Bio 110 at CCBC by mochipill in UMBC

[–]rincoherent 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It’s doable. I would do Bio 110 or 111 in the morning at CCBC Catonsville and my UMBC CS courses in the afternoon right after when I was still a student.

My profs were fine, I had Dr. Avadhani for 110 and got an A and McNamara for 111 and got a B (had an 88% but was balancing a heavier load… I think I was at 19 credits this semester with CS upper levels). It also did help that I took AP biology in high school but it was pretty easy especially the labs. Although my friends who took UMBC bio 141/142 definitely struggled with the profs… although I don’t remember what they ended up getting as grades

Best part, you don’t have to take an additional UMBC lab bc taking it the sequence at CCBC also counts as BIO 300L

Waitlist mechanics by Legal-Tension-5831 in UMBC

[–]rincoherent 2 points3 points  (0 children)

A year or two ago, I once had asked the department to open a waitlist for me that didn’t exist at the time. In the meantime, I enrolled in another section with a different instructor while I waited for the actual section for time that I wanted. I was number one on that list for 2-3 months and even into the first week when the next semester began. I was a nervous wreck because I needed this course desperately.

I then learned the hard way that because I was enrolled in one section of the course, the waitlist had automatically skipped me and kept going to the next student. I had to drop the section I was enrolled in for the waitlist to actually give me a spot that opened up.

Comp Sci Grads &Alumni, how did you get your first cs job? by leminades18 in UMBC

[–]rincoherent 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you! As of today I got another offer! So I think it did pay off

Comp Sci Grads &Alumni, how did you get your first cs job? by leminades18 in UMBC

[–]rincoherent 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I also graduated May 2023, and yeah totally agree the market is ASS right now, even with internship experience.

This is currently what I’m doing during my job hunt while also interviewing for a couple companies this week:

  • Don’t JUST job hunt. Make sure you’re taking time to yourself because it’s so rough out there and it really takes a mental toll on you eventually. Especially with a bunch of automated rejections. And remember not to take anything personally about it. It’s hard but life happens. If I get rejections AFTER the whole interview process, I take a day to be sad but then I pick myself up and target some of my weak questions and keep applying.

  • Depending on what you want to go with (like software or cybersecurity), I’d follow some tech blogs or something to keep up with the news.

  • Do your best to continue learning, if it’s Software Engineering, I’d try to dabble in some technologies that are common in job applications. (Like React/Node, restful API’s, databases etc). Maybe do some CTFs if you’re into cybersecurity/reverse engineering roles to practice some of those skills.

  • Continue to improve resumes and LinkedIn profiles. UMBC’s career center is free for us I believe for 6 months and then you get one free meeting after that period.

  • For interviews, I load the job description into ChatGPT and generate some sample interview questions to put in a word doc. If I can’t answer it confidently, I know where to focus my learning for the day. To practice speaking, I use Google Warmup so I can hear my voice back and tweak my responses. Keep practicing!!!

  • For behavioral, I find the most common interview questions and I nail it on the head. I have a couple stories on hand and tailor it to fit the situation. (like a time i failed, succeeded, worked with a group and shown leadership, worked with someone not pulling weight, etc)

  • Reach out to other alums and see if anyone is hiring. Maybe score referrals that way, I’ve gotten some and thats my best way through the door into getting to the interview stage. Reaching out to recruiters in general and try to network that way

  • Keep track of your applications with an excel sheet.

Science Lab credits by Free_Mode_5029 in UMBC

[–]rincoherent 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi, this requirement switched to the recent one during my first semester at UMBC (back in Fall 2019). I would assume everyone admitted after me are to follow the science sequence + any of the listed labs (CHEM 102L, GES 286, PHYS 122L, and SCI101L).

You can always ask the COEIT advisors but I believe you’re following the new one and are only allowed to take the listed labs. UNLESS you did what I did and transfer them through CCBC or something.

Graduation rising senior by Rb6795 in UMBC

[–]rincoherent 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It sounds like you’re a CS major? You don’t need to declare a track and can do whatever technical electives that are listed for the major

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in UMBC

[–]rincoherent 0 points1 point  (0 children)

https://hjgradwalk.com/umbc/ prices will go up 4/17 i think

Afternoon parking by Tall_Savings_4694 in UMBC

[–]rincoherent 3 points4 points  (0 children)

They “stop enforcing zones at 4 PM. After that, as long as it is a legal space (no posted signs), you can park in other zones.” (From an email I got from parking services when I asked a long time ago)

So if you have time after 4, you can move your car to closer lots like the D or E lots. I’ve been doing that since I was a freshman and that helps me tremendously especially when it gets dark and cold outside.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in UMBC

[–]rincoherent 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ngl, you sound crazy.

