<p>Hey everyone,
I've been trying to make this decision for a while now, but I seem kind of stuck.</p>
<p>I'm trying to choose between a BA in math from SNHU (southern new hampshire university)
or
A BS in computer science from UIS (university of Illinois springfield)</p>
<p>The math degree would take a year, and the computer science degree would take about 2.5 years. The cost of the math degree is also significantly less (less than half the price). </p>
<p>I'd like to one day go for a masters degree in computer science, and though I could probably get into a program like that with a BA in math; the BS in CS is better preparation for a MS in CS, but the time, cost is hard to overlook. </p>
<p>I've noticed that the UIS computer science program is lacking in the math department. Most computer science programs require physics1, physics2, calc1, calc2, and differential equations, but UIS only requires calc1.</p>
<p>UIS is also trying to get me to retake my humanities, and social sciences courses.
They also have these 'engaged citizenship' courses which seem kind of 'meh' ...
They're also trying to make me retake my introductory programming courses because mine were C, and C++, and their program is more java based.</p>
<p>on the flip side SNHU's math program doesn't seem all that great, but it's cheap, and fast.</p>
<p>Does anyone know if a BA in math from SNHU would be able to get me into a masters program somewhere?</p>
<p>How can you get a math BA in one year if you aren’t transferring in a great deal of credits? What math courses have you completed to this point?</p>
<p>I forgot to mention that I have 78 credits that can be transferred into SNHU’s math program, but UIS is making me retake some courses.
I’ve finished calc1, calc2, discrete math, and I suppose they’re taking some other lower level math courses like trig, and statistics as ‘electives’ which is a little sketchy I suppose.</p>
<p>The math program is also accelerated 2 courses every 2 months.
I’m sure that I’m capable of passing either program if I study hard enough…
I’m even looking forward to classes like ‘real analysis’ …</p>
<p>Though my goal is to work as a programmer or attend a masters in computer science…
That’s why I’m not sure if I should go for the longer more expensive computer science degree.</p>
<p>Check out other MS programs to see if you can satisfy entrance requirements with whatever CS courses you can squeeze in. If anything hurts your graduate program application, it won’t be a Math degree per se, it will be a lack of basic CS courses.</p>
<p>Thanks TK that’s pretty much exactly what I was wondering. The only thing about SNHU is that they don’t offer any CS courses, so I’d be getting the BA in math, and then going somewhere else to pick and choose CS courses.</p>
<p>Fact is, you’d have to be very careful NOT to complete all your graduation requirements before you can transfer to get a CS minor (and more advanced math) somewhere. So you’d have to take lots of math classes but never the last 2 that would allow you to graduate, then apply to transfer somewhere else.
You wouldn’t have access to financial aid for a second BA and since you couldn’t get a CS minor a SNHU you wouldn’t have the basic prereqs for a Master’s in CS.
Don’t you have other choices?
What state are you a resident of? If you live in New England, you may qualify for “tuition break” if your state doesn’t have CS/Computer Engineering
<a href=“http://fm2.nebhe.org/fmi/iwp/cgi?-db=TuitionBreak.fp7&-loadframes[/url]”>http://fm2.nebhe.org/fmi/iwp/cgi?-db=TuitionBreak.fp7&-loadframes</a></p>
<p>Whether I get a CS minor or just take the courses doesn’t seem to matter much with the masters programs I’ve checked with. It does seem like getting the BA in Math and taking a bunch of CS courses might end up taking just as long as a BS in CS though, so I think that I’ll go for the BS in computer science. </p>
<p>I live in Florida, and there isn’t a university near me that offers a computer science degree or a math degree, so I’d have to move or commute (an hour and a half each way… yuck)</p>
<p>Why can’t you use Bright Futures and live on campus to get a CS degree in Florida? I’m sure you could get into better schools there - Or do you really really want to leave FL?
SUNY Stony Brook is well-known for CS. UMN Morris also. Both are not too expensive OOS and better than either choice you listed. Can you apply and see what those schools would say, and add a couple FL schools to the mix ?</p>
<p>I didn’t go to high school in FL which is where that bright futures scholarship comes from. The closest school for CS I could go to is University of South Florida which is a little over an hour away. It’s a pretty good school, and I’m accepted there.
The computer science program at USF is much different than UIS
at USF it’s part of the engineering college, at UIS it’s part of the liberal arts college.
Though both are a ‘Bachelors of science in computer science’ .</p>
<p>Are both ABET-accredited?
