contemplate faster, classes start next week!

[chhotii]

Believe it or not, I only had one year (two classes) of computer science at Brown. I'm mostly self-taught.

So, now I have my eye on the Bioinformatics class at Harvard Extension. It's offered in the spring. The prerequisite is the class titled Data Structures. Well, alas, it is also offered in the spring, so I can't take it this semester to have it done for spring semester. I can't even take Bioinformatics and Data Structures the same semester, they are scheduled for the same time.

Well, but, there's always other universities. It's not like I'm enrolled at Harvard, I can take classes anywhere... anywhere where I can take classes. I look at B.U. Met. They have a class entitled Data Structures with C++, MET CS 341, which conveniently enough, takes place this fall semester on Tuesdays. It looks pretty easy, too. Just take this and get it out of the way?

Rich says, the Data Structures class is too easy. Take Analysis of Algorithms (MET CS 566), you'll have more fun with it. It's offered fall semester too, but less conveniently, it's on Wednesday. Taking the Algorithms class would mean bugging out of work early, driving Sophia home, and then driving back into Boston for the evening. More hassle than a Tuesday class, but, hmm, feasible, I guess.

But do I need to take the harder class? Maybe it would help? The "Data Structures" class at Harvard Extension goes kind of beyond data structures, into some algorithms. The description says "the course explores the implementation of these data structures... and examines classic algorithms that use these structures for tasks such as sorting, searching, and text compression." But, the Met College Data Structures class mentions searching and sorting algorithms too. Makes sense; I don't think it would make much sense to talk about data structures without discussing the algorithms they facilitate. What else is covered in the Harvard class, that I might be expected to have been exposed to, that the Met class doesn't?... Well, nowhere do the Met College course listing mention text compression algorithms, but that's not a big deal, I can read up on my own about those. The Harvard class "emphasizes" object-oriented programming. Yeah, yeah, I already get it about OOP. No big deal.

In crazy moments I'm tempted to take both. If CS 341 is so falling over easy, it shouldn't be a big deal, right? Add in these factors: 1) taking two classes with related subject matter is a lot easier than taking two unrelated classes, because you spend a lot of time thinking about overlapping stuff; 2) Rich just took CS 566, like, a couple of years ago, and promises to help (I think). Hmm. Tempted tempted.

Anyhoo, I went to B.U. today, they promise to have me re-activated in the computer system tomorrow or Wednesday, so the ball is rolling.

Comments

[frobzwiththingz.livejournal.com]

"Data structures" and "Algorithms" are really just two terms for the same concept, just described either from the point of view of the *data* or from the point of view of the *interpreter*.

Take whichever one seems to focus on more specific things that interest you, if you can figure that out from whatever clues you have. Maybe take the one that has the better professor, if you can somehow figure *that* out.

I wouldn't recommend taking both of them. Difficulty of subject matter is *not* an issue here, the simple amount of time required to complete whatever programming assignments each class will have *is*.

[radioactiverich.livejournal.com]

Analysis of Algorithms is a class about the computational and space complexity of various classes of algorithms, and in that class the professor gives examples of the algortihms as you go along, generally in pseudocode. It's really more of a math class -- or a strict Computer Science class -- than an engineering class. The classic "Data Structures" class in most univeristies is an engineering class which presents various algorithms to the student in terms of the programming language at hand, as a way to both exercise the use of the language and also learn some handy algorithms like searches and sorts.

As to taking both classes at once, I did take Analysis of Algorithms and also a compilers class at the same time (and did well in each class), so it is possible.

[skreeky]

David Sullivan, who teaches the Harvard Extension course, is also a lecturer at BU. Although he doesn't teach the BU equivalent himself, I bet he could tell you how the various courses compare and help you figure out which is appropriate to learn what you want to learn.

He's got contact info at
http://cs-people.bu.edu/dgs/
Unfortunately, I've never worked with him personally, so dropping my name would likely just confuse him.

[skreeky]

PS -

I can't even take Bioinformatics and Data Structures the same semester, they are scheduled for the same time.

Sure you can. If you can get permission for co-requisites, you can take the Data Structures "Distance Option" while attending Biometrics (which is offered on-campus only) in person on Tuesday nights. Watch the video of Data Structures at your convenience later in the week.

Distance Option

[chhotii.livejournal.com]

Golly, things have changed since I went to college!

[chhotii.livejournal.com]

I am actually seriously considering this right now. I'd love to do both classes at the same time.

But, what about exams? Both classes have a midterm exam scheduled for Tuesday, March 17th, at 7:35 PM. Even if I could be two places at once, my brain can't... :P

[skreeky]

Perhaps the registrar would be willing to let you work something out with the instructors - perhaps taking one of the tests at 5:30 and the other in the assigned slot. This is something to ask them directly though.

Registration ends Sunday, so ask quick! I'm going to point you to dce-distance-ed@harvard.edu to ask your questions.

[whitebird.livejournal.com]

One thing you could maybe do to help you decide is to look at the books from each course to see which one you'd get more interest and development from.

As per skreeky's comment above, I've done co-requisites for similar courses and was able to reasonably handle both classes.