Transcript Planning Your MA

Course Selection at Brandeis:
A Guide for New Graduate Students
Prof. Mitch Cherniack, Graduate Advisor
Volen 259
This Presentation
• Target Audience = Students in …
1. MA in COSI (MA-COSI)
2. Post-Bac
Others with Questions?
MA in Computational Linguistics:
MA in CS and IT Entrepreneurialism:
Ph.D:
Prof. Pustejovksy
Prof. Colon-Osorio
Your advisor
Graduate Requirements
• MA-COSI
– 9 graduate electives (100 or 200-level)
• 3 from Group A
• 3 from Group B
• 3 other electives
– Timeframe: 3-4 semesters (3 minimum)
• Post-Bac
– 4 required courses (12b, 21a, 29a, 31a)
– 4 electives
• 1 from Group A
• 1 from Group B
• 2 other electives
– Timeframe: 2-3 semesters (3 recommended)
Graduate Electives
• Group A vs Group B: my characterization*
– Group A: Artificial Intelligence and its Applications
• Artificial Intelligence,
• Human-Computer Interaction
• Interdisciplinary: Computational Linguistics, Computational Biology ...
– Group B: “Traditional” COSI Areas
•
•
•
•
Systems (Operating Systems, Distributed Systems, Databases)
Programming Language Theory
Algorithms/Theory
Computer Graphics
• 100 vs 200-levels
– 100-level: undergraduate and graduate (often lecture-based)
– 200-level: graduate (often seminars)
*note: others may disagree with this
Why Course Planning is Hard
1. No “typical” grad student schedule
– every semester = different mix of electives
– why?
• every faculty member teaches ~1 grad elective / year, but
– not always the same elective (2-4 possibilities each)
– not same faculty here each year (~1/7th on sabbatical)
2. Course schedules only known for current year
How then to plan so that degree requirements will be met?
A: Will suggest some strategies here
My Course Planning Suggestions
• Leave flexibility for future (unknown) semester(s)
1. complete Group A/B requirements early when possible
2. take “gateway” courses early when possible
–
“gateway” course = prerequisite for other courses
3. “shop around”
–
drop deadline for grad students = 10 weeks after 1st class
(11/10 in Fall, 4/5 in Spring)
4. be open-minded when considering courses to take
5. know who might be on sabbatical next year
Graduate Elective Courses
COSI
Prerequisites
COSI
Prerequisites
COSI
Prerequisites
101a
21a
120a
21a
152aj
11a and 12b and 21a
111a
101a or 125a or Permission of Instructor
123a
29a or Math 8a or Math 10a or Math 15a
153aj
11a and 12b and 21a
112a
21b or 29a
127b
21a and 29a
154aj
11a and 12b and 21a
113b
-
128a
127b or Permission of Instructor
157a
11a and 12b and 21a
114b
21b or 29a
146a
31a and Math 10a (Math 10b recommended)
160a
29a and 31a
118a
125a or Permission of Instructor
147a
31a and Facility with C/C++/Unix
177a
-
125a
Sophomore standing
155b
11a
320a
235a and 236b and Permission of Advisor
133b
Sophomore standing
160a
29a and 31a
320b
320a
134a
101a or 114b (corequisite)
175a
21a and 29a and 31a
135b
Sophomore standing
180a
21a and 21b and 29a
178a
-
190a
21b or Familiarity with FPL’s, Set Theory, Logic
215a
-
220a
31a
216a
101a or 112a or 114a
227b
127b
217a
101a
228a
-
217b
101a or 112a
240b
Familiarity with FPL’s, Set Theory, Logic
230a
-
235a
-
236b
235a or Permission of Instructor
Grad Electives : Group C
Grad Electives : Group B
Grad Electives: Group A
Prerequisites shown in red differ from what is said in Online Handbook currently
Prerequisite UGrad Courses
COSI
Course Title
Notes
11a
Programming in Java and C
Introductory programming course (AP-exemption)
12b
Advanced Programming Techniques
Introductory Software Engineering Course
21a
Data Structures
Data Structures and Algorithms
