University Programs

Master of Science in Computer Science

The MSCS program provides students with a strong theoretical background and practical experience in keeping current with the high tech trends and state-of-the-art technologies in Silicon Valley. Special topics are offered to introduce the latest developments and issues in both academic research and industry application areas. State-of-the-art hardware equipment and software tools currently used by most companies in Silicon Valley are used in the class.

AIU will offer three methods of delivery of instructions:

• Hybrid Mode of Instruction: Sometimes referred to as “Blended”, the hybrid mode of delivery combines online instructions and onsite instructions for the class.
• Fully Online Mode of Instruction: Completely online environment and no in person or onsite meetings.
• Fully Onsite Mode of Instruction: Completely onsite environment and all instructions and meetings will be onsite. Onsite class meetings will not be moved into an online meeting.

 Hybrid (Blended) Mode of Instruction

The hybrid mode of delivery combines online instructions and onsite instructions for the class. Online instructions are offered via the Moodle Learning Management System (LMS), BigBlueButton conferencing application. For each class, the Academic Dean and the instructor will determine the frequency of each required onsite session, depending on the needs of the instruction. The required onsite instruction will be at least 25% of the length of the session. The Moodle LMS will record the meetings for the students to playback.

 Online Instructions

The online instructions are offered through the Moodle LMS and utilizing Moodle’s BigBlueButton as the online conferencing platform. The online instructions are events where the students and instructor uses Moodle’s BigBlueButton to communicate with voice, video, and a multi-user whiteboard. The instructions are recorded for the students to review. Online activities that can occur during the online instructions are in-class workshops or quizzes.

 Onsite Instructions

The onsite instructions are face-to-face interactions, with the instructor in the room with the students. The onsite instructions will also be delivered through the Moodle LMS, allowing the instructions to be recorded and reviewed. Midterm and Final exams will be done onsite.

All onsite class sessions are held on AIU campus located at:
2010 Fortune Dr. San Jose, CA 95131

Fully Online Mode of Instruction

The online instructions are offered through the Moodle LMS and utilizing Moodle’s BigBlueButton as the online conferencing platform. The online instructions are events where the students and instructor uses Moodle’s BigBlueButton to communicate with voice, video, and a multi-user whiteboard. The Moodle LMS will record the meeting for the students to replay and review.

Class workshop, quizzes, and exams will use the Moodle BigBlueButton online conferencing platform. The class workshops are done through open-source software applications that can be downloaded free. The Moodle LMS offers different modes of testing, i.e., multiple choice, short answers, True/False, essays, and other types of questions that can be automatically graded. The Moodle LMS allows personalized interaction between the student and teacher with screen sharing. By switching the computer screen between student/teacher mode, the instructor can see the student’s computer screen and see what problems the student is experiencing. The Moodle built-in multi-user whiteboard allows the teacher and student to collaboratively annotate the whiteboard.

Student interpersonal interactions (i.e., peer teaching) is facilitated through Moodle LMS classroom Breakout Rooms. The classroom Breakout Rooms are assigned by the instructor for group assignments and projects, and also allow the instructor to interact with the students in a smaller setting.

Plagiarism and cheating are student activities that are of concern with the Fully Online Mode of Instructions. Students will be reminded of academic integrity and the consequences for academic dishonesty when they take a Fully Online course and before exams. Each class syllabus includes an academic integrity policy statement and, in the school’s academic catalog. The consequence of cheating would be to void the homework or exam and the student will be required to see the Academic Dean. The student will be placed on academic probation and subject to dismissal, for continual violation.

 Fully Onsite Mode of Instruction

Completely onsite environment, all instructions and meetings will be onsite. The onsite instructions are offered using the Moodle LMS for recording the meeting for the students to playback. The onsite instructions are events where the students and instructor meet together at the same time to communicate. During the class meetings, there could be online activities, i.e., in-class workshops or quizzes.

All onsite class sessions are held on AIU campus located at:
2010 Fortune Dr. San Jose, CA 95131

AIU’s Learning Management System (LMS) utilizes the Moodle LMS platform, hosted by MoodleCloud. The LMS allows AIU to track student engagement, i.e. usage, attendance, and attention. The LMS securely provides students with the means to collaborate on projects, study groups, and engage with each other through chat rooms. Students also have more effective engagement with the instructor and students would more likely use AIU services, i.e. tutoring, student advising, and career counseling services. LMS provides the capability to share all course materials, consisting of lecture slides, homework assignments, quizzes, class presentations, reading and supplementary materials, and other class assignments. The LMS will maintain a record of the dates on which lessons, projects, and dissertations were received and when responses were returned to each student, approximately within 7 days.

This institution is a private post-secondary institution and has been working on getting Institutional Approval by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE). To continue to offer this degree program, this institution must meet the following requirements:

• Receive Provisional Approval to Operate for an Institution Non-Accredited by BPPE.
• Achieve accreditation candidacy and accreditation by an accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education, with the scope of the accreditation covering at least one degree program.

If AIU stops pursuing accreditation, it must:

• Stop all enrollment in its degree program.
• Provide a teach-out to finish the educational program or provide a refund.

An institution that fails to comply with accreditation requirements by the required dates shall have its approval to offer degree program automatically suspended.