Future Plans
Being so close to the end of my degree (at least, unless I decide to do a minor in something or pursue a joint major at this late stage, as mentioned in an old post), I’ve been thinking of things to do before I decide to don the cap and gown to walk across the stage to graduate and step into the “real world” (TM).
I am currently at 108 credits with 3 credits in progress this semester. Assuming I pass CMPT 419, this means I would have completed all my CMPT requirements for graduation and will need to fill in 9 credits worth of coursework.
Of course, in addition to courses, there is also a desire to go and do some more co-op. I hope to make use of the opportunity to explore the various options more. I have yet to do some software development in a work setting, but knowing only Java and fairly basic C that got me through CMPT 300 (Introduction to Operating Systems) is detrimental, which means I need to get myself more experience with other languages that are used in development in areas other than the Web.
In the past, I have mentioned the possibility of using co-op as an opportunity to explore the world (ie. Japan via the Canada Japan Co-Op Program). Perhaps that can still be a reality, but it really depends on how things work out with my academic decisions. If all else fails, there’s always the JET Programme after I graduate.
But in any case, there are a few courses that I would like to take before I leave university, either out of interest, a perceived need, or just something that is useful. I share a list below.
CMPT 379 – Principles of Compiler Design
Reasons: Good to have, Interest
A course traditionally considered to be stupidly hard due to the amount of coding you will need to do. Making use of the course as an opportunity to get good practice with a C-like language (ie. C, C++, Objective C, etc) would be most beneficial. Plus, that talk on parallelism from an architect who works at Electronic Arts a while back has made the course that much more appealing.
CMPT 401 – Distributed Systems
Reason: Useful
Given how we have things like Folding@home or SETI@home, which are examples of distributed computing projects with computing power that exceeds that of the most powerful supercomputers today, we can see distributed systems take on a bigger role in the world around us. Plus, given my interest in Web stuff, knowing about the various necessary things to consider should I decide to distribute servers about would be useful.
CMPT 454 – Database Systems II
Reason: Possible interest
Being a person who enjoys working with information, taking a course that deals with the implementation of databases would be quite interesting. Plus, I did OK in CMPT 354 
MACM 442 – Cryptography
Reason: Interest
This course has been on my to-take list for the longest time and next semester has given me the opportunity to do so. It’s just one of those cool little things that you can possibly turn into a hobby or something. I can’t really explain my interest in the subject because I can’t really explain it with words. I just like it.
General Course Outline: http://www.math.sfu.ca/courses/macm442.shtml
That’s the list so far. Maybe we’ll see more on that list in the future. Maybe not.
Who knows?
May 27th, 2008 15:39
For 379 – it’s a fun course, but not with Shermer. Or maybe it’s just the fact that I took it in Surrey where there are approximately 10 of us in a lecture hall.
Take 401 if Vaughan is teaching it. I remember it was a breeze in the park the first time he taught the course to us, but have heard that it got harder since. It’s definitely useful, though
Ask him if you guys can work with his matchbox robots.
May 27th, 2008 15:40
Hmm apparently your blog’s trimming extra lines of whitespace…I double spaced my paragraph and it chunk it back together…now it doesn’t look pretty :s
May 27th, 2008 20:50
I was planning to take it with Shermer because it would be quite the challenge and I like challenges. Why else would I put myself through more math to take crypto?
As for the blog trimming white space, it might just be the thrown-on theme I’m using. I’ll get around to making my own templates..
July 3rd, 2008 00:52
[...] what else can I take? Looking at the list of courses I wish to take before graduating, we can see that CMPT 401 (taught by Dr. Richard Vaughan) and CMPT 454 (taught by Dr. Ke Wang) are [...]