21b
Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs
Introductory Programming Languages Course: PL semantics, compilation, …
29a
Discrete Structures
Math for Computer Scientists: Logic and Proofs, Combinatorics, Probability, Graph Theory
30a
Introduction to Theory of Computation
Introductory Theory Course: Computability Theory, Grammars, Regular Expressions …
31a
Computer System Structures and Organization
Introductory Systems Course: Operating Systems and some Distributed Systems
Undergraduate Course Prerequisite “Graph”
11a
12b
29a
21a
21b
30a
or
31a
A
B
A is a (hard) prerequisite for B
A
B
A is a (soft) prerequisite for B (speak to instructor)
Prerequisite UGrad Courses
COSI
Course Title
Notes
11a
Programming in Java and C
Introductory programming course (AP-exemption)
12b
Advanced Programming Techniques
Introductory Software Engineering Course
21a
Data Structures
Data Structures and Algorithms
21b
Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs
Introductory Programming Languages Course: PL semantics, compilation, …
29a
Discrete Structures
Math for Computer Scientists: Logic and Proofs, Combinatorics, Probability, Graph Theory
30a
Introduction to Theory of Computation
Introductory Theory Course: Computability Theory, Grammars, Regular Expressions …
31a
Computer System Structures and Organization
Introductory Systems Course: Operating Systems and some Distributed Systems
Undergraduate Course Prerequisite “Graph”
11a
12b
29a
21a
21b
30a
or
31a
Offered in Fall, 2010
Offered in Spring, 2011
Aside: Post-Bac Requirements
COSI
Course Title
Notes
11a
Programming in Java and C
Introductory programming course (AP-exemption)
12b
Advanced Programming Techniques
Introductory Software Engineering Course
21a
Data Structures
Data Structures and Algorithms
21b
Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs
Introductory Programming Languages Course: PL semantics, compilation, …
29a
Discrete Structures
Math for Computer Scientists: Logic and Proofs, Combinatorics, Probability, Graph Theory
30a
Introduction to Theory of Computation
Introductory Theory Course: Computability Theory, Grammars, Regular Expressions …
31a
Computer System Structures and Organization
Introductory Systems Course: Operating Systems and some Distributed Systems
Undergraduate Course Prerequisite “Graph”
11a
12b
29a
21a
21b
30a
or
31a
Good idea to take this year
Aside: Post-Bac Electives
COSI
Course Title
Notes
11a
Programming in Java and C
Introductory programming course (AP-exemption)
12b
Advanced Programming Techniques
Introductory Software Engineering Course
21a
Data Structures
Data Structures and Algorithms
21b
Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs
Introductory Programming Languages Course: PL semantics, compilation, …
29a
Discrete Structures
Math for Computer Scientists: Logic and Proofs, Combinatorics, Probability, Graph Theory
30a
Introduction to Theory of Computation
Introductory Theory Course: Computability Theory, Grammars, Regular Expressions …
31a
Computer System Structures and Organization
Introductory Systems Course: Operating Systems and some Distributed Systems
Undergraduate Course Prerequisite “Graph”
11a
12b
29a
21a
21b
30a
or
31a
Good idea to take this year
Eligible to take this year
Group A: Courses
COSI
Course Title
Prerequisites
101a
Artificial Intelligence
21a
111a
Topics in Computational Cognitive Science
101a or 125a or Permission of Instructor
112a
Modal, Temporal, and Spacial Logic for Language
21b or 29a
113b
Machine Learning
-
114b
Topics in Computational Linguistics
21b or 29a
118a
