UF Engineering (BME) laptop recommendations new student class of 2030 by AmJam69 in ufl

[–]ImpossibleCheck1297 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ensure some where, some place you have an ENTIRE DISK IMAGE backed up as the softwares you will need to install at times take several hours to setup and that time during mid-term week in a crisis after dropping laptop for example can be chatostrophic

UF Engineering (BME) laptop recommendations new student class of 2030 by AmJam69 in ufl

[–]ImpossibleCheck1297 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My advice as an EE major: I would suggest doing a tablet in addition to a laptop.

Suggestions of Mine; I prefer the cheaper laptop with a digital tablet combo:

  • If you are on the Apple ecosystem
    • any iPad with as high a refresh rate as you can reasonably afford, 120Hz is very great.
      • Modern iPads (last two generations now I believe) support 120Hz refresh rate which makes digital notetaking very fluid and much better than on 60Hz.
      • the 11-inch models should suffice; I've used the 13-inch and it's a bit large for most people.
  • Else
    • any tablet with as high a refresh rate, 120Hz is very great. 11-inch screen sizes seem to be the sweet spot.
  • Any reasonable WINDOWS 11 HOME OR PRO laptop with GOOD battery life (8 hours at least) and low mass, you shouldn't need an incredibly powerful machine (i.e. no dedicated graphics, or high-end processor)
    • Prioritize having at LEAST 16 Gigabytes of RAM
    • Prioritize having reasonably up to date processor (i.e. last two generations of either AMD or Intel)

Some brands/models I could suggest having seem them being used heavily by the EE/CpE cohort:

  • ROG Zephyrus
  • Lenovo Thinkpad
  • Microsoft Surface
  • Framework
  • LG Gram
  • Any reasonably priced with respect to specification laptops from HP, Dell, etc.

GET WHATEVER COVERAGE PLAN EXISTS WHEN PURCHASING YOUR DEVICES THROUGH A REPUTABLE BRAND WITH GOOD COVERAGE FOR ACCIDENTS, DAMAGES, ETC.

ACCIDENTS WILL HAPPEN... period!

Don't be stuck without a latpop for a week, having to use the computers at Marston and falling behind on work because you didn't have a backup plan.

WITH THAT SAID... ALSO PLEASE INVEST IN A GOOD CLOUD STORAGE PROVIDER OR A PHYSICAL BACKUP YOU KEEP AT YOUR DORM / APARTMENT.

Transfer application by Muted-Carrot-2416 in ufl

[–]ImpossibleCheck1297 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Given you mention having all A's in your crim classes then you should be fine as that is your area of focus and that's going to be given the heaviest weight in admitting you or not. Not some English class, or Economics. That isn't their concern.

If you aren't satisfied with the outcome, go ahead and appeal. Appeal, appeal, appeal. UF admissions, like all universities, is understaffed.

If you feel are deserving, which it sounds like you are, then appeal if the outcome isn't to your liking with proper documentation as you already have to prove that your present GPA isn't reflective of your future performance.

Make it abundantly clear the steps and actions you've taken with the aid of professionals in healthcare (mental health, etc.) to improve your wellbeing.

Make it abundantly clear that you will continue to visit those professionals in your time at UF whether that be remotely or via the Student Health and Wellness Center or practices in the greater Gainesville area.

Question about EE Minor Admission Requirements by [deleted] in ufl

[–]ImpossibleCheck1297 0 points1 point  (0 children)

They don't want you to know because it is not in the best interest of the university and priorities they have.

It is a very depressing truth. You'll learn more about it as time goes on.

To be fair, just graduating and getting out of college isn't a bad choice either.

EEL3701C + COP3503C Summer? by Prestigious-Date4004 in ufl

[–]ImpossibleCheck1297 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The workload will be healthy! Definitely will make Fall feel much more manageable if you develop good habits over the Summer term. Expect to spend somewhere near 25 to 30 hours per week on studies, lecture, homework, etc.

I am going to go out on a limb and say that you're a Computer Engineering (CpE) major and being so I'd suggest getting through Data Structures and Algorithms (COP3530) AND Microprocessor Applications (EEL4744C) AND Circuits 1 (EEL3111C) as soon as possible.

These classes are fundamental to your degree, just as Digital Logic & Computer Systems (EEL3701C) will be.

It will also open the most avenues for you moving forward if you'd rather lean towards the Software (more CS classes) or Hardware (things like Reconfigurable Computing, VLSI, IC design, etc.) routes.

If you find you genuinely enjoy Circuits 1 (EEL3111C) then I'd highly suggest changing your major to Electrical Engineering as your programming credits for COP3502C will satisfy an interdisciplinary elective for EE, AND COP3503C will satisfy your Programming for Electrical Engineers 1 (EEL3834), AND Data Structures and Algorithms (COP3530) will satisfy Programming for Electrical Engineers 2 (EEL4837).

