C949 Data Structures and Algorithms I and C960 Discrete Mathematics II

I had to complete C949 Data Structures and Algorithms I in my quest to find the other side of C960 Discrete Math II. On the way, I ran into Jay Wengrow's Common-Sense Guide to Data Structures and Algorithms and Harvard's CS50 course. I highly recommend both for anyone dipping their toes into Computer Science. Things would be different had I been able to go through those first. But once I managed to collect all the pieces missing from the C960 book, I was able to crush it with a final score of 82%.

I'm taking a three-month term break now. I have to learn to program so I can stop having to play catch-up all the time. At least this way I can do it without having to pay WGU tuition.

I am thankful for my term break. I really needed it!

Math Dreams

My math dreams are over. WGU requires a teaching degree to enter their program so I will not be spending next semester fleshing out my math background.

I did make it to Phase 1 of the Pytorch Scholarship Challenge so I am considering taking a term break to focus on that for a few months.

In the mean time, I am still working on Discrete Math II. I passed the preassessment to Data Structures and Algorithms I with a 90% so I'm feeling confident about algorithms and am also more proficient in reading pseudocode than before. I just need to finish going through the rest of the Discrete Mathematics II book again.

Lately, I am grateful for cold brewed coffee. It's keeping me awake through my early study sessions.

Prerequisites

Being a beta tester for WGU's BSCS program is taking its toll. I'm finding that Data Structures and Algorithms I should have been a prerequisite for Discrete Math 2. I went through the materials just fine and learned the content of the book. But a lot of the questions included things that were in the Data Structures book rather than the Discrete Math 2 book. Many other colleges have it as a prerequisite and whomever wrote the Objective Assessment likely assumed as much.

So I'm taking a break to go through the Data Structures materials. I wanted to take it before Discrete Math I but wasn't allowed because Software I is listed as a prerequisite. I think I'm grumpy, learning how much not being able to take that course set me back.

I figure I'll need Software II and Data Structures II before I qualify to apply to CS internships again and I'm aiming to get through those and apply to Georgia Tech by September 1st. That will require me to work on CS topics while I get through math next term. I figure once I complete two math courses in the month I'll devote the rest of the month to working on CS courses , developing projects, and writing my GT application essays.

This is my wish list for next term:

Probability and Statistics I

Calculus I

Calculus II

Linear Algebra

Probability and Statistics II

Mathematical Modeling and Applications

Abstract Algebra

Calculus III

Advanced Calculus

I may get credit for the first two but I'll want to review those before digging into the other courses.

I am grateful that the secondary math program has been around long enough to have an established course structure with proper materials.

C952 Computer Architecture

I found the other side to Computer Architecture. I had to take a crash course in C to understand the examples and find my way through assembly language. I got it done with Bucky's help again -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NWeucMKrLI&list=PL6gx4Cwl9DGAKIXv8Yr6nhGJ9Vlcjyymq 

This crash course in Assembly Language was also a good overview. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75gBFiFtAb8 

Rabbit hole syndrome was real with this course, especially until I decided that I had to get comfy with C. Why wouldn't they say something like that? Seriously! Hopefully the course will come out with a study guide along with some C and ARMv8 cohorts at some point.

I am grateful for another year. It was a good year. 

Over My Head

I swear discrete math is easier than computer architecture. It's one of those things where you need to know a bunch of things to fully appreciate what you're learning but the only way to learn those things is to have already finished the course or similar subject matter.

Things haven't quite come together yet. I joined BSCS to learn how to program but most of the courses seem to assume I already know that somehow. Even books in assembly programming expect me to already know C ... Maybe I should just learn C before coming back to this course.

I am thankful that I live in a time when the sources required to fill in knowledge gaps are readily available and affordable (if not free). Thanks, YouTube!

Spring

'Tis the season for spring internship applications! I just applied for one that fits my academic background really well. But that's the crux of living in my area; I'm surrounded with a lot of talent and diverse backgrounds that easily dwarf my accomplishments. This was my first application; here's to many more!

I am thankful for having fulfilled all the prerequisites for one of those internships.

C959 Discrete Math I

I had a rough start with this one. The first unit was just so daunting I ended up pursuing easier courses until I felt I had a few extra weeks banked to devote to this. Of course once I completed the first unit, I flew through the rest, go figure. I'll have to remember that in the future.

Trefor Bazet was my hero. He got me through that first unit though I'm glad I spent extra time on it. I'm also glad I took the pressure off of attempting to push through this one in the same amount of time I was completing other courses. It constantly reminds students how important the concepts are in Computer Science so I embraced the process and passed with flying colors.

Useful lectures:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHXZ9OQGMqxersk8fUxiUMSIx0DBqsKZS - Tefor Bazet DM1 lectures

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYxzq_O18Mg - sum infinite series

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BA0uxIaMtMs - sum of a sequence

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcKY4hjDrxk - difference between BFS and DFS paths

I am grateful for being able to run again. I'm on Week 2 of the Freeway to 10k program though I am spending two weeks on each interval. This is my second week on Week 2 so it should take me 17 weeks to finish the program. 

