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Announcing Online MS in Computer Science in Collaboration with Georgia Tech

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Re: Announcing Online MS in Computer Science in Collaboration with Georgia Tech

#141

Post by drharris »

k2xl wrote: post #86

Gt alum here. Gt is a great school, but who says that is a forecast of how well an online class will be? Online classes have been around for about a decade now. But i cant see how taking a class online from Georgia Tech aint gonna be different than taking an online class from another university. The benefits of getting a CS degree at a university is gaining that physical connection with the professors. There isn't go…

It's perfect for me. I also attended GT as an undergrad, but have since moved on with life, have a full time job and family, etc. I would love to interact on campus again, but it would hinder both my professional and personal life to do so. I don't plan on being in academia, but a MSCS degree will allow me more career opportunities. Online makes it easy for me to take the classes on a non-thesis track (which I'd be doing anyway, not planning to go into academia) at my own pace. Traditional grad school pace is not conducive to those living a full-time professional life.

I think what makes this more attractive than a simple distance education version of most masters degrees is the following: - Prestige of a decent school (but, USC Viterbi offers a distance degree along with others) - Low cost (can't get a fellowship or assistantship if working full time) - High standard for classes (still have to earn the degree) - Custom pace (my life's schedule no longer fits into semesters) - Being on the forefront of education (how cool to tell your grandkids you obtained one of the first OMS degrees?)

Interaction with people is only one of the many facets of a grad school course. For those intending to go the PhD route, absolutely go on campus, do research, network, etc. But don't assume that's what everybody needs.

Re: Announcing Online MS in Computer Science in Collaboration with Georgia Tech

#142

Post by hiteshtr »

recuter wrote: post #4

http://www.omscs.gatech.edu/faq/ > How much does the degree program cost? We’re not yet ready to announce a specific program cost, but the plan is to offer the Georgia Tech OMS CS for a total cost of under $7,000—a fraction of the cost of Georgia Tech’s on-campus program and even less than that of comparable private universities. > The total workload is the same as the residential program; the weekly or hourly worklo…

Is this course available for non-US resident ??

Re: Announcing Online MS in Computer Science in Collaboration with Georgia Tech

#144

Post by k2xl »

vasyainv wrote: post #129
k2xl wrote: post #86

Gt alum here. Gt is a great school, but who says that is a forecast of how well an online class will be? Online classes have been around for about a decade now. But i cant see how taking a class online from Georgia Tech aint gonna be different than taking an online class from another university. The benefits of getting a CS degree at a university is gaining that physical connection with the professors. There isn't go…

You have a point, but you are also missing the point. Quite a few people who could benefit from a formal Master's program in CS which is also from a competitive University, may not have the time due to career and family to attend classes full time. But this way they can still get their education

But that isn't what a masters degree is about. If you have a career and family to take care of and don't have time to go to classes, you probably don't have time to commit to a masters degree. And again there is no evidence that an online class from Georgia Tech would be any better than an online classes from anywhere else. Georgia Tech is reputable because of the faculty and research. How does that correlate to online classes?

Re: Announcing Online MS in Computer Science in Collaboration with Georgia Tech

#145

Post by rsanders »

mikevm wrote: post #143

Does anyone know Georgia Tech's CS MS curriculum?

It's described here: http://www.cc.gatech.edu/future/masters/mscs/program

The OMS won't initially have all the same courses (or specializations?), but the plan according to one of the GT videos is to reach approximate parity over time.

Re: Announcing Online MS in Computer Science in Collaboration with Georgia Tech

#146

Post by rsanders »

k2xl wrote: post #144
vasyainv wrote: post #129

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You have a point, but you are also missing the point. Quite a few people who could benefit from a formal Master's program in CS which is also from a competitive University, may not have the time due to career and family to attend classes full time. But this way they can still get their education

But that isn't what a masters degree is about. If you have a career and family to take care of and don't have time to go to classes, you probably don't have time to commit to a masters degree. And again there is no evidence that an online class from Georgia Tech would be any better than an online classes from anywhere else. Georgia Tech is reputable because of the faculty and research. How does that correlate to onli…

I fit into that category, and I'm taking 1-2 significant MOOCs (compilers, ML, data science, etc.) at a time right now. I can just make it work, but I wouldn't if I had to show up for class. The fixed schedule format of Coursera adds a bit of pressure, but probably also a bit of motivation.

