Spring 2004 |
| Class |
Title |
Notes |
| CP SC 4400 |
Computer Systems |
One of the tougher, but more rewarding classes offered in
Computer Science. My professor,
John Regehr,
was casual, yet professional and effective. Class taught
extensive system programming in the C language. Cool things
we did include bit manipulation, Intel IA32 assembly language
(it's honestly not that bad), optimization, memory allocation,
a simple shell, and a web proxy.
|
| CP SC 4540 |
Web Software Architecture |
A simple, yet important class. Professor
Art Lee's curriculum
included client-server model, network programming, and web
programming using J2EE technology (JSP/Servlets). If we ever get
a tomcat server, you can see our final project (collaboration software),
or our proposal.
Only complaint was that Microsoft .NET technology was ignored.
|
| FILM 3320 |
History of Film |
What isn't great about taking a film class? Well in this case the
professor, Elizabeth
Conley. Lecture was dry and boring, but films are cool,
and so were the TAs. I've provided a
list of the films we watched, and my
ratings for them. Class based on tests on the films and a research
paper. Mine was on the films Ikiru and The Last Detail.
|
| MATH 5600 |
Surv-Numerical Analysis |
The ever-dreaded math class, and I even like math. Taught using
computers and algorithms to solve equations. Professor
Elena Cherkaev
was a little inconsistent, and it took ages to get homework returned
to us. Plus we could choose which language to do our homework in (C,
MAPLE, etc). I did C so I would learn useful stuff, but it's easier
in MAPLE. Go figure. I still feel this class was unfair.
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Fall 2003 |
| Class |
Title |
Notes |
| ANTHR 1101 |
Culture & Human Exper |
Another gen ed requirement down. Professor
Doug Jones
shows obvious passion for his field, even in a 1000 level
class. Broad look into people in various cultures ancient
and modern. Grade based entirely on tests and a little on
participation/attendance.
|
| CP SC 3520 |
Programming Languages |
A signature Art Lee class
where programming languages are taught not by studying specific
languages, but by writing your own simple language and accompanying
interpreter. Lots of homework, fairly difficult tests, and all this
while trying to learn and implement the language of Scheme.
|
| CP SC 5530 |
Database Systems |
A look into all aspects of databases in modern computer science.
Gary Lindstrom used
Oracle database systems to teach the theory of relational
databases, SQL, reliability, data mining, and JDBC. A must for
those who are looking to get a job in today's industry.
|
| CP SC 5540 |
Human/Computer Interact |
HCI and graphics. That is what
Rich Riesenfeld loves to teach. This class focuses on the roll of
human factors in computer science, what factors should be considered
every time an interface implementation is made, and what stupid mistakes
should not be made. See a non-functional model of my
final project interface
for this class (Requires .NET dll files. If you don't have them,
download them here). It is an
interface for older people that may not know computers, but want to
keep in touch with the grandkids via email.
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Spring 2003 |
| Class |
Title |
Notes |
| CP SC 3100 |
Models Of Computation |
This class is the non-coding side of computer science.
Konrad Slind
teaches finite state machines, grammars, touring machines,
and related concepts. Good to know because of the foundation
for classes like programming languages and compilers, bad
because it's downright boring lecture material.
|
| CP SC 3510 |
Algorithms/Data Structs |
To date my favorite class, mostly because of
Joe Zachary.
A difficult fundamentals class about vital algorithms for
key data structures like lists, trees, stacks, and queues.
Half the class is taught in C++ and the other in Java, but
both are used to build classes for the data structures and
implement something cool using them. My teammate in this endeavor
was Dave Gallup.
Together we made a priority queue and Java program that solved
checkers games in the fewest number of moves. Our solution,
using a random algorithm to find a solution, then using the
priority queue to improve the solution, won first place in our
class. Our C++ project was a .NET GUI for encryption.
An executable and required
DLL files are
available.
|
| ETHNC 2550 |
Africn Amer Experiences |
An eye-opening and thought-provoking experience taught by
a very dynamic and energetic
Wilfred Samuels. An intensive look into African American
history from centuries before American colonization, to the
present. Also a look into African American culture, traditions,
music, and literature. Includes an in-depth look into issues
concerning African Americans today. The only problem with this
class is the reading. It requires approximately 10 books (not all
need to be bought at the infamous bookstore), and up to 100 pages
of reading per day.
|
| WRTG 3400 |
Professional Writing |
Finally writing is taught in a business/professional world
as opposed to the rigorous literature style required in
high school and most other writing classes. My professor
Joe
Mullen was laid back and flexible enough to allow us to do our
best work. Topics included writing a resume, memos, proposals,
a website, and a final project,
ours being a brochure to help the
women in science
organization (ACCESS). The
website is an informative website on guitars. Key to this class
is having Joe as a professor. Way fun and easy!
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Fall 2002 |
| Class |
Title |
Notes |
| CP SC 2100 |
Discrete Structures |
By far one of the worst classes I've been forced to take.
