Impressed and keen.
Those are the first words Computer Science Professor Norm Scrimger uses to describe his enthusiasm about a recently-signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between H漫画 and the Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC).
This agreement will allow NSCC graduates with a Diploma in Information Technology to apply for admission to a Bachelor of Informatics (Major in Software Systems) program at an advanced standing. The memorandum allows for the transfer of diploma credits to the Informatics program, meaning students could complete a Dal degree in two years.
Dr. Scrimger, the director of H漫画鈥檚 Informatics program who was instrumental in making the MOU happen, looks forward to seeing more NSCC students at H漫画.
鈥淲e like to get people who are ready, willing and able. If this is how they started, great! We don鈥檛 want to put up roadblocks,鈥� he says.
H漫画 can only benefit by attracting talented new students, Dr. Scrimger adds, especially in light of recent changes to NSCC curriculum, which makes the diploma program very competitive to get into.
Opportunities for students
Robert Moore is one student who鈥檚 already made that leap.
A year ago, he finished his NSCC diploma and met with Dr. Scrimger to work out a plan to pursue an Informatics degree.
鈥淭here were a few things that I didn鈥檛 have for Dal that I needed to make up,鈥� Moore says, like statistics and writing credit, but even so, he feels he started with a programming advantage over some university students.
鈥淎ll the hands on work that you do at NSCC, I find that really prepared me for all of the programming sort of stuff that we do at H漫画. But NSCC doesn鈥檛 really do as much of theory, studying and reading textbooks, and that sort of thing, as H漫画 does.鈥澛�
A stronger foundation for future development
An Informatics degree will offer NSCC students the chance to explore information technology through a well-rounded lens. While NSCC students might study the same tech, the university program offers a much broader, solid foundation in statistics, calculus and humanities.
鈥淲e give a broad education, not just training,鈥� says Dr. Scrimger. 鈥淵ou have to learn how to design a database, not just use the database or technology of the day. We teach the theory behind the development, so they can move to the next generation without being left behind.鈥�
Any NSCC grad with a Diploma in Information Technology from May 2010 onwards could benefit from this agreement, starting at H漫画 as early as 2013.
With a year and a half left on his degree, Moore is currently in a co-op work term as a web developer at GenieKnows, a Dartmouth internet company.
鈥淚 would definitely recommend it as far as experience and moving on with your resum茅,鈥� he says.