Masters Programme .... how much would you give......

[Raghav Mathur]

How much would you give to this masters programme if you were to rate it from 1 to 10 .
- OBJECT ORIENTED PROGRAMMING TECHNIQUES
- NETWORKS :
Network architecture
Transmission media
Protocols
Lan/wan
- COMPUTER SYSTEMS:
Hardware/Software concepts & computer systems
Operating system
- ADVANCE DATABASE SYSTEMS :
Database analysis and database techniques
Implementation of complex database systems
Database management issue
Use of relational database management system
4GL & SQL
- MICROPROCESSORS SYSTEMS
c/c++ targeted towards low level application ,which control devices , up to and including typical process control network where devices are connected via low speed network .
Embedded controllers

- DISTRIBUTED SYSTEMS
Designing issues of a distributed system
Process & inter process communication
Distributed systems types

- PROJECT

[Mark Herschberg]

I give it a ?. There are so many factors which go into rating a program you cannot possiblde evaluate what the benefits are from just this.
What are your goals?
What are the program goals?
How well respected is the program?
What resources does the school offer?
How are the professors?
How are the classes?
...
(and there are scores more questions on softer things, like the type of people you'll meet, how good it is for networking, etc)

--Mark

[Raghav Mathur]

I knew you would be the first one to reply to this . I know there are several factors taken into consideration while rating a programe but here i,am talking about the content of the programme . This is Msc in information systems , a UK university course . i've seen a lot of discussion about computer science programmes so i was just wondering that what sort of a programme would be the best for a student pursuing masters .
regards
raghav mathur

Originally posted by Mark Herschberg:
I give it a ?. There are so many factors which go into rating a program you cannot possiblde evaluate what the benefits are from just this.
What are your goals?
What are the program goals?
How well respected is the program?
What resources does the school offer?
How are the professors?
How are the classes?
...
(and there are scores more questions on softer things, like the type of people you'll meet, how good it is for networking, etc)

--Mark

[shankar vembu]

Originally posted by raghav mathur:
I knew you would be the first one to reply to this . I know there are several factors taken into consideration while rating a programe but here i,am talking about the content of the programme . This is Msc in information systems , a UK university course . i've seen a lot of discussion about computer science programmes so i was just wondering that what sort of a programme would be the best for a student pursuing masters .
regards
raghav mathur

Hi all,
I have a very basic question. One guy does M.Sc in Information Systems in UK or any other European country. Most of the universities there offers M.Sc in Information Systems. Another guy does M.S. in COmputer science from US university. WHo has more market value? Or rather which degree is more recognised globally?? The course contents may be the same for the above mentioned degrees but since the education system in Europe and USA is different, the degrees offered bear different names as stated above. Can anyone clarify this?
Regards,
Shankar

[Mark Fletcher]

Again, thats a very difficult question to answer as with Europe the standards at Universities are very different.
I would expect that with the exception of the very best Universities in Europe and US (ie Harvard, Cambridge) etc, US MSc's are valued in the US more than Euro MSc's and vice versa in Europe.
If you want a qualification that is valued the world over, then get a PhD.
Mark

[Raghav Mathur]

OK .... lets get back to the discussion. Does a US Msc offer a similar programme which i mentioned above ?

Originally posted by Mark Fletcher:

US MSc's are valued in the US more than Euro MSc's and vice versa in Europe.

Mark

[Raghav Mathur]

I also came to know about an M.tech programme offered by Kent Sate university, ohio. What is the difference between these programmes ( MS , Msc , M.tech) as far as content is concerned and which of these are more valued with employers ?

[Jason Menard]

What is an M.tech? In general if you want to know what is more valued by employers, it will be the degree that is most recognized and the one that is most appropriate for the job being filled.
If, for example, you are applying for a position as a Computer Scientist, or something similar, such as lead developer, most likely the the Masters in Comp Sci will be given more weight. I may be wrong, but if you were to tell somebody you had a Masters in Computer Technology (if that is what M.tech stands for) the first reaction may often be, "What the hell is that?". That being said, experience is usually going to valued most.

[Jason Menard]

Originally posted by raghav mathur:
OK .... lets get back to the discussion. Does a US Msc offer a similar programme which i mentioned above ?

