Hi everyone,

First of all I would like to point that this is my first post on the forums.

I am currently taking a degree in Computer Science an IT with the OU and I need some help regarding what modules to choose in my year two. Currently I am finishing the 1st year and after that I can choose a specialisation modules. I have always been interested in programming, and besides the Uni degree I am also taking a Game Institute course (http://www.gameinstitute.com/), currently doing the C++ stuff.

On the second year I have to do 120 credits, and modules available are:

Object-oriented Java programming (M250) (30 credits) and Software development with Java (M256) (30 credits). -- they belong to the Software development pathway.

and then

To complement your chosen specialism, you can either choose a second specialism to focus your studies on areas that are of most interest to you:

• Digital technologies – Communication and information technologies (T215) (60 credits)
• Networking – Cisco networking (CCNA) (T216) (60 credits)
• Solutions development – Designing applications with Visual Basic (MT264) and Web technologies (TT284) (30 credits each).

Or alternatively you may choose any two individual 30-credit modules from those listed above or the 30-credit modules below:

• Algorithms, data structures and computability (M269)
• Accreditation of Certificated Practitioners 2 (TM227)
• Change, strategy and projects at work (T227)
• IT project and service management (M258).

Here is the link from where the info was taken from http://www3.open.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/qualification/pathways/q62-12.htm

What do you guys think and what are the best choices for game programming?

Cheers,

Kayhen

It is your life and your preference.

Note that your degree program is not the typical game programmer entry path. The Open University degree is a trade degree in information technology (IT). The standard degree in COMPUTER SCIENCE. The Open University does not offer a computer science degree. The OU degree is focused more on the technicians who keep office email running and make sure everybody can access the Internet, often called IT technicians.

Is your goal to be an network hardware guru, someone who hooks up networking hardware parts? Then the CCNA option might be good for you.

Is your goal to study various IT components and learn to keep everyone's email running? Then take Digital Technologies.

Is your goal to learn the basics of web development and simple configurations? Then take the Solutions Development.

Is your goal to write software? This would be a side task for your primary job of keeping the office network running, you might consider that option.

Is your goal to be a certified IT office manager? Then the Certified Practitioners might be for you.

Is your goal to manage office projects? Then the Change and Strategy module might be for you.

If your goal is to write high-performance games, your best bet is probably to transfer to a different school that offers a traditional computer science degree. The OU IT certification is a two year program. In the UK most Computer Science programs require at least 3 years to complete.

If your goal is to write high-performance games, your best bet is probably to transfer to a different school that offers a traditional computer science degree. The OU IT certification is a two year program. In the UK most Computer Science programs require at least 3 years to complete.

HI there,

Thanks for the reply.

However there are some things from you answer that are not interely accurate, regarding the OU you do have the computer science pathway, the only difference is in the choice of maths that you can take of which you can take two different modules, one more advanced and other less advanced.

The undergraduate degree in OU takes 3 years to complete, if you do it full time.

You have 3 years of 120 credits each and a project to terminate the degree.

However you can also take IT certificates which are a different thing, maybe that was what you were describing.

Anyways will leave the link to the 3 year undergraduate computer science degree, maybe this can clarify http://www3.open.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/qualification/pathways/q62-9.htm

Regarding the other information thank you.

Cheers,

Kayhen

That link doesn't look like a computer science degree to me. It's a Bachelor's in Science (BSc) in computing and IT. A computer science degree would be listed as either a BSc Computer Science, or BCS depending on whether the school has a dedicated computer science faculty or it's run under the science faculty.

IT and Computer science are two different but intertwined fields. I couldn`t find any information on a Computer Science degree on the Open University website.

Thank you for your feedback cardinal.

Repeating part of it since you seem to have missed it...

The OU does not offer a computer science degree. None of those options are an ideal path for a potential game programmer. Most game studios require a degree in computer science for their programmers

The OU does offer IT certification. If your goal is to keep the game studio's network wired and make sure the game developers have access to email, then the OU course is a good one.

If you want to spend your life hooking up networks and managing IT infrastructure --- and that is a very poplar choice, much better than working retail --- then you could choose any of the OU programs that suit your preferences. All of them are good choices for those who might be interested.

Hi frob,

Thank you for your feedback.

The confusion was generated by the fact that you mentioned 2 years, but that is clarified.

Thanks,

Kayhen