Computing Science

Lauren Norrie

Programme: BSc (Hons) Computing Science.

Year:  4

What do you hope to do when you graduate?  
I love software development and hope to end up with a programming job somewhere. I also discovered an interest in research while studying here and so I would like to explore that first.

Where do you come from?  
Renfrew.

What attracted you to Glasgow? 
One reason for choosing Glasgow was being close to home, which has saved me running up any debt. However, what attracted me most about Glasgow University was the atmosphere. It is nice to study in the West End, and the people are all lovely too.  

What do you like about Glasgow and/or Scotland? 
Glasgow has everything I could possibly want or need. Plenty of gigs and cinemas, nice places to shop and pretty parks to sit about in.

What do you like about the University? 
The University has loads of resources, including free Internet access, a good library, lecturers who go out of their way to help you out and two student unions that are great for a night out.

What do you like about the Department and your course?  
The Department grants Computing Science students 24 hour access to the computing lab, which has free Internet access and printer credits, and that is populated with a diverse set of interesting people. You are provided with plenty of support whenever you need it, and there is a great level of flexibility to do what you want to do. One thing that is great about the Computing Department at Glasgow is that you learn such a broad range of skills and become exposed to all areas of Computing so that you will find what interests you most.  

What is the most interesting thing you’ve done while at the University?  
I did summer internships in the Department in both 2nd year and 3rd year that gave me an insight into the Computing Science research that the Department does. 
By working there, I was exposed to some of the more interesting areas of Computing Science that I would otherwise not have seen, and got great experience for my CV. There are some really nice people in there too :)

What advice do you have for potential applicants? 
When I was applying for university, I was worried about not knowing anybody else. I was also concerned because, as a subject, Computing at high school wasn't too exciting. My advice would be not to let things like that put you off. If you choose somewhere that you think you will enjoy then everything else will fall into place - and if you make some bad choices, then there's enough support and flexibility to put you back on track!

Paul Heath

Programme: MSci Computing Science.

Year: 5

What do you hope to do when you graduate?
I am relatively sure that I will end up in something that is web oriented. I would quite like to be a web developer. However, I am interested in Web Engineering and I hope that I may become a Web Architect at some point in the future.

Where do you come from?

I am from all over. I was born and brought up in Bedford, England until I was about five. I then had a brief stint in Glasgow until I moved to Dunoon on the west coast until I was about seventeen. For a brief period after that I moved back to England before I returned to Glasgow to study for my first degree.

What attracted you to Glasgow?
I would certainly say that Glasgow is one of the friendliest places on Earth and it has one of the most vibrant musical scenes in Europe no matter what you may be interested in. Also, the west end of Glasgow is an excellent place to stay if you are a student. There are many many bars and clubs all within easy walking distance.

What do you like about Glasgow?
Glasgow is a funny old city really. It can really get under your skin. It is possible to both love and hate Glasgow (because of the weather) in equal measure. I know of people from other large cities in Britain and the rest of the world who have chosen to stay in Glasgow because they love it so much.

What do you like about the University?
I have attended both Strathclyde and Glasgow University and I can definitely say that in my opinion, Glasgow has a friendlier atmosphere as a whole. Furthermore, the history of Glasgow University oozes out of just about every building you see; the old tower and the cloisters are definitely worth seeing.

What do you like about the Department and your course?
The staff are really friendly and approachable and will help you if you have any problems, they are sincerely interested in seeing that you do well in this degree. Also, I think Computing is one of the few courses that you will do that allow you to get to know your student counterparts fairly quickly. I am still in touch with people that I met in first year computing.

What is the most interesting thing you’ve done while at the University?
I have done many interesting things while studying Computing at Glasgow: I have worked for the department during the summer,  I helped create a website that promotes computing for children, I helped resurrect the Computing Society and was one of the members that initiated the SubCrawl (this is now an annual occurrence), I have worked as a summer intern at one of the technology centres of one of the top banks in the world, and finally, I took part in a degree course called Computing in the Classroom which allowed me to teach Computing to school children for a brief time.

