Is college or University harder?

[BlackArcher101]

Having just graduated from SAIT this April, and now attending University.... Uni is harder. I'm taking the same courses I took at SAIT, but somehow the profs at Uni seem to make anything difficult. (ie, no calculators allowed, comprehensive finals). I found that SAIT gave a great education, which was focused on the application end of things for business/workplace. Uni focuses on the theory side.

Ex. My fluid dynamics class at SAIT had direct formulas for figuring out problems. Here in Uni, those formulas are replaced by complex looking ones with integrals and partial differentials. Although they are the same thing at the end, the process getting there is harder. It still p*sses me off that I can't get any credit for these classes. I'm basically repeating them.

[RogerWilco]

I think it may depend upon what major you are studying. I took Architectural Technologies at SAIT and then transferred to Montana State University after I graduated. I graduated from MSU with a Master of Architecture degree. I graduated SAIT in 93 so some times it is hard to remember what it was like. I do know that graduating from SAIT gave me a huge heads up to secondary education. I wasn't a great student in high school and the fast paced nature of SAIT really helped me grow as a student. Although I wasn't able to transfer many courses it was a great prep for University. If I didn't go to SAIT I wouldn't have done as well at MSU. But then again the 2 years at SAIT turned what could have been 5 years into 7 years. I loved school though so I wouldn't trade that for anything. Damn, I wish I could go back to school. Whatever you choose, just enjoy your time there.

Edit--- by the way, both are hard but both can be fun (or atleast enjoyable).

[RougeUnderoos]

I did both.

College was a lot of work, but the work was really easy. University was very little work, but the work I did do was more difficult.

[Crazy Flamer]

I graduated with a Commerce degree from the Haskayne School of Business just over a year ago. While I was there I had a roommate who was taking business admin at SAIT. Her stuff looked a lot easier than mine. I took a look at some of her tests and they also seemed easier.

[Maritime Q-Scout]

neither, both are different learning institutions. For some reason, unknown to me, college has a bed rep in Canada (in the USA it seems to me that the terms college and univeristy are interchangable).

One awards degrees, the other diplomas. College seems to be more technical hands on stuff, whereas university is more theory (unless you go into a professional school).

I'm doing the university route, and to me (and me personally) it's easier than college. I like theory, I like papers, and I like understanding how society functions (I'm ni social sciences) however tha'ts not for everyone. I waited on a prof at one of the college's here in Halifax, he mentioned that he was a prof at the NSCC and what he taught (I forget what) and I just said to him "OH God, I could NEVER do that!" he laughed asked where I went and I just responded "Dal" not mentioning that I'm a grad student

I guess in short, they aren't the same, but it depends on the person which is harder. More and more univerisites are taking colleges under their wing. Look at UNBC, and UCCB that model a dual university/college, and alot of professional schools that used to be colleges are now considered university (law, education for example).

No shame in college, just a different learning model that's all.

[Ozy_Flame]

I was working with my co-worker yesterday who happen to be doing homework. She goes to SAIT, and was taking an introductory math class.

One of the questions was "Convert these times to military time." No joke.

On that note, I'm going to give my vote to University.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally posted by Ozy_Flame@Sep 15 2004, 10:52 PM
. She goes to SAIT, and was taking an introductory math class.
One of the questions was "Convert these times to military time." No joke.

So let me get this straight, because your co-worker has to take an introductory math course you are going to base that on the entire school?

Pretty f'n stupid if you ask me.

[BlackArcher101]

Find out the code for that class... sounds like BS since I took tons of math courses there. The first one I had was grade 12 equivalent...

[RogerWilco]

Originally posted by Ozy_Flame@Sep 16 2004, 04:52 AM
I was working with my co-worker yesterday who happen to be doing homework. She goes to SAIT, and was taking an introductory math class.

One of the questions was "Convert these times to military time." No joke.

On that note, I'm going to give my vote to University.

One question, did you think about the possibility that an "introductory math class" may ask basic questions of someone taking an "introductory math class"? Sounds reasonable to me.

[Hockey_Rules_22]

Here in the US college and university are 4 years and are slightly different, but not 100% sure. We have community college which is only 2 years. And then you can go to another college or unversity for only two more years.

[calf]

Originally posted by Conroy_Chick@Sep 15 2004, 11:25 PM
Here in the US college and university are 4 years and are slightly different, but not 100% sure. We have community college which is only 2 years. And then you can go to another college or unversity for only two more years.

Yea, up here (in case you don't know - not trying to be an ass), college would be like community college down there. Some universities let you do 2 more years after college, but a lot make you do 3-4

[HelloHockeyFans]

Graduated from BCIT's Electronics Engineering Technology Diploma program. Now I'm in the Faculty of Electrical Engineering at the University of Ottawa. BCIT was MUCH, MUCH harder than university is. Would also like to add that labs in university are generally useless, where as technology schools and/or college labs are much better organized.