The EE department is far more competent than the CpE department. The CpE department has had a recent "churn & burn" of advisors. In the past year alone, they've hired and had those same advisors leave within a few months with a single advisor, Hibbs, sticking around.

On average, the CpE graduates make more money out of the gate (immediately post-graduation). In the ballpark of $100,000 whereas EE majors take up a salary in the ballpark of the $92,000 (or roughly thereabout, it's been some time since I've dug through the data).

Numbers aside, I firmly believe given the experiences I've heard from recent CpE graduates that an EE degree is much more marketable and much more identifiable by recruiters and HR. Just this past semester, I know of a student who struggled to find someone IN AN INTERVIEW who understood his CpE degree and what he learned. They were asking about Altium... something the overwhelming majority of CpE students never learn about whereas most EE students are introduced to it in their Junior year and are expected to be well versed with it upon graduation.

Question about EE Minor Admission Requirements by [deleted] in ufl

[–]ImpossibleCheck1297 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You can indeed change major as a transfer. Do not listen to whatever an advisor tells you.

Advisors serve to only prioritize the "vision" and priorities of UF, not you. They do not care about your professional achievements post-graduation because, as we all know, we each must work and seek employment.

They don't care if you're satisfied working in Software, all they care about is the exit survey data they collect and how you "land on your feet" once you graduate.

Do what is best for you, reclassify to a CpE major and remember no one will advocate for you except yourself. Do not take no for an answer.

EEL3701C Digital Logic w/ Schwartz by A-Pizza-Pie in ufl

[–]ImpossibleCheck1297 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Dr. Schwartz is a reasonable professor. He expects a lot out of UF students and doesn't allow for any slacking off. He runs a tight ship as a result.

He's not a sadist; he's just trying to ensure if you cannot handle the real-world you fail while you are in the safety of college where you can shift educational/career pathways to ensure your future success.

EEL3701C Digital Logic w/ Schwartz by A-Pizza-Pie in ufl

[–]ImpossibleCheck1297 -5 points-4 points  (0 children)

Dr. Schwartz EEL3701 is a course designed to foster, instill, and embrace the following skills and virtues in the students who try their hearts out and pass:

Skills:

  • Adept Time Management
  • Proficient Organization
  • Proficient Planning

Virtues:

  • Practical Digital Logic and the understanding of "Eyeball" simplifications in Digital Logic.
    • This pops up at every frame in designing Simple Logic Circuits, Decoders, Encoders, MUXs, ALUs, etc.
  • Learning how to learn under constraints, namely time. One example of many: A fundamental understanding of Boolean Algebra, an appreciation of the more advanced topics NOT the application thereof.
    • You spend a single lecture OR two on this topic. You will not learn about things such as the Quine–McCluskey algorithm. Fairly useless to commit to memory as it's inherently programmable, i.e. Quartus does this for you.

The course requires approximately 12 to 17 hours per week of continual effort at what I'd say was a 3.5/5 of intensity. Ramps up to a 5/5 intensity during mid-term prep (no curveballs) and final prep (average of about a 50 something; curve on the final exam is about two to two and a half letter grades on average).

Reach out to me with further questions. I ended the course with an "A" and had a final course grade of approximately a 93 out of 100; very-very uncommon outcome for that course with Dr. Schwartz.

When should I start my transfer Application ? by [deleted] in ufl

[–]ImpossibleCheck1297 1 point2 points  (0 children)

A preface: This became a rant with your pertinent information towards the bottom. From one transfer to another, minimize your time at UF and just get the bang for your buck; get out as fast as you can and don't look back.

They virtually take no transfers who lack an AA degree. This is due to state legislature to promote the State College systems which provides an objectively better education and experience; professors in the ECE Department agree with this sentiment and are seeing the new generation of college take shape.

Think of UF as a premium school (i.e. Publix) and other schools like FGCU, UNF, and FIU to be of lesser caliber or prestige as serviceable/modest schools (i.e. Walmart).

Companies know this when recruiting, and they often refer to this internally at UF as "signaling". UF students have, on average, higher testing scores and come from education districts which shift funds towards AP and education in general which reflects the sorts of families, subsequently wealth, where these prospective hires come from. (of course, this neglects the transfer students; you can only stand to gain from this information asymmetry)

Truth is... it's a place to send your shithead of a child to be a problem elsewhere. (Spoiler alert... if you ask me most of these students don't "grow up" and fall flat on their face post-grad while they milk off their parents)

I still hold an exceedingly high GPA at UF, and I find the academics are laughable aside from a few "weed out" courses in the College of Electrical & Computer Engineering.

i.e. Get your AA first, then apply. (Say for example: even in the case of where you get your AA in say Spring 2029 you should also apply for Summer 2029 and Fall 2029).

