Seeking advice on Natural Science Plan

[DezCez]

Thanks, everyone for your fantastic input! - Really!!! I took a quick run at a plan here https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1...sp=sharing  Feedback welcome.  Didn't know that the TESU classes need to be taken in the same term so I'm not sure about the residency waiver.  And I didn't see a cornerstone class is that still a requirement? https://www.tesu.edu/heavin/ba/liberal-studies

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Assuming you can transfer in Discrete Math and Computer Architecture from SDC, the easiest way to do this for a Comp Sci degree would be:

Capstone
Cornerstone
PLA-100
Software Engineering
CIS-107 ePack
ART-100 or some random ePack

The ePacks are single exams, like TECEPs, but they cost the same as full courses and count towards residency. PLA-100 takes about a day to finish. The cornerstone can be mostly finished in a couple of days. Software Engineering takes 20-30 hours of work. This leaves the discussion posts for the cornerstone + the capstone to complete. Plus ART-100,  if you chose that instead of another ePack. The first week or two might be a bit rough, but the rest should be relatively smooth sailing. Even if you have to pay for an extension for the Capstone, that's still cheaper than paying the waiver.

[rachel83az]

I need to double-check which thread I'm posting in, lol!

Okay, for a BALS, the 16 credits would be a little different.

Capstone
Cornerstone (SOS-110)
PLA-100
CIS-107 (this is super easy, no study is required for most people)
2 ePacks OR ART-100/COM-339 and/or ePacks

See https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/Th...timization for a list of "can't fail" courses. I think PHI-130 was also mentioned as a possible course.

Now, you don't HAVE to take all 16 credits in a single term. But this is the only way to take advantage of flat-rate pricing AND not have to pay the residency waiver.

[bjcheung77]

Yes, the cornerstone is the SOS-110 Critical Information Literacy course. You can't transfer that and the Capstone into the degree program. Do you have many commitments? What is the time frame you would like to complete this by? How about a budget, a specific amount you would like to complete this degree... we can try to provide options that can lower the cost, in many cases, we'll try to save you energy, time as well... If you're going for the BALS with an NSM concentration (more on the Biology/Natural Science side of things), you're looking at taking courses elsewhere at the lower level and upper level.

[DezCez]

Yes, the cornerstone is the SOS-110 Critical Information Literacy course.  You can't transfer that and the Capstone into the degree program.  Do you have many commitments? What is the time frame you would like to complete this by? How about a budget, a specific amount you would like to complete this degree... we can try to provide options that can lower the cost, in many cases, we'll try to save you energy, time as well...  If you're going for the BALS with an NSM concentration (more on the Biology/Natural Science side of things), you're looking at taking courses elsewhere at the lower level and upper level.

Ah okay thanks, roger I have to take the cornerstone class.  I don't have any looming commitments but would like to advance in my job asap and for that, I need a bachelor's.  I'd love to finish in a year if possible.  I checked with the powers that be at work and I just need the degree, I can get certifications later to meet specific needs.  Lowering time, energy and costs would be amazing!

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degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/Thomas_Edison_State_University#TESU_Credit_Optimization for a list of "can't fail" courses. I think PHI-130 was also mentioned as a possible course.

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Yes, the cornerstone is the SOS-110 Critical Information Literacy course.  You can't transfer that and the Capstone into the degree program.  Do you have many commitments? What is the time frame you would like to complete this by? How about a budget, a specific amount you would like to complete this degree... we can try to provide options that can lower the cost, in many cases, we'll try to save you energy, time as well...  If you're going for the BALS with an NSM concentration (more on the Biology/Natural Science side of things), you're looking at taking courses elsewhere at the lower level and upper level.

Ah okay thanks, roger I have to take the cornerstone class.  I don't have any looming commitments but would like to advance in my job asap and for that, I need a bachelor's.  I'd love to finish in a year if possible.  I checked with the powers that be at work and I just need the degree, I can get certifications later to meet specific needs.  Lowering time, energy and costs would be amazing!

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degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/Thomas_Edison_State_University#TESU_Credit_Optimization for a list of "can't fail" courses. I think PHI-130 was also mentioned as a possible course.

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OH sweeeeeet - a can't fail list!  Thank you.

