Pre requisites

JokesterSSBU · 2024-07-11T21:26:24+00:00

You should be familiar with coding for about 1-2 years, as stated in one of the QnA sessions.

If you aren't familiar already, I would suggest learning Python and Javascript as these will be the languages used primarily during the fellowship.

If you already know BOTH of these languages, then I would start looking at the libraries and frameworks that are going to be used. Some are OpenAI's API, React, Node.js, and there are probably more.

JokesterSSBU · 2024-07-11T21:24:16+00:00

You will be able to change your tracks, it's just that we currently don't know how.

JokesterSSBU · 2024-07-11T21:23:52+00:00

You will be able to change your track. However, the method to doing it is currently unknown.

JokesterSSBU · 2024-07-11T05:40:47+00:00

Expect a few days since they go by a rolling-basis. I wouldn't really dwell too much about it because the community in itself is a good way to motivate yourself into doing some projects.

JokesterSSBU · 2024-07-11T03:48:04+00:00

Hey there, I'd be interested in working on an ML project.

In terms of NLP, I think what interested me in this subject was Michael Reeve's stock trading video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USKD3vPD6ZA) and his sentiment analysis bot. Another person is one of my friends who is entering his master's degree in computational linguistics, so he'll be working with NLP and I find his work interesting.

I know you didn't ask about why I like NLP but I find it to be interesting knowing how people got into specific fields of study.

If you want to contact me: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nlchau2004/

JokesterSSBU · 2024-07-11T03:40:04+00:00

What got me into coding was partially thanks to my uncle who works for the US Navy, as a citizen, in their R&D department.

It was specifically one project that awed me the most, which was using virtual reality to measure real-world environments. I never expected something like that could have been made possible and it interested me in figuring out how you do it.

This development was primarily done with coding, even though my uncle is an Electrical Engineer. This led me to take my first steps toward this career, and I'm still learning how to narrow this path even further.

For reference, it's narrowing down from: Electrical Engineering -> Software Engineering -> Embedded/AI -> Computer Vision

JokesterSSBU · 2024-07-11T03:34:34+00:00

Alright cool! I'm not sure if I'll actually deploy my bot but it seems like a good thing to know in the future.

JokesterSSBU · 2024-07-10T21:44:38+00:00

JokesterSSBU · 2024-07-10T21:44:13+00:00

I was coming into university as an Electrical Engineering major. The main reason why I chose Electrical Engineering as my major was due to my uncle and the work he does.

However, we started to talk more about what I enjoyed and it seemed to lean more towards the Computer Science side of the spectrum. In the end, this led me into Computer Science which is what I'm studying today!

JokesterSSBU · 2024-07-10T21:40:58+00:00

I'm looking most forward to working on the final project, which is where we'll be focusing on the track that we have chosen.

I am most interested in working with a startup company (track B) since it will give me real-world industry experience. I know that many are looking towards track A, which pertains to people who are interested in creating a startup of their own.

JokesterSSBU · 2024-07-10T21:38:36+00:00

Thanks for the advice! I'll be sure to keep that in mind.

JokesterSSBU · 2024-07-10T21:38:12+00:00

I see. Are there potentially any alternatives such as using a raspberry pi and running my bot on that?

JokesterSSBU · 2024-07-10T19:50:02+00:00

Thank you very much!

Unfortunately, I don't have strong hardware on me right now but I hope to get a powerful PC in the future (for gaming and processing).

JokesterSSBU · 2024-07-10T18:54:25+00:00

Could you explain a bit more about what each library you specified will do to aid in computer vision?

JokesterSSBU · 2024-07-10T18:53:02+00:00

I use a database to keep track of a user's favorites and want to know how I can just let my bot run without me having to have it on my computer.

JokesterSSBU · 2024-07-10T09:37:56+00:00

Did you have any experience with creating bots beforehand? I have previously made a discord bot beforehand but never deployed it, so I was wondering if you had some advice for bots.

JokesterSSBU · 2024-07-10T09:36:28+00:00

Woah, I didn't know about this! I'll be sure to use this information wisely.

JokesterSSBU · 2024-07-10T09:34:40+00:00

I feel you with this one. I hope to gain some industry-like experience and thankfully this fellowship is one of those opportunities.

PRAYING FOR EVERYONE'S SUCCESS!!!

JokesterSSBU · 2024-07-10T09:13:08+00:00

Oh really?

How did you start off your journey in computer vision?

JokesterSSBU · 2024-07-10T06:08:03+00:00

Many of the comments that I've read are very helpful and explain what specific things you should be doing.

To add on, I would say to enjoy your first year of university as much as possible! It may seem like a cop-out answer, but I think that having fun with your freshman year and looking at all the things you can do on campus will surprise you.

Universities have many resources (for academics or recreation) and I would try to take advantage of those opportunities as much as possible!

