Watch this video before applying to Georgia Tech OMSCS

Summary

This video review delves into the Georgia Tech OMS CS master's degree, highlighting its affordability and flexibility as an online program from a top university. It emphasizes the need for a strong undergraduate background in computer science due to the advanced curriculum, and discusses concerns about the support provided for coursework. The reviewer advises that the program is best suited for those with a solid CS foundation or the discipline to self-study extensively, while cautioning international students about the lack of visa support for job opportunities in the U.S.

Takeaways

• 🎓 The Georgia Tech OMS CS degree is popular for being an affordable online master's degree from a top university.
• 💰 The program costs only $7,000 and does not require the GRE for admission, making it accessible to a wider audience.
• 📚 The degree requires 30 credit hours, with a specialization that ranges from 15 to 18 credit hours, and the rest are electives.
• 🔍 There are several specializations available, each with a diverse and in-depth course selection.
• 📈 The quality of the courses is high, with many videos available for free to the public.
• 📈 The program emphasizes the importance of applying high-level concepts to practical projects in computer science.
• 🚫 The program assumes a strong background in computer science, with prerequisites like algorithms and discrete math.
• 🤔 There are concerns about the level of support provided for homework and projects, which may be less than expected.
• 👨‍🏫 Students are expected to have a solid understanding of programming and software engineering concepts before starting the program.
• 📉 The lack of official job placement information is a red flag, indicating potential uncertainty about career outcomes.
• 🌐 International students may not benefit from the program due to the lack of a visa and OPT opportunities in the U.S.
• 🎯 The program is best suited for individuals with a strong computer science background or those willing to self-study extensively before enrolling.

Q & A

What is the OMS CS degree program?

The OMS CS degree is an online Master's degree in Computer Science offered by Georgia Tech. It is known for being cost-effective and accessible without requiring the GRE.

What are the program requirements for the OMS CS degree?

The program requires 30 credit hours, which is equivalent to 10 courses. Students must declare a specialization, which ranges from 15 to 18 credit hours (5 to 6 courses), and the remaining 12 to 15 credit hours (4 to 5 courses) are free electives.

What specializations are available in the OMS CS program?

The specializations include Computational Perception and Robotics, Computing Systems, Interactive Intelligence, and Machine Learning.

Are all courses in the OMS CS program available online?

Not all courses are available online. Only courses listed with bold titles are offered through the online program.

What is the significance of the core classes in the OMS CS program?

Core classes such as CS6515 (Introduction to Graduate Level Algorithms), Software Development Process, and AI/ML are required for various specializations, indicating their importance in the curriculum.

Why are many of the classes' videos freely available to the public?

The videos are available to showcase the quality of the courses. However, the fee for the program covers accountability and support with homework and projects, not just the access to the lectures.

What is the assumed knowledge for the OMS CS program?

The program assumes students have an undergraduate background in computer science or related fields, including knowledge of algorithms, software engineering, and discrete math.

Why might the OMS CS program not be suitable for everyone?

The program is not suitable for those without a strong background in computer science or related fields, as the material is advanced and requires significant self-study.

What are the concerns regarding the support provided for homework and projects in the OMS CS program?

There is a concern that the program may skimp on the amount of help provided for homework and projects, which is crucial for learning in computer science.

Why is the lack of job placement information on the official website a red flag?

Job placement information is crucial for students considering a master's degree to improve their career prospects. The absence of this information raises questions about the program's effectiveness in helping students secure jobs.

Who would benefit most from the OMS CS program?

The program is best suited for individuals with a related undergraduate degree in computer science or those willing to self-study extensively before attending the master's program.

Why is the OMS CS program not recommended for international students hoping to work in the U.S.?

Since the program is online, international students do not receive a visa, which means they cannot use the program to obtain a job in the U.S.

Outlines

00:00

🎓 Overview of Georgia Tech's OMS CS Degree

This paragraph introduces the Georgia Tech's Online Master of Science in Computer Science (OMS CS) degree, highlighting its popularity due to affordability, top-university status, and no GRE requirement. The program requires 30 credit hours, with a specialization that ranges from 15 to 18 hours and the rest as electives. The breadth and depth of the courses are praised, with many available for free online, showcasing high-quality educational content. The paragraph also emphasizes the importance of the support system for homework and projects, which is a significant part of the learning experience in computer science.

