Hi everyone,
This week it's our *first Learn to Code class*. We'll start off by
introducing programming in general, then the Python language and its basic
structures. We've had unprecedented demand, so:
- *Arrive early* to ensure you can attend! Due to fire regulations, we
have a maximum of 200-or-so attendees and we'll be registering everyone who
enters.
- *Don't forget your laptop!*
- If you're a CS student and can spare a little time and enthusiasm, *please
considering volunteering* as a TA. We'd appreciate as much help as we
can get. It doesn't matter if you can only help out at a few sessions, it
all goes a long way to getting people interested in programming and helping
them learn effectively. Join the Learn to Code Helpers group
<https://www.facebook.com/groups/OXLearnToCodeHelpers/> if you're
interested.
This week's talk is by *Metaswitch*. *What's so cool about Rust?* A lot.
We'll learn how Rust hopes to replace C++ through advances in static
analysis and smart type systems, making code with memory bugs uncompilable.
After that, it's our usual *Geek Night* and a *tech talk with Ocado
Technology* on dealing with legacy software.
You can still register for BAE's *Capture the Flag* event this Saturday.
The location has now been confirmed as Doctorow Hall in Teddy Hall and
OUEngSoc has now published a *Facebook event*
<https://www.facebook.com/events/650907481966992/>.
Finally, the Oxford University's *Summer Internship* and *Micro-Internship*
programmes have opened for applications, with a variety of opportunities in
technology sector. Applications start closing from the middle of February.
Have a great week,
*Edward and the rest of the committee*
P.S. Don't forget to sign up for the 40th Anniversary Dinner
<https://www.facebook.com/events/601485016909802/>!
Events Tech talk with Metaswitch: "Rust: making the Internet more secure,
statically" <https://www.facebook.com/events/288090265048260/>
*19:00 Wednesday 2nd Week – Lecture Theatre A, Department of Computer
Science*
Rust is a relatively new programming language which is rapidly gaining
traction in industry. It aims to replace C++, using a smart type system and
static analysis to enforce safe use of pointers while retaining the
efficiency required for systems programming. Buffer overflows and incorrect
memory management are responsible for a large fraction of recent security
vulnerabilities; Rust simply makes these impossible to compile. It’s a
great example of how the concepts of Computer Science are making a
practical difference to modern software engineering.
Bio: Keith Wansbrough is a Software Engineer at Metaswitch Networks Ltd.
Learn to Code 1: Introduction to Python
<https://www.facebook.com/events/173211989952029/?event_time_id=173212266618668>
*19:00 Thursday 2nd Week – Lecture Theatres A & B, Department of Computer
Science*
Learn to Code is back! If you've ever wanted to learn the basics of
programming, refresh your Python knowledge, or get an idea of what computer
scientists actually do all day then this is going to be a great course for
you ☺️.
We aren't going to assume any prior programming experience, although to get
the best out of the sessions we highly recommend that you bring a laptop so
that you can follow along with some of the examples. It doesn't matter
whether you use Windows, Mac, or Linux, and in the first session we'll
explain how to get started on any of these platforms.
In this course we are going to be using the programming language Python,
which is one of the easiest languages to pick up if you've never programmed
before and it is widely used in the technology industry – YouTube, NASA,
and Wikipedia are just three examples. If you need to learn R at some point
during your degree you may find that an introduction to Python will help
you pick up basic computational thinking ideas faster.
We do expect demand to be very high for this course, so please try to
arrive before the advertised start time as we need to register everyone
(for fire regulations). You'll need to enter via the back door on Parks
Road; there are CompSoc signs up at the department.
Geek Night 2 <https://www.facebook.com/events/315559422285996/>
*19:00 Saturday 2nd Week – Undergraduate Social Area, Department of
Computer Science*
Bring your laptop for an evening of relaxing, chatting, games, coding and a
selection of food and drink. This week's Geek Night theme is pizza which
arrives on time.
By the way, locked out? If you're a member of the CS Department, you can
enter after hours by swiping your Bod card and enter the secret code
(genuine hint: this
<https://www.youtube.com/embed/OR4N5OhcY9s?start=13&end=19> plus #).
Tech talk with Ocado Technology: Landing in Legacy Land
<https://www.facebook.com/events/1075648285910242/>
*19:00 Wednesday 2nd Week - Lecture Theatre A, Department of Computer
Science*
Anna Miedzianowska (Head of Product at Ocado Technology) & Bruno Patriota
(Product Owner at Ocado Technology)
Anna & Bruno are passionate product professionals working at Ocado
Technology. They are both strong advocates of a user-centric approach and
customer dialogue, and in trying to bring a little order to chaos wherever
possible.
Their 'Legacy Land' talk will cover - "Why are Legacy systems so
frustrating? Why do we ponder about its complexities and constraints? Why
does it knock us down so hard when we come across it in our new jobs. Well,
we can’t answer all your questions about Legacy Land, but we can surely
provide some useful insight on how to deal with it. Most importantly,
making it fun and creating the Legacy everyone will talk about."
