MSc Computer Science Conversion Advice

[The Major GM]

Hey there

 

I imagine this is a little more abstract to what's usually found in the troubleshooting forum but please, bear with me.

 

I'll stick the main question here with a little more detail below for those who can be bothered to read it.

 

Do you think doing a MSc (Master of Science) degree in Computer Science, coming from a BSc in Forensic Science background is a good idea? primarily to give me the option of diversifying into I.T related jobs but also for it's relevance to Digital Forensics and possibly Cybersecurity???

 

I typically read the forum on a daily basis, but rarely sign in to post and would like to get your opinions.

 

I graduated last year in Forensic Science, I got the top degree classification and really enjoyed it. However, i've been in full time employment since graduating in a job that pays terribly and job prospects are looking pretty grim in a role I would want to do.

 

I've been in contact with several companies related to digital forensics and cybersecurity, and didn't really get anywhere, one of the managers suggested a Masters in computer science and it's something i'm actively pursuing.

 

The earliest I would start is september 2015, any tips on which programming language(s) to get started on to give me a leg up, would also be greatly appreciated.

 

Any advice is greatly appreciated

 

Cheers in advance!!

[smjpl]

To be honest that is a difficult one. There are a lot of things to take into account. Firstly computer science is not IT (although I think you know that). You will most likely be doing very little with hardware or anything like that. So what will you be doing? Well that depends on the course itself. Me and a friend of mine have both done a MSc Comp Science Conversion Masters in two separate universities and the courses were very very different. His was more focused on practical applications such as database construction and integration with websites. The practical side of things was really good as you learn skills that you can take directly into a job. The downside is that his subjects were quite narrow and there was not much choice. Mine was more theory based. We did do databases etc like his but again we barely got to implement them. It was more the theory side. The plus side to this is that you can do a lot more subjects and get a much broader scale of C.S. We did things like image processing (probably quite relevant for you) and graphics so we basically got the chance to learn things he never did. The downside is that you don't get to cover anything in any great detail and again it is mostly theory that you are learning. The difference is we get much more freedom for our dissertation and that is the point that we get to choose an area that interested us and focus on that area. This is something to be careful of. Check your course perspective. Can you list the subjects on offer?

 

I can't see you getting into cyber security (well that depends on what you want to do in it). Yes you can learn the general stuff but to be really preventing cyber security you need to be an expert in so many areas. Your programming/networking/operating systems and so much more has to be top notch. I just can't see that happening if you are only trying to get into computers now.  

 

So how much is this going to help you for your current field? To be honest I have no clue about that. Maybe image processing and what not could help but I honestly don't know. Now what is a possibility is a complete change in career direction. You could go towards software development side of things. What we have been told is that many computer/software companies are looking for people who aren't computer nerds. Computer nerds generally tend to think the same way and they are very technical. While this is a good thing, it is not wise to have all your staff thinking the same way. Coming from your undergrad, you will have a completely different way of thinking which combined with software skills can be quite valuable to a company.

 

I am somewhat in the same boat as you (kinda). I studied mechanical engineering as my undergrad and have just completed the two taught semesters from the MSc conversion course. I now have to do my dissertation by September to complete the course. I am hoping to get into software development but chances are I am probably not going to be a brilliant software developer. I like you am only really beginning to learn how to write programs now. Learning the language is only half the battle There is so much more to writing good clean code and unfortunately I am not sure if I am up to scratch with the average undergrad C.S. student. They have 4 years to learn, I had one semester although in fairness I don't know the average CS student skills from college. So what am I going to do? My best option is management in software development. Having people with a technical background who understand the development process in essential in project management. Developers generally aren't the best people persons and business management students generally aren't the most technical people and so that is where we come in. What is most important is that I get into a larger organization so that I can get training. This way I can learn software development and the development process and hopefully branch into project management from there.

[The Major GM]

@smjpl

 

Thanks very much for the detailed response. particularly with your intended career direction

 

I know the cybersecurity thing is ambitious but just one possible path. To paraphrase wayne gretski, I feel I ended up "skating" to where the jobs had been by the time I finished my undergrad, I would like to think the MSc in Computer Science would be loosely "skating" to where the jobs will still be in 18-24 months time and the foreseable future.

