So.. does anybody else want to have a convo about the depaul masters CS professors? I had I-ping chu last qtr for discrete and he was nice and knew a lot but was pretty horrible at actually teaching to the level of the class. Hoping this qtr is better which it should be according to ratemyprofessor.com. john rogers and perkojvic or whatever, the guy that wrote the python book.
So.. does anybody else want to have a convo about the depaul masters CS professors? I had I-ping chu last qtr for discrete and he was nice and knew a lot but was pretty horrible at actually teaching to the level of the class. Hoping this qtr is better which it should be according to ratemyprofessor.com. john rogers and perkojvic or whatever, the guy that wrote the python book.
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I was also in Chus class. He was very nice but a horrible teacher. Overall, I do not think I got that much out of the class. I got a good grade but plan on reviewing on my own to fill in the gaps.
I have the same 2 professors for next semester and I am much more excited. Rogers has a great reputation and one of the books is free. I have gone through a few chapters - not much actual programming so far but it does explain what is new in Java so the switch from Python should not be too bad.
I'm interested in DePaul's MS in Computer Science program and will be going to the information session for the program tonight. Although I have yet to apply, I'm hoping to start coursework this Spring quarter. Like many people on this thread, my interest in computer science developed outside of former college training. I have a graduate degree in Geography which led to a Geographic Information Systems position. This job has given me a decent exposure to programming and IT, and I've developed a strong interest in both. It seems like this program is very accessible, and I'm looking forward to starting the courses. I've already purchased the required textbooks for Introduction to Programming and Discrete Structures, and have studied up on both to a decent level. I've found Discrete Structures to be a bit of a challenge, and it's difficult to gauge how I would actually perform in the course while studying independently. A big difficulty for me are the proofs. Just out of curiosity, does anyone know if DePaul's Discrete Structures course requires a lot of proofs?
If anyone else is going today, I'll see you there!
I took discrete last quarter. Proofs are a part of the course but its not major. I believe there was 1 question on the midterm about induction. You can still get an A without understanding a few of the topics the course covers. The material is challenging and will make you struggle, but if you put in the time and ask questions you will be completely fine.
Discrete and the algorithms class after it are pretty much the reason I did well in my interview and got a job. Pay lots of attention it's pretty useful stuff
Discrete and the algorithms class after it are pretty much the reason I did well in my interview and got a job. Pay lots of attention it's pretty useful stuff
did you get a job or an internship? What point in the program did you get it? Any tips?
did you get a job or an internship? What point in the program did you get it? Any tips?
Job job. Honestly I never really got it as it was being explained the first time. I took notes on every single concept mentioned and then worked through all the hw without just grabbing off the Internet. Just remember all the approaches to algorithms they teach and then try and plug them in to solve the problems. Just don't cheat, it's great stuff to get some practice with.
It's alarming to me that this thread has devolved into a recruiting tool for Depaul. I'm considering writing an update, but I don't want to perpetuate that even further with a "success story."
Well my intention was obviously not to be offensive. I feel good about this thread if it gets people to take a chance and go after a career change; but I don't want people to specifically choose Depaul bc of it. Anyway you guys can definitely keep talking about Depaul; but I do not feel that Depaul is a better choice than any other school. It's all about what you put in. There's plenty of students I've met in the program who do not have good programming jobs. So, I feel irresponsible if someone reads my thread and specifically chooses Depaul bc of it.
There's plenty of students I've met in the program who do not have good programming jobs.
What are they doing and why (do you think)?
I think everyone knows school is their decision to make alone and they are not guaranteed anything. And if they don't well, that's their fault not yours.
I have a lot of thoughts on mistakes people make, but I'm probably too new to the industry to be certain. After my internship ended I received 6 job offers in a sort of wide range of roles: 2 developer roles, 3 systems related roles, and one big data role (with an emphasis on Hadoop). If it would be helpful for you I can summarize my observations and decisions along the way; but, I am far from an expert. In fact, really I'm just starting out. I'm one month into my job, and I have a looooong way to go to get where I want to be.
I'm in New York for work this week, which means I have a lot of time to myself since I don't know anyone here. So, maybe ill write up something during dinner. It might be super long though, and you'll likely look at it and think, "Ain't nobody got time for that."
Hmmm well the post wouldn't be Depaul specific. It would be meant to help anyone interested in getting into the field of Computer Science. As mentioned, Depaul itself is irrelevant to the equation... you
can substitute any school in its place.
Go_Blue - I can see why you feel that this thread has turned into a recruiting tool for DePaul. I would be lying if I told you that this thread didn't play a partial role in my decision to apply. However, considering that I'm in a very similar situation that you were in when you were just starting out, I'm pretty sure I would have come to the same decision if this thread were not around - I live in Chicago, have had a bit of exposure to programming but no formal training, and am interested in a school that exposes students without a relevant bachelors through an introductory year. I feel like I've searched pretty thoroughly for alternative programs, but have yet to see anything that fulfills my criteria quite like DePaul's. I'm not against the idea of applying to programs outside of Chicago if I can find a job there in my field, but otherwise I'm going to stick to schools within the area.
I agree that it would be nice to hear some input from others who have taken similar programs elsewhere. It would be good if this thread reflected its title more than a thread for prospective and current DePaul students.
After my internship ended I received 6 job offers in a sort of wide range of roles: 2 developer roles, 3 systems related roles, and one big data role (with an emphasis on Hadoop).
Do you think that maybe you did so well because you had good work experience before getting your master's (especially your 3-year stint as a trader)?
id be interested to hear why people didn't find jobs
Most programs allow a lot of flexibility in how you design your course load and projects. You can put together a fairly easy schedule that won't make you a great programmer. You can also put one together that will challenge you as a programmer. The people who don't find jobs probably don't push themselves to become strong programmers.
Job job. Honestly I never really got it as it was being explained the first time. I took notes on every single concept mentioned and then worked through all the hw without just grabbing off the Internet. Just remember all the approaches to algorithms they teach and then try and plug them in to solve the problems. Just don't cheat, it's great stuff to get some practice with.
pretty true for me so far. I find that I don't learn much in class, my learning really takes place outside of class. rewatching lectures, googling, reading the book, whatever. getting bombed with new info over a 3 hour period isn't a great way to learn IMO.
I just figured out my game plan. For whatever reason I somehow missed this on my school's website at UCI.
According to this website they put the information upfront on the requirements for getting admitted as a second bachelors at UCI. You can clear the requirements by doing most of the classes at a community college and whatever else you can enroll in classes through their "Access" program which runs around $1100 each course.
This is much ideal since I can do this while still working my full time job. I just have to figure out a way to change my schedule at work, which should be no problem.
For the past couple of months I was at crossroads of whether to quit my job and take on loans and go for a bachelors full-time for two years or do a masters part time at a Cal State Long Beach.
Time to email the counsel office to see how many courses can I transfer from UCI Access program to the actual degree.
Hate to bump this thread, but it has just been an amazing resource for me. I'm in a similar situation as OP was when he first posted this. I'm a soon-to-be second year student at a Chicago pharmacy school and I've only had second thoughts about Pharmacy from the get go.
After reading this thread from start to finish, my original intentions of pursuing an MSCS has peaked and I'm heavily interested in the CDM.Depaul MSCS program, as well as IIT's analog. Could any students share their experiences thus far? Any recommendations on what I can do during this summer to get a better feel for CS? Right now, I'm just using codeacademy. I also took a C++ course at a community college during my brief attempt at engineering and enjoyed it a lot compared to all the physics and thermo I took. Thanks in advance.
. Plus many other people who find this through google will too. 