Anna - LinkedIn (
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ankamiedzianka/) | Twitter (
http://twitter.com/@ankamiedzianka) Bruno - LinkedIn (
https://www.linkedin.com/in/bruno-patriota-a8a95292/) | Twitter (
https://twitter.com/@DigdaProduct)
Learn to Code 2: Control structures
<https://www.facebook.com/events/173211989952029/?event_time_id=173212259952002>
*19:00 Thursday 3rd Week – Lecture Theatres A & B, Department of Computer
Science*
Learn to Code is back! If you've ever wanted to learn the basics of
programming, refresh your Python knowledge, or get an idea of what computer
scientists actually do all day then this is going to be a great course for
you :).
We aren't going to assume any prior programming experience, although to get
the best out of the sessions we highly recommend that you bring a laptop so
that you can follow along with some of the examples.
In this second session we will be looking at executing different code based
on conditions (if/elif/else) and looping (for/while).
Both Thomas and Sauyon's sessions will cover the same content, but you may
wish to go to the same session as last week for continuity.
We do expect demand to be very high for this course, so please try to
arrive before the advertised start time as we need to register everyone
(for fire regulations). You'll need to enter via the back door on Parks
Road; there are CompSoc signs up at the department.
If you're a CS student with a little spare time and enthusiasm, please
consider volunteering by contacting the committee.
Other notices BAE Capture the Flag
<https://www.facebook.com/events/650907481966992/>
*09:30–16:30, Saturday 2nd Week – Doctorow Hall, St Edmund Hall*
OUEngSoc have kindly shared this event with us:
This is a team-based challenge for teams of 2 to 6 players, but individual
entries are also fine and teams will be assigned later. The challenges will
involve breaking into vulnerable websites, cracking ciphers, forensic
searches, reverse engineering and much more. No previous experience of
these kinds of challenge is necessary; they are designed for students who
like taking things apart and seeing how they work.
Lunch will be provided and there will be prizes for the winners!
*For more information or to sign up, email ctf(a)baesystems.com
<ctf(a)baesystems.com>.*
Internship Office Summer and Micro internships 2018
Oxford University’s exclusive Micro-Internship Programme
<http://www.careers.ox.ac.uk/micro-internships/> and Summer Oxford
University Internship Programme
<http://www.careers.ox.ac.uk/about-our-internships/> are now *open for
applications*! Whether you’re looking for a short-term, project-based
placement or an immersive work experience abroad over the summer, we have a
huge range of placements available to suit you.
*Micro-Internship Programme*
Keen to enhance your CV with work experience? The Micro-Internship Programme
<https://www.careers.ox.ac.uk/micro-internships/> facilitates 2-5 day work
experience placements in 9th and 10th week of every term. Applications are
OPEN and the deadline is *midday, Monday 29th January*. Please see our
handy sector/location
<http://www.careers.ox.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/MIP-HT18-Sector-Location-List.pdf>
lists to browse micro-internship opportunities in the IT and Computing
sector
<http://www.careers.ox.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/MIP-HT18-IT-Computing.pdf>
.
*Summer Internship Programme*
The 2018 Summer Internship Programme
<http://www.careers.ox.ac.uk/about-our-internships/> offers a whole host of
exciting summer experiences all over the world. Whether you are interested
in consulting in Japan, sustainability research in Chile, teaching in
Singapore or working in a castle museum in the Czech Republic, there are
tons of opportunities to choose from. See our sector and locations list
<http://www.careers.ox.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/International-Internships-Sector-List-2018-1.pdf>
for highlighted opportunities in the Computing and Technology sector
<http://www.careers.ox.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Computing-and-Technology-International-Placements.pdf>
.
You can apply for three internships through the current batch of
international internships via CareerConnect, with an application deadline
of 19th February 2018. More international internships will be available
through the programme after April. Our UK internships will be advertised
from 20th February.
*Looking for guidance with your application?*
The Internship Office offers weekly Application Support Sessions which can
be booked through CareerConnect
<http://www.careers.ox.ac.uk/using-careerconnect/>. We also have a
comprehensive application support guide
<http://www.careers.ox.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Application-support.pdf>
to help you with your application. Plus, for micro-internships, previous
hosts have given helpful application feedback and advice
<http://www.careers.ox.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Employer-Feedback-on-Student-Micro-Internship-Applications.pdf>.
Stay up to date with our internship programmes by signing up to the Internship
Office email alerts <http://bit.ly/2hUWOHY> and visiting the Internship
Office Facebook page. For any questions please email either
micro-internships(a)careers.ox.ac.uk or internships(a)careers.ox.ac.uk.
------------------------------
The Oxford University Computer Society (CompSoc) aims to organise meetings
and events for our members to use and further their computing interests.
See all of our upcoming events on our Facebook Page
<https://facebook.com/oxcompsoc/> or visit our Website
<https://ox.compsoc.net> for more information about the society.
Edward Hart
Secretary - Oxford University Computer Society
secretary(a)ox.compsoc.net