ViSCoS

• Basic info

• Studies

  • Study process
  • ViSCoS Basic studies
  • ViSCoS Intermediate studies
  • Guides

• Study year 2010-2011

  • Enrollment and fees
  • Time table 2010-2011

• Research

  • ViSCoS Research

• Contact

  • ViSCoS team
  • Open University

Basic info

ViSCoS project started in year 2000 by University of Joensuu, which has then become part of University of Eastern Finland. Originally, the aim of the project was to offer university level computer science studies to high school students in the surrounding province of Joensuu, namely North Karelia. Within recent years the project has expanded considerably. In Fall 2004, ViSCoS  studies have been run in collaboration with the Continuing Education Centre (Open University) at the University of Joensuu. Starting from year 2006 the studies become available also in English. In year 2008, the VisCoS studies were expended to include the intermediate studies in Computer Science. 

Nowadays, ViSCoS studies consist of ViSCoS Basic studies (25 ECTS) and ViSCoS Intermediate studies (52 ECTS).

One of the main objectives of ViSCoS is to learn programming, software development and IT-professional skills. Students will also learn the principles of Computer Science as well as improve their level of written English. ViSCoS courses are studied online, which means that the studying is based on independent studying over the internet. Students need to take responsibility of their studies by themselves, with the help of teachers. Thus, studying in ViSCoS is flexible, but challenging. Completing the ViSCoS basic studies is possible within one year, while the immediate studies can be studied in two years.

In most of the ViSCoS courses students use Moodle web-based learning management system to access the course content and connect to the instructors and peers. Instructors of the courses are competent IT professionals who work as teachers and researchers at the university. Students are also able to contact the instructors via discussion forums, e-mail, telephone or instant messengers. Course instructors give feedback to the course exercises during the courses, thus providing valuable support to the students.