The Magic of Engineering for the Customer
Creating a schedule for the first time can be a daunting task, especially for a first year engineering student. There are so many aspects to consider…
To high school seniors, trying to decide whether to apply to Tufts: there are probably lots of statistics you’ve been looking at--lists of clubs, average test scores, student-professor ratios--but the real question is, will you actually enjoy a school once you get there? Will you be able to get the education you’ve come for?
In order to give you a tidbit of insight, here is a small sampling of Tufts classes and what it’s like to take them. I’m reasonably qualified to talk about this since I’ve now been taking each one for a month.
Comp 136: Statistical Pattern Recognition
This class is a machine learning class, which means we’re trying to find ways to algorithmically collect information from large data sets. Specifically, we’re focusing on obtaining a rigorous mathematical understanding of a variety of probabilistic distributions used to solve these problems.
This class is a math class not-so-cleverly disguised as a computer science course. I would describe it as trying to drink from a firehose. The professor is incredibly intelligent and hands over enormous amounts of information in a very short period of time. Reading the book is helpful, especially because much of the class is grad students who don’t ask as many questions.
Comp 97: Senior Design Capstone
A required course for CS engineers, this class is devoted to learning software development tools via a year-long project with a team. I’m working on developing a network interface between two research projects designed to make it easier for kids to start out programming. Blocky Talky is language for controlling hardware components, like robots and light switches and speakers, and AppInventor is a web-based platform developed at MIT for writing Android apps. When we combine them, students will be able to write Android apps that can control hardware components, which opens up a ton of possibilities.
This is the first long-term project we’ve worked on through the department, and it’s been very interesting to discover the implications of being on a team, working through the requirements of the class and the needs of our sponsor. I’ll probably write about it in April once we finish.
Math 145: Abstract Algebra
This is a math class required for all majors, and it explores some of the fundamental underpinnings of theoretical computer science. It’s a pretty standard math class, with about 30 students, one problem set a week, two midterms, and a final. The professor is really good at making everybody talk in class. As in many classes, there are a small handful of students who are eager to participate (show off), and a lot who are content to lean back and watch the formulae go by. The prof will call on people--she’s learned almost every name in class--and do sanity checks to make sure everyone is on track.
Abstract algebra builds on a discrete math class I took freshman year, and I’ve been running into topics and applications related to the course for the past two years. I’m looking forward to connecting all of the vague knowledge that I’ve picked up with a rigorous approach to the field.
Fam 93: Drawing Fundamentals
I may or may not end up with a studio art minor, but this is an awesome class regardless. We’re exploring how to put down the world onto paper through a variety of mediums, beginning with graphite and moving into charcoal, ink, watercolor, colored pastels, and more, studying still lives and figure drawing. It’s six hours a week of getting my hands dirty, scribbling on paper, and focusing on an extremely right-brained activity.
We also have drawing homework, occasional assignments creating our own still lives and drawing them outside of class, as well as a daily sketchbook that we’re supposed to keep. I adore the sketchbook assignment; it’s become more of a journal for me, and it feels mentally healthy to be expelling some of the anxieties and excitements that come with senior year onto paper.
BONUS Comp 111: Operating Systems
I’m auditing this class because I think it’s important to have a basic understanding of how computers work if I’m going to graduate with a computer science degree. We’re learning the low-level nitty gritty of how the operating system deals with making all the parts of your computer play well together. It’s a pretty big class, since it’s required for computer engineers, and there are programming assignments every couple of weeks. When I say auditing, I mean I show up to class when it’s convenient and listen to the professor, who is awesome at transmitting knowledge to students, and keeps our attention with his quirks.
This is a pretty typical senior-year schedule. I’m taking almost all major classes, although the art does count for a breadth elective, and focusing in on some areas of interest--machine learning, abstract algebra. Be sure to comment if you want to know more about long-term planning for an engineering degree, what classes are fun to take earlier in your major, or whether I’m actually doing homework this year.
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