Coursera Bachelor of Science in Computer Science for $4k!

Discussion in 'IT and Computer-Related Degrees' started by nomaduser, Sep 12, 2022.

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  1. nomaduser

    nomaduser Active Member

    https://www.coursera.org/degrees/bachelor-of-science-computer-science-bits

    Now Coursera is offering Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from an Indian university for $4k!

    The Indian university is 'Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani'
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birla_Institute_of_Technology_and_Science,_Pilani

    They're ranked top 801-1000th around the world by Times.
    https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/birla-institute-technology-and-science-pilani

    1001-1200th by QS:
    https://www.topuniversities.com/universities/birla-institute-technology-science-pilani


    Here's their curriculum

    Core courses
    BCS ZC313 Introduction to Programming
    BCS ZC228 Introduction to Computing Systems
    BCS ZC216 Computer Systems and Performance
    BCS ZC215 Command Line Interfaces and Scripting
    BCS ZC311 Data Structures and Algorithms
    BCS ZC212 Algorithm Design
    BCS ZC316 Object Oriented Programming
    BCS ZC317 Relational Databases
    BCS ZC234 Programming for Mobile Devices
    BCS ZC238 Web Programming
    BCS ZC232 Operating Systems
    BCS ZC236 Software Design Principles
    BCS ZC214 Building Database Applications
    BCS ZC211 Software Development Practices
    BCS ZC231 Network Programming and Client-Server Programming
    BCS ZC222 Formal Languages and Applications

    Mathematics Foundation
    BCS ZC219 Discrete Mathematics
    BCS ZC230 Linear Algebra and Optimization
    BCS ZC233 Probability and Statistics
    BCS ZC112 Introduction to Logic

    Science & Engineering Foundation
    BCS ZC223 General Biology*
    BSC ZC240 General Physics*
    BCS ZC111 Basic Electronics

    Humanities Foundation
    BCS ZC151 Writing Practice
    BCS ZC113 Online Social Media*
    BCS ZC114 Video Games - Technology and Social Impacts*

    Other Courses
    BCS ZC220 Environmental Studies
    BCS ZC229 Introduction to Economics*
    BCS ZC235 Science, Technology and Modernity*

    https://www.coursera.org/degrees/bachelor-of-science-computer-science-bits/academics
     
    MaceWindu, Dustin and Maniac Craniac like this.
  2. nomaduser

    nomaduser Active Member

    I think it can be a good option for those who want to save $$$ .. but the university is in India.
    Some employers may think that's strange...
     
  3. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    "I wanted to learn from the best! Those guys invented the zero, and that's half of computer science!"
     
  4. AsianStew

    AsianStew Moderator Staff Member

    This does seem like a good deal for those who are looking at the BSCS, it's a well rounded program, the only thing is, 4 Upper Level CS courses? The rest are lower level... I don't recall, but still looks good at $6K for the majority of users that are not in the developing countries. At 4K, it's a steal...
     
  5. TeacherBelgium

    TeacherBelgium Well-Known Member

    So weird that Israel is in the list of developing countries.
    Israel is rich.
    Weird that they would only have to pay 4k$.
     
  6. MK1980

    MK1980 New Member

    This might sound ridiculous, but it might make more sense to add "Coursera" on your resume if you pursue this degree. This is one of those very few cases where the Coursera brand is more reputable than the university offering the degree (at least in the US). Sorta like those generic grocery brands like Kirkland/Costco are slapped into generic products. At least it will avoid you from having to answer how you ended up in India back in college.
     
  7. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    Since Coursera isn't awarding the qualification, that would be untrue.
     
  8. MK1980

    MK1980 New Member

    Not really, this is how I would phrase it if you are applying to a US company:

    Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
    Birla Institute of Technology, completed through Coursera online
    https://www.coursera.org/degrees/bachelor-of-science-computer-science-bits

    The link through Coursera makes the degree look instantly legit. A bachelors from Birla Institute is normal if you're originally from India then moved to the US. It is not the norm for Americans to get their bachelors from India.
     
  9. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    Well, I at least agree that there's nothing wrong with the way you'd phrase it, so I'll concede that point.
     
  10. SweetSecret

    SweetSecret Well-Known Member

    I list MOOCs I have taken on my résumé under a continuing education section. The way I have done it is to list both the university the course is taught by and the platform (Coursera) that the course is taught through i.e. Economics - Harvard via Coursera (non-credit certificate course). Most of the MOOCs I have taken are from big name U.S. universities, so I want to make sure the résumé reader knows that I was learning from a good university. In the OP's scenario, it is almost the opposite in which case being on Coursera can let employers know the university must be well thought of or else they would not be teaching through Coursera. On one hand, I would not normally list platforms such as Blackboard, but then Blackboard does not seem to bee too concerned about which schools they are affiliated with whereas Coursera and EdX seem to have built prestige based on which schools are using them. Anyhow, this might be the beginning model for a solution:

    BA Computer Science - Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani via Coursera.com
     
    MK1980 likes this.
  11. MK1980

    MK1980 New Member

    I 100% agree. I think having the Coursera connection / name is a big plus to improving the perception of foreign degrees in the US.
     
  12. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    On the one hand, it's ridiculous that it might do that. On the other hand, that doesn't mean it's not true.
     
  13. msganti

    msganti Active Member

    BITS Pilani is a well known name in India. They have been running kind of off-campus graduate programs for working professionals for a very long time, but this is the first time I saw an undergraduate program that's open to all.
     

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