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Ask HN: Fully online CS degrees?

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Re: Ask HN: Fully online CS degrees?

#111

Post by playing_colours »

realitygrill wrote: post #64
playing_colours wrote: post #44

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I am getting a BSc in Mathematics there and enjoying is a lot. The first year was easy, but to the third year it has become really serious.Tons of support with forums, tutors, videos, great learning materials.

I'd be interested in hearing more about your experience, as someone who likes math amateurly. How expensive is it and what's the process been like for you?

The application process is pretty easy, they do not require high school diploma or something to start. The main thing is to manage your study, build routine. Most people just leave on the way not because the topics are super hard - the first year is easy - self study require self organisation and discipline, particularly if you work full time. First year I took 120 points like to cover full time first year study. Next years I took just half 60 points thus making left 2 years into 4. It is much more manageable.

On the third year you can choose from the variety of subjects: applied maths like fluids, optimisation, etc., pure maths, statistics related, and physics related. Very fun, but challenging.

Re: Ask HN: Fully online CS degrees?

#112

Post by aryamaan »

neverminder wrote: post #12

Surprised nobody has mentioned Open University which just happens to be one of the largest in the world - http://www.open.ac.uk/courses/qualifications/q62

I have always fancied philosophy. Do you think do MS in philosophy online will be a good idea?

OU offers a course in it which starts Oct of the next year. I have BE in computers.

Re: Ask HN: Fully online CS degrees?

#113

Post by notheguyouthink »

wyc wrote: post #20

When you're applying for online-only degrees, keep in mind what you're giving up. While the quality of the education may be comparable, much of the value of attending in-person is to build career-lasting relationships with smart, interesting, and trustworthy people. For many of us, sitting directly across from someone else while having a meaningful conversation is still unparalleled by what any communications technol…

This kind of thing makes me sad. Not that it's bad in any way, it just doesn't fit my personality type. What you say is completely true, it just.. sucks for my preferences in social interaction heh.

Re: Ask HN: Fully online CS degrees?

#114

Post by hackermailman »

cweagans wrote: post #31

University of the People ( https://www.uopeople.edu/ ) offers a tuition free CS degree program (both an AS and a BS). Many of the course materials are quite old (in some cases 5-10+ years), but this is really only a problem where specific technologies are concerned (for instance, there's a mobile applications class that covers Android 2.x). Many of the more general concepts will still apply. Note that you do have to…

This seems to be the cheapest accredited option, use University of the People to get any kind of undergrad, then can pay for a masters in CS somewhere else. (Too bad uopen doesn't have an applied math undergrad, then the material being dated wouldn't matter).

There is Athabasca U in Canada which offers a fully online, and accredited BSc in CompSci or Applied Mathematics, and the only requirements are 16+yrs old (no transcripts or even highschool grad needed) but the fees are $900CAD or so for 3 credit courses and you need to complete 120 credits so ~$35k for an undergrad ($27k USD). http://www.athabascau.ca/programs-courses/ whereas you could do Upeople, obtain an undergrad and pay for Johns Hopkins MSc for the same cost.

Re: Ask HN: Fully online CS degrees?

#115

Post by canadiancreed »

hackermailman wrote: post #114
cweagans wrote: post #31

University of the People ( https://www.uopeople.edu/ ) offers a tuition free CS degree program (both an AS and a BS). Many of the course materials are quite old (in some cases 5-10+ years), but this is really only a problem where specific technologies are concerned (for instance, there's a mobile applications class that covers Android 2.x). Many of the more general concepts will still apply. Note that you do have to…

This seems to be the cheapest accredited option, use University of the People to get any kind of undergrad, then can pay for a masters in CS somewhere else. (Too bad uopen doesn't have an applied math undergrad, then the material being dated wouldn't matter). There is Athabasca U in Canada which offers a fully online, and accredited BSc in CompSci or Applied Mathematics, and the only requirements are 16+yrs old (no t…

There's also been reports that Athabasca U is having funding issues at present, for those looking at this option (which is the only option in Canada for online in this field that I've found.)

Re: Ask HN: Fully online CS degrees?

#116

Post by canadiancreed »

adpoe wrote: post #71

Good question. I was looking into this a few years back, and ended getting my BS in-person, at the big state school nearby. It paid off well. That said, these are other online options I considered. Portland State University -- has a BS in CS that's fully online. They also have an option for people who are getting a 2nd BS, from another field. * https://www.pdx.edu/computer-science/progrgam-preparation Harvard Extensi…

Had a look at the Harvard option and it looks like you need to attend some of the courses on site as part of earning the degree, so it's not 100% online if I read it correctly.

Source: https://www.extension.harvard.edu/academics/undergraduate-de...

Re: Ask HN: Fully online CS degrees?

#117

Post by skinnymuch »

dsp1234 wrote: post #4

If you already have a BS (or higher) in another field, then Oregon State University has a 60 credit completely online computer science BS degree. They have 1, 2, 3 and 4 year tracks depending upon each person's available time commitment.[0] If you already have a BS in computer science or a related field, then see this comment[1] [0] - http://ecampus.oregonstate.edu/online-degrees/undergraduate/... [1] - https://news.…

I initially talked over career changes with my ex and she went with a no name bootcamp. After that bad experience she wanted a full degree and is finishing up Oregon now. She has been very happy with it. I forgot a BS in another field was a requirement for the program, which is a bummer as I liked the material she showed me (I'm self taught but just web dev)

Re: Ask HN: Fully online CS degrees?

#118

Post by skinnymuch »

lstyls wrote: post #100
dsp1234 wrote: post #39

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"Preferred qualifications for admitted OMS CS students are an undergraduate degree in computer science or related field (typically mathematics, computer engineering or electrical engineering) from an accredited institution with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. Applicants who do not meet these criteria will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis; however, work experience will not take the place of an undergraduate deg…

My spouse was accepted with a Psych BA + MS, and about twenty credits of CS at various extension university programs.

How much do you think the MS helped?

Re: Ask HN: Fully online CS degrees?

#119

Post by canadiancreed »

USNetizen wrote: post #30

The University of Maryland (a fully accredited and well respected State school) has a completely online CS program (Bachelor of Science with an option for several minors and specializations as well). Having taken part of my CS program on-site (at other schools) and part with them online, I can say it is very comparable to other programs, quite rigorous, and you get a lot out of it. You do lose out on some networking…

Is this the one you're referring too?

http://www.umuc.edu/academic-programs/bachelors-degrees/comp...

Re: Ask HN: Fully online CS degrees?

#120

Post by lstyls »

skinnymuch wrote: post #118
lstyls wrote: post #100

Earlier quoted context omitted.

My spouse was accepted with a Psych BA + MS, and about twenty credits of CS at various extension university programs.

How much do you think the MS helped?

Honestly I have no idea. I'm sure it didn't hurt, but couldn't say if it was a deciding factor.
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