(it’s not necessary)
Is Bright Futures predicated on the fact you attended HS in the state, or that your parents are FL taxpayers?
UIS is a strange choice but I think the “one-year BA”, which would have to remain near-BA in order for you to keep your financial aid, isn’t a very good idea either.
Are you eager to leave the state?</p>
<p>Neither computer science program is ABET-accredited. Though I think 4 hours north at University of Florida there’s an ABET accredited computer science, and also at Florida State University. USF is school pretty solid though, and probably a bit more reputable than UIS. I guess that UIS is easily confused with UIUC (which could be good since UIUC is a great school). I’ve been looking at these options mainly because they’re offered completely online, and I’m pretty comfortable here. </p>
<p>Though… moving is an interesting idea, and an exciting one… !
I may have to rethink this.
UIS classes actually start tomorrow, and the funny (actually not so funny) thing is many of the courses I should be taking aren’t offered online this semester. :</p>
<p>I wouldn’t go for an all-online degree. And reputable places of employment for CS majors will totally see the difference between UIS and UIUC…
In your case, especially if cost doesn’t make a big difference (or are similar), take classes that are on a campus and if you can afford it see if you can live nearby since 1h30 commute is way too long - this actually helps in getting involved and having better grades.</p>
<p>Hey MYO,
Thanks, and yeah that makes sense. While UIS doesn’t really seem all that bad. I think USF might be a bit better. As for grades I think I’ll be alright either way. I’m a pretty decent student and have a 4.0. I was home schooled which makes the online option a little easier for me, but you’re right about the lack of interactivity (not to mention getting letters of recommendation). Though the completed degree doesn’t say ‘online’ anywhere… :)</p>
<p>Another reason the online degree seems nice is because well… It’s easier to commit to.
A year and a half ago I had planned on moving to Gainsville to go back to school… and…
Here I am today still trying to figure it out :</p>
<p>I wouldn’t favor an online degree from SNHU over your in-state options. SNHU’s only name recognition comes from the fact that they have lots of ads on TV in the Boston area. Most people have never heard of it. and I had assumed they were a for-profit school, but their ads always mention that they are a private, non-profit school.</p>
<p>Well, if the choice is between UIS online and nothing, clearly UIS wins hands down. I wouldn’t take SNHU’s offer though. It doesn’t sound like a very serious program, not to mention you wouldn’t be able to get a minor in CS, which you’d need to continue for a Master.
Also, even homeschoolers may be eligible for Bright Futures, there are conditions but look into it:
<a href=“http://www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org/SSFAD/bf/pdf/BFHomeEdManual.pdf[/url]”>Home - Florida Student Scholarship & Grant Programs;
However if you can find an apartment near USF or another FL public, it’d be better for you.
Since you’ve been homeschooled, it might be better to start with smaller schools: have you looked into Flagler, Florida Southern, Eckerd…?
Or you could start at a community college near your home, check that they have automatic agreements with a university of interest, then prepare to transfer, if you’d rather stay at home a little longer.
If you’re pretty independent, you could look into Harriet Wilkes (scholarships ) and New College - both are public.</p>
<p>I got my associates degree from a Florida community college… I was feeling inspired to move away to USF or UF today and dropped out of UIS. I completed homeschooling in Massachusetts, so no bright futures scholarship for me. :(</p>
<p>I contacted the Graduate computer science program at Colorado State, and this was the question and response: </p>
<p>question:
“Would a BA in mathematics from SNHU be acceptable for admittance into the masters in computer science program?”
response:
“That would be fine if you could include a concentration in CS classes,
including Data Structure and Algorithms, discrete mathematics, computer
organization, software engineering and operating systems (design).”</p>
<p>The responses from USF and UF were pretty similar, and said that I’d need the ‘classes from a cs minor’
It seems like the ‘minor in CS’ isn’t needed, and having some computer science course credits could do the trick.
Even though SNHU doesn’t have a very good reputation. It’s possible that I might be able to finish it quickly, take a few CS courses at a local university, and get my foot into the door somewhere for a MSCS. Then I would never have to mention I went to SNHU!.. :</p>
<p>haaah… or I could just muster up some courage and move away somewhere… Not sure how happy my girlfriend/family would be about that though. humm choices choices. :)</p>
<p>Yep… Just to confirm that theory I called a few more masters programs and got this as a general answer, “Having those credits on your transcript is sufficient. The minor, or concentration is not needed”. Well that’s good to know</p>
</p>
) and New College - both are public.</p>