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chhotiiBelieve 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.
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.