C867 Scripting and Programming Applications

This one didn't quite take as long as I expected and I passed it about a week ago while I was out of town.

I'm a fan of Bucky's programming tutorials and plan to use them again for Java. His C++ lectures can be found here -https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAE85DE8440AA6B8

Instead of Zybooks, I used SoloLearn for learning the code because I appreciated the variety of coding exercises and it made me think about it in different ways. https://www.sololearn.com/Play/CPlusPlus ... Again, really great and I plan to use it again to learn Java (Software 1/2). 

My main source was a sample project that the mentors pass out when you ask for them; I don't know why they aren't in chatter or otherwise easily accessible. You need to be able to navigate it to interpret and edit it to your needs but much of the bulk work was in there and I was able to utilize it after my youtube and SoloLearn lessons ... I started off by identifying the main, class, and subclass files. I pasted those files into the file names I needed, editing each one to conform to the project specs. Then I went back and forth debugging my errors and going through the rubric to make sure it did everything it needed to do. 

Based on this course and how quickly I was able to get through Discrete Math 1, my goal from here on will be to pass 3 course per month. That will take me through November to have everything but capstone. I'm also considering switching to the Math program to flesh out my math background before going back to finish up BSCS. Of course, life happens when you're busy making plans so we'll see where I am when I get there.

I am grateful for my grandparents, without whom I wouldn't have known kindness and comfort growing up. 

Finally Starting

This is pretty much where my fast-tracking ends and the actual degree work begins. Adventure! But first, some much-needed time off. I have both C867 and C959 in my plan right now. I'm hoping one of them starts to make sense after some research. They don't even sound like English to me right now. 

 - 4 Scripting and Programming Applications - C867

 - 4  Discrete Mathematics I – C959 

 - 4  Discrete Mathematics II – C960 

 - 3  Computer Architecture – C952 

 - 6  Software I – C482 

 - 6  Software II - Advanced Java Concepts – C195 

 - 4  Data Structures and Algorithms I – C949 

 - 4  Data Structures and Algorithms II – C950 

 - 3  Operating Systems for Programmers – C191 

 - 4  Software Engineering – C188 

 - 3  Software Quality Assurance – C857 

 - 3  Introduction to Artificial Intelligence – C951 

 - 4  Computer Science Capstone – C964  

I am grateful for vacations and brain breaks. 

Data Management (C175 and C170)

It was nice to be able to study these topics explicitly, where in the Master's program I was picking up the theory rather intuitively through related coursework --or as I like to refer to it: trial by fire. This is why I went back to undergrad for BSCS, to figure out the nuts and bolts and derive deeper meaning to the things I feel like I had only grasped the surface of.

In any case, C175 had more theory and had a heavier emphasis on DML statements while C170 focused a lot more on coding questions: more complicated DML statements though there were more questions on DDL statements than DML statements (I think). With my background in SQL and Oracle, I was able to complete them with flying colors --in three days if you count the day off I took for work. I got 100% in the lab exam which is the first time I scored that high in any WGU exam, definitely brag-worthy as WGU exams tend to be averse to perfect scores.

I started to talk about my concussion recently and how that affected my memory. I had to adapt various techniques to be able to learn things the way I used to. Too many years passed before I realized there was an issue I needed to address. I am grateful for the opportunity to catch up on lost time.

C836 Fundamentals of Information Security

This was another day class since I already knew most of it. I had to look a few things up but it was pretty straightforward. I'm going against my own advice and am getting a lot of the easy ones out of the way right now. But I'm going out of town and I need to get some classes out of the way to make up for it.

C173 Scripting and Programming Foundations

A lot of this course was review from a few earlier courses. The rest was a matter of paying attention to what was being asked during the exam. I scored better on the OA than I did on the PreA!

I am grateful for my solid win today. I needed it!

C172 Network and Security Foundation

I finally got through this one. It was difficult to determine what the sticking points were going to be until after attempting an OA. Once I knew what I had to know, I was able to score an 81%. I think if I had known how thorough Chapter 5 would be tested I would have done better the first time around.

I am grateful for Pluralsight access. That one put together a lot of things for me as it kept breaking things down to the point where it didn't matter what kind of background I was coming from. Mike Meyers went over things more thoroughly but I could never figure out where his lectures were leading or which parts he was mentioning because I had to know it or because it was leading to something else.

I'm pushing out of a fog right now. I bumped up my running to 4x per week: Friday, Sunday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Tonight I start Week 2 of Freeway to 10k.

Fork Me!

I knew I didn't want a Network course into my first term but it was one of the four I didn't have a choice on. I went for it this week and fell short. On a good note, I had a REALLY good run today after the exam!

I don't think I'll be pursuing a career in networking any time soon!

I am thankful for all the non-networking careers still available to me.

Fit

I started weightlifting today. I'm hoping to start feeling strong again soon. I've been afraid to work out my arms since my rotator cuff and related injuries healed. To be running and lifting again! What a time!

I'm grateful my injuries finally healed. It was a few years before wasn't living every day in some kind of pain.

C846 Business of IT - Applications

I became ITIL certified with this course.

