diploma or BSc?

chingizkh · 12-20-2009, 07:55 AM

hello everyone.
Ai of vancouver, Canada offers a 2 year course for game designers, VFS (vancouver film school) is among the top and offers 1 year diploma program.
how is that compared to a bachelor degree in computer science from a recognized Canadian university? i mean in terms of finding a job after graduation.
also bachelor is 4 yrs and diploma 1-2. is 1-2 yrs enough to learn and start working in this industry?
thanks to all replies in advance.

tsloper · 12-20-2009, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chingizkh

1. ...2 year course for game designers... 1 year diploma program.
how is that compared to a bachelor degree in computer science from a recognized Canadian university? i {sic} mean in terms of finding a job after graduation.
2. also bachelor is 4 yrs and diploma 1-2.
3. is 1-2 yrs enough to learn and start working in this industry?

1. A 2-year course is half as good. A 1-year certificate is 1/4 as good.
2. Exactly!
3. Read http://www.sloperama.com/advice/lesson49.htm

And start using the Shift key whenever you type the word "I."

chingizkh · 12-21-2009, 08:16 AM

Thanks for your reply.
Great web site, very informative although everything is described in a slightly pessimistic tone.
My question was about education. I don't want to use the word "enough", it's obvious that the world is not enough, so I'll put it in a different way:
Is 1-2 yrs in Ai or VSF = to 4 yrs BSc?

tsloper · 12-21-2009, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chingizkh

1. Thanks for your reply.
2. Great web site, very informative although everything is described in a slightly pessimistic tone.
3. My question was about education...
4. Is 1-2 yrs in Ai or VSF = to 4 yrs BSc?

1. You're welcome.
2. It's not pessimistic at all. I am an optimist.
3. I knew that.
4. I already answered this in my previous post. See above. And the answer should be obvious to you! Is 2 years in {x} equal to 4 years in {anything}?? NO! How could it be?

chingizkh · 12-21-2009, 04:43 PM

hm...thats what I thought, but then second thought was that CS is a bit too general, like doin' plain Economics when you're interested in Currency Trading. Computer Science is a bit too fundamental I think whereas 1-2 year diploma course in Ai and VFS is very specific and focused directly on Gaming itself. Is it worth going down the route of CS or sticking to something very specific. So, all things equal, "enough" in this case would mean more chances of finding a job doing CS 4 years or a quick 1-2 year course? Of course I mean the gaming industry only. They kind of cancel each other out then 2-3 extra years in uni might seem like a waste when you could spend that time finding a job and getting "hands-on" experience directly. So that's what I'm asking, is it worth it or is it not?
thanks
Chingiz

tsloper · 12-21-2009, 08:31 PM

>CS is a bit too general, like doin' plain Economics when you're interested in Currency Trading. Computer Science is a bit too fundamental I think whereas 1-2 year diploma course in Ai and VFS is very specific and focused directly on Gaming itself.

So take 2 years of CS and 2 years in whatever else you want. Why are you making this so complicated? It's not.

>They kind of cancel each other out then 2-3 extra years in uni might seem like a waste

Read http://www.sloperama.com/advice/lesson51.htm

>when you could spend that time finding a job and getting "hands-on" experience directly.

How can you do that without a 4-year degree? The industry expects a 4-year degree.

>So that's what I'm asking, is it worth it or is it not?

http://www.sloperama.com/advice/route66.htm

And do yourself a favor -- start asking better questions. Read more of my articles, read more of the articles here on this site. THEN ask questions that'll get you better answers.

chingizkh · 12-22-2009, 02:26 AM

ok tsloper. thanks for all the advice. much appreciated.