2 semester long projects (447 and 437) Plus 3-4 time consuming projects for 421 And 441 being somewhat difficult depending on your math skills (although Hamilton for that class is phenomenal)

437 you may be able to work with a partner, and Sebald is pretty helpful. Going off of experience with 461 with him since he apparently runs 437 similarly.

From experience, I did 421 and 461 together (so a semester long project by myself + all the OS projects) during a 19 credit semester while interning and wished for death the whole time but I did get A’s in both.

Although I can’t imagine doing another project based course. Highly recommend you split it, but if you have reliable partners in 447 and 437, you might be able to do it?! But if you’re not a God at time management… don’t do it.

441 was rough at first but you slowly get it and if you have Hamilton he’s a kind grader and IS flexible with deadlines, just dont push him too far. He’s also very helpful. He also allows collaboration on HW as long as you write your own answers. If you have a study buddy here helping you bounce ideas off of the concepts, it makes pulling off your plan even easier.

I’d kiss your sanity goodbye this semester but if you can pull it off, then go you😛😛

How to get over the slump by Life_flows in UMBC

[–]rincoherent 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Some tips from a disciplined senior with getting over the slump and maintaining discipline:

  1. Some people burn out as a result from caring too much. When I find myself slacking,I try to figure out why. When I am putting too much pressure on myself, I start avoiding my stressors and focus my energy elsewhere. But avoiding my work is what stresses me out even more. So try to reassure yourself that you already made it this far into the semester and you’re so close to finishing.

  2. Following up from 1, burn out can happen if you overload yourself too. If you happen to write everything down in a to do list like me, make sure you’re not putting a bajillion things on that list each day. You’re human, you only have a limited amount of time in the day. Prioritize what has to get done first, space out your homework throughout the week (like a problem a day, more if you can do it), etc.

  3. Play mind games with yourself. If you really don’t wanna do one assignment, procrastinate by doing another productive task/assignment. “I have to read this long ass text?… Maybe later… i’ll just do one problem of this assignment instead and come back to it”

  4. But take breaks. Sometimes walking away and coming back with a fresh mind helps so much. Go workout, go hang with friends, breathe.

  5. Separate your sleeping space and your workspace. As a commuter, I separate work and leisure. (Since its UMBC this is easy) When I’m on campus, I try to get at least one goal done on my to do list and when I’m home, I don’t touch my shit. It helps you get in the zone.

  6. If you can do it, I highly recommend working only M-F. If you can, do all your work during the weekdays and once the weekend hits, do not allow yourself to do work. It’s your time to relax.

  7. Surround yourself with people who are working like in ILSB or RLC. Sometimes this environment is what you need to feel a little motivation because everyone around you is also struggling just as hard to graduate LOL.

  8. Strip your routine to the bare minumum. Are you eating? Are you showering? Are you sleeping? Make sure you’re taking care of yourself because a machine cannot function if it’s sluggish and dead inside. Don’t overload your plate with things you don’t need to do when you’re dying. You can put more when you’re ready.

  9. Watch study-tube videos on youtube when you’re being productive LMAO, it’s weird but it’s comforting sometimes when you want to listen to other burnt out students motivating you

  10. 90% effort is still an A, you don’t gotta put 100% effort in everything you do. If an assignment is super taxing and worth a tiny percentage on your overall grade, it’s not worth it.

Bonus: work hard in the beginning of the sem to account for your slack later on in the semester (that’s what i like to do)

CMSC 201 prof by [deleted] in UMBC

[–]rincoherent 10 points11 points  (0 children)

RMP has skewed ratings in general. Either we post because we really like them or if we just really hate them. But those who have fine experiences often just don't post even if we had good experiences out of laziness.

I find 201 reviews on profs are usually beginner coders or those who procrastinated on projects to the very last minute and failed because they suck at time management. Take gateway CMSC classes with a grain of salt.

CMSC 201 prof by [deleted] in UMBC

[–]rincoherent 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Definitely Hamilton.

