“In general, computer engineering will focus on the applications side and, in practice, a little bit more on the hardware side,” Blanchard adds, “whereas computer science tends to be a little bit more software-focused and a little bit more theoretical in nature.”
2. Is online education appropriate for you?
Online education is not for everyone. Students must be more self-motivated and fit their education in with full-time work and sometimes family duties if they do not have a regular in-person connection with an instructor. Other students may prefer the on-campus approach, where they may engage with classmates and teachers in person.
“Different people learn in various ways. So there’s nothing intrinsically right or wrong with it; it’s just a matter of determining what’s the best way for you to study and whether you have the structure and discipline within yourself to make it work in an online format.” Bhaskar explains.
3. Is the coursework challenging and directly related to your field of study?
Many online students aspire to advance their existing careers or change careers entirely. However, prospective students should check that the online courses available are relevant to their professional aspirations, regardless of their goals.
Caudill says he made certain that U.F. Online included classes in database architecture as part of the program, for example, to tie his education to his specific work.
According to experts, prospective students can also learn about the many programming languages taught in a program and whether the rigor matches a school’s on-campus program. An online bachelor’s degree in computer science, for example, may contain advanced arithmetic classes and major-specific training in topics like programming and operating systems, according to experts.
4. Is the curriculum up to date in terms of technology?
“Being able to think like a computer scientist is going to serve students in the long run throughout their careers,” says Shannon Riggs, executive director for course development and learning innovation at Oregon State University Ecampus, which offers an online post-baccalaureate computer science program.
According to Bhaskar, prospective students should also consider if the program includes the most recent technology, including artificial intelligence, machine learning, data science, and cybersecurity.
“As a graduate student, it’s really about that in-depth learning and mastery of the latest tools in your profession,” says House Teixeira, who adds that computer science is generally interdisciplinary. “In computer science, a lot of it is about mining data, analyzing data, and ensuring that all of that information is secure.”