I read some talk on TSU on this forum so I decided to give it a try. I contacted them for BSCS program to get information and get evaluation done on my prior education. They would not do an evaluation (not even an unofficial one) until I register on their program first. I wanted to see how many credits they would give to see if I get enough credits or not to decide if this is the right program. Does anyone has similar experience with them? If they wont even do an evaluation and want me to enrol first how can I decide ? I dont want to enrol and later find out what I dont want to hear.
Hi Etech TSU was my top choice when I was looking for a CS school. Although I didn't enroll I got pretty close to going with them. You are correct that they won't give you an official evaluation for I believe the first two terms of enrollment. They do however list their exact requirements on their web site and exactly what CLEEP and DANTES tests count for which classes. If I were you and I was pretty sure I want to go to TSU, I would look at my transcript and see how it matches to the requirements. Then I would outline what tests would satisfy the missing classes. I would take the tests before enrolling. I believe their residency requirement is 30 semester credits or roughly 10 classes. They also have a requirement that 50% or more of your credits be taken from a "Senior" university. Luckily they count CLEP/DANTES as credit for a "Senior" university. I hope this info was helpful.
I am in Troy State's BSCS program. I guess your right on them not evaluating your prior college until you are registered. I transferred just about all my credits from an AAS in Technical Studies from Excelsior (30 credits of it was military credit and was applied to the "Military Science" minor). The rest of my "technical" course work was put in as electives (I believe you have an 18 credit open elective slot in the BSCS program). They did count a couple of my general ed classes as elective as well.. I had an Intermediate Algebra which I though would count as their class before precalculus algebra but they though otherwise. They also told me I had to complete either US history 1 or World history 1 because my US hist 2 and world hist 2 couldnt count as a series. They took one of my electronics classes (AC/DC theory I think... I can't tell because they have a lousy course names for transfer credits on their transcripts) and transferred it in as Physical Science w/ lab (I had a lab credit for that course as well). Overall I am very happy with what they took in for transfer. The couple of low level programming courses I took during the first term enrolled were a cake walk (programming methods, and english comp II). I thought to my self "wow this is easy... I am going to increase my course load 1 more" and did 3 courses the next term which were fundamentals of digital computers (comp architecture), advanced c++ (harder programs w/ intro to ADT's and all that crap), and math111 from Embry Riddle (precalculus algebra and trig in one course). I quickly learned that I didn't know much about programming (and math) and started drowning in my work. They tend to pack on a lot of work in some of their classes. Some classes have proctored exams, some have timed exams on blackboard (depends on the instructor... for some reason the open book timed exams seem a lot harder ). What else can I tell you about the BSCS program.. Courses are 10 weeks long. I can't really think of anything else. If you have any questions, let me know. Bill
Troy State QUOTE]I read some talk on TSU on this forum so I decided to give it a try. I contacted them for BSCS program to get information and get evaluation done on my prior education. They would not do an evaluation (not even an unofficial one) until I register on their program first. I wanted to see how many credits they would give to see if I get enough credits or not to decide if this is the right program. Does anyone has similar experience with them? If they wont even do an evaluation and want me to enrol first how can I decide ? I dont want to enrol and later find out what I dont want to hear.[/QUOTE] I started TSU's Computer Science program in May of this year, I transfered all my credits from Louisiana-Lafayette, it took one term of enrollment to receive TSU's transcript with my transfered credits on it. I was satisfied with the credits I received. I got about 15 "free" electives, courses which didn't match up to their courses but I can use towards the degree requirement. You can do 2 minors with your major or 1 minor and 18 free electives. You could do your own evaluation yourself, generally if the course;s description matches what you already took then you get the credit accepted if not then it is a free elective, no credits were not given..ie if I took a course before I got something for it. I knew that TSU fit what I was wanting to do and I was able to get student loans to pay for books & tuition. I have to say this is my third term with them and I am satisfied. So far I have taken Earth Science (and the lab), Programming Methods, US History 2, and this term I am taking Advanced C++ and Macroeconomics. Jeremy PS. There is no residency requirement, however there is a graduation exam, I forget the name of it but you go to one of TSU's campuses and it tests you on the things you should know to graduate.
Bill, I am taking Fundamentals of Digital Computers next term, how would you describe this class, what is your opinion on it? thanks Jeremy
thanks guys for your responses. Although I like the program in terms of courses and cost. However the problem is that some of my courses that I have taken are UK semester based (100 hours or so) so I am not sure how those would transfer, or if I will be able to match them with their courses. Some other College/University may give me more credits than what I would think I will be getting at TSU. That was the reason for asking them to get the eval done. oh well, nothing I can do there.
Not sure how UK credits would transfer, the credits I did transfer were semester based and they equated it to 1 semester =1 term, however I had a credit for Business Systems (MS Office Pro) and it only transfered to one course when in fact TSU has 2 courses that cover all of MS Office Pro. I will have to take a redundant class but hey it should be easy considering I already know it. Jeremy
BTW, I was wondering how do you do their lab ? Do you have to go physically to a college or something ?
The lab I took for Earth Science was mostly written assignments and observation of websites or observations of the clouds and weather outside. You can look at all of TSU's syllabi here: http://www.tsufl.edu/distancelearning/term2sched03.htm Click on the class' name and it will bring up the syllabus for each class. There you can see the types of assignments that are required.
Jbreaux, Fundamentals of Digital Computers next term, how would you describe this class, what is your opinion on it? The class wasn't easy (like I thought it would be). You learn about the computer architecture and how it processes from binary logic all the up to high level languages (you concentrate on low level/assembly though). I understood logic and conversion stuff (first week is just like an electronics class). It is just when it started going into memory offsets, overflow, and certain things w/ register that confused me for a bit. That and the tests had questions (borderline trick questions, the instructor probably doesn't feel the same way) that you had to read and reread to make sure you don't answer it wrong (the obvious answer was never right..) It was a pretty cool class though, if you work in the electronics industry and have no idea what happens after a signal goes through a SECS cable or DAQ it can shed some light. Anyways, it is supposed to be a foundation course for an upper level course, Control Programs (which is an operating systems fundamentals course). Best Regards, Bill PS. what classes you taking now?
Bill, I am taking Advanced C++ and Macroeconomics. Next term I am taking Fundamentals of Digital Computers and Microeconomics. After that I am undecided. I still got some 56 credits to go after this term. Jeremy
I have (I think) 30 left (after this term), but 18 of them is general ed. I have 4 more classes until I complete the major. I may try to CLEP what ever I can w/o going over the residency limit. I may go back to three classes next term... I am not sure yet. Good luck on Advanced C++ (you'll need it if you are a rock like me). Do the extra credit program (its what got me an A instead of a B) Bill
Extra credit? Cool, even thought Program 2 isn't due for another 2 weeks, I have been mulling over the requirements. I think I got it but there is other assignments in the way. Got the mid-term next week. I am finally understanding classes and the other pieces of it. I think http://cplusplus.com their tutorial reads better than the textbook. So far the hardest part is understanding the text. I will probably due the extra credit if it is offered because frankly that is the most interesting aspect.
