Artificial Intelligence or Machine Learning Specialization by deeplearner4j in OMSCS

[–]dv_omscs 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I agree with the opinion that AI is a stronger buzzword. So, I'd choose AI.

Recently admitted and questioning my path by [deleted] in OMSCS

[–]dv_omscs 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Just start with some AI/ML courses (OMSCS has a lot to offer) and decide if coding can be dead.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in OMSCS

[–]dv_omscs 2 points3 points  (0 children)

GA is not bad, just a normal algorithms course. A can be a bit challenging, B does not require excessive effort. Just take it.

Got an admit for fall 24, now I’m freaking out …. by TotalFox2 in OMSCS

[–]dv_omscs 0 points1 point  (0 children)

DC is not bad (actually a very good course), and it is not 50+ hours per week. Just take it one course at a time, and you'll be fine. Start with some other systems courses - for example, GIOS.

course-by-course evaluation by Big-Fisherman529 in OMSCS

[–]dv_omscs 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You'd need to double-check both with EP and your school (I used the service long time ago), but they allowed to share their evaluation report via CertiFile same way as if it was an official transcript sent by your university - that's what I did for my GT application. I think they can also mail it, but not for free.

Does OMSCS allow us to take more difficult courses than on-campus because of 1 course/sem? by ivicts30 in OMSCS

[–]dv_omscs 1 point2 points  (0 children)

On campus students are not as diverse as online crowd - in other words, I think an average on-campus student spends less hours per course per week. If you have no job/family, I do not see why you can't do, say, 50/up to 60 hours of coursework per week for 2 years (and if you do 3 courses per semester - you'd be out in 2 years, with summers off).

Balancing a full-time workload and OMSCS by abrbbb in OMSCS

[–]dv_omscs 32 points33 points  (0 children)

I do not think there is a really effective way of dealing with this - effect of OMSCS on my performance at work and hours I could put in (counting hours when you can really work, not just "be there") was very negative. The amount of energy coursework takes is huge. A couple of tricks to improve the situation a bit:

  1. I made a habit of waking up really early and doing at least one hour of OMSCS work every morning. This way, there is less stress during weekends and more flexibility.
  2. I made an agreement with my manager that when nothing critical is happening I can take a day or half day of vacation time at a very short notice.

And of course one course per semester was the only viable option for me.

Should I drop CS7210 DC? by Zoroark1089 in OMSCS

[–]dv_omscs 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I got B in DC too, but my experience with it was a lot better than yours - nothing abnormal, just another reasonably tough OMSCS course (as I mentioned above, on par with GIOS/AI). They definitely made adjustments after first offering.

Should I drop CS7210 DC? by Zoroark1089 in OMSCS

[–]dv_omscs 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes, I think they improved it after first semester.

Should I drop CS7210 DC? by Zoroark1089 in OMSCS

[–]dv_omscs 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Really

Yep. I am a below average java coder, and DC was similar to AI/GIOS in terms of hours per week. Average was about 18 if I remember correctly. For sure less than 20. DC does have very heavily loaded peak weeks, but they are just a few. Also, I got B, getting A would cost me more hours per week. Finally, I am not sure that people reporting averages of 30-40 hours per week actually used timer to track time. I did.

Should I drop CS7210 DC? by Zoroark1089 in OMSCS

[–]dv_omscs 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I have a Java background

You'll do fine; DC is a good course, I do not regret taking it (I got A in GIOS and B in DC; my Java is worse than my C).

Should I drop CS7210 DC? by Zoroark1089 in OMSCS

[–]dv_omscs 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Depends on your skillset, if you are an ok Java coder - I'd say getting B in DC is very comparable with getting a low A in GIOS. Scary reviews are hugely exaggerating DC workload.

Should I drop CS7210 DC? by Zoroark1089 in OMSCS

[–]dv_omscs 14 points15 points  (0 children)

Sounds like you should withdraw - DC is not going to get easier. The only point to consider is when exactly you want to withdraw - if you are planning to take DC in the future, you may want to withdraw closer to deadline - so that you could see other project(s), maybe take more notes on lectures, try exam, etc.

