MS in computer science with no prior experience?

[janedoe1990]

My friend is about to graduate this year with a degree in biology with a minor in math. She has taken a couple classes in computer science, and now wants to pursue a ms in computer science. She doesn't have a lot of credit in CS, so right now she needs to gain credit. If she took credit after she graduates would it still count? Also is research experience a requirement, and how would she go about attaining that?

[DaniMetroplex]

Is your friend interested in bioinformatics or computational biology? Those seem to be hot fields right now and would allow her to use her biology background.

Research experience is not usually required for a Master's. In fact, MS programs are usually good places to get research experience to help people decide if they want to pursue a Ph.D. This is exactly what I am doing.

As far as CS credits, I can't imagine that it would matter if she took them before or after she graduates as long as she has them. Something that your friend might consider is a post-baccalaureate certificate that some schools offer, which is designed to provide a CS background for people with degrees in other fields. A certificate program might also help your friend clarify if CS is something she really wants to pursue, as 1 or 2 courses do not a computer scientist make.

[busterbluth]

I don't think it will matter if she takes the credits post graduation.

Your friend should be aware that not all CS master's programs are created equal. Some are "professional programs" that require little previous experience and focus on applied things like databases, networks, nuts & bolts programming, etc. Others are more akin to the coursework that a first year PhD student would do. There is certainly some overlap in the two types of programs, but generally professional programs will be less rigorous and will require fewer prerequisites to be admitted.

If your friend is more interested in IT work, database development for companies, writing web interfaces, or generally that sort of thing, a professional program would probably be OK. If your friend is more interested in research, nuts and bolts software engineering, or eventually getting a PhD, I would definitely recommend doing a more rigorous MS.

[janedoe1990]

thanks for the replies. She is interested in more of a professional degree than a research oriented degree, and she does not want a phd. Would you happen to know of any professional oriented programs?

I don't think it will matter if she takes the credits post graduation.

Your friend should be aware that not all CS master's programs are created equal. Some are "professional programs" that require little previous experience and focus on applied things like databases, networks, nuts & bolts programming, etc. Others are more akin to the coursework that a first year PhD student would do. There is certainly some overlap in the two types of programs, but generally professional programs will be less rigorous and will require fewer prerequisites to be admitted.

If your friend is more interested in IT work, database development for companies, writing web interfaces, or generally that sort of thing, a professional program would probably be OK. If your friend is more interested in research, nuts and bolts software engineering, or eventually getting a PhD, I would definitely recommend doing a more rigorous MS.

[busterbluth]

The University of Chicago has one, but I can't say I would recommend it at all. Northwestern University also has one (it's called "information systems" or something like that), although it has a significant business element. I'm sure there are many others around the country, but I don't know them off the top of my head.

Personally, I would think long and hard before attending a professional program. I was in a professional program, and although I was fortunate enough to fall into something that I like doing now, I can't say that I feel I learned very much in the program. I don't think these programs easily justify their own crippling expense. With that said, the degree may open up certain opportunities. Just make sure your friend does detailed research on programs and doesn't just go by the name of the school or other such vague criteria.