Learning Computer Science OnlineMillions of people throughout the world own at least one home computer. Millions more are hooked up to the Internet. People rely on computers for their jobs, home budgets, and communications. As the numbers increase, more and more skilled computer science experts are required to keep computers and their programs running efficiently and virus free. Computer Science is a hard program to teach online, yet some colleges do offer online educational programs. Students taking the course at home may be running with a dial-up Internet connection. In general, this type of connection will only bog the student down, especially with the more advanced programming courses. Many find that a high-speed connection is best, but even then glitches can occur leaving a student to feel frustrated. Others cannot get a high-speed connection in their rural area. These troublesome events can lead to feelings of failure. It is essential to know that any online course requires a student to be logged into the Internet for hours every day. Make sure that you are capable of meeting such high demands. There are online programs to gain a master's degree in computer science. These programs require huge amounts of time and energy, so do not expect to complete the program in a hurry. Many schools require that grades be kept above a C- at all times, and some courses require an average grade of at least a B-. Once the basic courses have been completed, there are advanced courses that must be successfully completed before a master's degree will be given out. In fact, many colleges with online computer science programs require a grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.5. Before a student is accepted into a computer science program, he or she must pass a test proving that basic math, algebra, and English skills are met or exceeded. If not, that student may have to complete these courses first. The basic course requirements for a degree in computer science include courses in:
Once these basic courses have been completed, a new list of courses is added.
The final selection of courses are often chosen by the student. These courses are selected based on the field in which the student plans to work.
Students who want to get into the very popular computer game design field need to take courses specializing in software development, software testing, graphics, and game design. Those interested in computer security will take courses in encryption, network structure, and related security courses. Before a degree is given, students must complete at least 16 courses, four must be advanced in level. These requirements will vary from college to college, but most require a minimum of 15 courses. The key concern with online degrees in computer science is that there is no direct student/teacher interaction in person. The wrong code or a failed command can cause a computer to crash. If a student isn't perfectly sure that the work they are doing is correct, there is the chance that they can cause damage to either their own or someone else's computer. An online degree requires students and their teachers to correspond via the email or online on a discussion board. This system is not going to work with every student. The coursework involved in a computer science program is highly specialized and for some they just do not have the skill needed to complete a computer programming course without having personal, one on one contact with their instructor. When opting to go for an online degree in computer science, thoroughly investigate all aspects. Make certain that your internet connection can handle the work load, and make sure that you can handle being online for several hours per day. Often the cost of an online computer science course is equal to that of a community college. Research this thoroughly to make sure you cannot be taking the course locally where you may have a better success rate. View a list of computer science programs that are available online. |