I am planning next year to enroll in a part time graduate program in computer science at Johns Hopkins that appears to offer all the requirements you listed. I'm sure the full-time graduate program in computer science also meets those requirements.
Basically you will just have to check out the catalogs for the schools you are interested in, but what you are looking for doesn't look outside of the norm of what should be offered in most schools.
[ July 01, 2002: Message edited by: Jason Menard ]

[Raghav Mathur]

Originally posted by Jason Menard:
I may be wrong, but if you were to tell somebody you had a Masters in Computer Technology (if that is what M.tech stands for) the first reaction may often be, "What the hell is that?". That being said, experience is usually going to valued most.

But that's a degree offered by a US university !

[John Coxey]

Raghav:
Most of the MS-Comp Sci programs here in the USA are ultra-theoretical in nature. However, most require that you do a project (pratical experience) or two which will count as 3 to 6 credits. You need 30 credits to graduate - with classes running 3 credits each.
In USA:
I don't see where one program is going to be all that much better than the other - when it comes to actual classwork.
The only exception being perhaps the top 4 or 5 comp-sci schools in the USA - in which student admissions appear to be rather competitive (MIT, CMU, etc). What I am referring to are schools like Univ of Pittsburgh, Lehigh University, Penn State, etc. These schools pretty much have the same curriculum.
It's the projects that you get to work on - that make the difference - and that get you the job.
If you are planning on doing a thesis for your MS Degree (most programs do not require a Masters Thesis) - then you need to choose a college that has professors doing research in the area(s) that you are interested in.
There are two on-line USA MS-CS programs that you may wish to consider (in addition to the classical brick and mortar institutions):
One is University of Phoenix - a lot of people who are currently working the IT field seem to be pursuing the MS-Comp Sci program offered by these folks.
The other is, the University of Colorado offers an MS-Computer Science degree online.
-----------
Regarding value of said programs. I would have to believe in the USA - an MS-Comp Sci degree from a USA college would get higher recognition and salary than an overseas one.
Starting salaries for MS-CS in USA are around the US$55-US$65K range - even with the slowdown.
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As a previous poster mentioned - the more experience you get - the less and less your degree factors into the equation.
However, nearly all the Fortune 500 companies in the USA - and this is where the $$ is - want to see at least a BS degree. The MS degree just enhances your case that much more.
------------
John Coxey
([e-mail])
[ July 02, 2002: Message edited by: John Coxey ]
[ July 02, 2002: Message edited by: John Coxey ]
[ July 02, 2002: Message edited by: John Coxey ]

[Raghav Mathur]

Originally posted by John Coxey:
Raghav:
One is University of Phoenix - a lot of people who are currently working the IT field seem to be pursuing the MS-Comp Sci program offered by these folks.
The other is, the University of Colorado offers an MS-Computer Science degree online.

How about Marist college (www.marist.edu), new york ?

[John Dale]

There are two on-line USA MS-CS programs that you may wish to consider (in addition to the classical brick and mortar institutions):
One is University of Phoenix - a lot of people who are currently working the IT field seem to be pursuing the MS-Comp Sci program offered by these folks.
The other is, the University of Colorado offers an MS-Computer Science degree online.

I've not seen MS-Comp Sci offered on-line by Univ. of Phoenix. They do have IT programs like the MS Computer Information Systems program, which is very different from a Comp Sci program. I think I've seen places offer programs like this on-line, but I don' recall where. (Maybe NJIT?)
The Colorado State program does look like a real comp sci program.
National Technological University offers a number of MS programs, including CS, based on distance learning courses from a number of universities.
At the moment, I'm taking an undergrad level "fast track" course from NTU, based on materials from Colorado State. So I have reason to think both of these are serious academic programs.
At the moment, I'm planning starting my MS CS work at a local state university campus, where I can learn the material at lower cost and interacting more freely with the instructor and other students. Obviously I'm buying into the notion that aside from the big name institutions, it is the program content and what I do with it that matters, not the name of the school. For example, there is another state campus here with a much better known name and general reputation, and great MS IT degree programs, but they don't offer a program with the Comp Sci content I want.

