[olug] advice on UNO computer science degree

[Chris Garrity]

I finished the CS program at UNO last fall, the cerimony happened last 
Friday (while I was at 32 ft flying east over the Colorado).

Like I've been told, n += 101, any degree, anywhere is what you put into 
it. At UNO it's probably a little easier than at MIT to "skip" by, but 
if you're motivated, it's as good as anywhere ('cuz nobody cares where 
you do your undergrad as long as it's done).

Using the academic counseling makes a huge difference; this can't be 
overstated. They know who's good and who's not and what to take when...

My advice:
- take a couple extra math classes. I took "combinatorics" and "graph 
theory," neither are required. Number theory and Finite Automata I 
missed :-(
- Take the compiler class if it's being offered (when you get that far). 
I took as my very last course; it's not required by the program but it's 
required at just about every other university. The class is offered off 
and on, and why that is ain't worth knowing ("We don't hire compiler 
writers?").
- Take Operating System, Network Communications.
- Remember these names when choosing what classes: Fulkerson, J. Clark, 
Dr. Ali, Dr. Mahoney (take all their classes).
- Ask an advisor about the instructor before enrolling if you're not sure.
- Read the book, go to lecture, do the homework, and above all WRITE 
YOUR OWN CODE!
- Make certain to eat as much free food as you can; there are booths 
setup in the PKI atrium almost every week by "prospective employers".
- Being loud and blosterous about separation between industry and 
academia (donations don't justify dications) causes more trouble then 
it's worth.
- Don't tell anybody in the English department how nice the new building 
is, or how much the chandeler in the atrium cost ($110k), o how much a 
CS professor gets paid ($90k).

All and all the CS program at UNO did me great (and it's getting better 
every semester). BUT, what made all the difference in my education and 
how far I've come since '98 is my curiosity and the thing called "Linux" 
and "Open Source".


Eric P wrote:

>Howdy,
>
>I'm looking for some advice on a computer science degree at UNO as I 
>plan to enroll in the fall semester.
>
>My background includes programming in (don't laugh) Apple Basic and 
>also some 6502/65C02 (Apple //e) assembler.
>
>I sorta let programming go the wayside these last 10+ years, but I 
>recently became enlightened of all things Linux 2 years back.  I'd like to 
>go back to UNO and emerse myself in Linux/UNIX programming and/or 
>administrating.
>
>Any advice would be much appreciated!
>
>Thanks,
>Eric Pierce
>
>
>
>
>---------------------------------
>Do You Yahoo!?
>LAUNCH - Your Yahoo! Music Experience
>  
>



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