It was pretty slim, especially for 4 credits. I it's a good cert to have on the resume. Let's hope it makes a difference. My main weapon was the Axelos ITIL app which was $5. There are flash cards and a few kinds of practice tests that you can configure to specific topics. There were a lot of definitions and quite a few of them you could answer correctly just by paying attention to a few sneaky words. The app definitely helped a lot though. I'm not sure how well I would have done if I didn't get it.

My quest for more school hours seem to be working. I got in all my runs this week and started 3-mintue intervals today. It's starting to catch up though. I've been really sleepy, though I also haven't had any coffee since this morning so that could be it. No runs for two days and I'm looking forward to the break.

I went to a graduation for a preschool today. I'm grateful to its teachers who stuck out some very rough times. I hope today is the start of better ones.

Time

I keep feeling like I'm not putting enough time for school so I decided to start waking up at 5:30am and go for my runs then. I think I need to push that back to 5am starting Wednesday. I'm also starting to track my mileage. I ran 2.08 miles today! I'll start keeping a tally.

I am grateful for coffee, without which I couldn't stay awake after a 5:30am run!

C754 Structured Query Language

This was an easy pass for me since I took the 1z0-071 cert last year and the 1z0-061 questions were included in it. I started working with OracleStudy last Monday and took the exam on Friday. It wasn't easy in the sense that I didn't have to work with it but rather that I only had to study for 4 days until I was ready to pass the certificate.

I shouldn't have complained so much but I was annoyed that WGU wouldn't accept my 1z0-071 certificate for this course. Time to move on.

I have C172 next but I think I'll work on ITIL instead. It's my last cert course for the program and it will be good to get out of the way. I'm also not comfortable with networking yet.


I am grateful for shabbat. Between work, school, board issues, running --not to mention the bar mitzvah last week ... I really needed the recharge this week.

C779 Web Development Foundations

This was another foundation course so it shouldn't require a ton of work, especially if you have moderate coding. I had some web experience and was able to utilize my other coding knowledge to get me through it. It's pretty straightforward but with only 30 questions, I can see it being easy to get confused or uncertain and falling below cut. I don't think the labs are essential to understanding the code or passing the exam. I watched a few html and css tutorials and in combination with the practice questions on ucertify, I was good to go. As for all exams, I made sure I understood why the right answers were right and why the wrong answers were wrong before I considered myself prepared enough.

I decided to start running a few weeks ago and it's finally going well. It took a while and I figured I had to do something on my off days so I started using the same podcast and just walk during my off days.

I'm thankful for my community who attended my son's bar mitzvah last weekend. So many of them had to step out of their comfort zones to be there for us because they wanted to be a part of this milestone.

A Break

I need to give myself a break for not being able to keep up with this every day. My younger son is becoming a bar mitzvah this weekend, I'm working, I'm trying to run again, I'm a member of a board of directors, and I'm trying to keep up with uni.

I'm grateful for my children who dare to live amazing lives. They save me in ways they will never know.

Gratitude

I haven't mentioned my husband yet because it's hard to pick any one thing on any given day when it comes to him or our marriage. My life begins and ends with him. We love and support each other, complete and unwavering in ways that I never dreamed possible. His strength and courage carries me every day.

C182 Introduction to IT

This course should not take longer than a day. Skim the summaries and only go back to read the chapters if the material looks foreign. The content is very basic and the reading is likely a waste of time unless you spent the majority of your life away from both computers and pop culture. 

It turns out, I didn't think my start date completely. My boys are on summer schedule so instead of taking the C182 exam yesterday, I had to wait until today. I need to kick them out in order to take exams which I really don't like to do but I suppose they need more time outdoors during the summer.


Today I'm thankful for my supportive family who tries to not complain when I have to kick them out for exams. They also try to understand when I get annoyed at noise because I'm struggling through something complicated. It's going to be an interesting summer!

First Day

I had to work early all week last week and I attended commencement last weekend so there's a nice gap in my posts (so much for daily routines!). I'm getting started on BSCS courses today. I can't believe they're making me take Introduction to IT ... I mean, I have a Master's in Data Analytics!

I'm grateful for my step mom who convinced my dad to postpone his move out of the country for two years. That was my graduation present over the weekend. I don't think I realized how much anxiety their move was causing me until I got the news and I realized I can postpone the anticipation for a while longer.

Birthdays

I am grateful for my dad. I met him about three years ago and next week I will be celebrating his birthday with him for the first time in living memory. We are also having a family reunion with that side of the family, some of whom I have not met yet. I need to get presents for the wee ones.

I am grateful that he is a good person and that his wife makes him happy. I love them both very much and will miss them when they move to the Philippines later this year. 

Journaling

I read recently that journaling is a healthy exercise and decided to add it as part of my studies/review. A lot of this will be academic based because I am starting school again soon and much of my life will revolve around school.

Next week I'll be a sophomore in the BS Computer Science program at Western Governors University. I'm hoping for entrance into Georgia Tech's MS Computer Science program by 2019.

Just a word of warning, I will also attempt to make one comment of gratitude with every post. Is that weird? Welcome to my mind!