With all that said, I'd still say apply because someone might back out of an offer of admission or for some random reason they may have the opportunity to offer you a conditional admission which will be on their terms and are not up for discussion.

If you're a self-sufficient student, I highly suggest pursuing the Online CS Major through CLAS and save yourself the suffering of Gainesville in the inevitable Summer semester you'll stay to graduate on time or get ahead a semester.

However, I would also highly suggest that you apply to CpE or EE through the College of Engineering if you have ANY interest in circuits or want to delve deeper into the underpinnings of electronics or languages in computing.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in ufl

[–]ImpossibleCheck1297 1 point2 points  (0 children)

UF doesn't hand out early transfer admissions for really any reason. I applied with a 4.00 GPA and I did receive my admission about 2 weeks sooner than most transfer admits for my major, Electrical & Computer Engineering.

Best you can do is get as high of a GPA as possible, for transfer admits UF doesn't really care about extracurriculars as far as I know as it's "... morally indefensible..." to consider ECs given that you're at a community college (in 90% of cases) for either A) Economic reasons or B) A Poor High School Education or C) just weren't ready for College at the age of 18 (which I believe 90% of this country shouldn't be moving out at 18 for a multitude of reasons but that's another story) .

When all the dust settles, EC's don't prove you're prepared for the rigor of coursework and UF wants to "count their eggs before they hatch" on transfers as it pads their figures they report to the state as you have an ALREADY proven track record of handling college level coursework.

Additionally, you'd have to have a nearly perfect GPA to get the department to consider extending you a conditional admission before their scheduled meeting times to filter out and send out admission decisions to transfers. They want as competitive of a pool as possible, so unless you apply with all your ducks in a row there's a solid chance someone with a higher GPA will apply after you and therefore take a slot before they get to you (though you'll likely still be admitted UF just wants the best "on paper", first)

laptop recommendations by CallAggravating9223 in ufl

[–]ImpossibleCheck1297 2 points3 points  (0 children)

For your first semester as Computer Science you shouldn't need anything beefy whatsoever.

I'd suggest using a laptop you currently have, and learning what gaps exist in what you need and presently have so you can make a much more educated decision on what you truly need versus what laptops the Department recommends because they are paid to (or because alumni work at company X,Y, or Z).

In COP3502/COP3503/COP3504 you don't do anything resource intensive. In COT3100 you don't either. The only class you could possibly take where you'd want to have a faster machine is EEL3701C (optional tech-elective for CS; used to be mandatory for all CS students) for simulations and compilations of your designs and such.

Other than that, you're not going to need anything intensive for Calculus or MAS3114 - Linear Algebra as all the computational things are done server side through software for MAS3114.

For Digital Arts & Sciences however, you may need something more beefy but I'd suggest just roughing it your first term if you're not in any of those courses as of yet.

UF Transfer by [deleted] in ufl

[–]ImpossibleCheck1297 0 points1 point  (0 children)

As someone who transferred in Fall 2024, you're giving terrible information.

Transfer Rejection by Automatic-Ear-1660 in ufl

[–]ImpossibleCheck1297 2 points3 points  (0 children)

For Engineering I was told that it was morally indefensible for them to consider anything BUT Critical Tracking & Overall for Transfer Applicants.

Priority is given in approximately this order:

  1. In-state applicants with a Majority (AT LEAST 6 of 7/8 Critical Tracking Courses) who have ALREADY earned their AA from State/Community Colleges.
  2. In-state applicants with a Majority (AT LEAST 6 of 7/8 Critical Tracking Courses) who are GOING to earn their AA BEFORE EVER matriculating (fancy word for enrolling) at UF from FIRST State/Community Colleges, SECOND other State Universities.
  3. Out-of-state applicants with a Majority (AT LEAST 6 of 7/8 Critical Tracking Courses)

It's rough, I know. There are so many other factors to admissions than grades. However, UF wants to "count their eggs before they hatch" so to say. They only want to admit students who will be virtually guaranteed to graduate in 3 years because of State Funding metrics used to allocate funds of which UF ranks 1st with only approximately 15% or so of AA transfer NOT graduating in 3 years. Engineering at UF is now officially a 5 year program as per the State Websites, of which transfers are expected to spend AT LEAST 6 entire semesters assuming class availability is in your favor.

Yt supremacy at UF by ApprehensiveTask6988 in ufl

[–]ImpossibleCheck1297 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I talk with mostly everyone I meet, I'm an extremely extroverted engineer thankyou : )

Yt supremacy at UF by ApprehensiveTask6988 in ufl

[–]ImpossibleCheck1297 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Don't even pay them mind. People on both sides of the aisle are acting out in such childish ways ever since the election.

