Trident University International : BSCS Reviews

Dustin.jones1981 (In Progress) on January 1, 2012 (email verified)

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Computer Science without a serious math requirement. I don't have a problem with online schools. I do have a problem with a so-called computer science program without basic foundational courses. Computer science programs should include calculus, discrete mathematics, data structures, and several others not included in TUI's program. If you want to go on to graduate school for computer science, this school will not prepare you. Look for a school that follows the recommendations of the ACM or is ABET accredited. I feel that there is very little actual computer science being taught at this school, and the fact is, the math courses they do require are waived if you have an AAS from the CCAF (which only requires 3 credits of math). Those classes at Trident are College Mathematics, "Advanced Mathematics", and Basic Statistics. Super easy, non rigorous math classes... With no tests...The thing you will learn here is how to write a paper and how to depend on google to be your guide. Programming classes are application based, and there is little emphasis on CS theory. Course materials are horrible overall, but some courses were better than others. You will not learn low level stuff like assembly, compilers, or even C. You will learn to be an entry level code monkey doing mostly web based apps and no CS grad program will take you without a lot of prerequisites. One thing they do well... Deadlines are flexible.

Anonymous (Graduate) on October 19, 2011 (email verified)

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Mixed feelings I am a graduate of the BSCS program and have mixed feelings about what I got from TUI (now Trident). First and foremost, I can truly say that during my 2 year with TUI I most certainly learned the subject material; however, the “school” played little part in my learning other than a broad direction and of course my degree. I have been a hobbyist Java programmer since junior high school and have gradually expanded my knowledge since. Today, I like to classify myself as a Java Rock-Star so when it came to the different CS classes at TUI, I typically had no issues completing the technical assignments. TUI provided little to no “education” as mentioned previously by some of the poster here, they just provide links to other schools & organizations. Ruby on rails for example, is “taught” by having the students simply complete the ruby on rails tutorial given on the RoR website… why on earth should I pay $1200 to learn something that is otherwise free?... For ruby on rails, I actually turned to the UC Berkeley YouTube channel, which provided a much more in depth and world-class introduction to the topic. Secondly, as some have mentioned, the writing criteria at TUI seems to be sub-standard. I am by no means a great or even good writer (one of the reasons I didn’t go to college out of high school). Yet I typically got A’s on essays and research papers that were probably within the realm of a C or maybe a low B (I’ve never been to a brick-and –mortar school so I have no comparison). The one thing that I believe is incorrect in these postings is saying that TUI is “easy” (specifically the BSCS program). The courses were certainly easy for me but that’s due in large part to my past experience with programming (you know one O.O. language you know them all). For a beginner, I feel that these courses may in fact be too difficult, due to the lack of professor-student interaction. On that note, the “threaded discussions” were a joke. I would do a bit of internet research on a given topic (including Wikipedia) and then formulate my own thought and post it as a response. Most of the other student responses however, were literally copied and pasted from the sources I had just read, verbatim! Again, I cannot speak from experience but it seems that any worthwhile CS instructor would catch things like that… Overall, I am happy to finally get my B.S. but as far as career possibilities go, I think the B.S. from TUI alone won’t get me very far. I was lucky enough to get into my current career based on experience alone. I fully plan on applying for a Master’s program this year but it certainly won’t be from an online school. The lucky thing is that TUI is technically still WASC accredited until March, which means that Stanford (The grad school I’m applying to) will accept then as my undergrad. If I am accepted, it will by no means be a result of my “education” from TUI but from my skills in computer science and my experience in the industry.

Nicholas.taormina (Graduate) on May 11, 2011 (email verified)

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Loved It! Loved this school. You have to be prepared to read and write. If you are lazy, lackluster, or can't stick to a deadline, then this is certainly not the school for you. If you are on time, a self starter, and are o.k with working autonomously then Trident may very well be the school you are searching for.

Anonymous (In Progress) on May 4, 2011 (email verified)

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Horrible instructor feedback The feedback on assignments suck. The objectives of their modules have nothing to do with the assignments given. The online materials are nothing more than links to other college sites or public access sites. No original materials are from this "school" at all. If you want a degree without learning anything....TUI is your school!

BenMerker (Graduate) on March 26, 2011 (email verified)

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Great school with awesome future I just completed my BSCS degree as of the winter of 2011 semester. I have learned so much about programming as well as theory and the newest stuff out there. There is a lot of emphasis on research to keep up and stay current with the latest technology. The last few classes were really big on web services using SOA and ESB, setting up servers and a final project from start to finish, doing actual cost estimations and such. The staff was extrememly patient with me answering all of my questions and sent help and examples to all of my questions. I admit that I had to spend many hours on some classes, but now that I am done, I feel it was worth every minute. TUI is a great school and I recommend it to everyone.

