[PLUG] Computer Science ap PSU a nightmare

[Sara H]

On Dec 19, 2007 7:49 PM, John Jason Jordan <johnxj at comcast.net> wrote:

> On Wed, 19 Dec 2007 18:39:36 -0800
> someone <plug_1 at robinson-west.com> dijo:
>
> > Anyone else find PSU's computer science program next to impossible to
> get
> > through?  If the physics and Calculus don't stop ya, it seems that Karla
> > Fant will.  Programming Systems is called an intro course, but there's
> > nothing intro about it.
> >
> > I've run into difficulties with the academic policy.  Specifically,
> > the academic warning policy.  PSU is in the dark ages when it comes
> > to students dropping courses on time.  You go on warning if you
> > cut your credit load in half.  PCC, last I checked, doesn't worry
> > about credit load.  I dropped programming systems this fall, one
> > of 2 courses I was signed up for.  I dropped it before it even
> > started because the online format wasn't going to make the vague
> > assignments any easier.  Write a pseudo real estate program is
> > pretty out there for instructions.  Asking students to do this
> > on their own in 2 weeks time seems downright absurd to me.
> >
> > The advice from the IT world, I have a friend there, is to get a
> > different degree and forget about computer science because I won't
> > learn what I need to know anyways.  With 28 PSU credits so far and
> > a few withdrawals, I'm worried about how long it will take to get
> > off of warning regardless of how I do in future coursework.  My
> > overall gpa is above a 2.0, but I guess that's being ignored.  I
> > can't help but wonder if missing grade had anything to do with that.
>
> I know nothing of the computer science program, but I have some of the
> same issues in linguistics. At least I have managed a perfect 4.0 so
> far, but only because I completely discarded the idea of getting a
> degree from PSU. I am just taking what I want, so I'm free to take what
> interests me and throw out the rest. Mind you, I have 2/3 of the
> credits necessary for a masters degree from most any other institution,
> but the degree requirements in linguistics at PSU make no sense for my
> interests. It's all geared to people wanting to go abroad and teach
> English to foreigners, which I have no interest in.
>
> I have discussed this at some length with various professors and even
> the department chair. Part of the problem is that PSU is under the
> thumbs of the Oregon University System. So are the other universities
> in the system -- OSU, UO, SO, etc. But the other universities were
> there first, and they have greater clout at the state level, in spite
> of the fact that PSU is bigger than any of them (which they resent). In
> my case, UO offers the degrees that I want, so the Oregon University
> System won't allow PSU to offer the same degree. It would be just
> terrible if there was duplication, don't you see?
>
> Humans are by nature competitive. In the world of business competition
> is all about making more profit. Universities aren't supposed to be
> about profit, so the competition is toward prestige in other areas.
> Just as in business, your prestige increases over the competition by
> doing a better job, but it also increases over your competition by
> killing them off. Thus the other universities in the system constantly
> try to keep PSU from gaining more programs or expanding the ones they
> have.
>
> There are other issues as well. Universities must maintain
> certification from <I forgot the name of the independent organization>.
> The certification requirements are arcane, ridiculous and obsolete, but
> PSU must still follow them. (E.g., you cannot maintain certification
> unless you have a library with a minimum of 100,000 physical volumes.)
> Without accreditation no other university would accept PSU credits for
> transfers, and wouldn't even recognize degrees. In the case of the
> Department of Applied Linguistics accreditation reqjuirements mean we
> cannot offer a doctoral program until we have at least six full
> professors. We have five, and OUS won't grant us permission to hire
> another one. I state that not because it has anything to do with
> computer science, but just to point out that there are literally
> volumes of accreditation requirements that PSU has no control over.
>
> I agree with your friend's suggestion that you consider just discarding
> the degree and doing what you want. In the world of computer science
> this might not limit employment opportunities as much as it would in
> other fields. I'd also strongly consider your friend's suggestion to
> get a different degree. I'd also suggest that you camp out in your
> advisor's office until you get this stuff under control. Your advisor's
> job is to keep this stuff from happening to you. Otherwise, all I can
> do is commiserate.
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I went with OIT over PSU and have to say, it's not much better. The programs
are all so out of date and disconnected from the actual world that in the
end I feel it's just going to be a piece of paper that says you were willing
to go through it. The key, in my mind, is to pursue interests outside of
school to supplement your education. Unfortunately any training you receive
in the educational system is just not going to be enough, IMHO.