By Kimberly Chin

The department of computer science launched the University’s first full online degree program for graduate students wishing to complete a Master’s of Science in computer science. After careful deliberation between the administration, faculty and students in the department for more than a year, the online program will begin in January 2008.

Graduate students have the opportunity to enroll in a 30-credit program that can be completed in 18 months. Part-time students are encouraged to take one course every seven weeks.

The department agreed this program will only be for graduates, and not an undergraduate program. “I believe it’s important for undergraduates, when they go to college, to have the experience and social environment,” said Gerda Kamberova, the chair of the computer science department. “It’s not just about taking courses.”

The MS-CS program is designed to target professionals who are already in the work force. Online courses give workers the opportunity to complete or finish their degree without much interruption from their daily lives.

“It allows a non-traditional student to take a course when they don’t have time and aren’t in the geographical area.” said Melissa Connolly, vice president of University Relations.

“For them, this program would give them an opportunity easily with less interruption in their real life,” said Kamberova. “Since they are computer professionals, they don’t have fears in communicating online and collaborating work-wise.”

“You need a much more mature and focused students who have the ability to do class work without supervision and can visit the online course site regularly,” said Kamberova. “They have to know what they’re signing up for.

“The course of study is tailored to help students narrow down their area of specialization and develop expertise in that area,” said Kamberova in a statement. Among the courses offered are database design, software project management, and algorithm design and analysis.

The program will have the same requirements as the on-campus program, but with fewer courses offered. The online courses were selected through discussions from the faculty and staff of the department. “These were courses that were recently developed and have gotten good feedback,” Kamberova said.

The department also allows students to work on a Capstone project, which is an independent project that would allow students to exhibit their expertise. Students are given the option to do a project or a thesis.

“We needed to think of really inventive ways to gauge how a student works over time and not just true and false or multiple choice,” said Ron Chalmers, the program coordinator. “Whether it’s portfolio work or assignments that allow faculty to see the student’s ability to think critically and how they can apply the material.”

The structure for the courses will mimic Blackboard, the program that enables students and teachers to interact online. There will be Powerpoint presentations, video recording and live chatting, in addition to the numerous features offered on Blackboard. “A fully online class would use more of the features on Blackboard because that’s the way you reach the students,” Chalmers said.

The professors who will monitor the courses will also hold office hours, much like on-campus professors would. This will enable students to connect to their professors if they need help or are having trouble.

“We wanted to give students the experience of Hofstra. What’s specific about Hofstra is its personal attention and so we want to preserve that model,” Kamberova said.

“I’ve found that very good, excellent institutions of higher education are branching out and going online,” Connolly said.

The University is planning on instituting online courses for undergraduate students in the near future. “We’re looking at creating some undergraduate courses to take during intersession,” Connolly said. “We are looking at ways to make it easier for students who live further way.”

“There are several potential candidates,” Chalmers said, regarding the possibility of adding more online degree programs to the University. “But as it stands, we have only announced this one.”