I have to agree with you there. I did a B.Sc. in computer science, and wouldn't trade it for the world.
There was a lack of technical detail in my program that I believe was actually helpful. We were given enough programming instruction to get us on our feet, and after that we were just expected to know how to program. I enjoyed this tough-love approach, and truly benefited from it.
Our class instruction was mainly formal computer science topics (state machines, OS principles, discrete math). We were taught that tools, languages & platforms are totally secondary to software development, and I think that's a great approach. Technical colleges stress "We will teach you this tool in 3 weeks!" Well you can learn that tool on your own in 3 weeks. Don't pay someone to read the manual to you.
When I work, I'm confident even about tools or languages that I don't know, because I have the foundation that makes it easy to learn any tool or language as a project necessitates (sp?).
I don't mean to come down on technical colleges or their students, but this is my opinion for any f you who may have a choice between a college or university. Then again, I had the luxury of time, and being able to live at home while at school was a big factor $$$-wise.
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I have to agree with you there. I did a B.Sc. in computer science, and wouldn't trade it for the world.
There was a lack of technical detail in my program that I believe was actually helpful. We were given enough programming instruction to get us on our feet, and after that we were just expected to know how to program. I enjoyed this tough-love approach, and truly benefited from it.
Our class instruction was mainly formal computer science topics (state machines, OS principles, discrete math). We were taught that tools, languages & platforms are totally secondary to software development, and I think that's a great approach. Technical colleges stress "We will teach you this tool in 3 weeks!" Well you can learn that tool on your own in 3 weeks. Don't pay someone to read the manual to you.
When I work, I'm confident even about tools or languages that I don't know, because I have the foundation that makes it easy to learn any tool or language as a project necessitates (sp?).
I don't mean to come down on technical colleges or their students, but this is my opinion for any f you who may have a choice between a college or university. Then again, I had the luxury of time, and being able to live at home while at school was a big factor $$$-wise.