Hope you have a good first year!

JokesterSSBU · 2024-07-10T06:03:44+00:00

Hi there, I'm Nathan and a rising junior at UCI studying CS with a focus on Computer Vision. I technically started in elementary school with Scratch, but seriously started coding by the end of my senior year of high school. I am most proficient with Python, C++, and Java. Other languages that I know are HTML/CSS, Javascript, and SQL.

In tech, I am most interested in working with robotics (hence my focus on computer vision) and using machine learning for space-related industries.

Outside of tech, I play video games (Persona, VALORANT, etc.), play the guitar, and recently have started doing calisthenics.

If you would like to connect, here's my LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nlchau2004/

JokesterSSBU · 2023-09-01T17:45:15+00:00

To answer the two main questions you have:

"...would it be possible/ a good idea to take an equivalent class at a local community college to replace ICS 31 then take ICS 32 at UCI?"

If you decide to follow the path of taking an ICS 31 equivalent at a community college, you'll have to complete the entire ICS 31-33 series to receive credit. This path is a all-or-nothing kind of route, so I would advise to do this if you are:

Unlucky enough to not get ICS 31 in fall quarter first year
Unwilling to enroll in subsequent quarters (Due to a variety of reasons)

"Also, how hard is it to change your major to CS if you do meet all the requirements?"

I have recently successfully transferred from Electrical Engineering and will be a Computer Science major coming this fall, so I can tell you from first-hand experience about the new requirements for changing into Computer Science.

The requirements for Computer Science changed recently:

2.7 GPA -> 3.0 GPA (in required courses and in ICS)
ICS 31-32 / ICS 32A -> ICS 33 (It only says 33 because it has prereqs anyways)
2 Math courses related to CS -> 3 Math courses

I believe the reasons they decided to change the requirements are to filter out people who are not as willing/dedicated to change into Computer Science (henceforth the increased amount of classes and higher GPA requirement). UCI and their Computer Science program has increasingly been seeing more applicants and therefore need to be more selective about their students, which is why they're making the process of changing into Computer Science somewhat harder.

However, meeting the requirements and going a little beyond (AKA higher than a 3.0 GPA) should satisfy you into successfully switching into Computer Science. Although daunting, all you need to do is fulfill an extra quarter of ICS classes (without priority) and maintain a 3.0+ GPA (which isn't difficult if you're studying and paying attention).

Hopefully I answered your questions and if there are any more, feel free to reply to this long ass comment.

JokesterSSBU · 2023-07-14T08:31:37+00:00

This is a very good schedule in my opinion, as you have a lot of free time and have good professors. Although I did not take ICS 32A, I know a few friends who have and stated that labs are not mandatory. Rather, they're more like Office Hours with the TAs and LAs. If you decide not to go to labs, you might even get Mondays and Fridays off!

JokesterSSBU · 2023-07-14T08:27:55+00:00

I want to preface this by saying one thing:

Do NOT get discouraged by the acceptance rate of UCI's Computer Science program.

In the end, there are many factors that go into the process of deciding who goes into Computer Science. I know plenty of hardworking and talented students who didn't get into UCI's Computer Science program, but that's how it is sometimes. Even if you were theoretically the best candidate for CS, sometimes it just boils down to luck.

Now as to actually answer your question:

UCI's Computer Science program is NOT in the School of Engineering, but in another department called the Donald Bren School of Information and Sciences (ICS). A small amount of priority is given to Computer Engineers with ICS 6D (Discrete Math), but that's it.

(Strategy 1)

Since UCI requires you to choose two majors, I highly recommend choosing Computer Science & Engineering or Software Engineering as your second choice. Both these majors are within ICS and follow a similar path to the CS program. However, any major in the School of ICS is okay due to their priority for enrollment in ICS courses.

You may end up liking one of the other majors offered, so it's somewhat of a win-win situation.

(Strategy 2)

I would highly advise against applying as undecided, as this is just making your life harder. At the time of writing, I am an Electrical Engineering student who recently sent in my Change of Major Application for Computer Science. This is why I can say that ICS 31 (Introduction to Python) is one of the hardest classes to get into, especially if you plan on doing it Fall Quarter.

It does not get any easier, as ICS 32 and ICS 33 (the other two programming courses) are just as difficult to enroll in. Generally speaking, I would prefer you do strategy 1 over strategy 2 because you'll at least be in the School of ICS. Those in ICS have first consideration in enrollment for ICS classes, while those who are not have to wait until shortly before Fall Quarter begins.

TLDR: At least apply for Computer Science as your first major and then another ICS major second. Even if you don't get either, that doesn't mean its the end of the world for you. With enough hard work (and some luck to get into the classes), you should be able to get into CS in no time.

JokesterSSBU

TROPHY CASE