COMP10001 and PHYC20013 (Computing)

[Maths Forever]

I'm planning to take the subjects PHYC20013: Laboratory and Computational Physics 2 and COMP10001: Foundations of Computing next year.

I have very little knowledge of computer programming, which is why I'm taking COMP10001. I've heard that COMP10001 uses Python as the computing software whereas PHYC20013 uses C. I was wondering if there are similarities between the two programs. I'm wondering whether it would be worthwhile studying these two subjects concurrently (in the same semester) or taking PHYC20013 (which I need to take in semester 1) and then COMP10001 in semester 2. Am I likely to get confused between the two programs if I study these subjects together? I'm hoping to use a bit of time in January to get some practice at programming before semester 1 starts.

Any advice would be highly appreciated! 

[Yousha]

Hello,
I did COMP10001 last semester. I have not studied the other one so cannot compare the two. I can confirm that no prior programming knowledge is required but having prior knowledge obviously helps. The subject itself is pretty easy and scoring. I left a 19 marks question (worth 6% of the final grade) in the final examination because I had skipped that part in the semester and did not feel like thinking hard to get it right and still got 83. Since I had no prior programming knowledge and still did above average I would say you should not worry about learning anything before the start of the semester.

About the other subject, if it utilises C language that sucks man. C is very basic and boring compared to python and I personally hate it.

[Maths Forever]

Hello,
I did COMP10001 last semester. I have not studied the other one so cannot compare the two. I can confirm that no prior programming knowledge is required but having prior knowledge obviously helps. The subject itself is pretty easy and scoring. I left a 19 marks question (worth 6% of the final grade) in the final examination because I had skipped that part in the semester and did not feel like thinking hard to get it right and still got 83. Since I had no prior programming knowledge and still did above average I would say you should not worry about learning anything before the start of the semester.

About the other subject, if it utilises C language that sucks man. C is very basic and boring compared to python and I personally hate it.

Thank you so much for your reply! It's great to hear about someone who has had experience in COMP10001 and enjoyed it. That's good to know that no previous computing knowledge is necessary.

[izzydes]

C and python are two very different languages, and you'd be glad to hear python is gaining more popularity and is generally a great language to learn! C is old and sluggish in comparison. From what I gather python is often used as the first language taught to students because it is very intuitive and modern. What takes 1 line of code in python takes like 5 in C. It's a good language to learn if you want to learn more about exactly what the computer is doing when you program, because its really similar and close to the way your computer reads stuff, but honestly its a bitch to get your head around

[izzydes]

I also just realised I didn't respond to the second part of your post - I don't think you will get too confused learning the too concurrently, although I took python and c subjects in different semesters so I can't say on account of experience. If anything maybe it might help learning them together? But if not I would say do the COMP10001 subject first if you have the choice because python (i reckon at least) is better for people programming for the first time.

[Maths Forever]

I also just realised I didn't respond to the second part of your post - I don't think you will get too confused learning the too concurrently, although I took python and c subjects in different semesters so I can't say on account of experience. If anything maybe it might help learning them together? But if not I would say do the COMP10001 subject first if you have the choice because python (i reckon at least) is better for people programming for the first time.

Thank you so much for your reply! I think I will take them concurrently. At least then I can devote a good chunk of time learning to program next semester. Your comments have been really helpful and insightful. I really appreciate it!