Ya_daddy (In Progress) on March 25, 2011 (email verified)

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Too much writing Great school with the exception of writing papers for every assignment. There's more to offer in education besides reviewing websites and writing about a subject. There are a couple of simulations but there needs to be more. The school is great if you don't want quizzes or mid-terms. It's a self-paced school that works great for a hectic schedule. The one thing you will learn... How to type a paper, APA style and the use of great references.

Anonymous (In Progress) on February 24, 2011 (email verified)

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Instructors Don't Follow Their Own Instructions Enrolled in TUI at a recommendation from my educational counselor. The content is fairly standard compared to other institutions except the sheer number of papers you have to write - definitely not unexpected from an online college with a good reputation. The only problem I have is with the clarity of student expectations. On a couple of assignments I was graded poorly twice while strictly following directions. Apparently the instructor expected information that wasn't provided in the assignment's description or expectations. This may be small to some, but as my first class taken returning to close my BSCS degree, I'm really put off about continuing my courses at TUI.

Anonymous (In Progress) on September 6, 2009 (email verified)

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TUI is a good school on the upswing! I recommend TUI to anyone looking for an online education. TUI is not perfect, but in all fairness, I think benefits outweigh the downfalls. After reading all of the attached views, I have found truth in many of the claims (both positive and negative). TUI is currently the only online university that is accredited by the Western Association of Schools & Colleges. (Same accreditation as UCLA or Berkeley, for that matter) TUI has a great price point in comparison to many other universities. The due dates are somewhat flexible and the professors are always eager to help. With that said, the material is not always up to date, but it is improving. I took a Java class over a year ago and failed because of similar reasons that someone else mentioned. The course was not setting anyone up for success, it was confusing, difficult to comprehend, and had a horrible work flow. Not to mention the share of dead links is highly frustrating. With that said, a year later I have since re-taken some courses and TUI has made a very strong effort for improving their curriculum. The courses seem to all be in the process of rewrites and this time around they make sense. TUI has set up online material so that problems like dead links can be quickly corrected, and furthermore the assignments (for the most part) deal with relative studies. I think choosing TUI is great choice, but in doing so you must be ready for a different approach to learning, and understand the difficulties that come with an online education. Graduating from TUI takes strong willpower and solid writing skills.

Anonymous (In Progress) on March 9, 2009 (email verified)

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Uses ONLY out of date Links I am sorry, but I have NOTHING good to say about this university. After completion of my second semester will try my luck with "CAPELLA". This university uses ONLY out dated links for their teaching material and some of them were dead links. Two times I had to notify the prof./institution that the links were dead. The CSC 113 course is a joke and can ONLY be taken if one has prior programming experience!! Please do not believe them if they tell you otherwise! Even though I have a 4.0 GPA I do not understand the material that I have read, nor do I have the time to understand it, because I pace at which we are suppose to hand in our Modules (every 2 weeks) is to short for the material given to us. The professors are a joke also. Three times now I have ask for specific help. I even took time to color code my code that I wanted the professor to correct and he just gave me a general answer back without addressing my question, which was a waste of my time. It does not help if the professors answer your questions fast, if they do not look at the contents. I wrote what in my mind should have been a 3.0, because I did not have the time to correctly hand in my assignment, but they gave me a 4.0 and I did not understand the half of what I did. I wonder if somebody that works with TUI wrote the good comments about their school in the hopes to sucker some students in. The bottom line is that your education is an investment for life and it should be taking seriously by an institution that at least provides you with some of their own material from their own professors and just some links that they found that come close to the subject they want to teach. I found more useful information over the subjects they wanted to teach me in youtube! I expected more from a Regional accredited university and you should to!

Jeff (In Progress) on January 25, 2009 (email verified)

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Awsome Online College First off let me just say that if it wasn't for online colleges like TUI I would not have started back in school, because of my busy schedule. With the great method of learning that TUI brings to online colleges you can bet you will finish soon and the things you've learn will defiantly be with you. The faculty is great and very knowledgeable when it comes to their teachings. Another great thing about TUI is that I can do my school work whenever and wherever I am. If I need an extension due to my deployments they will work with me. Thanks TUI for this great opportunity.

Anonymous (Graduate) on September 28, 2008 (email verified)

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Novel Approach More application based than theory but a very valuable overview of various areas of programming, databases, computer security, etc. I personally retain far more through the case study / research paper approach than I ever did through the bubble test format. Instructors are fairly accessible for the most part and deadline flexibility make this an ideal program for those who travel extensively for business.

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