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TESC Computer Science Courses - ACKROMAN - 12-15-2011
Hello again guys,
A couple days ago, you guys gave me some great information, and its because of those thoughtful responses that I have decided to go ahead and work on some CLEP exams for my area of study; Criminal Justice
Also, from your responses that I was able to talk to some of the people in my life about my new life path, and as I explained it to my girlfriend, she too had become almost enamored with the idea, and so I told her I'd help her with creating up a plan for her, so she can take a look at it.
She wants to chase a BA in Computer Science from Thomas Edison State College. I have a good grasp of the General requirements, and I explained those to her, because besides the Calc I and II, I too had to decide what I wanted to do with those (She is also planning on taking the FEMA credits for Free Electives). My question is pertaining to the Computer Science specific classes that need to be taken. From doing my sleuthing around the forums on my own, it seems that almost none of these can be Tested out.
Anyways, for Calculus I and II, we are planning on having her take the Straighterline Courses, which seems from you guys to be the best choice for those requirements
From there you need a 3 credit course in Intro to Computer Science, 3 Credits in Data Structures, 3 Credits in Discrete Math or Linear Algebra, and 24 credits in Computer Science electives.
I've seen plenty of people discussing the classes, and difficulty, but what I was hoping to see where you guys took these classes? Did you take them from TESC, or somewhere else? What kind of electives did you guys take/plan on taking? Also, does the DSST Exam "Intro to Computers with with Planning in BASIC cover any of thse requirements?
Thanks guys. You guys have been a godsend for us.
TESC Computer Science Courses - ryoder - 12-15-2011
CLEP Info Sys and Comp Applications = Intro to Comp Sci at TESC
DSST MIIS is upper level CS credit also
The Networking Tech TECEP is upper level CS credit also
Thats about it.
I took Computer Architecture at TESC and it was moderately difficult for me and I have 20 years of experience. Computer science is the kind of thing that you either get or you don't. There are a lot of washouts in this degree. She should consider the fact that she might wash out of it and structure her classes so that they are ones that will qualify her for a BSBA Computer Information Systems. Most of the comp sci courses are CIS electives for that degree, but the discrete math or linear algebra is not.
If I were her, I would do those tests first and then take a programming course since its required for the BSBA CIS anyway.
What career is she looking at? If she wants to be a computer programmer, computer science is a good option. If she wants to be in software testing (QA), project management, systems analysis, technical recruiting, or product management then the BSBA CIS is fine.
Most people know if they want to be a computer programmer or not. The other options I listed are more people oriented and require fewer technical skills and more people and management skills.
TESC Computer Science Courses - ACKROMAN - 12-15-2011
Thanks Ryoder for the quick response. As for her, I'm sure she doesn't like me writing this out loud where people can hear, but she is an amazing artist, an real intelligent, analytical mind, and a self-professed video game nerd (I got lucky! lol). Ultimately, I believe her goal is to find a way to break into the Video game industry, whether it is QA Testing, or real programming, which I think she would rather do (As much as she's an artist, she likes things that are a bit more structured. She loves playing around with HTML, and she knows a bit of Java). We've talked before about actually going for a video game design degree, but many of what we've found around here are just too expensive (40000 and up). So, we've decided that we are going to start to tackle the CLEP general requirements first, and give her a taste of some programming classes. If she doesn't like it, she doesn't have to start from scratch, and we can reassess then.
TESC Computer Science Courses - ACKROMAN - 12-15-2011
Oh, and I'm sorry for double posting, but I forgot one important question.
Do you guys suggest to take these computer classes at TESC, or have there been other classes that you have run across that would be cheaper, or more towards an easier pace, etc.?
Again guy, thanks for everything. And a Happy Holidays to you all.
TESC Computer Science Courses - skyfall123 - 12-15-2011
Ditto what Ryan said. She is probably best off taking Data Structures and Discrete Math early on. If she can make it through those, she should be good to go. The grading structure of TESC also makes taking the courses through them attractive. Good luck!
TESC Computer Science Courses - ACKROMAN - 12-15-2011
Thanks guys for your responses. Geezer, we will definately be looking into taking those early, and seeing how she does and reassess if necessary.
TESC Computer Science Courses - ACKROMAN - 12-15-2011
Thanks guys for your responses. Geezer, we will definately be looking into taking those early, and seeing how she does and reassess if necessary.
And judging from your responses, I assume you both have experience with Discrete Math over Linear Algebra. After hearing the horror stories with Discrete Math, I have to look at Linear Algebra as an alternative. Have you guys had any experience with Linear Algebra?
TESC Computer Science Courses - ryoder - 12-15-2011
I recommend doing the courses at TESC. I just have a feeling, given the two courses I took, that TESC is not the most difficult school out there.
I took a few weeks of linear algebra with calculus in college but my teacher was so difficult to understand I withdrew from the class. Its not that easy. They assume you already know the basics of linear algebra, like multiplying and adding matrices.
You will compute all sorts of things like the transpose of a matrix, which is the matrix that when multiplied by the original, returns the identity matrix. Computing the transpose involves a bunch of steps and you have to break non nxn matrices into multiple nxn matrices in order to do the computation.
Thats all I remember. It was not an easy class.
Discrete math is not easy either. I chickened out of an FSU computer science degree completely because of discrete math a couple of years ago. I bought the book, found the syllabus and started working the problems. I got a few chapters into the book and had trouble with the proofs and almost had a panic attack.
It was the same night that the darned Chinese were beating those drums on the olympics and I couldn't take it. I decided to not sign up for the computer science degree and went into school hibernation for 2 years.
I am just warning you because for some reason, math and some traditional computer science topics can be very stressful.
I am of the mind that only a person who really wants to be a programmer should do a computer science degree. Nobody in America designs chips any longer because all of that work is done overseas now. Even most programming occurs overseas these days.
TESC Computer Science Courses - skyfall123 - 12-16-2011
TESC generally use the same books that are used by the other state schools. Same material. The difference is in the grading process. Most universities weigh the mid-term and final heavily in the final grade. It is not unusual to have a mid-term and final make up 70-75% of the grade. If you do badly on either one you canât recover.
TESC breaks it down this wayâ¦.
Writing Assignments 40%
Class discussions 10%
Mid Term 30%
Final 20%
You need a 73% (grade of C) or better to pass.
So with TESC, 50% of your grade (written assignments and class discussions) should be a lock if you apply yourself and don't turn in #$%$#. You just need to do reasonably well on the mid and final to get a pass.
This is why I say the grading at TESC works in the students favor.
TESC Computer Science Courses - ryoder - 12-16-2011
Good point about the grading geezer. My math classes at. Usf consisted of four exams and no graded assignments. If you work hard you can get 100%this on the assignments. The cool thing is to get a 100%new you really do need to learn the material but there is less pressure than an exam. Then when you take the exam the questions are a little easier overall than the assignments.