The Online Master of Science in Computer Science (OMSCS) at Georgia Institute of Technology requires the completion of 10 courses for graduation. I have compiled a detailed plan regarding this coursework.
Graduation Requirements
There are several ways to meet the graduation requirements for OMSCS, but my goal is to complete 10 courses. More details are summarized in the article below. However, it is essential to not only take 10 courses but also to select courses that fulfill specific Specializations.
Advancing to an Online Graduate Program Abroad While Working
Currently, there are five Specializations available, and each one specifies approximately five courses that students should take. Therefore, about half of the courses should be taken to fulfill the Specialization requirements, while the remaining half can be chosen freely. At this point, I am particularly interested in either Computing Systems, which is related to traditional CS topics like OS, or Machine Learning, which focuses on AI and machine learning technologies.
- Computational Perception and Robotics
- Computing Systems
- Human-Computer Interaction
- Interactive Intelligence
- Machine Learning
Course Plan
Considering the Specialization requirements, I am currently interested in the courses listed in the table below. The conditions for fulfilling each Specialization are detailed according to their respective Categories. The Core category has a strong emphasis on mandatory courses, with limited options available. For courses that can be taken online, there is almost always just one choice. “Intro to Graduate Algorithms” is designated as a Core course for nearly all Specializations and is renowned for its high difficulty, which has caused many students to struggle.
Once we move to Electives, there are various course groups that reflect the characteristics of each Specialization, providing relatively high flexibility in selection. Specific classifications of courses can be found on the Specialization websites mentioned above. I selected 10 courses that fulfill the requirements for Computing Systems, focusing on the courses I am interested in, which are as follows. I also want to take courses related to Machine Learning, and with a few adjustments, it seems feasible to graduate with a specialization in Machine Learning as well. Therefore, I plan to remain flexible and adjust my course selections based on my interests and circumstances.
| Course | Category |
|---|---|
| CS 7646: Machine Learning for Trading | Elec (ML) 1/3 |
| CS 6035: Introduction to Information Security | Elec (CS) 1/3 |
| CSE 6250: Big Data for Health Informatics | Elec (ML) 2/3 |
| CS 6250: Computer Networks | Core2 (CS) 1/2 |
| CS 6300: Software Development Process | Core2 (CS) 2/2 |
| CS 6340: Software Analysis | Elec (CS) 2/3 |
| CS 6200: Introduction to Operating Systems | Elec (CS) 3/3 |
| CS 6210: Advanced Operating Systems | Core2 (CS) 3/2 |
| CS 7632: Game AI | Free |
| CS 6515: Intro to Graduate Algorithms | Core1 |
Additionally, the following site provides reviews from previous students who have taken the courses. I use these reviews to inform my course selection based on the Ratings and Workload mentioned. While courses related to Operating Systems tend to have a high Workload, they are also noted for providing significant learning opportunities, which motivates me to take on the challenge. The abundance of reviews is particularly helpful for preparing and mentally committing to the courses while managing work responsibilities. The fact that OMSCS has been running for about 10 years benefits from the large number of students who have gone through the program.
Moreover, there is a wealth of information available on Reddit, albeit unofficial, which can be quite useful during the application process and beyond. There are interesting insights such as rankings of easier courses and strategies for graduating with minimal workload by combining Specializations with lighter courses. I plan to actively utilize this information to navigate my academic journey.
Reddit:All Courses Ranked by Difficulty Using Grades and Reviews