What do our students say?
Samia Faruq
BSc Computer Science and Multimedia student
(2005 - Current)
This whole experience of being at QM has been great! 
“I decided to study at Queen Mary, for several reasons. I was offered the course I wanted to study and the department had all the facilities to support my course. Best of all, everything I need is located at one campus; the Student Union, all the departments I am involved with, all my lectures and the various help and support services, are in one place. Queen Mary’s central location and its excellent reputation were also very strong reasons behind my choice to study here.
The best thing about the Computer Science course is that it moves you away from the standard desktop computer and takes the knowledge and technology and applies it to other disciplines including maths, biology, psychology, language and linguistics. The Computer Science department is actively involved in research projects with other departments, resulting in the provision of interesting student project topics and the development of new and exciting research areas.
My final year project has been the most interesting thing I have done because I got to work very closely with the Biological and Chemical Sciences Department, a department (and subject) I’m not too familiar with but appreciate greatly. My project was to develop a web application that will be used extensively in Flower Colour Evolution research so it’s nice to know that my studies at Queen Mary are providing a valuable resource to a research field besides Computer Science.
Before I started, I was worried about having to own expensive hardware and software to support my degree. However, the Department has a well-established computer network for students running open-source applications. They also provide student licences for products needed that are not open-source. I’ve therefore never lacked the resources necessary to complete my work.
Queen Mary provides a range of facilities and places to study. It’s easy to find somewhere on campus to work, you just have to choose the way you want to study. This could include going to the Library, using the Learning Resource Centre, the Informatics Teaching Laboratory (ITL), Group Study Areas or the open access rooms for quiet individual study. They provide facilities such as wireless networks, projectors, Smartboards, traditional whiteboards and books in the relevant subject areas, so the college definitely receives top marks for study facilities.
The teaching is excellent and the pastoral care provided during the first year really makes you feel right at home, from the moment you first step into the Department. There is also a special PASS (Peer-Assisted Study Support) mentoring programme available to students. I participated as a PASS Mentor during my second year and I really enjoyed it. I ended up taking a position as a PASS Organiser the following year.
During my degree I’ve also been attending and keeping track of career events, particularly those related to teaching. Its worthwhile doing that, whatever your interests are, because there is always a way to pursue your dream, or at least help to move you in that direction, while you study. I feel that Queen Mary does extremely well in ensuring students are aware of the different career options available.
I have three favourite places on campus. One is the Informatics Teaching laboratory (ITL). It isn’t very different from being at home! The canteen is very near to it, so it’s like popping to the fridge for a snack. The library is my favourite place around exam time. Finally there is a room in existence within QM that I call my “hide out” when I want to work alone with no disturbance... I wouldn’t call it a hideout if I were going to tell you guys where it was now!
Queen Mary has a highly active Student Union, providing great social facilities and events. It is situated in an area exploding with wonderful shops and leisure opportunities at great prices for students. I think that the College excels at providing students of all interests with facilities and integrating them into the community.
Nearly all of my favourite memories are from being in the Computer Science ITL building, especially in the first year when I was yet to discover other cool places in the College. One particular computer in the ITL practically became my base where friends would leave me in the evening. As I enthusiastically turn up early in the morning, my returning friends would find me at the same angle, in the same chair in the morning just as they had left me!
This whole experience of being at QM has been great! The Computer Science department is very organised and strategic to ensure you get the best out of your time, so you leave with more than just a degree when you graduate."