IMO, smaller class equate to better teaching. Small classes are nearly impossible in university unless you're in a "unpopular" program with a low number of students.

BCIT has given me much more practical knowledge which I can apply. But the reality is that a Bachelor's Degree is necessary in today's working world.

[FlamesAddiction]

We also have college-universities in Canada which are closer to what regular colleges are in the U.S.

[flamingchina]

I'd have to vote for uni, I was at mt. Royal for a year, and the students just didn't take it as seriously, herefor, everything seemed to be geared easier (this was he comp sci university transfer)

[CaramonLS]

Going to University... you have to take a lot of "crap" courses.

Ones that may have absolutely nothing, or very little to do with you major.

College you get a more practical application.

[I-Hate-Hulse]

Originally posted by CaramonLS@Sep 16 2004, 08:37 PM
Going to University... you have to take a lot of "crap" courses.

Ones that may have absolutely nothing, or very little to do with you major.

College you get a more practical application.

That's called diversification. Always helps to broaden your view on life in a career. How useful it is is entirely up to you. Take rocks for jocks and yes, it can be a waste of time. That however, is your decision.

If you want a job, goto SAIT. If you want a career, go to university.

[the_only_turek_fan]

Originally posted by HelloHockeyFans@Sep 15 2004, 11:36 PM
Graduated from BCIT's Electronics Engineering Technology Diploma program. Now I'm in the Faculty of Electrical Engineering at the University of Ottawa. BCIT was MUCH, MUCH harder than university is. Would also like to add that labs in university are generally useless, where as technology schools and/or college labs are much better organized.

IMO, smaller class equate to better teaching. Small classes are nearly impossible in university unless you're in a "unpopular" program with a low number of students.

BCIT has given me much more practical knowledge which I can apply. But the reality is that a Bachelor's Degree is necessary in today's working world.

Wow, another EE!


The stupid thing about uni, is most of the theory and stuff that you learn you dont even use in the workplace.

When I worked at my job over the summer all I need to know from school is P = IV, and V = IR, along with a basic understanding of 3 phase voltages and transformers.

You didnt have to know that crap where you have a big circuit with resistors with inductors and capacitors with a swtich and a billion op amps and diodes all over the place like you see on an exam.

Some of the stuff they teach you is so pointless.

[calf]

Originally posted by the_only_turek_fan+Sep 16 2004, 10:04 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (the_only_turek_fan @ Sep 16 2004, 10:04 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-HelloHockeyFans@Sep 15 2004, 11:36 PM
Graduated from BCIT's Electronics Engineering Technology Diploma program. Now I'm in the Faculty of Electrical Engineering at the University of Ottawa. BCIT was MUCH, MUCH harder than university is. Would also like to add that labs in university are generally useless, where as technology schools and/or college labs are much better organized.

IMO, smaller class equate to better teaching. Small classes are nearly impossible in university unless you're in a "unpopular" program with a low number of students.

BCIT has given me much more practical knowledge which I can apply. But the reality is that a Bachelor's Degree is necessary in today's working world.

Wow, another EE!


The stupid thing about uni, is most of the theory and stuff that you learn you dont even use in the workplace.

When I worked at my job over the summer all I need to know from school is P = IV, and V = IR, along with a basic understanding of 3 phase voltages and transformers.

You didnt have to know that crap where you have a big circuit with resistors with inductors and capacitors with a swtich and a billion op amps and diodes all over the place like you see on an exam.

Some of the stuff they teach you is so pointless. [/b][/quote]
It might be useless, but you're learning analytical skills, problem solving skills, skills you're going to need at the workplace.

If you want job training, you go to SAIT where they'll teach you how to do the job you want to do. If you want a career, like IHH said, you go to university, where you learn to think.

*No offence was meant to current students or alumni of SAIT

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally posted by I-Hate-Hulse@Sep 16 2004, 09:50 PM
If you want a job, goto SAIT. If you want a career, go to university.

What an incorrect thing to say. I know many people who have gone to Sait/Nait etc and have careers they love.. thats right careers. So maybe you should take a course on life and figure that out.

[BlackArcher101]

Without my SAIT diploma, I highly doubt I would be able to understand what the profs are even talking about at university. It gave me the necessary hands-on background needed. I can now use that knowledge and apply theoretical knowledge from university to expand my thinking process. For example. I designed and built a helicopter at SAIT, but the only thing I could do was use previous designs that are known in the workplace because that's all we were taught. Now in university, I can create something I haven't seen before, mainly because I now understand why each part was required in the SAIT design. Basically, with SAIT, you know what's right; and with University, you know why it's right.

"If you want a job, go to SAIT. If you want a career, go to university."
That's wrong. I came out of SAIT and couldn't get a job at all in my field. I found out quickly that I needed a degree just to get my foot in the door.