 

I also kind of want to set myself apart from the undergrad level, as it seems anybody and everybody can study for some form of undergrad course in the U.K. A family friend put me in touch with the CEO of some bioscience firm who said in no uncertain terms, A masters/PhD is the only real way to make serious progress/money in a scientific career!!

 

I was looking at studying at the same university as my undergrad (opportunity of a fully paid scholarship), here's a link to the course:

 

http://www.kent.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/243/computer-science#!overview

 

not sure how that would compare to yours?

 

I use "I.T" in the loosest sense of the word, it's the category under which most digital/computer oriented jobs are lumped under on jobs sites etc...

 

I had originally intended to use my degree to get a leg up into the police, but that's gone out of the window with the state of police recruitment over here (UK), hence why I wouldn't be completely adverse to a career shift this early on.

 

I figured i love reading about this sort of shit on a daily basis, so why not look to study it...

[smjpl]

@smjpl

 

Thanks very much for the detailed response. particularly with your intended career direction

 

I know the cybersecurity thing is ambitious but just one possible path. To paraphrase wayne gretski, I feel I ended up "skating" to where the jobs had been by the time I finished my undergrad, I would like to think the MSc in Computer Science would be loosely "skating" to where the jobs will still be in 18-24 months time and the foreseable future.

 

I also kind of want to set myself apart from the undergrad level, as it seems anybody and everybody can study for some form of undergrad course in the U.K. A family friend put me in touch with the CEO of some bioscience firm who said in no uncertain terms, A masters/PhD is the only real way to make serious progress/money in a scientific career!!

 

I was looking at studying at the same university as my undergrad (opportunity of a fully paid scholarship), here's a link to the course:

 

http://www.kent.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/243/computer-science#!overview

 

not sure how that would compare to yours?

 

I use "I.T" in the loosest sense of the word, it's the category under which most digital/computer oriented jobs are lumped under on jobs sites etc...

 

I had originally intended to use my degree to get a leg up into the police, but that's gone out of the window with the state of police recruitment over here (UK), hence why I wouldn't be completely adverse to a career shift this early on.

 

I figured i love reading about this sort of shit on a daily basis, so why not look to study it...

 

Looks like a decent course. I would say that probably is a healthy mix of both mine and my friends courses. There are plenty of options to focus on different areas. You could choose subjects to focus on software development (programming & software engineering courses), you could go towards I.T. as they also offer specific modules for that or you could go for some more specialised areas such as A.I. (neural networks/expert systems). They do actually offer a really good choice. What I am a little unsure is how the course is structured. To achieve an MSc. you will need to do a dissertation but that takes up 30 of your 90 ETCS credits. With most modules at 7.5 credits per subject, that means you will only do 8 modules over both semesters. 4 subjects per semester seems low. I did six per semester. Maybe that is all that is required but you can do extra subjects if you wish and just take your scores from the subjects you do best in.

 

My advice would be, if you've got the cash and are interested in computers, definitely go for it. The worst thing that can happen is you will get to learn loads about computers. Depending on how much you are into computer science/theory right now (and I think you are), you should love it. I did .

[The Major GM]

Looks like a decent course. I would say that probably is a healthy mix of both mine and my friends courses. There are plenty of options to focus on different areas. You could choose subjects to focus on software development (programming & software engineering courses), you could go towards I.T. as they also offer specific modules for that or you could go for some more specialised areas such as A.I. (neural networks/expert systems). They do actually offer a really good choice. What I am a little unsure is how the course is structured. To achieve an MSc. you will need to do a dissertation but that takes up 30 of your 90 ETCS credits. With most modules at 7.5 credits per subject, that means you will only do 8 modules over both semesters. 4 subjects per semester seems low. I did six per semester. Maybe that is all that is required but you can do extra subjects if you wish and just take your scores from the subjects you do best in.

 

My advice would be, if you've got the cash and are interested in computers, definitely go for it. The worst thing that can happen is you will get to learn loads about computers. Depending on how much you are into computer science/theory right now (and I think you are), you should love it. I did .

 

Going to speak to the uni about the scholarship next week, i'd have a full year to save and i play sport semi-professionally so that covers rent and a bit more. Definitely going to go full steam ahead with this. Thanks again for your insight, it has been truly helpful

 

they do a version of the course with an industrial placement so definitely going to check that out.

 

Thanks again!