Computer Supported Cooperation
125a or Permission of Instructor
125a
Human-Computer Interaction
Sophomore standing
133b
Internet and Society
Sophomore standing
134a
Statistical Approaches to Natural Language Processing
101a or 114b (corequisite)
135b
Computational Semantics
Sophomore standing
178a
Computational Molecular Biology
-
215a
Advanced Topics in Artificial Intelligence
-
216a
Topics in Natural Language Processing
101a or 112a or 114a
217a
Topics in Adaptive Systems
101a
217b
Natural Language Processing Systems
101a or 112a
230a
Topics in Computational Biology
-
235a
IT Entrepreneurism
-
236b
Software Develoment for IT Entrepreneurism
235a or Permission of Instructor
Group A: Prerequisite “Graph”
11
178
29
230
12
30
21b
21a
or
235
31
Hong
236
101
125
215
or
118
133
or
or
111
217a
113
Colon Osorio
Alterman
114
112
COSI
Course Title
2a
Introduction to Computers
11a
Programming in Java and C
12b
Advanced Programming Techniques
21a
Data Structures
21b
Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs
29a
Discrete Structres
30a
Introduction to Theory of Computation
31a
Computer System Structures and Organization
Pollack
or or
or
217b
or
216
Pustejovsky Malamud
134
Xue
(Computational Linguistics)
135
Group A: 2010-2011 Schedule
11
178
29
230
12
30
21b
21a
or
235
31
Hong
236
101
125
215
or
118
133
or
or
111
217a
113
Colon Osorio
Alterman
114
112
Pollack
or or
or
217b
or
216
134
Offered in Fall, 2010
Offered in Spring, 2011
Pustejovsky Malamud
Xue
(Computational Linguistics)
135
Group A: 1st Year MA-COSI
11
178
29
230
12
30
21b
21a
or
235
31
Hong
236
101
125
215
or
118
133
or
or
111
217a
113
Colon Osorio
Alterman
114
112
Pollack
or or
or
217b
or
216
134
Yes
Maybe (Speak to Instructor)
No unless took equivalent prerequisite as UGrad
Pustejovsky Malamud
Xue
(Computational Linguistics)
135
Group A: 1st Year Post-Bac
11
178
29
230
12
30
21b
21a
or
235
31
Hong
236
101
125
215
or
118
133
or
or
111
217a
113
Colon Osorio
Alterman
114
112
Pollack
or or
or
217b
or
216
134
Yes
Maybe (Speak to Instructor)
No unless took equivalent prerequisite as UGrad
Pustejovsky Malamud
Xue
(Computational Linguistics)
135
Group B: Courses
COSI
Course Title
Prerequisites
120a
Topics in Computer Systems
21a
123a
Statistical Machine Learning
29a or Math 8a or Math 10a or Math 15a
127b
Database Management Systems
21a and 29a
128a
Modern Database Systems
127b or Permission of Instructor
146a
Principles of Computer System Design
31a and Math 10a (Math 10b recommended)
147a
Distributed Systems
31a and Facility with C/C++/Unix
155b
Computer Graphics
11a
160a
Parallel Computing and Programming
29a and 31a
175a
Data Compression and Multimedia
21a and 29a and 31a
180a
Algorithms
21a and 21b and 29a
190a
Introduction to Programming Language Semantics
21b or Familiarity with FPL’s, Set Theory, Logic
220a
Advanced Computer Systems
31a
227b
Advanced Topics in Database Systems
127b
228a
Topics in Distributed Systems
-
240b
Computational Logic
Familiarity with FPL’s, Set Theory, Logic
Group B: Prerequisite “Graph”
11
29
123
155
228
12
30
21b
21a
or
Papaemmanouil
31
Hickey
Hong
160
120
220
146
147
175
180
240
127
190
Shrira
COSI
Course Title
2a
Introduction to Computers
11a
Programming in Java and C
12b
Advanced Programming Techniques
21a
Data Structures
21b
Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs
29a
Discrete Structres
30a
Introduction to Theory of Computation
31a
Computer System Structures and Organization
Storer
128
227
Mairson
Cherniack
Group B: 2010-2011 Schedule
11
29
123
155
228
12
30
21b
21a
or
Papaemmanouil
31
Hickey
Hong
160
