my CS degree study plan: need help

[rachel83az]

1. In order to improve my GPA, cherry-picking the easiest courses to take at TESU during a flat-rate term to get the highest GPA possible

-- is it OK if I pick COS-4510 Artificial Intelligence+ COS-2050 Python Programming ? It seems that these 2 courses have mid-term exams,  I hope they will not be too difficult.

so all I pay is: one flat-rate term+1 capstone fee,

1) In 1st term, I have to finish: 
--at TESU
CIS-3510 Software Engineering
CIS-3110 Database Management
CIS-3200 System Analysis and Design I
COS-4510 Artificial Intelligence?
COS-2050 Python Programming ?

This is not going to work. Your first (and only!) term at TESU should include LIB-4950 capstone. It should be 5 classes total. You should not do a second term or take the capstone separately, if you can avoid this. It just makes things more expensive and time-consuming for you. Artificial Intelligence has been reported to be relatively easy, though, so you might be able to do it with the others. You'd need to drop one of the other courses to make room for LIB-4950.

However, some of these classes are not offered every term. You need to make sure that there is a term where you can take all courses together. If Software Engineering is only offered in odd-numbered months and Artificial Engineering is only offered in even-numbered months, for example, you cannot take them together.

2. For the 18cr AOS electives:
Software Engineering (UL) TESU
Database Management (UL) TESU
System Analysis and Design (UL) TESU
Management of Information Systems (UL) Study.com
Introduction to Information Technology Sophia
Introduction to Networking Sophia

Because 6 credits have been transfer into my AOS electives, and if CIS-3999 can be moved to my AOS, then I got 9 credits.
My question is, from the list you gave me, if I pick the first 3 courses from TESU,(so my AOS would be 18 credits) should I take the other 3 courses?

You only need 15 UL credits + the capstone. Except for Computer Architecture (which is a degree requirement), how you do that is up to you. If your CIS-3999 can be moved to the AOS, that is one fewer UL course that you need to take at TESU.

My suggestion for your UL credit would be:

• Capstone LIB-4950 (degree requirement)
  
• Computer Architecture @ Study.com (degree requirement)
  

Plus pick 4 of the following:

• CIS-3999
  
• Software Engineering @ Saylor OR TESU
  
• Artificial Intelligence @ TESU
  
• Database Management @ TESU
  
• Management Information Systems @ Study.com
  
• Systems Analysis & Design @ TESU
  

This would mean that your flat-rate term would look something like:

• LIB-4950
  
• Artificial Intelligence
  
• Software Engineering
  
• Database Management
  
• Python Programming
  

Keep in mind that the point of the flat rate term is twofold: a.) gain residency credits and b.) get good grades to raise your GPA. For this, you want to be taking the easiest possible courses. Try not to get fancy or creative here. Try to go with classes where you already have some familiarity with the subject. If you want to really learn something, there are tons of courses and certificates that you can take for free or for cheap elsewhere both for yourself and to prove knowledge to future employers. Your goal right now is simply to get a Computer Science degree. Focus on that goal and keep things as simple as possible.