MS Computer Science Questions

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by vmiller, Jun 22, 2008.

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  1. vmiller

    vmiller New Member

    Hello,

    I am looking for an online MSCS program that will give me a taste of research (thesis based) and also have enough variety to introduce me to the various areas of computer science. Based on my research, it seems most of the more reputable schools have less variety (not all of their CS courses are offered online), and they often don't include a thesis option with the online version of their degree.

    I plan on using the MS degree to see how interested I will be in pursuing a phd, and if I decide to, I want to set myself up as well as good as I can. I know I will need research experience and this is another reason I want to do a MS program with a thesis. To make the matter more complicated, I think robotics is the area I want to focus on and not many programs have any classes for it.

    So what's more important? The reputation of the school, or the variety of the classes and satisfying my learning interests?

    I'm starting to lean toward Nova Southeastern because they have such a strong online focus, that they have a wide variety of online classes to choose from. I'm also considering University of Bridgeport because they also seem to have a nice variety and a robotics lab as well. But these are both 4th tier schools and I'm having a hard time with the thought of putting a lot of time and money into something that doesn't come with a solid reputation. How important is this reputation for getting accepted into a reputable on campus phd program?

    I'm driving myself crazy! Any suggestions?

    Thanks,
    Vin
     
  2. Neoplato

    Neoplato New Member

    One perspective:

     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jun 22, 2008
  3. Neoplato

    Neoplato New Member

    Well, on the CS side of robotics, what do you want to focus on? Machine learning, computer vision, etc.? UF offers online courses in computer vision, pattern recognition, and also a proof-heavy course on machine learning geared towards PhD students. (I believe the pattern recognition course and machine learning course will be offered next in Spring 2009.)

    I don't remember what CS courses John Hopkins offers online, but, if you have the money, there are online courses from Columbia, UIUC, and Stanford that may be of interest.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jun 22, 2008
  4. Neoplato

    Neoplato New Member

    Exactly. It would be better to go to a non-thesis program like the online MSCS at UF and publish research on your own to confernces/journals. (Keep in mind that most applicants to CS PhD programs are BSCS students from other countries, and domestic applicants do get significant priority.)

    If you haven't seen this already:

    http://www.cise.ufl.edu/~jpeeler/topschools.html (top online MSCS programs)
    http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/grad/com/search (top CS PhD programs)
    http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/grad/com/artifical_intelligence (top CS PhD programs for AI)
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jun 22, 2008
  5. vmiller

    vmiller New Member

    Thank you Daniel!

    I've looked at the UF program, but it doesn't appear to be a CS degree. According to the web site, it's a MS/ME in Computer Engineering with a focus on "General Studies" or Bioinformatics. Is this a recent change, or is it the same program people here refer to as the MSCS?

    Columbia, UIUC, and Stamford are definitely out of my price range. I'd actually like to do the RPI program because that's where I went for undergrad, but it's quite expensive as well. ($1255/credit)

    I'm not sure specifically which part of robotics. I need to get more involved to figure that out. Probably not vision though. I'm more interested in the movement and maybe AI.

    How likely is it to get guidance from professor(s) if doing independent research in a non thesis MS program?
     
  6. Neoplato

    Neoplato New Member

    I don't know. I would ask them. At least in the past, they used to refer to it as the "Master of Computer Science" or MCS degree:

    http://www.beijing.ufl.edu/bi_program_cs.htm

    IMHO, it doesn't matter as the course requirements at UF for CS are the same for Computer Engineering (the only difference being the department one applies to), and it's the same degree awarded to on-campus, non-thesis students. (So I'm sure your diploma will not say "general studies," even though they use that term in their brochure.)

    Regarding professor support for independent research, I would be pessimistic, at least at UF and other schools that don't offer distance learning options for CS independent study or thesis research. On the positive side, some online CS courses may require a research paper that is good enough to be submitted to a journal/conference.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jun 22, 2008
  7. Neoplato

    Neoplato New Member

    Last edited by a moderator: Jun 22, 2008

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