05:01

🚫 Caveats and Prerequisites for the OMS CS Program

The second paragraph delves into the prerequisites and potential difficulties of the OMS CS program. It points out that the program assumes a solid undergraduate foundation in computer science or related fields, with specific mention of required knowledge in algorithms, software engineering, and discrete math. The paragraph shares anecdotes of students who struggled due to a lack of background, suggesting that the program may not be suitable for those without substantial self-study or a related degree. It also touches on the limited support provided for homework and projects, which is a cost-saving measure but could be a drawback for students needing more assistance.

10:01

🤔 Considerations for Career Opportunities and International Students

The final paragraph discusses considerations for potential students, particularly regarding career opportunities post-graduation. It raises concerns about the lack of official job placement data and the uncertainty of outcomes for those seeking to transition into fields like data science. The paragraph also advises against the program for international students seeking U.S. employment, as the online nature of the degree does not provide a visa or OPT. It concludes by identifying the types of individuals who may benefit from the program: those with a strong undergraduate background in computer science or equivalent, and those willing to undertake extensive self-study to acquire the necessary prerequisites.

Keywords

💡Georgia Tech's OMS CS degree

The Georgia Tech's OMS (Online Master of Science) CS (Computer Science) degree is the central subject of the video. It is an online master's degree program from a top-ranked university that is known for its affordability and flexibility. The script discusses the program's popularity, cost, and the perceived value it offers to students interested in advanced computer science education.

💡Online Program

An online program refers to an educational course or degree that is conducted over the internet rather than in a traditional classroom setting. The video emphasizes the benefits and limitations of the OMS CS degree being an online program, such as the lack of a GRE requirement and the potential challenges of self-study without the structure of an in-person class.

💡Specialization

In the context of the OMS CS degree, a specialization refers to a focused area of study within the computer science field. The script mentions several specializations such as Computational Perception and Robotics, Computing Systems, and Interactive Intelligence, which require a certain number of courses dedicated to that specific area.

💡Course Syllabus

A course syllabus is a document outlining the content, objectives, and structure of a course. The script refers to the syllabi of the OMS CS degree courses to highlight the depth and breadth of the topics covered, as well as the assumed knowledge and prerequisites that students are expected to have.

💡Free Electives

Free electives are courses that students can choose from a wide range of offerings without restrictions, allowing them to explore areas of interest beyond their specialization. The script explains that after fulfilling the specialization and core course requirements, students can select free electives from any courses offered in the program.

💡Accountability

Accountability in the context of the OMS CS degree refers to the support and structure provided to students to ensure they complete their coursework and meet academic standards. The script points out that part of what students pay for is the accountability through homework and project support, which is crucial for learning in an applied field like computer science.

💡Assumed Knowledge

Assumed knowledge refers to the prior understanding or skills that students are expected to have before starting a course. The script discusses the importance of having a solid background in computer science and related areas, as the OMS CS degree assumes a high level of pre-existing knowledge for its graduate-level courses.

💡Self-Study

Self-study is the process of learning without formal instruction, often through independent research and practice. The video mentions self-study as a significant aspect of the OMS CS degree, where students without a related undergraduate degree may need to acquire an equivalent understanding through self-study before they can succeed in the program.

💡GRE

The GRE (Graduate Record Examinations) is a standardized test required by many graduate schools for admission. The script notes that the OMS CS degree does not require the GRE, which is one of the reasons the program is appealing to potential students looking for a more accessible entry point to a master's degree.

💡Job Placements

Job placements refer to the process of helping graduates secure employment after completing their studies. The script raises concerns about the lack of information on job placements for the OMS CS degree, which is a crucial factor for many students considering the return on investment for their education.

💡International Students

International students are those who pursue education outside their home country. The script specifically addresses the limitations of the OMS CS degree for international students who hope to work in the U.S., as the online nature of the program does not provide a visa or OPT (Optional Practical Training), which are important for post-graduation work opportunities.

Highlights

The Georgia Tech OMS CS degree is renowned for being an affordable online master's degree in computer science from a top university.

The program costs only seven thousand dollars and does not require the GRE for admission.

Testimonials suggest acceptance into the program without a related undergraduate degree, making it highly accessible.

The OMCS degree requires 30 credit hours, including a declared specialization and electives.

Specializations offered are Computational Perception, Robotics, Computing Systems, Interactive Intelligence, and Machine Learning.

Courses within specializations are diverse, with many available in bold titles for the online program.

