Best online Computer courses
Overview
Computer science consistently rates among the top majors that pay you back, according to PayScale, an online salary database. High earning potential, low unemployment rates and a range of career options for graduates make it one of the most popular bachelor’s degrees.
Online bachelor’s programs in computer science must adapt to rapidly changing technology to ensure students are learning coding languages and skills that will still be relevant when they complete their degrees.
Students learn to work with software, hardware and the network that both elements run on. Course work is heavily theoretical, analytical and mathematical in nature, and prospective students should be prepared to study complex topics.
Course Work
| Example courses | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Data structures and algorithms | |||||||||
| Systems programming languages | |||||||||
| Software engineering | |||||||||
| Computer systems security | |||||||||
| Discrete mathematics | |||||||||
Core classes
Most online computer science bachelor’s degree programs can be completed entirely online. Course work for an online computer science program often includes classes such as:
• Introduction to operating systems
• Database management
• Programming in various technical languages
• Object-oriented programming and design
• Computer systems and architecture
• Computers in society
The field of computer science is rooted in mathematics, and thus many core courses in a computer science degree program use mathematical concepts. Students often take advanced mathematics courses to supplement their technical skills. Math courses may include number theory, linear algebra and differential equations.
Prerequisites
Some online computer science bachelor’s degree programs may require applicants to complete prerequisite course work prior to enrollment. These courses may include calculus, programming and physics.
Job Outlook and Salary
| Median salaries* | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Network and computer systems administrator | $73, 000 | ||||||||
| Computer programmer | $74, 000 | ||||||||
| Computer systems analyst | $80, 000 | ||||||||
| Computer network architect | $91, 000 | ||||||||
| Software developer | $93, 000 | ||||||||
| Computer and information systems manager | $121, 000 | ||||||||
*per the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
Jobs in the field typically have a high earning potential. The starting salary for computer science graduates was about $60, 000 during the 2013-2014 academic year, while the midcareer salary was about $102, 000, according to PayScale, an online salary database.
Potential jobs
Computer science graduates can choose from a range of jobs that include developing computer programs, managing networks and maintaining databases.
For software developers, employment is expected to grow 22 percent through 2022, much faster than the average growth rate for all occupations, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Another rapidly expanding field is computer systems analysis. Systems analysts help organizations design, create and improve their information systems. Applicants with both technical and business skills are likely to be the most desirable to employers, who are expected to create about 128, 000 jobs through 2022, according to the BLS.
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Q&A
Best online computer course? | Yahoo Answers
If you're looking for ethical hacking as the end goal, you might want to look at the courses offered by SANS (sans.org) - they've got a pretty good curriculum, and the more advanced courses list the pre-reqs. Even if you don't go with their classes specifically, it'll give you an idea of which sort of classes you'll want to look for, based on some sort of specialty.
Networking courses are good, as are OS-level classes, programming classes, even application and DBA classes. There's a lot out there in terms of ethical hacking, and having a base knowledge of all of them, as well as detai…
