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People mulling a return to the classroom to study computer science and jump on the technology bandwagon now have an alternative to reach their goal - and an infinitely less expensive route, as well.
Starting this fall, the ArsDigita Corp. of Cambridge will offer an intensive course load in computer science, free of charge.
"Computer science is a field we've noticed a lot of people getting into when they're a little older," said Phillip Greenspun, chairman of ArsDigita. and the driving force behind the project. "A lot of people who majored in something like French when they were in college are now looking toward computers. They figure if they have computer skills they can join a startup, or create a computer project and advance their careers in a different direction."
Greenspun said be receives a lot of e-mails through his personal website, soliciting his advice on computer science programs offered at various colleges and universities around the country; that led him to believe the best way to help people was to offer an original program. His site, http://photo.net/philg/, is also linked the arsdigita.org site.
So starting in the fall semester, ArsDigita will afford about 45 people the opportunity to pursue the equivalent of a bachelor's degree in computer science. Classes will be offered at ArsDigita space in Cambridge, and much of the material will also be available on the Internet.
ArsDigita is an application service provider that generates revenue by building and either partially or wholly maintaining customized websites. It also produces an open-source software package for building on-line communities and e-commerce sites.
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