[John Coxey]

Raghav Mathur:
- I have not heard of Marist College before.
- I mention the University of Phoenix program - which is an MS in Info Technology - not an MS in Computer Science (my fault) --- only because I personally know of 5 people I worked with that are going for this degree. Mainly for the convenience of an on-line program.
- I mention the Univ of Colorado program - because they are right down the road from Littleton / Denver (where I am currently living).
People where I used to work at Qwest Communications say that this was a half-decent program.
I also mention Univ of Colorado - because everyone in USA has heard of this college - or better yet - has heard of "Colorado" - and assumes that this is a half-decent school.
-----
- I am not sure if employers make a difference in MS-Comp Sci vs. MS-Info Tech.
From what I have personally experienced in the MS-CS program(s), USA-Master's programs are geared more towards teaching you how to teach computer science (the theoretical aspects) than in teaching you real-world skills.
- Given this, I think employers want to see that you had the "discipline" to put in another year or two of your life towards another "technical" degree. And again, I doubt they are differentiating between MS-CS and MS-IT. Perhaps, the undergraduate degrees are looked at more carefully.
-----------------------
- Most of my experience has been with the Fortune 500 boys - and basically they just want to see that piece of paper (degree) and what projects you have worked on.
- The technical interviews that I have been on have been mostly just discussions where I basically take over (my own choice) and start hacking out potential solutions on the whiteboard.
- I really have never been "quizzed" on the finer aspects of what I call the "theoretical" comp-sci courses that I took. Such as Expert Systems, Advanced Operating Systems...etc. And thank goodness - as I have forgotten most of it.
- But to get to the interview - you gotta have the piece of paper.
Johnny
([e-mail])

[Raghav Mathur]

John :
Marist is ranked among the top 20 colleges and universities in the northern U.S.A by the US News and World Report (www.usnews.com).
How acurate are there ratings

[Mark Herschberg]

Originally posted by raghav mathur:
John :
Marist is ranked among the top 20 colleges and universities in the northern U.S.A by the US News and World Report (www.usnews.com).
How acurate are there ratings

The answer varies from not at all accurate to very accurate. How accurate are they for what?
How are accurate are they for ranking the top schools by US New's standards? 100% accurate. Beyong that, it varies.
Is a top 10 school better then a school ranked 40th? Most likely. Is number 3 better then number 6? Doubtful you can saw with any certainty.
Is a grad from the number 4 school going to be more successful then a grad from the number 23 school? You can't say. Statisticly, s/he may have better odds, but studies show for any individual, the college has little effect.
Personally, I don't put much weight into those rankings.
--Mark

[Raghav Mathur]

The answer varies from not at all accurate to very accurate. How accurate are they for what?

I don’t know on what basis a university or colleges are ranked in the US so I would think this sort of ranking to be in terms of standard of education , programs offered and popularity of the programs between students .

Is a grad from the number 4 school going to be more successful then a grad from the number 23 school? You can't say. Statisticly, s/he may have better odds, but studies show for any individual, the college has little effect.

Do all Us colleges offer a similar MS in CS program ?

[Mark Herschberg]

Originally posted by raghav mathur:

I don?t know on what basis a university or colleges are ranked in the US so I would think this sort of ranking to be in terms of standard of education , programs offered and popularity of the programs between students .

What is a standard education?
US News and World Reports, which is what most people cite, created some arbitrary formula. The input to this formula comes from some objectively measurable numbers. Others come from very subjective requirements. This, and the arbitariness of the formula, makes, in my mind, the ranking very inaccurate, in my mind.

Originally posted by raghav mathur:

Do all Us colleges offer a similar MS in CS program?

Well, I certainly haven't studied the programs at all 2000+ colleges in the US. I think most are fairly similar. I know many schools base their undergrad programs on that of MIT.

--Mark

[Raghav Mathur]

US News and World Reports, which is what most people cite, created some arbitrary formula. The input to this formula comes from some objectively measurable numbers. Others come from very subjective requirements. This, and the arbitariness of the formula, makes, in my mind, the ranking very inaccurate, in my mind.

Ok …. So how does one choose a college ? I don’t stay in the US but MARIST college (www.marist.edu ) offers its MS CS program in my country in collaboration with another institute. As you said most of the colleges offer a similar program, So what does one look at while selecting a college besides the the location and faculty of that college?
In short , what is a good college ? and is Marist a good college ?