They seem somewhat similar, but the math requirements for the BS/CIS on the itdegree.com web site seem different from those for the BCI on the Excelsior website. Are these really two completely different programs?
Well I am pretty sure the BCI and BSCIS are the same thing (they have wierd abbreviations for their degree programs). I think your right about the requirements on the itdegree.com webpage being different in the math part. It seems discrete math is required (as well as another higher level math such as calculus) on the itdegree webpage while the pdf file in excelsior's tech catalog (personally I would go by this one) makes discrete math an option (you can choose calculus instead). You may want to call them up to see what the deal is. Best Regards, Bill
BCI and BS/CIS are the same thing at Excelsior. Previously, either Calculus or Discrete was required. As of the fall, 2002, both are required, which is above and beyond ABET requirements. Daniel
I just looked at the itdegree.com sit again and it says: Natural Sciences/Mathematics Includes a requirement for one course or examination in discrete mathematics and one course or examination in statistics, Calculus I, Applied Calculus I, or Business Calculus. This indicates that you need discrete mathematics and one of those three versions of Calculus OR statistics. I assume that statistics is easier and needs less algebra background than all those forms of calculus (including "Business Calculus"?) Are there proficiency exams for discrete math and statistics or is it necessary to take a course in person or online for those?
I have never taken stats or probabillity and do not know how "easy" it is. For calculus, there is a CLEP exam. I'm not aware of any others, but that doesn't mean that it doesn't exist. For statistics, there is a DSST. I'm not aware of any others, but that doesn't mean that it doesn't exist. For discrete, I'm not aware of any exam per se, however Athabasca University offers that class through a challenge. In my experience with Athabasca challenge courses, they require an exam and a "project," but no homework. You'd have to contact Athabasca to find the details of this challenge. Daniel