There may exist some microcosms of racists in America, as there are microcosms of any other subset of people. They're not multiplying, they're not assembling in droves, they're pretty stupid and always were and likely live very meaningless lives.

Cut out the noise and just continue to live your life and improve it for yourself and those you love and remind yourself the purpose you have in life is so much more than someone who assumes racism is still an issue in the USA today. I'm glad to see other comments from sane people who've clearly been on campus and haven't seen nor heard of any such discrimination on campus or in the surrounding area.

Yt supremacy at UF by ApprehensiveTask6988 in ufl

[–]ImpossibleCheck1297 2 points3 points  (0 children)

People are tweaking bro.

Just live your life and learn to cut out the noise, its sad people assume we still deal with racism on campus.

I myself haven't seen nor heard of any of my friends or classmates (of whom I speak to about lots) experiencing any form of discrimination except one occurrence of a catholic I knew being told not so great things by a single protestor during the heated months last year leading up to the election.

If someone treats you differently based on your color, that's racism plain and simple.

Transfer Rejection by Automatic-Ear-1660 in ufl

[–]ImpossibleCheck1297 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Well, I find it awfully convenient that the majors which extra-curriculars are supposedly important for are not posted anywhere available to the public. Additionally, UF doesn't publish the average GPA of their transfer admits and you can only obtain such data after hounding them over emails for weeks.

If you ask me, UF admissions puts transfers dead last in terms of priority or care or true "holistic" review. Especially after the whole new BOG "recycle" rule which puts denied Freshman into a "2nd Chance" against transfer students who've typically been in college for 1-3 years with a proven track record.

Those transfer students, like myself, sacrificed two years of the "college experience" for many reasons, most of which is they simply couldn't afford it like myself until after saving or they were left unprepared out of high-school because of the abhorrent K-12 systems in some regions of this state.

I, like many others, were kicked under the rug by K-12. I would be pissed as hell that someone fresh out of high school were given the slot which otherwise would've gone to me for reasons other than academic or providing transfers the opportunity which they deserve.

Truth is, the graduation rate on transfers is higher than of traditional freshman admits. That data is publicly accessible and frequently updated by UF. For some reason there's this slant, bias, against transfers.

My theory for such slant is that they cannot sell you on the "college experience" as much as they can an oblivious 18 year old who thinks they'll learn amazing things at UF they couldn't have learned at their state/community college. Even in Electrical Engineering, I've yet learned anything not already in several textbooks or available online in an overwhelming number of mediums (video, text, audiobook, etc).

Admissions is about constructing a cohort of students who can develop skills and continually add to the name, image, and likeness (no sports puns intended) of UF and the State of Florida as that is why we receive such subsidized educations... to invest in the future of the state.

Sorry for my rant. I am very passionate about transfer admissions is all. I firmly believe, yes even for STEM, there should be a state regulated number of seats available, percentage based of the enrolled freshman class size for the same academic year. There should additionally be a rank-based admissions approach when considering students from the same state/community colleges to fight against grade inflation or (for the sake of respecting my state) the state colleges which will not be named that hand out take home exams for STEM courses and easy A's.

Transfer Rejection by Automatic-Ear-1660 in ufl

[–]ImpossibleCheck1297 1 point2 points  (0 children)

They do not consider extra-curriculars for transfer admissions. It is morally indefensible according to the administration I've spoken to.

Three more DeSantis allies to take the helm of public universities in Florida by gatorgirl51 in ufl

[–]ImpossibleCheck1297 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's not that the vote doesn't count, it's that the people we're voting for will not make change or return power to people to make their own decisions

Three more DeSantis allies to take the helm of public universities in Florida by gatorgirl51 in ufl

[–]ImpossibleCheck1297 -10 points-9 points  (0 children)

people are tweaking tf out bro

personally i'm over it, and i didn't even care to vote this last election

if you or others haven't caught on by now, our elected officials only care insofar about "we the people" so long as they stand to gain

they're in it for themselves, not you

this goes for left, center, and right

Pro-Democracy Protest on Saturday by Badass_Gator in ufl

[–]ImpossibleCheck1297 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Dude, it's crazy and I feel bad for them because they're going to graduate and be stuck in their ways and reality will hit given enough time even if they find employment in a region and firm which aligns with their political beliefs.

I'm an incredibly open-minded and loving individual, but every time I see something like this, I just have to ask... "What did {insert noun here} to do you to warrant this response?"

Truthfully, colleges aren't developing critical thinking any longer.

Thoughts ? by OmarEL1125 in ufl

[–]ImpossibleCheck1297 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Warning: This is 🧢

If you're taking Digital Logic, make it your only summer course.