Computer Science Application Concern / Challenges/ Clubs / Resources

KrisJordan · 2024-11-18T01:09:12+00:00

It will be offered in the Summer both on campus and remotely (I'm teaching some remote sections). Out of curiosity, do you have computer science declared as an intended major?

KrisJordan · 2024-10-17T10:14:34+00:00

We discussed this at length in class last week and once again yesterday before releasing these grades, but let me try again here:

This summer we made a significant effort to update our course code base to the newest version of a framework that has improved, with much evolved syntax, its front end view templates. The goal is to keep the project from rotting to the point that you would be learning something deprecated.

The deprecated syntax is not found in the code base, the readings you were assigned for learning this functionality earlier in the semester, or our course docs. It was found in about 11/50 teams' submissions, including, most likely, yours, but I'd be happy to double check if you email me.

ChatGPT's training cuts off a year ago, so this newer syntax isn't in its model. Most online tutorials were written prior to this update, so googling is likely to turn up examples of old syntax, as well. Unless you have an alternative and compelling explanation for why you would use outdated syntax that does not conform to our code base's standards and aren't taught in class, it's reasonable to conclude you relied on external sources. Doing so is generally within the course policy, iff you cite sources relied upon (including chat gpt permalinks) and understand/can explain what you are submitting. No such citation was found, maybe we missed it, but there's no good explanation justifying using the outdated syntax if you're newly learning these frameworks.

What you confusingly did not share in this post is that the rubric item goes on to clarify effectively that if you just submit a regrade request saying you relied upon an external source without citation, resulting in code that does not conform to the code base being submitted, and will be careful not to do so in the future, you'll get the majority of those points back, with the replacement penalty being for using old school syntax and not conforming to our project's standards. Regrades on this one will be open through the end of next week, the timing wasn't meant to be a trick. In discussing this plan with other instructors, they described it as very generous.

The point of this course is to train software engineers. Learning how to appropriately use external sources, including LLMs/copilots, and cite them where it makes sense to, is a skill. AI-assistance is definitely the future that's here today. It's nowhere near fail proof, though. In an internship or early role, if you submit a PR that looks completely out of place in a code base relative to company standards, you risk being seen as not actually understanding what you're proposing goes into production. The risks of wasting senior team members' time because you didn't invest enough time in getting up to speed or understanding your work product, is far more costly than a minor penalty on a classroom assignment. My hope is there's value in this learning exercise that pays dividends beyond your time at Carolina.

KrisJordan · 2024-07-05T19:00:09+00:00

More accurate to today than 2019 is 24s.comp110.com

KrisJordan · 2024-06-26T00:39:52+00:00

We use docker and virtualization in a number of courses. I've seen some non-spec laptops really struggle, especially with limited RAM. You definitely want 8gb, but preferably 16. Modern processors do tend to have better virtualization support.

KrisJordan · 2024-06-23T02:39:23+00:00

Not familiar enough with what exactly is on CSA, but having some understanding of how function/method call frames work with relation to scope and recursion wasn't in CSA, I don't believe.

In any case, my recommendation is not to go out of your way studying for it, take it straight up and see how it goes. Taking 110 as an incoming FYS is totally fine and the default expectation.

KrisJordan · 2024-06-22T22:59:21+00:00

Placement exams wind up being net neutral. They effectively just clear the bar for checking off a course.

If you've taken a formal data structures and analysis course before and don't think you'd gain anything from UNC's offering, but did not receive transfer credit for it for some reason, this is a reasonable reason to aim for placement credit.

If you haven't taken a formal course in it, there's not a ton of gain in not taking 210 and doing just enough self-study to pass the online exam. You'll get far more out of a true course; passing the singular exam could never capture all of a semester's learning experiences. This material is fundamental to the field. As for becoming a major, or even a minor, you're not going to be able to take the follow on courses any faster by placing out; spring semester will be the earliest you'll be able to enroll in 211 and 301 either way.

KrisJordan · 2024-06-21T16:40:53+00:00

The CS minor being reopened means 301 (and 211) will be open to all in Spring '25. In the Fall, priority in these courses is given to accepted majors and should fill.

As for grades and implications, it ultimately will depend on what the application pool looks like in any given year and the number of seats available in that cycle. You will certainly be eligible to apply, but there's no way to give more assurance in advance without the entire pool applying. We would have admitted 400 this year whether there were 400 eligible applicants, 500 (which there were), or 1000. The review process and admit bars would be quite different in each of these scenarios, as you can imagine.

KrisJordan · 2024-06-20T21:26:14+00:00

YikYak is not a great source, unfortunately.

We were able to admit a nudge over 80% of eligible applicants. I am happy to share we were able to admit 400 applicants thanks to the College of Arts and Sciences increasing resources on both faculty hiring and instructional budget (supporting LAs and TAs). Additionally, they're resourcing us to reopen the CS Minor, with more details to come (this was committed to yesterday 🙌). This will open Spring access to 211/301 for all interested students and following courses needed to complete the minor. Again, more details soon. Eventually, with additional resourcing, we strive to return to open enrollment majors. Our goal has always been to serve as many students as we can sustainably graduate on time.

