TESC Computer Science

[skyfall123]

Can anyone post their roadmap for the TESC BA Computer Science Area of Study? I would need to take 27 CS credits from TESC to fulfill the remaining requirements of the Area of Study and while I could take all of them from TESC using the Comprehensive Tuition Plan, since I am a stay-at-home dad and part-time translator, I doubt that I would be able to knock out that many credits in a single year, meaning I need to knock out at least 9 of those 27 ocredits prior to enrolling at TESC.

This link will be your friend https://www.goarmyed.com/docs/degrees/TESC_BA-COS.pdf

Most importantly it will give you an official TESC document that shows that CIS courses can be included. That will make it easier for you.

As you know from previous discussions, you need the Calc I & Calc II sequence.

The CLEP Intro to Computers and the DSST MIS both qualify for the core. Systems Analysis & Design also applies, which you can take at Adams State or PF as well. For that matter, you can hammer out a few programming credits from PF.

If you are military, a military spouse, or a civilian DoD employee you can knock off around 12 ACE credits (C+,C, VB, etc...)through the military partnership with SkillSoft.

The courses I would take from TESC are Data Structures, Discrete Math, Operating Systems, Computer Architecture. The first two because they are extremely difficult and the grading scale at TESC make it possible to pass. The last two because they are very doable.

Good luck!

[Yenisei]

Thanks, Geezer- you're great!!!!!

[skyfall123]

Yenisei,
I really wanted my youngest to understand CS as this would give him a big picture view that many CIS students wouldn't have. Also, we are going for either a Masters scholarship in Information Assurance and/or a CS internship through the NSA. Having a CS degree will play an important part. After going through the last 4 courses I recommended and Calc I & II, he is really starting to understand what CS is all about and how interrelated the courses all are. The good news for you is that you will be learning. Make sure that you have a solid base in C+ when you begin Data Structures.

Good luck my friend!

[Yenisei]

Thanks for the guidance, Geezer, I feel like I know exactly what to do now.

Sounds like your son has a great career ahead of him, and good luck to him as well.

[skyfall123]

Yenisei,
I know you have probably already researched this....and for others who may stumble across this thread....I've researched this thoroughly.....the typical CS core required for Grad School CS programs includes:

Intro to CS
Programming
Data Structures
Discrete Math
Computer Architecture (Computer Organization)
Operating Systems
and some Calculus


Example here: Department of Computer Science

So given the choice of what to take at TESC on top of Data Structures and Discrete Math....Computer Architecture and Operating Systems are the next two logical choices....

Here is a link for one of the only independent study Data Structures and Computer Organization courses I've found, if someone needs this option UNI Continuing Education | Guided Independent Study Courses

Yenisei, when my youngest son got his initial evaluation, the template given by TESC showed Assembly as a requirement along with Data Structures. I sent them this TESC CS plan and they promptly changed it. https://www.goarmyed.com/docs/degrees/TESC_BA-COS.pdf

If you want to take an Assembly course, that's great, but this gives you the option.

Last point, from everything I've read about TESC graduation stats, there have only been a handful (if that) of BA-CS graduates in the last 5 years. Yenisei, you and my son might actually be the only ones...

[Yenisei]

I am pretty surprised that so few have gotten a CS degree at TESC, but I guess even with the old TECEPs testing out completely wasn't an option and some people would be put off by the required math courses. TBH, calculus isn't that bad if one is disciplined and spends enough time on it. It's also a lot easier to get a history, psychology or business degree because of the myriad test options available in those areas, so I guess that also has something to do with the paucity of CS majors at TESC. I am gunning for a BA in Nat Sci/Math and Computer Science so that I'll have lots of options for grad school, e.g., bioinformatics, environmental engineering, biochemistry, pure math, applied math, etc.

Thanks once again for your help, Geezer.

[skyfall123]

I am gunning for a BA in Nat Sci/Math and Computer Science so that I'll have lots of options for grad school, e.g., bioinformatics, environmental engineering, biochemistry, pure math, applied math, etc.

Smart man. I agree with you 100%. I think that if you have the math/science aptitude then you really owe it to yourself to reach as high as you can. The Natural Science / Math / Computer Science option at TESC really is an outstanding value and provides so many options. Plus, because there is such a shortage of graduates in these areas, you could easily move into teaching if that interested you.

I just found out last night that my son passed his final course (Discrete Math), so it will soon be official for his BA-Computer Science. We are both excited and relieved. On to the next challenge.

My other son who moved to Germany and landed (with a highly placed recommendation, CISCO experience, and a TESC BSBA-CIS) a stellar job at LSE in Munich Swedish Space Corporation - LSE Space Engineering & Operations AG – Oberpfaffenhofen (DLR Site Offices) was told by a co-worker that if does well over the next year, the company would likely sponsor a Masters program at one of the top Engineering University in Munich. Several of his co-workers are professors there. They require/prefer a (any) Science degree for entrance, so we are going to go for a second degree, the BA-Natural Science/Math at TESC.

Again, what a tremendous value and bang for the buck the TESC Natural Science/Math and Computer Science degrees are.

[Yenisei]

What I coincidence- I live in Munich. The coworker was referring to the Technical University Munich (known as TUM here), which is one of the very best universities in Germany. They have some grad programs in English which are in high demand worldwide. It's hard to get in and they ask for a resume as part of the admissions process.

A bit of advice for your son- since he is in Europe, he can take courses with the UK's Open University that, once evaluated by evaulation agencies back in the US will be applicable to his BA in Nat Sci/Math. Their courses are rigorous and the university is famous for providing excellent teaching, plus (partially dependent on the exchange rate), are usually less expensive than equivalent upper level undergrad courses from US schools via distance learning. I am taking a Pure Math course from them starting in January and haven't looked to closely at their science offerings, but it's another great option to have. They probably also offer some courses that aren't available at all from US schools via distance learning.

Congrats to Son# 2 for completing the CS marathon. cheersmate

[skyfall123]

Great advice! Thanks. I really appreciate it. We all help each other. I'm assuming that you are going to do the two areas of study under one degree BA-NS and BA-CS? Smart move.

[Yenisei]

I have to do both under one degree because I already have a BA (in Economics). It might take me until the late 2012 (not sure about that yet), but I think it will be worth it.

Here is that Pure Math course I mentioned above: M208 - Pure mathematics - Open University Course. 1405 GBP would be around 2250 USD right now, and add any credit card fees for foreign currency plus the evaluation fees (100-150 USD), and it's still less than a similar 15 UL credits in math would cost from a US school (even factoring in taking Linear Algebra at UWyoming or LSU, which are less expensive). Divide the OU credits by 4 to get the equivalent US semester credit hours.

Unfortunately, OU courses usually aren't available to US-based students (math and science courses definitely aren't). I would only use them for UL credits since there are less expensive US options for LL.

BTW, here is the list of TUM Masters programs taught in English: TUM - International Courses.