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Master’s Degree in Computer Science

evanp.me

81–90 of 265 posts

Re: Master’s Degree in Computer Science

#81
If you're already working as an engr/scientist, the best motivation for a graduate degree would be to contribute something 'new' to the field and/or expand your skills so you get better at the job you're already doing. A grad degree may or may not result in more opportunities or better pay - and if these last two are your motivation, you probably shouldn't get a grad degree in CS. Getting ahead or earning more has very little to do with your IQ and probably a lot more to do with your EQ... I've seen brilliant folk get masters and PhD even in CS, an MBA, even JD... only to end up disenchanted because they start out with the wrong motivation and the outcome doesn't match their expectations.

Examining your motivations is not easy and should be done with someone that knows you well, isn't family and can offer objective/'cold' advice. If they fail to dissuade you w/some real life experiences and you are still fired up, then you should probably go for. it.

TLDR do not embark on a major undertaking without due process (or self process, as it may be).

Trust me, I've 20 years of software engineering exp and an undergrad in CS.

Re: Master’s Degree in Computer Science

#82

Consider Oxford’s MSc in SoftEng: http://softeng.ox.ac.uk

Thanks! I was looking for a program at Oxford. USN&WR has it at #11 worldwide for CS. The SE program at Oxford doesn't seem to be available for 100% remote study, though. Am I missing something? I love this informal, friendly Web site, and I might be looking in the wrong places.

It's primarily an in-person program, delivered in one-week intensives. However, they went 100% remote for during the pandemic and apparently they are considering a hybrid option in the future.

Re: Master’s Degree in Computer Science

#83
post #66

Slightly surprised that Harvard's School of Extension Studies didn't make the cut.

So, one of my criteria is a credentialed master's degree at the university, available 100% remote. I don't see a master's degree in CS or software engineering on their site. Also, it seems like the degrees they do give are from "Harvard Extension", which is also something I don't want.

It's also not 100% remote, as they require at least 1 on-campus class.

Re: Master’s Degree in Computer Science

#84

I'm personally in the Georgia Tech Online Master's in Computer Science (OMSCS) program right now and can't say enough good things about it. The coursework is rigorous, deep, and varied, you really do learn quite a bit through the program and more than just random learning on your own, you get a degree out of it. Plus you get the opportunity to do some research and publish papers.

I created this account for a specific question because the subject is something I'm thinking of right now. My question is:

How much time do you invest every day on this degree?

I dropped out of my MS degree 20 years ago and would love to do that again, but I feel like I would only have (at most) 1 hour a day to work on it due to all my work and family commitments. I could squeeze an additional hour at work to learn but that's about it.

Re: Master’s Degree in Computer Science

#85

Also did OMSCS. Highly recommend it. The problem with self-learning is that sometimes you convince yourself that you understand something when you really don't. Only when you get smacked by an exam or an assignment you realize that you've been fooling yourself. The ML and Systems track is pretty hardcore. If you survive those you have pretty good foundational knowledge. Fair warning though - the program is not a joke…

One reservation I have when I read about these MS programs is that they often sound like they will be heavy on group work. I see where that is valuable to prepare people just starting off in their career, but as someone who has been doing "group work" for the past 10 years irl, I'm not really interested in the mock UN version of having a day job. Have your classes been built around group projects, or can you go it al…

You can pretty easily build a solid curriculum that involves 0 group projects. Some classes have optional groups

Re: Master’s Degree in Computer Science

#86

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I taught my spouse to program when she decided to change fields, and did a similar thing where she wanted to master the advanced stuff by taking classes (she took them for credit on the off chance she needed it in a masters program) The classes she took were equivalent to three classes majormajor suggests: Data Structures and Introduction to Algorithms: everyone needs this and it is maybe 50% of leet code problems As…

> Data Structures and Introduction to Algorithms: everyone needs this and it is maybe 50% of leet code problems What’s the other 50%? I’d have thought DS&A would cover everything.

A standard Introduction DSA course will generally not cover advanced DSA stuff like segment trees or Heavy-light decomposition, or theoretical stuff like number theory, or computational geometry all that stuff you would find in the competitive programming space.

Re: Master’s Degree in Computer Science

#87
post #11

Where would a masters degree in CS help for someone with 20+ years of software experience? Genuinely - I have no clue. I don’t have a masters. I’ll likely never need one. If there was a specific field that required intense learning and was cutting edge (computer vision or something) then I’d understand a masters (or especially a PhD) but for general work…? Don’t get it. You’d certainly be better off financially from…

I did my MS in CS roughly twenty years after my BS. I can’t prove causality, but my pay went up about 25% with my first job after graduating, and it’s only gone up since. I found that the coursework re-kindled an abiding interest in the “science” in “computer science”, which may not always have direct application in my day job (Sr. SDE at Amazon; opinions my own, etc.), but is gratifying nonetheless.

I mean - were you working at companies like Amazon before..? That's gonna influence it a lot more heavily than anything else. You can certainly get a job at FAANG without having a Master's degree.

Re: Master’s Degree in Computer Science

#88
post #54
post #52

Does anyone have experience with the step down from this? I have zero formal CS education but two decades of experience at pretty much all types of development. I live within spitting distance of my local state university (UNH) and don’t really care about any piece of paper, but I would love to take formal/ hard CS classes, whether for credit or audit. Is there a “right” way of doing this? Does it make any sense?

Why not just go through MIT's open courseware syllabus, or perhaps emailing/contacting a university teacher for guidance?

[deleted]

Re: Master’s Degree in Computer Science

#89
post #23

OP may already possess a master's degree, school-of-life alumnus. But I "get" it. I've thought of doing this too. I would add one criteria: I get to do the whole master's degree using Rust. I'm sure this would narrow the field of schools. I want a master's from a school that recognizes that it's effectively over for C++ and Java. At least it's completely over in my own mind. There's no way in hell I'm doing a master'…

I enjoy your hot take on Rust, but now I want to hear about what you've seen

Re: Master’s Degree in Computer Science

#90
post #73

I did my masters of Computer Science at University of Pennsylvania mid career. It was the best career decision I ever made. Prior, no company would give me the time of day - couldn't get a phone screen. My TC prior was 60k, and doubled a few weeks after graduation. Doubled again within a few years. I was going no where, maybe some don't need it, but I did. Was it hard? extremely. a lot of concepts were very old in my…

Thanks for this! It's extremely helpful and motivating. Congratulations on your achievement!
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