Distance Learning Aspect (Score 1)

The proposed open Distance Learning, at first glance, would seem to fit my needs perfectly and I am sure many others sind themselves in a similar situation. I foolishly chose a Batchelor's degree in a field that I later discovered to be less than suitable. I discovered quite late in my EE degree that my interest lay more in pure Computer Science rather that Elecronic Engineering. However the system in Ireland is such that, although tuition is free, students are required to pay fees if they dropout and re-enroll in a second course. Therefore it was more pragmatic to finish my degree. The goverenment here, wisely, provides all citizens with one undergraduate course free of tuition. (I really cannot fathom why this is not the case in the U.S. where engineering graduates are in such demand. For justification of free high quality education look no further than the Irish economies recent performance! )

Now I would like to pursue a Masters Degree in a Computer Science related field but find myself lacking the theory required for a reasonable comfort level. The fact that the Course is unaccredited makes absolutely no difference to me as I will have my B.Eng and M.Sc by the time my education is completed. A high quality online CS course is exactly what I need to prepare and I will certainly be taking a year to study this course after my graduation if it lives upto it's bold claims of MIT level education.

However, I would like to ask for some elaboration as to what exactly will be available to us. Will distance learners be examined and submit assignments for correction or are you merely proposing that all course material be available to study independantly? Presuming you would even consider International students I really do not want to waste time an energy sitting a rather silly SAT test and I doubt I could afford the expense of living in Mass. for 11 months nor would I probably even get a VISA to do so.

I am suprised that so little attention has been afforded this point by previous posters and I think people should give more consideration the worth of off-campus education. After all you could always study part-time and slowly digest the course over a couple of years while working if finance is the issue. Or you could consider re-location for the duration of you're study to a nice cheap country with a decent telecomms infrastructure ;)