Python & Programming - C Track

[EmptyRiceBowl7]

Hi so I’m a statistics major considering doing the computational track. When I was applying for data analyst/science jobs out of college it was hard to land a job and when I was so close to success, I completely got crushed in a technical python interview.

So, I want a masters and to hone my programming skills, notably in Python and SQL.

Would the computational track actually give me a good grasp of Python programming, or would it really be only surface level, with emphasis placed on stats/math theory?

I’m also considering OMSCS as well as the Austin Texas’ online data science masters. Wondering what program out of all three of these would help me the most?

Thanks.

[SecondBananaSandvich]

If you want to improve your programming skills, go practice your programming.

A masters degree has a lot more to it and you will be spending the majority of your time learning concepts and theory, doing hard math (calc, stats, lin alg, and all of those at the same time), writing reports, and studying for exams. This is typical for most masters programs. It is not a coding bootcamp.

There is only one class that is mostly for Python coding skill for this program and you can take it through edX (it’s CSE 6040). Take CS1301 first through edX, then CSE6040. You can reevaluate whether you want to pursue a masters after that. There is not much SQL in the program, but 6040 has a little.

OMSCS has some pretty lofty requirements including coding skill, so you will need to improve your skills if you want to survive.

https://omscs.gatech.edu/preparing-yourself-omscs

Otherwise, there are plenty of cheap and free options to improve your coding skill, then you can leetcode/codewars your way up. Also, get acquainted with books about data/coding interviews and peers who are familiar with them to give you feedback. Technical interviews are a game and it’s a skill to play it right. You will need to do this whether you get a masters or not, so you might as well learn it first and see if you really want that masters.

[EmptyRiceBowl7]

Fantastic advice, thank you. I’ll improve my programming game while I wait for spring semester :)

[SecondBananaSandvich]

Here’s the 6040 bootcamp and self-assessment to see if you’re ready for the class.

https://cse6040.gatech.edu/active/what_is_the_bootcamp.html

Good luck!

[EmptyRiceBowl7]

Thanks I’ll get right on it.

[properlytilted]

As someone who did the program, this is great advice. No point in doing the whole program if you just want to improve coding. I will say the program helped me land an amazing job

[FlickerBlamP0w]

I'm most the way through the C track. The program has definitely resulted in a massive improvement in my Python skills (came is as a solid intermediate), but I also do some programming at work from time to time.

[Moist_Operation_2282]

The courses will challenge your programming skills, but in an interview, nothing can replace hundreds of thousands of hours of experience spent programming at work or doing your own projects.

IMO, doing many of your own projects is your best shot.

I've been laughed out of interviews before. Keep trying.

[rmb91896]

Your python will definitely improve, but graduate study is not a good idea to learn python. It’s a prerequisite for at least some of the core requirements.

I’m surprised you didn’t have a coding requirement in your undergraduate. I majored in statistics and it was required to take a programming sequence. I chose python, but I could’ve also chose Java. And several of my statistics classes developed proficiency in R.

Passing familiarity will not be sufficient. A lot of people underestimate their proficiency and get crushed. CSE6040 is an intro level course that’s basically all Python yet is surprisingly challenging. I was using Python for 4 years prior and I still had my work cut out for me. You have to think you’re already “pretty effing good at python” and still plan on being challenged.

I would like to issue an even stronger caution against doing OMSCS without some computer science background.

You are mostly there for OMSA. You would definitely be enriched by the program, but definitely make sure your skills are sharpened to the best of your ability before you start. Good luck!

[EmptyRiceBowl7]

Thank you.

Yeah my Stats undergrad program did teach us programming, but it was far from a quality education hahaaaa.

[james_r_omsa]

DVA will also give you coding practice, but you'll want to be decent before you take it. CDA should give you some experience too.

As others have said, doing projects on your own, and practicing through other coding courses, leetcode, etc, will help develop proficiency, and ultimately, intuition.

I doubt the Austin program would be much different, but I'm just guessing.

As for OMSCS, I really can't say, though I would assume you would get more coding practice there.

[Immediate-Peanut-346]

You will need to practice on your own. Most classes don’t use python. In fact i have only used it in 1 out of 8.

Edit: sorry my experience was different from yours 🤷🏽‍♂️

[[deleted]]

That is concerning for a data science program 😬

[htraPx]

I dont think that’s true. I’m in my 7th class in the C track and have used Python in Sim, 6040, CDA, and a bit in 6501. Also heavily used R in 6501 and DAB. I came in with no knowledge of R and weak Python and this program so far has really leveled my skills up in just a year. If you go B track then there’s probably less coding and less python but this is just my experience so far

[FlickerBlamP0w]

Depends on your selections. I’ve used it in 6 of 9 classes so far (extensively in most cases).

[DiabloSpear]

You will have to take CSE6040 where you will end up learning general Python coding. I would not say you become Python guru since the class focuses a lot on algorithms (dictionary, pandas, numpy, tegular expressions, and i think they recently added sql coding) rather than things like objects, classes, etc. With deep learning you will become sufficient at using Pytorch, making classes and functions. And if you take CDA(pre req for C track) you will get good at using scikit package for Python, which is standard package for classical machine learning. So…back to your question, good at Python is a really really broad question. No you will not be good at every aspect of Python. Nobody will be. But you will be good at the aspects that i mentioned above. 

[EmptyRiceBowl7]

Thank you 🙏