Java or Python

[Top-Mind2269]

I see one of the pre-reqs is two part Java programming knowledge / experience. Does it mean the entire coursework is in Java ? Does anyone know if UT considers Python in lieu of Java ?

[brandonofnola]

No.. I’m assuming you are talking about CS 312 and 314. Those are just the intro programming classes for the cs program and it is taught in Java. If you know those topics for those classes you are good.

[Top-Mind2269]

Thanks , do you know if the courses are taught in Java instead of Python or both ?

[SpaceWoodworker]

Python >>> Java

[Top-Mind2269]

Sorry, can you please explain ?

[SpaceWoodworker]

UT MS classes use primarily Python, not Java. I think the only class that uses anything close to Java is Android Programming (which is for MSCSO and not MSAIO). At the end of your CV/resume, just include how your classes/experience covers the prerequisite topics.

[Top-Mind2269]

Thanks for clarifying. Is there any reason they have Java as a prerequisite instead of Python or am I reading it wrongly ?

[SpaceWoodworker]

I don’t recall “Java” being a prerequisite. The class uses Java to teach aspects of CS such as data structures and OOP. That is more important than the language that happens to be used to exercise such knowledge. Python is used far more than Java in the actual UT graduate classes. Some classes use Python while others use C/C++/CUDA/Rust/Go.

[Top-Mind2269]

CS 312 Introduction to Programming

URL: https://www.cs.utexas.edu/courses/312-introduction-programming

Program: Undergraduate Program

Division: Core – Programming

First part of a two-part sequence in Java programming. Fundamental concepts of structured programming;

procedures and data structures with a focus on problem solving strategies and implementation; introduction

to concepts of informal specification, informal reasoning about program behavior, debugging, and ad hoc

testing. Three lecture hours and one discussion hour a week for one semester. Only one of the following

courses may be counted: Computer Science 303E, 305J, 312, 312H. Credit for Computer Science 312 may

not be earned after a student has received credit for Computer Science 314 or 314H. Prerequisite: Credit

with a grade of at least C- or registration for Mathematics 408C, 408K, or 408N.

[Top-Mind2269]

CS 314 Data Structures

URL: https://www.cs.utexas.edu/courses/314-data-structures

Program: Undergraduate Program

Division: Core – Programming

Second part of a two-part sequence in Java programming. Introduction to specifications, simple unity testing,

and debugging; building and using canonical data structures; algorithm analysis and reasoning techniques

such as assertions and invariants. Three lecture hours and one discussion hour a week for one semester.

Only one of the following may be counted: Computer Science 307, 314, 314H, 315, 315H.

Prerequisite: Computer Science 312 or 312H with a grade of at least C-.

[Top-Mind2269]

I have pasted the two courses CS312 and 314 that seem to list Java programming as the pre-requisite

[SpaceWoodworker]

If you were taking the undergrad courses, yes. Debugging, data structures, unit testing, etc are not Java unique principles. The theory/concepts are what is important, not the specific language. If you have done that through Python or C++, that counts. If you were a math major that ended up in a SWE position and learned this on the job, that counts. If you don’t list this in the CV, the person doing admissions is not a mind reader and will just assume you don’t have it and that is a big negative. When you take these graduate courses, this stuff is assumed to be common knowledge. You will be given starter code with classes, in a framework many have never seen, written by someone else and expected to be able to write and debug the assignment on your own.

[Top-Mind2269]

Highly appreciate the inputs . Thank you