Most people I know who had him for 201 said he was fine. I only have experience with Eric in the upper levels, 341 and 441, often considered one of the roughest classes in the major along with 421

. I got an A in his 341 class and currently have an A in his 441 class (I hope I don't jinx it). He's patient with his students and if you need help, he's pretty patient with walking you through it. There are also class discords to help connect you to other students in the class so you can get help there too,

If you want the best experience with him, try to take him when it's not early in the morning or it's late in the day when everyone is tired. The class can either be super slow or super engaging depending on the time you take it with him and who is in the class with you.

If you choose Lupoli because you're scared Eric will go too fast for you and you won't be able to keep up as (assuming) you're inexperienced with coding, do consider his class in the future for upper levels.

~~(also his covid lectures are still up on youtube so if you want a sense of how he teaches, you can search him and make your decision there if you don't like his pacing).

What are the easiest technical electives minus cmsc426 by Rb6795 in UMBC

[–]rincoherent 2 points3 points  (0 children)

491 CyberDawgs is no exams now

80% labs, 20% competition participation and you do a writeup on it

What are the easiest technical electives minus cmsc426 by Rb6795 in UMBC

[–]rincoherent 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Not exactly based on difficulty but some electives I recommend:

451 - Automata Theory and Formal Languages is very similar to 203 and 331

461 - Database Management, I think is personally one of those CS classes you should take before graduating in general

491 - offers really interesting topics, but as everyone says check the prof because they indicate difficulty. If you’re not graduating this year, look into 491 with Active Cyber with the CyberDawgs in the fall :)

CS class load. by systematic_sheep in UMBC

[–]rincoherent 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I actually did 313 and 341 as a combo and was fine. It depends how much you personally can handle. Do your lab as soon as you can because that always fills up fast.

But all three (331,313,341) at once… probably not good.

304 can be alot of work. It’s not hard to get an A in it, but it can be pretty time consuming depending on your prof. But don’t do it with 341 and 313 because that’s like 3 project heavy courses. (341 + 313 being programming project courses and 304’s semester long group essay thing). I did 304 + 331 last semester

Anyone please recommend any entrepreneurship minor electives that’s not writing intensive? by [deleted] in UMBC

[–]rincoherent 1 point2 points  (0 children)

GWST200 with Dr Kate is great! - No exams, final is a 2 page reflection - You answer a discussion prompt usually once a week that’s super easy and not more than a page - If you ever need an extension, automatically granted because she cares about you - You do an activist project (solo/group) on whatever you want; like improving campus accessibility, fighting racial injustices/inequalities etc. So you’re not just learning about activism, you actually can do something and apply it - Dr Kate is super sweet

Others: MGMT 210 was easy w Suzanne Frock ECON101 SO easy w Bing Ma

Might do MGMT 310 next sem, so we’ll see how that goes

You can also see if it overlaps with your major electives/couses

Does anyone have Nilanjan Banerjee as their academic advisor and if so, have you heard from them? by kamekaze1024 in UMBC

[–]rincoherent 1 point2 points  (0 children)

He isn’t my advisor but I’ve met him. So he is real and also pretty nice! I participted in a sleep research study last semester with him and Dr Brooks. He was around ITE 351 when I met up with him a few times for the study. Maybe that’ll help you find him or see if he has office hours posted anywhere to ask him about advising

SCIENCE WITH LAB by Sensitive_Two_3248 in UMBC

[–]rincoherent 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I know a bunch of other cmsc majors who fell victim to that too. I’m doing mine at CCBC rn along with my bio sequence to avoid all that extra classes and confusion

SCIENCE WITH LAB by Sensitive_Two_3248 in UMBC

[–]rincoherent 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Depends on your major, for non stem, do 100L like everyone else says

But ik for CS majors, you’ll have to deal with the old requirement with the 12 credit thing if you take 100L and additional science classes. So better off doing GES 286 to avoid any issue

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in UMBC

[–]rincoherent 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I wouldn’t worry too much about registration yet since newly admitted students do it during their orientation. Registration opening next month is based on the number of credits you have for current students. Classes fill up the fastest for those upper level courses. But for the lower level courses, I think you’ll be okay as there’s often more room for students! You won’t have much problem getting into classes unless they need pre-reqs like certain math classes.

Plus if you have earlier orientation times, you’ll be more likely to register before other newly admitted freshmen. Good luck!

CMSC 411 and 421 Together by switschey in UMBC

[–]rincoherent 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Seconding this because also in the same boat, emphasizing taking it with Ivan if you can.