The subject matter isn't overly complex when it comes to
numbers and probability. But Professor
Frank Stenger
likes to make it as difficult as possible. His love of
recurrence relations is enough to make anyone scream. (SIDE NOTE:
Joe Zachary taught recurrence relations using a "master method"
that was 1000 times easier. Professor Stenger just loved his
overly difficult way of doing it). TA Michael Freedman was no help
either. Now I know what hell must be like.
|
CP SC 3505 |
Hnrs Software Practice |
Unfortunately, this is class that most people won't take. The
Honors version of CS 3500 is headed up by Professor
Pete Shirley, a master
of teaching and of computer graphics. The software we got to build
was a ray tracer. Using a file that specified positions and colors
of shapes, the ray tracer program reads this file and produces an
image. How's that for a cool semester-length project? Some cool pictures
include a mountain scene,
a close-up of the mountain scene,
the Buddha,
and an animation.
|
| CP SC 3810 |
Computer Architecture |
Dave Hanscom's
signature course on computer architecture is a homework
nightmare. Lots of studying is required to get by in this
course. Topics include MIPS assembly language, hardware design,
parallelism, memory, I/O, buses, and a whole lot more. The end
goal is an understanding of how computers are built and how they
work.
|
| PHYCS 2220 |
Phycs For Scien. & Eng. II |
The second half of this killer physics set focuses
mainly on the difficult subject of electromagnetism that leads
to the easier subject of light and optics. This course taught
by
Ben Bromley has lots of homework and a lot of tests (five plus a final,
in one semester?). Count on having a good TA to help you get by
otherwise you're done for. That also means going to the discussion
sections is a smart idea.
|
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Spring 2000 |
| Class |
Title |
Notes |
| CP SC 2020 |
Computer Science II |
The second half of pre-major computer science, the first
of which I never took (AP credit). At the time the class
(taught by
Dave Hanscom) used C++ as an introduction to more
complex programs such as sorts. Also used user-defined
classes to write programs. In addition to programming,
we also recorded time spend designing, coding, and debugging,
with figures that we all made up.
|
| ESS 1320 |
Golf Elementary |
The most expensive golf class I have ever taken (two credit
hours worth of tuition + fees), but who can complain about
playing golf in the middle of school? A wonderful fifty
minutes dedicated to the fundamentals of golf. Only problem
was the U driving range. It was so small the only club you
could hit was a seven iron or less. Yes there was putting and
chipping, but the weak part of my game continues to be the
long irons, fairway woods, and driving.
|
| MUSIC 1640 |
Music Western Civ |
Instructor
Vickie Curry has a passion for music. A passion that often
times isn't shared with the rest of the class. The class typically
known as "music appreciation" has a hard time realizing that goal.
I love music, even classical music, but this class pushes its limits.
We had to attend an accredited concert each month, plus do a write up
on it, and for test we had to know the music. Even to the
point of listening to a short passage and knowing the composer, piece,
movement, and style. That only comes from listening to the hour-long
Beethoven's 5th one hundred times. Over and over again, to the point
that drives anyone crazy.
|
| PHYCS 2210 |
Phycs For Scien. & Eng. I |
In the first half of the grueling physics series. In retrospect,
it was the easier of the two physics classes, but Professor
Haven Bergeson (now emeritus) didn't make it any easier.
His philosophy was such: 800 points for the semester, including
homework, tests, and the final. 750 points or above is an 'A' no
exceptions. Have you ever gone into a final knowing you need to score
93.5 out of 100 or above for an 'A'? With a difficult subject like
physics students need all the help they can get, and we didn't get it.
I have never complained about curved grading since this class.
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Fall 1999 |
| Class |
Title |
Notes |
| CP SC 1010 |
Introduction To Unix |
This class was apparently taught by
Joe Zachary,
but I don't remember, because we met once and the rest
was on our own. This self-paced online course (as it says)
introduced me to the Unix OS, but most of what I know about
Unix and Linux came with the years of experience ahead.
|
| CP SC 1021 |
Introduction to JAVA |
This class taught by
Peter Jensen gave me my first taste of Java programming
in my C++ heavy programming life. It wasn't really industry
Java, but it got me an internship in the summer of 2000.
Mostly taught the fundamentals of Java through Java Applets
and imbedding them in web pages. All my class files have
survived, but I can't seem to find any of the original
source files. My old webpage
was made for this class for the purpose of displaying
my homework for the week.
|
| HIST 1700 |
American Civilization |
The general education requirement that everyone has to take.
Luckily this class was way easy, and 20% of our grade was
based on just showing up for the discussion section (which
was way easy being used to high school and all). Professor
Ed Davies grew up in and around Pennsylvania, so all his lectures
would somehow digress to coal mining and steel production. We stopped
going to his lectures because none of it showed up on the test.
Just had to read some text, know some vocabulary terms, and write an
essay or two to receive an 'A' in the class. Just that easy.
|
| HONOR 2211 |
Writing In Honors |
Despite receiving the honors at entrance scholarship and
being immediately inducted into the honors program, this
was the only general honors class I ever took. Why? Because
it was just so easy. At the beginning of the semester Professor
Elliot (no longer around) informed the class of the assignments:
eight short papers throughout the semester, where the best six
would result in our final grade. He ended up being sick for some
of the semester, and due to his absence he made the last two
papers optional, meaning only our best four papers would determine
our grade. Four papers, eight tries, easy 'A'.
|
| MATH 2250 |
Ode's And Lin Alg |
My first math class at the U. I jumped straight to
the ODE/linear algebra class because of my excellence
in calculus. Professor
Chris Hacon gave me a taste of math professors to come:
foreign with a thick accent. The difference was that he was
good and fair. I also learned a lot about physics differential
equations because everyone else was taking the physics for engineers
(part II) class and I had to figure that one out on my own.
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