I agree that online classes from GT aren't guaranteed to be better than online classes from other places. Perhaps one day we'll see an a la carte degree offered by Udacity, so you can pick the courses from the universities or instructors you prefer.

That said, branding and standardization are important. Even if the classes are no better, the perceived value of the degree might be higher than one from Podunk State Online.

Re: Announcing Online MS in Computer Science in Collaboration with Georgia Tech

#147

Post by rsanders »

hiteshtr wrote: post #142
recuter wrote: post #4

http://www.omscs.gatech.edu/faq/ > How much does the degree program cost? We’re not yet ready to announce a specific program cost, but the plan is to offer the Georgia Tech OMS CS for a total cost of under $7,000—a fraction of the cost of Georgia Tech’s on-campus program and even less than that of comparable private universities. > The total workload is the same as the residential program; the weekly or hourly worklo…

Is this course available for non-US resident ??

That appears to be the intent. See my other comment: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=5709930

Re: Announcing Online MS in Computer Science in Collaboration with Georgia Tech

#148

Post by k2xl »

drharris wrote: post #141
k2xl wrote: post #86

Gt alum here. Gt is a great school, but who says that is a forecast of how well an online class will be? Online classes have been around for about a decade now. But i cant see how taking a class online from Georgia Tech aint gonna be different than taking an online class from another university. The benefits of getting a CS degree at a university is gaining that physical connection with the professors. There isn't go…

It's perfect for me. I also attended GT as an undergrad, but have since moved on with life, have a full time job and family, etc. I would love to interact on campus again, but it would hinder both my professional and personal life to do so. I don't plan on being in academia, but a MSCS degree will allow me more career opportunities. Online makes it easy for me to take the classes on a non-thesis track (which I'd be d…

I have to respectfully disagree with much of what you said. Just because it is from Georgia Tech doesn't mean the quality will be high. Georgia Tech is not the forefront of distance learning.

Believe it or not, online classes are completely different than regular classes. Being in an online class you simply work with the material you have.

There is nothing you will learn in an online masters class you couldn't find online elsewhere already. It is just an extended bachelors degree.

Your job prospects for having an Online Masters in CS from Georgia Tech will not change too much IMO. The way you will get the job you want is from connections - the kinds that you build while AT a university.

Most jobs that people get are from referrals. In most high skilled MS requiring jobs you have to INTERACT with people. You have to work together in teams. You have to have real world interactions. These are skills you don't obtain from an online masters class.

Re: Announcing Online MS in Computer Science in Collaboration with Georgia Tech

#149

Post by izztmzzt »

I have a BBA, and would have hoped the requirements for the Masters course would have at least offered some way to let other majors apply. Limiting it to only BS majors will limit the participation of a large group of their current users.

I guess the next thing they need to add is a undergrad in CS or something else to help bridge the gap.

Re: Announcing Online MS in Computer Science in Collaboration with Georgia Tech

#150

Post by Tomis02 »

Muzza wrote: post #116
bayesianhorse wrote: post #67

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In Europe education is usually cheaper. The general idea is that the society can afford to foot the bill for education better than it can afford to have people not attain the highest level they could reach.

Yes, we do enjoy our 50-60-70% tax rates here in Europe. Thankfully Sweden recently stopped pissing away the Swedish taxpayers' money by paying for the university education of foreigners.

Yes, we do enjoy our tax rates because we know the benefits (such as the average quality of life) are higher than in other parts of the world (such as USA). Check out the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union.
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