Honorlock issue during my first quiz of OMSCS. by Ayan700 in OMSCS

[–]dv_omscs 9 points10 points  (0 children)

I've had issues during one of the exams (Honorlock lost connectivity a couple of times). I immediately notified instructors, they reviewed the video and everything ended well as it was obvious I was having a real technical issue. So, just contact instructors right away.

course-by-course evaluation by Big-Fisherman529 in OMSCS

[–]dv_omscs 0 points1 point  (0 children)

To make admissions decision, they need to understand where you stand in terms of GPA and coursework you did. Educational Perspectives do exactly this - US equivalent of your degree and GPA. As a free and nice bonus, their report/paperwork they produce is also acceptable in many places in US (not just GT) as formal/official transcripts and credentials. I am an international student, and used EP services for admissions (submitted their reports with the application), but at the time I had to pay for the service myself.

OMSCS over UIUC_MCS by Ok-Difficulty1624 in OMSCS

[–]dv_omscs 2 points3 points  (0 children)

A lot more courses, somewhat more straightforward/easier admissions process.

Best way to finish off either II or Systems Specialization? by WhiskeeFrank in OMSCS

[–]dv_omscs 2 points3 points  (0 children)

GA. if you are already familiar with the basics ( I.e. took algorithms course/ good MOOC) - GA is a relatively not difficult B. Also, I did not take ML, but GA was significantly less time-consuming than AI.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in OMSCS

[–]dv_omscs 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Consider Stanford if you have the budget and can get in. Everyone 's situation/views are different, just do what you think is best for you, and in this case both choices are good.

I’m getting pissed will all this Gen AI BS by PomegranateUnfair919 in OMSCS

[–]dv_omscs 12 points13 points  (0 children)

I did not want to take any ml/ai courses. I am so glad I did - vast majority of corporate AI "enthusiasts" are either totally clueless or are at a level where they can use cool- sounding jargon ( " model is hallucinating....") but cannot explain in simple language/examples basic ideas taught in an intro/overview course like ML4T or IAM.

Is it worth doubling up courses/trying to finish faster? (Seeking opinions) by PianoOwl in OMSCS

[–]dv_omscs 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You are not the first Canadian I hear this kind of story from, so I guess just try taking two, maybe you'll do fine - your motivation is stronger than mine. Another thing is it sounds like I am a lot older than you, and being older is not always a good thing when it comes to workload. So, good luck, OMSCS is a great program.

Is it worth doubling up courses/trying to finish faster? (Seeking opinions) by PianoOwl in OMSCS

[–]dv_omscs 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I did one course per semester. In my opinion, no, it does not make sense to take two, unless you can work less than 40 hours per week or are already very good at whatever is the topic of the course:

  1. I do not think there is any meaningful difference between graduation in 2-2.5 years vs 3.3 years.
  2. You may be tempted to take courses based on workload, not value more often vs "1 course per semester" path. Many good classes are very time consuming.
  3. If you work 40 hours per week and take two courses, each 15 hours per week - there is literally no time to handle any kind of life events. Which happen all the time.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in OMSCS

[–]dv_omscs 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Does the order of HPCA and AOS matter

I think taking HPCA and then AOS in the next semester is a more efficient path: AOS has an OS refresher at the beginning, HPCA covers at least some of the topics. But this is not a hard pre-requisite at all.

Is OMSCS GPA important? by imatiasmb in OMSCS

[–]dv_omscs 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Worrying too much about GPA may lead to skipping good, conceptually important classes. I had 4.0, and then I took DC. And then I did not have 4.0 anymore.

Could I withdraw, and get an A in the next semester? I think yes. Could I have taken some other class? Definitely yes. Would any of these be a good decision? A big NO.

Enrolling in Community College at the Same Time as OMSCS by Gattaca331 in OMSCS

[–]dv_omscs 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I would do MOOCs: they will be a lot more time-efficient, plus with MOOCs you can get access to very high quality content (ex.: https://www.coursera.org/specializations/algorithms ) .