School

I got my test #4 back last night. I got a 98% by losing 2 points in one problem. I neglected the fact the variable in the problem was to the second power. The problem was solved correctly though, minus the second power and the two points to the problem. I was just so close to a perfect score! I’m happy with the 98% though.

For those keeping score, test #4 bumped my overall grade to 91% (501 points out of 550 total). This means I have to get an 87% on the final or better to maintain an A in the class.

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Monday evening (technically, Tuesday morning) I was up till 2am working on calculus homework.

Rinse and repeat for yesterday.

I hate to say it’ll be rinse and repeat for tonight as well.

Last calculus test is Thursday. Two homework sections assigned on Tuesday are due on Thursday PLUS I really really have to do the test #4 review sheets (although they’re not collected).

After today, I don’t expect to have any late nighters until January…
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Survey says: “86%”

I hosed up the first page of the test. I scored some mercy points, but managed to botch up the 3 problems. After that, I had a few minor slip ups. It was a tough test and I’ll take the 86%. Currently I’m holding onto an 88% overall class grade. With one quiz and test left to go, I hope to get the overall grade bumped up a bit.

We’re getting into integrals in class now. I discovered that fnInt() on the TI-83 is just Int() on the TI-89. I also whipped up a program to calculate the area under a curve. Its based on a program from our calculus book. But the calculus book’s version only calculates the area based on the right end points. And it just spit out the answer. I needed it to do a lot more. My version calculates the right, left, and middle points and shows its work! I demo-ed it for some students and they were amazed. It took the prof a good 10 minutes to work the problem (and he only did 1 of the 3 variations while the program does all 3 variations) and the program had all the answers within 30 seconds by just pressing a couple buttons. Cheating? Its automating a repetive process. And I really needed a way to verify my “done by hand” work. I’ll have to get it posted.

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Its definitely a dim light at this moment. I’ve figured out how many credits and classes I need to graduate. Before I get to that, I’ve registered for another fun filled semester of suffering: Analytical Geometry-Calculus II (or as I like to think, “The Differentiating Continues!”).

I really need to update my school page. But here’s where I’m at. Right now, I’m in Calculus 1 taking 4 credits. I’m assuming I’m going to make it through this class. I need 47 more credits to graduate. You need a minimum of 128 credits to graduate. I’ll end up with a total of 142 because of my transfer credits.

The 47 credits break down into:

• 4 credits of general studies (I have to finish up Western Traditions & Civilization 2 – 1 class)
• 29 core computer science credits (7 3 credit classes and 2 4 credit classes)
• 14 300/400 level classes, of which 12 credits must be in computer science (5 3 credit classes)

This works out to be 10 classes I have no choice to take and about 5 classes I get to pick. For the five, here’s some I’m thinking of taking:

• Artificial Intelligence and Heuristic Programming
• Database Management
• Data Communication and Computer Networks
• Introduction to Software Engineering and Formal Methods
• T:Mobile Computing
• T:Image Processing

The AI class would definitely be intersting, although probably very challenging. Database management and data communications I have a little bit of experience in so those classes are going to be fun. The software engineering class may be challenging, but should help me out on coding projects. T:Mobile is not the same as T-Mobile, the wireless carrier. It isn’t always offered (much like T:Image). Coding for mobile computing is definitely an interest of mine. And the Image Processing class just sounds cool and is taught by a cool prof.

So there it is. About 15 classes making up 47 credits. The classic question: “When will you graduate?” Its hard to say when my rate for taking classes is about 1-3 per semester. Worst case is 8 years and best case would probably be 2 years.
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The 3rd quiz of 5 is done. I think I passed, but won’t know until Thursday.
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