Touro B.S. in Computer Science

Discussion in 'IT and Computer-Related Degrees' started by louieknucks, Feb 2, 2006.

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  1. louieknucks

    louieknucks Member

    Hey everyone, I am currently enlisted in the Air Force and want to get a B.S. in Computer Science and I was really interested in Touro. I did search the forum beforehand for programs and this one caught my eye. I am getting it in Computer Science because I want to get a technical degree to have a better chance to get selected for Officer Training School. Thanks.
     
  2. JoAnnP38

    JoAnnP38 Member

    Hello back atcha Louie. Do you have any specific questions about the Touro program or were you just looking for other opinions about the program? I'm a Computer Science geek myself, but I'm not really excited about the Touro program. It has nothing to do with the fact that its known as a distance learning institution (at least TUI is) but rather its that the cirriculum is much more like a Computer Information Systems or Information Systems degree. If you take a look at the cirriculum of well know universities I'm sure you will note the same thing.

    With that being said, often CIS or IS can be a better degree than a pure CS degree. If you see yourself working with business related information systems then these degrees are better preparation than the CS. But, if you see yourself working on control systems, artificial intelligence, or system programming then CS is a better degree. As I said, while Touro calls their degree a CS degree, its cirriculum is not really standard. In either case, the degree from Touro should most definitely support your efforts to get into OTC.

    If you are interested, you can look at some distance learning programs offered by traditional schools in Computer Science by reading my response in these thread:

    http://forums.degreeinfo.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=22584

    Good luck!
     
  3. louieknucks

    louieknucks Member

    Thanks for the reply. The Officer training is my short term goal but I also want to look long term. I don't know if I would really like to get into programming. Have you had any jobs like that? I would really be interested in the enjoyment factor. My career now is in the electronics career field and I want to get something computer based since everything is going computerized. Thanks again.
     
  4. sentinel

    sentinel New Member

    From my own experience if you enjoy problem solving and creative thinking and are the type of person who never says "that is impossible to achieve", then you may be a software engineer/computer programmer. Or you might be a masochist incognito. :) On the other hand, writing computer code can be a solitary activity. Since you already work in electronics you may find computer programming at the system level, including embedded systems, highly enjoyable.
     
  5. BlueMason

    BlueMason Audaces fortuna juvat

    ..years ago I did programming and, quite frankly, was quite happy to get out of it.



    I would sit down and look at what exactly it is that you want to do - if you're pursuing a CS degree purely with the intention of hoping to get selected into the Officer's program, you won't stick with it... you have to be happy and you have to want to do a degree in a discipline of your interest with the added bonus of helping you get into the Officer's program.

    A technical degree - that is a very broad spectrum you're exploring. Like I said above, what are your interests? Chances are, as long as you have a degree, you'll be considered for the Officer program - don't model if only after that, your career aspirations may change later on in life and then the degree which you obtained soley for that reason will bring regrets.

    Since you're into electronics now and are enjoying it, why not look into an engineering degree?

    I came "<this>" close to enrolling in Athabasca U here in .ca as it's one of the very very few schools in .ca that will let you do a degree entirely via LD - fortune smiled upon me and I stumbled on this forum and - long story short - found FHSU and enrolled. The degree I'm pursuing now is 100% what I want to do - you should be in the same boat, finding the degree you really want and pursuing it.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Feb 13, 2006
  6. Daniel Luechtefeld

    Daniel Luechtefeld New Member

    Consider what duties you want on the other side of OTS. If you want to be a communications officer serving real-world, day-to-day tactical requirements a CIS, MIS, or applied computer science degree will be good. If you hope to one day direct an office that develops hardware or software systems for the AF then a BS in engineering or CS is a better choice (you will probably never actually do hands-on development - this work is typically done by contractors).
     
  7. louieknucks

    louieknucks Member

    Thanks for the replies everyone. You've been really helpful and given me some great things to consider.
     
  8. scmasse

    scmasse New Member

    The problem I see is that the AF looks at a CIS degree as "not technical enough". When you submit your package for OTS they look at the degree then rate it either Technical or Non-Technical. With a technical degree it is MUCH easier to get selected for OTS.

    Here is an exerpt from wikipedia on OTS:

    "Typically, personnel applying to OTS have baccalaureate level degrees in either technical, or non-technical fields. Technical fields may include Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, and other fields deemed in high demand by the Air Force. Non-technical degrees may be Business Administration, Computer Information Systems , English, Finance, etc. Non-technical degrees are very common, and therefore applying with a degree in such a field is very competitive. You can apply for rated, or non-rated positions. "

    So you see, by selecting anything but the Compter Science major will handicap him when the selection board meets. In my opinion, it's very unfortunate that they have such a narrow view.
     
  9. JoAnnP38

    JoAnnP38 Member

    Now that is good information! Thanks for chiming in scmasse.
     
  10. sentinel

    sentinel New Member

    Thomas Edison State College (TESC) offers a BA in Natural Science/Mathematics with a concentration in Computer Science. The degree is a BA but you earn the CS concentration which might be technical enough for OTS.
     
  11. louieknucks

    louieknucks Member

    Right now I'm trying to decide between a CS or Fort Hays INT and Telecommunications degree. The only downside to going with Fort Hays is that it would be in the non-technical side of the OTS board but it would probably help me more once I get out of the Air Force. Ahhh, decisions, decisions.
     
  12. wfready

    wfready New Member

    Is the Airforce really that strict on degree nomenclature? I wonder if they look at the curriculum or just at the degree name to decide, whether or not, it is technical or not.

    For example, what if a graduate from Excelsior's BSCIS program had enough Compsci credits to fill in a CS curriculum? Would that be considered?

    On the other hand, would a Touro or Troy BSCS be accepted as a tech degree (even though its curriculum looks more like a CIS degree)?

    I guess they (USAF) get too many applicants to review their classwork on a case by case basis, huh?

    Just thinking out loud,

    Bill
     
  13. louieknucks

    louieknucks Member

    Yeah, they are pretty stuck on the name of the degree from what I understand.
     

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