The honours photograph from 2009, featuring staff, postgraduates, and senior honours students.
James Smith and David Rankine, two members of the Senior Honours class in 2009, both shared some of their memories with us earlier.
Do you have any memories of this class that you’d like to share? Feel free to leave a comment, or email us to contribute to the site.
David Rankine
Name: David Rankine
Year of Graduation: 2009
What is your favourite memory from your time studying Computer Science in St Andrews?
My favourite memory of Computer Science at St Andrews is probably upon Graduation. Being able to look back at the hard work and long hours and realising that it was all worth it at the end of the day. The satisfaction of having completed the degree to a high level was second to none. Specifically, during studying, there were many times that my classmates and I would be having banter in the labs and generally keeping spirits high as we worked on coursework. It would have been very difficult to complete all the work without the ridiculousness that went on in labs.
What are you doing now?
I am now a Technology Consultant for IBM, based in London. I am currently working on the IBM’s congestion charge project for ‘Transport For London’. IBM have recently taken over the London congestion charge system from Capita. I was originally brought onto the project short-term to help the project partner with incident management. This developed into a longer-term role doing Incident management and release management for one of the teams within the project. Despite officially having a management based role, I have also helped with important data analysis, drawing upon skills I learnt during my time at St Andrews.
What was your favourite module, and why?
My favourite module was probably CS3301, Component Technology. I enjoyed learning of different ways to make programs interact across a network and how to put them into practice. This was further built upon in CS4103, where we looked at the problems facing networked computers. I could also highlight the CS4302 Multimedia module, as the Audio visualisation practical was good fun and the class produced some hilarious results.
Favourite Quote
“There is no magic” MB, SP
“Does it actually fly though?” AB to DI
James Smith
Name: James Smith
Year of Graduation: 2009
What is your favourite memory from your time studying Computer Science in St Andrews?
I really enjoyed the Software Team Project I did in my third year. I enjoyed the chance to work with some cutting edge technology in Wireless Sensor Networks and then augment the data from those devices to Social Networking websites such as Facebook. The most valuable aspect however was the experience of working in a team and learning how to deal with the pressures and challenges which arise.
What are you doing now?
I am now working towards my Ph.D in Computer Science here at St Andrews under the supervision of Prof Ian Sommerville. My research area is Cloud Computing, where I have been looking at aspects such as failure, energy consumption and other socio-technical issues. I have also been doing some teaching here this year, Tutoring and Lab Demonstrating for first years and helping out as a Customer/Technical Advisor on the Software Team Project.
What was your favourite module, and why?
My favourite module here was either Distributed Systems or Graphics. I found both really interesting and well taught.
Most Memorable Quote
“Can you write me some documentation, you know… in case you get Swine Flu” – Anonymous Professor