Many classes have freely available videos of high quality, accessible to the public.

The cost of the program includes accountability and support for homework and projects, which is crucial in computer science.

The program assumes a strong undergraduate background in computer science or equivalent knowledge.

Core classes have prerequisites such as algorithms, software development, and discrete math.

Students lacking the required background may struggle, even with substantial self-study.

The program may not provide enough support for students without a strong foundation in computer science.

Job placement information is not readily available on the official website, which raises concerns.

Graduates seem to secure interviews, likely due to the program's reputation, but official data is lacking.

The program may not be suitable for those aiming for careers outside of software engineering.

The degree is ideal for individuals with a related undergraduate degree and strong self-discipline.

Those willing to self-study an entire undergraduate degree before attending may also benefit.

International students seeking U.S. employment should avoid this program due to the lack of visa support.

The review emphasizes the importance of self-assessment and honesty regarding one's background and capabilities.

Transcripts

and this is a nice little summary of The

General sentiment of students

hey everyone the top comment on this

post was Georgia Tech's OMS CS degree so

I did some in-depth research for you

guys to make this review this program is

quite famous and popular primarily

because it's an online CS master's

degree from a top-ranked University and

it only costs seven thousand dollars on

top of that you don't have to take the

GRE and there seems to be testimonials

from people who got accepted into this

program even without a related undergrad

that just makes it even more appealing

doesn't it so first off let me talk

about what is amazing about because this

program really is a great bang for the

buck but let me also show you guys why

this program isn't for most people and

finally and with who the program would

be great for let's start off by going to

the program info section of their

website the omscs degree requires 30

hours which is 10 courses and students

must declare specialization which

depending on the specialization is 15 to

18 hours which is five to six courses

and the remaining 12 to 15 hours which

is four to five courses our free

electives and can be any courses offered

through the omscs program okay so you

have to choose a specialization which

are a computational perception of

Robotics Computing systems Interactive

Intelligence or Machinery flicking

through each of them I was very

impressed by the breadth and depth of

the courses that are offered I've seen

some master's degree programs that have

these specializations but really most of

the courses are the same and they just

put like a specialization names have on

it that is usually a buzzword like

machine learning or something but that's

not the case here ooh but there is a bit

of fine print or more like italicized

print only courses listed with bold

titles are offered through the online

program okay fair enough still very

impressive in terms of poor selection

and diversity each of these

specializations do offer different

courses and you have a pretty good

selection for all of them you have the

core class of cs6515 which is

Introduction to graduate level

algorithms software development process

is required for interactive intelligence

and AI ml is required for three quarters

of the specializations while I look

through some of these course syllabi and

realized something really really cool as

well many of the classes have all the

videos freely available to the public

and after watching some of these videos

the quality is really great seriously

I'm gonna be coming back here to go

through some of these videos myself

sometime in the future by the way you

might be wondering why in the world are

they providing you with all of these

courses for free and that's because what

you're really paying for in addition to

the Master's Degree title is the

accountability and support with homework

and projects if you haven't done a

degree in computer science where

Computer Engineering work a lot of

projects in this field you might not

think it's a big deal to have help it

but it really really is very important

as with all learning the bulk of it is

actually taking the high level stuff you

learn from lecture and applying it to

projects this is especially true in

computer science since it's also an

extremely applied field and just because

you understand Concepts and how things

work at a high level does not mean you

know how to actually do anything

implementation is another beast and it's

really where you spend most of your time

I'll return back to this point later on

because I do have some specific concerns

surrounding this aspect of the degree

but this is a good transition point for

my general concerns we're really more

like caveats that I think they don't

advertise enough about this program

which makes me believe that this program

is actually not for most people so the

reason is because there's a lot of

assumed knowledge for this degree as I

went through the syllabus for

introduction to graduate algorithms

software development process and the ML

Class that make up the core of most

specializations I noticed that they

really are graduate level classes

there's some underground material that

you can find here and there like graph

algorithms dynamic programming but they

seem to be covered really quickly in the

beginning and the rest of the material

does really get up there and sure enough

under the before taking this class

suggests the background knowledge it

says that students are expected to have

an undergraduate course on the design

and Analysis of algorithms in particular

be familiar with basic graph algorithms

DP divide and conquer Algos as well as

an undergraduate course in discrete math

and analyzing asymptotic runtimes of

Algos and they really weren't lying when

they say that you do require these