What advice do you have for potential applicants?
Work hard, play hard and absolutely get involved - I hope that you will enjoy your time here as much as I have.

Iain Aitchison

Programme: BSc (Hons) Computing Science.

This is my second degree. My first was a Bachelor of Science Designated degree in Infection Biology (2003-2007).

Year: 3

What do you hope to do when you graduate?
With the Computer Science degree, I am in the position where I can have a career in multiple industries. My choices are very varied, and will no doubt become clearer as I progress through my course. Currently I would like to research and produce computer based educational resources for schools and colleges, research computer based biology applications, or help develop communications systems for the armed forces.

Where do you come from?
I have lived all of my life in Hamilton, 20 miles south of Glasgow.

What attracted you to Glasgow?
I entered Glasgow through the Faculty of Information and Biomedical Life Sciences to do my degree in Infection Biology. The science courses offered in Glasgow are known throughout the world as being excellent and sought after in many industries, so when I decided to continue my studies in Computing Science, I knew Glasgow was going to be the best place to learn.

What do you like about Glasgow and/or Scotland?
The variation in everything. I enjoy a little bit of everything. When it comes to going out with friends, doing something at the weekends, learning some history or a new hobby, or even just visiting somewhere you've never been before, Glasgow - and indeed Scotland - seems to have unparalleled variation! I've been to quite a few cities throughout the world on holiday, and most of them seem to offer the same thing. But in Glasgow, you can do so much, and for someone like me who scuba dives and shoots with the university, that certainly is a great opportunity.

What do you like about the University?
The mix of history, up-to-date technology, social events and people. Glasgow seems to offer the historical setting and traditions that some other universities have, but mix with it a modern and cutting-edge approach to pretty much everything. Add that to the hundreds of ways to meet new people and enjoy yourself, and it's no wonder why I chose to come back!

What do you like about the Department and your course?
The computing course doesn't just teach you computers, programming and numbers. It gives you a wider understanding of the computer industry, and how things are developed, from conception to after-market research. As a computing student, you are taught how to solve problems, not by learning a solution, but learning how to approach the problem, think about it, plan it and then successfully tackle it. This style not only allows me to take on any problem with the same chance of success, but also apply it in any job I get. Having a course that covers so much has allowed me to find a particular field that I am more interested in. I can learn about human computer interaction, cryptography, website design and so much more, and have the skills to do any of them. The help you get from first year right through to the end is what makes the course enjoyable. Whether it is from the lecturers, or from people in your course, having people to ask for help, or even bounce ideas off, means you can really get a lot from the computing course.

What is the most interesting thing you’ve done while at the University?
So far at university I have spent 5 days away on a biology field trip doing practical work outdoors in streams, in the sea and in forests. This gave a brief look into the ecological side of the biology course, which you don't fully appreciate in the lab. I have had the opportunity to go SCUBA diving with the GUSAC (Glasgow University Sub-Aqua Club) and transfer skills learned abroad to the British standard, as well as shoot in competitions with the GURC (Glasgow University Rifle Club). But so far, the most interesting thing I have done has been the Level 3 team project in the computing course. It has been a culmination of the three years teaching, and the experience I have gained, with the added bonus of being useful once it is completed. Being given the responsibility to create the project outside the core course modules has meant I can enjoy more of the creative side of computing that I am interested in. We are creating games that, when finished, could be played and enjoyed by potentially millions of people – all while still learning the required coursework. It has been a lot of effort, but it has certainly been worth it.

What advice do you have for potential applicants?
Don't be scared of asking about anything. Chances are, if there's something you want to know about, try out, or just learn...then there's someone who's happy to help out. Whether it's learning something about your course or trying a sport that you haven't thought of before, you are not going to be alone. There's loads of other people in the same boat. I didn't ask about the things I wanted to try when I first came to university, and it wasn't until my third year that I joined the GUSAC and GURC. Since then, I've met loads of friends, had great times with them, and have gained experiences and skills that I can keep adding to when I leave university.