BS in Computer Science(Ellis? Troy St? ACCIS?)

Hi Everyone!

I'm Air Frorce enlisted and I've been in for about 1.5 yrs. I'm just finishing my associate's degree in Avionics Systems Technology through the Community College of the Air Force. I've been researching online colleges. I'm in a career field that can have my TDY etc at little or no notice, so it's my intention to finish my Bachelor's entirely online. I want to major in Computer Science, and so far, the schools which sound best to me are Troy State University, ACCIS, and Ellis College. I've also noticed that the University of Phoenix has in Information technology degree. How close to Computer Science is IT? Any iput, especially from alumni/students would be a great help. Thanks a lot in advance.

David

 

Of the ones you listed, IMO, Troy State is the better program. However, since you will have an associates degree, the best undergrad programs (and there aren't many) are:

Old Dominion University

and

Florida State University

 

That;s interesting, at least one School, NSU, looks at Troy State grads VERY carefully prior to admission.

At least one AF Troy State MS grad did not know the difference between "Information Science" and "Computer Information Systems" - and their English was lousy too.

 

Jim, can you reccomend a different school then?

What is the difference btw CS aand IS?

Thanks,
David

 

The difference will depend on the school - but "Information Science" - used alone - is the "techie" term for "Library Science" - like "sanitation engineer" for "garbage collector".

A DL school with a good program and rep is NSU - www.scis.nova.edu - I presume you have a security clearance - NSU is a Center of Excellence for Information Assurance Education making you eligible for all sorts of loans, scholarships, etc. POC is Dr. Cannady. Excellent employment prospects

Note: I am doing my dissertation there - so I am prejudiced. I am also a University Professor at an RA University - hired after I received my NSU degree.

 

I've found the terms IT, IS, and CIS used differently among different professionals. The only ones who used IS exclusively for "Library Science" were graduates of IS "Library Science" programs. Many professionals simply used it to replace Information Systems which understandably confuses it with IT and CIS. Does NSU have an IS "Library Science" program? That would explain your definition.

 

Dave,

In order to answer your question as well as possible - please provide your background for forming your observation - education, etc.

 

UMUC (Asian division) has Computer Studies and Computer & Information Science programs. http://www.ad.umuc.edu/degrees/bachelor.html

 

My background is from having researched scores of DL based IT, CS and IS programs. Without stating the actual statistic (because I didn't record this information) from my research I can say that the vast majority of the Universities I looked at used the abbreviation to mean Information Systems. This is a degree which seems nearly synonomous with CIS.

Information Science (often offered as Library Information Science) is also abbreviated as IS so it is quite confusing unless you actually look at the cirriculum (which I did.)

 

Thank you "Dave".

My point exactly - and unless IS is reffered to as part of a CIS curriculum - it tends to indicate a "library" focus.

As to each school and their curriculum currency - YMMV - quite a few still have COBOL on the books.

 

I completed the UOP BSIT program last year. It is not like a CS degree at all. The program does a light touch on C++ and Visual Basic but there is no in depth programming requirements. A good CS program will focus much more on the development side of things. Unfortunately, there aren't many schools offering an online CS degree. FSU and Troy State both seem reputable. As an IT manager, I would hire someone with a degree from either school without question.
--
RB

 

Post-Associate Degree (Bachelor)

You might look into Thomas Edison State College (www.tesc.edu) for a good theoretical covering of computer science. The degree is called Bachelor of Science in Applied Science and Technology.

Keep up the great work you AF guys and gals do everyday!

 

I wonder why you say this? I will be joining Troy soon. Is it not an accreditted college ? Why would any university/college and NSU look at them should I say suspiciously (thats what it sounded from your post) ? so you dont recommend Troy ? I know a number of people on this forum are doing degree through Troy and I am looking at them based on their recommendation. please give reasons if you dont think this is correct.

 

Jim is a little confused on the term Information Science. He believes it only applies to Library Science programs and not to Computer Information type degrees. That may be his experience, but others have pointed out CS, CIS, MIS, and IS program names and content often overlap. Troy has a good reputation and is a great program as long as you don't need a heavy math and theory content. Good luck.

 

Dave, I have a question regarding Troy. perhaps I will post in another thread.

 

Dave's problem is that I am an a practicing university professor in CIS - and he is not