120
220
146
147
175
180
240
127
190
Shrira
Storer
128
227
Mairson
Offered in Fall, 2010
Offered in Spring, 2011
Cherniack
Group B: 1st Year MA-COSI
11
29
123
155
228
12
30
21b
21a
or
Papaemmanouil
31
Hickey
Hong
160
120
220
146
147
175
180
240
127
190
Shrira
Storer
128
227
Mairson
Yes
Maybe (Speak to Instructor)
No unless took equivalent prerequisite as UGrad
Cherniack
Group B: 1st Year Post-Bac
11
29
123
155
228
12
30
21b
21a
or
Papaemmanouil
31
Hickey
Hong
160
120
220
146
147
175
180
240
127
190
Shrira
Storer
128
227
Mairson
Yes
Maybe (Speak to Instructor)
No unless took equivalent prerequisite as UGrad
Cherniack
Group C: Courses
COSI
Prerequisites
152aj
11a and 12b and 21a
153aj
11a and 12b and 21a
154aj
11a and 12b and 21a
157a
11a and 12b and 21a
160a
29a and 31a
177a
-
320a
235a and 236b and Permission of Advisor
320b
320a
Grad Electives : Group C
Group C: Prerequisite Graph
11
12
29
21b
21a
or
31
160
157
COSI
Course Title
2a
Introduction to Computers
11a
Programming in Java and C
12b
Advanced Programming Techniques
21a
Data Structures
21b
Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs
29a
Discrete Structres
30a
Introduction to Theory of Computation
31a
Computer System Structures and Organization
152
153
Hickey
154
177
30
Group C: 2010-2011 Schedule
11
12
29
21b
21a
or
31
160
157
152
Offered in Fall, 2010
Offered in Spring, 2011
153
Hickey
154
177
30
Group C: 1st Year MA-COSI
11
12
29
21b
21a
or
31
160
157
153
152
Yes
Maybe (Speak to Instructor)
Hickey
No unless took equivalent prerequisite as UGrad
154
177
30
Group C: 1st Year Post-Bac
11
12
29
21b
21a
or
31
160
157
153
152
Yes
Maybe (Speak to Instructor)
Hickey
No unless took equivalent prerequisite as UGrad
154
177
30
An MA-COSI in 3 Semesters
• Semester 1:
– 3 Electives (Choices: 111?, 112, 235, 190, 128?, 157)
• Semester 2:
– 3 Electives (Choices: 101, 114, 118?, 178?, 236?, 175, 177)
• Semester 3:
– 2 Electives (A, B, other)
– 1 Elective or Masters Project
A Post-Bac in 3 Semesters
• Semester 1:
– 21a: Data Structures and Fundamentals of Computing
– 29: Discrete Structures
– 1 Elective (Choices: 111?, 235, 21b)
• Semester 2:
– 12: Advanced Programming Techniques
– 31: Computer Structures and Organization
– 1 Elective (Choices: 101, 114?, 118?, 178, 236?, 175?, 30a)
• Semester 3:
– 2 Electives (A, B, other)
A Post-Bac in 2 Semesters?
• Semester 1:
–
–
–
–
21a: Data Structures and Fundamentals of Computing
29: Discrete Structures
Group A Elective: 111? or 235
Other Elective: 21b
• Semester 2:
–
–
–
–
12: Advanced Programming Techniques
31: Computer Structures and Organization
Group B Elective: 175?
Other Elective: 101, 114?, 118?, 178, 236?, 30a
*Possible, but intense workload -- not recommended
My Course Planning Suggestion
• Leave flexibility for future (unknown) semester(s)
1. complete Group A/B requirements early when possible
2. take “gateway” courses early when possible
–
“gateway” course is a prerequisite for other courses
3. “shop around”
–
drop deadline for grad students = 10 weeks after 1st class
(11/10 in Fall, 4/5 in Spring)
4. be open-minded when considering courses to take
5. know who might be on sabbatical next year
Potential Sabbaticals Next Year
• Fall:
• Spring:
Hong, Pustejovsky, Hickey, Pollack
Pollack, Papaemmanouil
• A Possible Strategy:
– Complete Group A requirements this year
– Complete Group B requirements next year
Still not sure what to do?
• I will be available tomorrow (8/25), 1:00-5:00
– 16 x 15-minute slots
– sign-up for slot on my door (Volen 259)
– if none available, email me ([email protected])
Have a Great Year!