[bjcheung77]

Do you have tuition assistance or reimbursement from work? If you have tuition assistance or reimbursement, you can take two terms for the 16 credits. I noticed you already have the BOG AAS Associates from Pierpont but it's in "general studies" vs a specific emphasis... Earlier, I mentioned you can get an ASNSM Biology as you're just missing a few Bio courses, you can then ladder that up to the BALS NSM.

[DezCez]

Do you have tuition assistance or reimbursement from work?  If you have tuition assistance or reimbursement, you can take two terms for the 16 credits.   I noticed you already have the BOG AAS Associates from Pierpont but it's in "general studies" vs a specific emphasis... Earlier, I mentioned you can get an ASNSM Biology as you're just missing a few Bio courses, you can then ladder that up to the BALS NSM.

Thanks @bjcheung77!  The AA from Pierpont got me my job - so grateful!  To move up I need a bachelor's so focusing on that that.  

After everyone's input (much appreciated!) I have updated my plan https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1...sp=sharing

Things could change after my evaluation...I *think* I've covered the important pieces - 16 TESU credits, 18 total UL credits (9 in my concentration and 9 elsewhere). 

 I have 21 "Electives" to fulfill.  I found this list of free/almost free sources of credit https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/Fr..._of_Credit of freebies

I'm exploring tuition assistance.

[dfrecore]

I'm not certain where you got this plan, it's kind of hard to read. But here are the issues I can see:

TESU won't take Human Comm as Oral Comm requirement.
World Geography does not cover Civic Comm, you need Am Govt or Comparative Politics
NAU COM 150 is listed twice in the AoS
Cybersecurity IT is not a Liberal Arts AoS course, move to Free Electives
Sophia's Developing Effective Teams is only 1cr and a Free elective - remove from AoS
Medical Terminology is a Free Elective
Insurance Ethics is not available to transfer to TESU unless you already have it there
Developing Effective Teams is listed as a Free Elective 2nd time
Sophia's The Essentials of Managing Conflict is only 1cr and can be moved to AoS

[DezCez]

@dfrecor!  I'm a fan. Thank you!! A lot to learn...my comments/questions below inline.

I'm not certain where you got this plan, it's kind of hard to read.   But here are the issues I can see:

TESU won't take Human Comm as Oral Comm requirement. Sigh, ok
World Geography does not cover Civic Comm, you need Am Govt or Comparative Politics I thought I could take any 9 credits from the Civ and Global Leadership list? https://www.screencast.com/t/rEqttEQj
NAU COM 150 is listed twice in the AoS Thanks, fixed
Cybersecurity IT is not a Liberal Arts AoS course, move to Free Electives Done (Curious - this is why I thought I could include it there https://www.screencast.com/t/hoYKOFP2D)
Sophia's Developing Effective Teams is only 1cr and a Free elective - remove from AoS Done
Medical Terminology is a Free Elective That was one of two options so I removed it
Insurance Ethics is not available to transfer to TESU unless you already have it there ok
Developing Effective Teams is listed as a Free Elective 2nd time remove 2nd entry
Sophia's The Essentials of Managing Conflict is only 1cr and can be moved to AoS thanks, moved!

[rachel83az]

For part B (civic & global leadership), the first course can be "anything". The second needs to be ethics. The third needs to be "government/politics". See https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/Sa...Leadership It's not made super clear if you're just looking at the catalog, but it's abundantly clear once you have a degree plan in OSS.

Cybersecurity is not computer science. At least, not per TESU's thoughts. Comp Sci students cannot use TEEX's credits for anything but free electives. Nor can CIS. You need to be taking their Cybersecurity degree.

[DezCez]

For part B (civic & global leadership), the first course can be "anything". The second needs to be ethics. The third needs to be "government/politics". See https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/Sa...Leadership It's not made super clear if you're just looking at the catalog, but it's abundantly clear once you have a degree plan in OSS.

Cybersecurity is not computer science. At least, not per TESU's thoughts. Comp Sci students cannot use TEEX's credits for anything but free electives. Nor can CIS. You need to be taking their Cybersecurity degree.

@rachel83az Thanks for explaining! I *think* I made all the recommended tweaks.