College Degrees differences..

[Jae]

I see there are two Associate Degrees in Computer Science.

An Associate in Computer Science.

An Associate of Applied Science in Computer Science.

Both are for the same number of credit hours. (66), 90% of the classes are the same. Only 5 different classes for the Applied Science Degree. Oracle, SQL, Reports, Forms, UNIX.

Question is... what is the REAL difference? I had an Associate but before I got my BS, I still had to take the same classes listed in the Applied Science.

 

[AustinTX]

"Applied" courses and degrees make use of a particular technology or formula, but don't have the theory that goes behind it.

In an applied science course, you may learn to apply certain formulas to determine stress/load/whatever, but you don't really learn the science behind how the formulas are derived, etc.

IMO the non-applied courses are always better, they give you the knowledge to apply to a variety of situations vs just knowing how to do a few tasks, and ending up lost if the problem isn't "standard".

Applied=skill

non-applied/science=knowledge

lots of short sighted employers are just looking for a certain skill though...

 

[Jae]

But in the two year program, there are 24 classes, only 5 of those classes are different. As mentioned before. When I got my Associates on my way to my Masters, I STILL had to take the oracle and related courses just to get my BS.

 

[AustinTX]

yeah, but the 5 classes are applied vs theory.

also, putting them into a 2 year degree, vs a 4 year where you can have the theory as well as an application is easy.

in engineering, you can change 5 or so classes and get a variety of degrees due to core classes in one area being treated as electives for the other. the first 2 years in a 4 year program are pretty much the same for all BS degrees.

also, why even bother with an associates degree if you're going on to get a BS and MS/MBA?

 

[Jae]

Well I already have my Masters. I got a Associates at a junior college. I now saw this college was offering the Applied Science degree. It made no sense to be because in the long run, you are just taking the exact same classes. In the Applied Science degree, you had five different classes, but the ones they skipped were jave and VB.net Which was confusing because you end up taking them anyhow if you want a B.S.

I guess it is for people who only wish to settle for a minor degree or such. In that case, why not just go to a technical school.