc (first year though is alot easier for being told what to read, just try and move past it). And certainly plan when you do assignments dont leave them to last minute etc, do them with some time to spare I really was lax with this and it cost me quite a bit but thankfully the first year counts for nothing .

If you can get into a good routine now for learning and doing cw etc then you're set!.

[Azani]

Good for you, wish you all the best on your course! Im currently in my second year of Computing and I know we shared alot of modules with Comp Sci in my uni, I cant really give you suggestions for C# apart from "Microsoft Visual C# 2010: An introduction to Object Oriented Programming" by Joyce Farrell http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/111152975...SIN=1111529752 / http://www.pcworld-books.co.uk/catal...ubcat=14&cat=B

Mines the 4th edition and I think I bought it for <£15 somewhere, amazon was slightly more expensive and PCworld was ~£25 but it seems the price has gone up but id say keep an eye out or check your library its certainly helped me a bit . Past the C# part id heavily recommend w3schools for alot of things, one of the best resources ever .

Apart from that id just say grab the ones recommended and have a read, read it as much as you can as it will help, dont expect your lecturer to spoon feed you as to what pages you should be reading etc (first year though is alot easier for being told what to read, just try and move past it). And certainly plan when you do assignments dont leave them to last minute etc, do them with some time to spare I really was lax with this and it cost me quite a bit but thankfully the first year counts for nothing .

If you can get into a good routine now for learning and doing cw etc then you're set!.

Thanks for the advice i'll have a look for that book you suggested in our library and that site looks really helpful.

Hope your course goes well too.

[Fjo]

I finished my course in Software Engineering a year ago, and in my experience unless there's a particularly useful book the lecturer suggests, don't worry about spending your cash unless you personally think it's worth your own copy after lending it from the library etc.
The only books i thought were nice to have around for beginner's reference were the O'Reilly Head First series:
http://shop.oreilly.com/product/0636920000679.do
They're not too dry, plenty of pics and examples, and go through all the basics about the best i'd ever seen in a book.

Otherwise, the lecturers will likely supply the important print-outs/notes but the internet and forums online were the most use at home. You can get more relevant info (and importantly, up to date) and pointers/tips this way. Talk to your lecturers though - try to build a rapport if you can, and it becomes much easier to keep on track.