Course Selection at Brandeis:A Guide for New Graduate Students

Prof. Mitch Cherniack, Graduate AdvisorVolen 259

This Presentation• Target Audience = Students in …

1. MA in COSI (MA-COSI)2. Post-Bac

Others with Questions?MA in Computational Linguistics: Prof. PustejovksyMA in CS and IT Entrepreneurialism: Prof. Colon-OsorioPh.D: 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 Hard1. 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 possible2. 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 take5. know who might be on sabbatical next year

Graduate Elective CoursesCOSI Prerequisites

101a 21a

111a 101a or 125a or Permission of Instructor

112a 21b or 29a

113b -

114b 21b or 29a

118a 125a or Permission of Instructor

125a Sophomore standing

133b Sophomore standing

134a 101a or 114b (corequisite)

135b Sophomore standing

178a -

215a -

216a 101a or 112a or 114a

217a 101a

217b 101a or 112a

230a -

235a -

236b 235a or Permission of Instructor

Grad Electives: Group A

COSI Prerequisites

120a 21a

123a 29a or Math 8a or Math 10a or Math 15a

127b 21a and 29a

128a 127b or Permission of Instructor

146a 31a and Math 10a (Math 10b recommended)

147a 31a and Facility with C/C++/Unix

155b 11a

160a 29a and 31a

175a 21a and 29a and 31a

180a 21a and 21b and 29a

190a 21b or Familiarity with FPL’s, Set Theory, Logic

220a 31a

227b 127b

228a -

240b Familiarity with FPL’s, Set Theory, Logic

Grad Electives : Group B

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

Prerequisites shown in red differ from what is said in Online Handbook currently

Prerequisite UGrad CoursesCOSI 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

11a

or

21b 30a12b

29a

21a

31a

A B A is a (hard) prerequisite for B

A B A is a (soft) prerequisite for B (speak to instructor)

Undergraduate Course Prerequisite “Graph”

Prerequisite UGrad CoursesCOSI 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

11a

or

21b 30a12b

29a

21a

31a

Undergraduate Course Prerequisite “Graph”

Offered in Fall, 2010

Offered in Spring, 2011

Aside: Post-Bac RequirementsCOSI 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

11a

or

21b 30a12b

29a

21a

31a

Undergraduate Course Prerequisite “Graph”

Good idea to take this year

Aside: Post-Bac ElectivesCOSI 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

11a

or

21b 30a12b

29a

21a

31a

Undergraduate Course Prerequisite “Graph”

Good idea to take this year

Eligible to take this year

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: Courses

178

230

101

113217a

215125

118 111

235

236

Group A: Prerequisite “Graph”

133or

oror

135112 114

134216217b

ororor or

11

or

21b 3012

29

21a

31

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

Hong

Alterman

Pollack

Pustejovsky Malamud Xue

(Computational Linguistics)

Colon Osorio

178

230

101

113217a

215125

118 111

235

236

Group A: 2010-2011 Schedule

133or

oror

135112 114

134216217b

ororor or

Hong

Alterman

Pollack

Pustejovsky Malamud Xue

(Computational Linguistics)

Colon Osorio

Offered in Fall, 2010

Offered in Spring, 2011

11

or

21b 3012

29

21a

31

178

230

101

113217a

215125

118 111

235

236

Group A: 1st Year MA-COSI

133or

oror

135112 114

134216217b

ororor or

Hong

Alterman

Pollack

Pustejovsky Malamud Xue

(Computational Linguistics)

Colon Osorio

Yes

Maybe (Speak to Instructor)

No unless took equivalent prerequisite as UGrad

11

or

21b 3012

29

21a

31

178

230

101

113217a

215125

118 111

235

236

Group A: 1st Year Post-Bac

133or

oror

135112 114

134216217b

ororor or

Hong

Alterman

Pollack

Pustejovsky Malamud Xue

(Computational Linguistics)

Colon Osorio

Yes

Maybe (Speak to Instructor)

No unless took equivalent prerequisite as UGrad

11

or

21b 3012

29

21a

31

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: Courses

240 190

175 180

127

128 227

228123155

160

Group B: Prerequisite “Graph”

Papaemmanouil Hickey Hong

220 146 147120

Shrira

Storer

Cherniack

Mairson

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

11

or

21b 3012

29

21a

31

240 190

175 180

127

128 227

228123155

160

11

21b 30

Group B: 2010-2011 Schedule

or

12

29

21a

31Papaemmanouil Hickey Hong

220 146 147120

Shrira

Storer

Cherniack

Mairson

Offered in Fall, 2010

Offered in Spring, 2011

240 190

175 180

127

128 227

228123155

160

11

21b 30

Group B: 1st Year MA-COSI

or

12

29

21a

31Papaemmanouil Hickey Hong

220 146 147120

Shrira

Storer

Cherniack

Mairson

Yes

Maybe (Speak to Instructor)

No unless took equivalent prerequisite as UGrad

240 190

175 180

127

128 227

228123155

160

11

21b 30

Group B: 1st Year Post-Bac

or

12

29

21a

31Papaemmanouil Hickey Hong

220 146 147120

Shrira

Storer

Cherniack

Mairson

Yes

Maybe (Speak to Instructor)

No unless took equivalent prerequisite as UGrad

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

Group C: Courses

Grad Electives : Group C

157 160

Group C: Prerequisite Graph

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

11

or

21b 3012

29

21a

31

177152 153 154

Hickey

157 160

Group C: 2010-2011 Schedule11

21a12

31

or

29

21b 30

Offered in Fall, 2010

Offered in Spring, 2011

177152 153 154

Hickey

157 160

Group C: 1st Year MA-COSI11

21a12

31

or

29

21b 30

Yes

Maybe (Speak to Instructor)

No unless took equivalent prerequisite as UGrad

177152 153 154

Hickey

157 160

Group C: 1st Year Post-Bac11

21a12

31

or

29

21b 30

Yes

Maybe (Speak to Instructor)

No unless took equivalent prerequisite as UGrad

177152 153 154

Hickey

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 possible2. 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 take5. know who might be on sabbatical next year

Potential Sabbaticals Next Year• Fall: Hong, Pustejovsky, Hickey, Pollack• Spring: 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 (mfc@brandeis.edu)

Have a Great Year!