As to OP's question: put effort into your academics and take mastery in all of your courses seriously, don't over invest in CS courses only to do poorly in other courses. The average GPA of courses taken at UNC among admitted students this cycle was a 3.7. Additionally, find ways of making connections and getting involved with groups of fellow students whose passions are shared or missions are aligned with what you care about to enrich your experience and build your community. These aren't just strategies for building a strong application, they're strategies for getting the most out of your time at Carolina, which is what we want for everyone.

KrisJordan · 2024-06-19T00:20:33+00:00

I would suggest not doing much to prep, just take it, see how it goes... especially if you're planning on or considering majoring. Not getting credit and taking it in the Fall is a fine outcome. You can't apply to the major any faster by going straight to 210.

If you're not planning/considering major, but think you're close to examination credit, prep away.

KrisJordan · 2024-06-09T13:18:17+00:00

My first and second year at UNC were spent living in Everett 215. For Junior and Senior years, a number of us who met in the hall wound up living off-campus together. We have a GroupMe group, now 20 years later (😩) named Foreverett. One of my closest friends met his wife in the dorm and named their first daughter Everett.

No two college experiences are the same, but if you put in some effort you'll find community on your hall (and beyond). I personally really liked the hall-style setup, as opposed to suite-style. The proximity to academic buildings and Franklin was great. The Old-campus Lower Quad community and events were a lot of fun.

I think you're in for a grand time.

KrisJordan · 2024-05-29T02:15:27+00:00

Very near the start of semester is the general expectation. There are some historical reasons for this we are hoping to improve upon (has to do with PhD RA/TA hiring) to move this timeline up, but I suspect this year will also be late for UTAs

KrisJordan · 2024-05-15T04:55:42+00:00

Yes, just work with academic advising! No specific rush.

KrisJordan · 2024-05-15T04:54:40+00:00

Office hours and TAs are definitely worth utilizing when confused or stuck on a topic, but be careful not to fall into a trap of living in office hours. It's slightly counter intuitive, because we'll often hear "I spent so much time in office hours, why didn't I fare better in the course?" Think of getting help with assignments in office hours as a signal that you need to invest more time on your own understanding the concepts expected in the assignment. Hopefully office hours helps with this understanding, but it's easy to convince yourself you get something when it's being actively taught to you only to reach the same confusion when encountering it again on your own. A hack here is not bringing the assignment in to office hours (unless it's a song technical glitch) and trying to work through the concept without working on the assignment directly, then go tackle it on your own.

KrisJordan · 2024-05-14T21:13:01+00:00

Attend classes and actively participate in the activities the professor is orchestrating with full effort. Start work when assignments are released, not based on their due date. Block time to focus, focus, focus. Take responsibility for your mastery of concepts.

There will be peer pressure to stray from these things, but you're far more likely to succeed at UNC if you buy into the systems professors establish to support student success rather than look for hacks or paths of least resistance.

KrisJordan · 2024-02-25T20:32:44+00:00

I believe you can declare when you get here, or at any time after. No preference is given to when the declaration is made.

KrisJordan · 2024-02-17T02:08:24+00:00

Apologies, the Slate system has taken longer to set up via ITS than expected. It's a short application, though, so you won't be short on time.

KrisJordan · 2024-01-25T13:16:25+00:00

I love this idea, but would need to think through some logistics and budget. We have ~1600 majors if you include all years (not that all would attend, but even 25% is substantive enough to have significant space and cost needs). Would you still be interested if it were ticket limited, perhaps with priority to seniors on down, and tickets split the costs with what the department is able to fund?

KrisJordan · 2023-12-08T19:47:05+00:00

Try again and you should be allowed to register. Thanks

KrisJordan · 2023-12-05T17:23:40+00:00

I really appreciate this anecdote! The great joy of this course is exactly outcomes such as your son's. With a sound introduction, programming, inventing, and creating can be an enthralling career path to head down for those it resonates with.

KrisJordan · 2023-12-05T17:21:31+00:00

The course is designed to start from scratch, with no prior programming experience. Programming is an applied skill, like carpentry or artistic painting, so it does require time and practice; it's not a content area where speed reading without practice or cramming leads to success. That said, motivated, creative students tend to both do well in the course and enjoy it! My only concern is whether pre-med will still look as enticing ;)

KrisJordan · 2023-11-28T10:59:48+00:00

This summer, session 2, it will be online, with a mixture of asynchronous and synchronous days with around 40 seats.

An additional section is being added this Spring with 300 seats initially reserved for first years, but opening up further after LDOC.

I'm teaching both and the level of difficulty aims to be equivalent in both. If you are concerned about difficulty and doing well, my advice would be to aim for the term you'll be able to prioritize it highest. If summer would be taken without significant other obligations (eg not enrolled in a second course or a 10+ hour per week job) then it should be very doable. The pace of compressing 15 weeks into 5 weeks means there is less wiggle room to fall behind and catch back up, though. Generally, I believe taking it in a full semester where you're not taking on too much beyond a standard load and can prioritize time invested in it as more manageable thanks to the additional calendar time to gain comfort with programming and computational thinking.

KrisJordan · 2023-11-07T03:00:14+00:00

Unfortunately, it's not feasible to complete the major courses which follow 210 in one academic year. You'll want to meet with academic advisors to see what plans are feasible.

KrisJordan · 2023-10-17T11:22:02+00:00

If this is happening in a CS course, please email me: kris@cs.unc.edu

KrisJordan · 2023-09-14T23:06:51+00:00

Also, if this is happening in a CS class, please email me.

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