courses like you really really do

looking at the other core classes

substantial background requirements

seems to hold for them too for example

for the software development process

class you have to know at least one

programming language already and be

familiar with basic software engineering

Concepts through an undergraduate course

in software engineering or have industry

experience looking at the syllabus here

they are not lying again I think it

would be very very difficult to get

through this course without a decent

background already and also taking a

look at the ml course these are the

course Readiness questions

and here's the reading list you need

linear algebra probability and stats and

I would argue it would probably be nice

to also have calculus although it

doesn't seem necessary if the course

doesn't venture too deeply into the ml

outcomes in any case as you can see a

lot of assumed knowledge here there are

people who talk about getting accepted

into this program without an

undergraduate in computer science or

related degree War have substantial

self-study to get the equivalent of that

undergraduate degree you will see that

it is absolutely the case that it's

extremely difficult you really do need

to have a solid background and

truthfully I find it a little bit weird

for some of these people to have even

gotten accepted into the program as this

one guy said he literally failed the

first two classes he took and barely

made it to graduation despite

substantial self-study and having a job

at the devops because I had recently

gotten a job as a devops engineer so I

didn't really have any computer science

background before starting the program

in my first semester in Spring 2017 I

took two courses so software development

process and machine learning for trading

both of these courses are considered

beginner courses in the omscs program

and I got two F's in both courses and

this guy here just straight out dropped

up

of course there is selection bias here

and there's not much of the sample size

going on but I think it's worthwhile

realizing that even if you can get into

this degree it's really important to be

honest about the background that you do

have prior to attending if you don't

have the background knowledge even if

you try really really really hard to

catch up while taking the classes I

think it would be insanely stressful

challenging and you probably won't even

get that much out of it so yes this

degree is not for someone who doesn't

have a related background and my second

Point certainly back to what I said

earlier that what you're paying for is

they help with homework and projects I

did some pretty intense dating here

again yes selection bias but I only had

what I could find on the internet and

this is a nice little summary of The

General sentiment of students

it seems like the reason why the program

manages to be so cheap is by skimming a

bit on the amount of help they provide

you with homework and projects for my

own master's degree like 80 of the time

was on homework and projects and there

was absolutely no way I could have

managed to get through it without large

amounts of support from office hours Tas

working with other students literally

every single day as well as one-on-ones

with instructors with the difficulty

level of these classes and also much

support you'll find yourself doing a lot

of self-study the third point is more of

a call for you to do more research than

anything else and that's surrounding

career opportunities I can't find job

placements on their official website

which is a huge red flag for me because

the primary reason why people do

horse-based master's degree is to get a

better job so why would you not post

where people end up I have to rely again

on my own digging around and I don't

know how reliable these comments are on

places like Reddit or quora but it does

seem like graduates do manage to get

interviews I'm not surprised given the

reputation of this program but it's

still a little strange for them to not

officially mention job placements also

the only info that I could find were

people who became software Engineers

mostly attacked so what happens if you

want to go into data science or some

other related field so that's the thing

we don't know right if I was seriously

considering this program I would contact

a program and ask them directly for some

stats okay moving along who is this

program so I think there are two types

of people that would benefit from this

degree the first is someone who already

has a related undergrad degree in

computer science Computer Engineering

for something equivalent to that and is

self-discipline enough to stop study the

second is someone who is willing to

self-study essentially an entire

undergraduate degree by themselves

before attending the Master's Degree as

an FYI the second type of person like

honestly I've met a handful of them in

my life and this guy here who is in the

same cohort as me my master's degree is

one of if you're not sure if you're that

kind of person I suggest that you check

out the video and just kind of observe

his mindset and see if you're also

someone like that overall I think it's

really important to be honest with

yourself here ask yourself are you

really the type of person who can

self-study everything beforehand I'm

just gonna say straight out that this is

definitely not me so if I didn't already

have a master's degree in computer

science I would not recommend myself to

take this master's degree finally in a

Edition there is another group of people

who should not take this master's degree

and that group is international students

if you're not American but hope to come

to the US for a job since this is an

online program you don't get a visa and

so you don't get OBT from it so this

will not help you get a job in the U.S

all right this is my review of the OMS

CS degree I hope it was useful for you

let me know in the comments below if

you're considering this program or

you've already been through this program

I would love to get your thoughts see

you guys in the next video or live

stream