Checksum Arcanius

After thinking about it for a while, and talking to a fellow student, I am strongly considering changing from Computer Engineering to Computer Science. The transition process is supposed to be fairly straightforward. The reasons:

Pros:

• I am already recieving an “engineering” degree — Bioengineering
• “Computer Science” is more well-known than is “Computer Engineering”
• I can take pretty much the same classes, but EE 233 is no longer a requirement (I was looking to petition it away at any rate)
• I already have the neccesary foreign language and writing credits (And I get to utilize these credits!)
• “Computer Science & Bioengineering” sounds better than “Computer Engineering and Bioengineering.” I think this is because the repeated sound is dropped. Furthermore, degrees that sound different (ie, not repeating “engineering”) sound like more was done to get them both (which is somewhat true, because of my many credits). This is primarily psychological, but it seems to me to be true.

Cons:

• I need 3 more VLPA credits
• Here at the UW at least, Computer Engineering is actually a slightly harder degree to get. I won’t be taking it any easier as a CS major, but in the future it may become the better-regarded major. For right now though, CS seems to be more well-known.
• A name is a dumb reason to change majors

Here is what my schedule might look like (note the few changes, marked with *):

Winter 2007 (16)
BioE 303 (4) — Signal Processing (BioE core)
BioE 305 (4) — Analysis of Physiological Systems & Transport (BioE core)
CSE 451 (4) — Operating Systems (CS Senior Elective)
CSE 466 (4) — Software for Embedded Systems (CS Senior Elective)

Spring 2007 (16)
BioE 357 (4) — Molecular & Cellular Bioengineering I (BioE Core)
BioE 481 (4) — Research & Design Fundamentals (BioE Core)
CSE 461 (4) — Introduction to Networks (CS Senior Elective)
CSE 471 (4) — Computer Organization & Design (CS Senior Elective)*

Summer 2007
Quit Job (?), Find Bioengineering Research Laboratory
Need 3 VLPA Credits*

Autumn 2007 (16)
BioE 482 (4) — Senior Capstone Research/Design (BioE Core)
BioC 405 (3) — Introduction to Biochemistry (BioE Requirement)
CSE 467 (4) — Advanced Digital Design (CS Senior Elective)
CSE 401 (4) — Compilers (CS Senior Elective)*

Winter 2008 (15)
BioE 482 (4) — Senior Capstone Research/Design (BioE Core)
BioE 470 (4) — Systems Engineering & E-Medicine (BioE Senior Elective)
BioE 490 (3) — Biomaterials (BioE Senior Elective)
CSE 490i (4) — Neurobotics (CS Senior Elective, BioE Senior Elective by Petition)

Spring 2008 (16)
BioE 455 (4) — BioMEMS (BioE Senior Elective)
BioE 457 (4) — Molecular & Cellular Bioengineering II (BioE Senior Elective)
CSE 444 (3) — Introduction to Database Systems (CS Senior Elective)
CSE 477 (5) — Hardware Design Capstone (CS Senior Elective, if allowed)

Monday 8:30am: BioEn 302 Final
Monday 2:30pm: CSE 322 Final
Tuesday 2:30pm: CSE 378 Final
Wednesday 8:30am: BioEn 304 Final

I have never really experienced dead week — generally, I have always been doing well enough in, or not cared enough about, my classes to seriously screw up my sleep or life over it. However, this quarter I am finding things shape up somewhat differently. First, I do care about my classes enough these days — I have decided to eschew my past of ignoring classes that aren’t the most interesting to me.

So, instead of floating along and getting a B-minus grade in Bioengineering Physiology, I’m going to try for the A-minus, even though I loathe the class. This is highly abnormal for me, and it will require some real work — including a good job on a term paper, a well-done lab write up, and some hardcore studying for the final. Similarly, despite getting the class-high grade on my instrumentation class midterm, I don’t think much of the teacher or the way the class was taught. In the old days, I would probably start to coast about now, and get the A-minus instead of the A. But this year, I’m going to try give the repeat performance an actual shot. Its not like I don’t try on the tests — I always do — but good grades sometimes depend on preparation as well, which is not my usual strength.

My CSE classes are somewhat better, because I’m more motivated to do well in them, as I find the subjects more fascinating and the teachers more competent — generally the classes are more worthwhile. However, in my microarchitecture class, after a week long after-thanksgiving hiatus, there are suddenly three labs due on Friday — the same day as both of the Bioengineering lab reports and the Bioengineering lab paper. That means six major assignments are due in less than a week. And finals is the week after.

So, I say to myself, welcome to dead week.

The cold weather as of late caused a pretty cool thing to happen tonight — the water in Drumheller Fountain at the UW froze over. However, this alone is not remarkable. What is remarkable is the sound that rocks skipping over the ice create.

Check it out (.wmv) [3.2 MB]. Staring Ryan with a speaking role and Christine with the rock-throwing role.

Of course, it’s even better in person!

The latest news on Ryan’s future —

Due to a time conflict with BioE 303, it looks like 490i isn’t going to work too well this year — but it should be offered again next year, and I’ll basically get to tell the teacher what lab time would work for me. So, I’m looking at CSE 466 this quarter, and figuring out EE 233 next quarter, probably. I am also going to look into getting EE 233 waived due to my BioE 302 coursework.

Autumn 2006 (15) (Current)
BioE 302 (4) — Introduction to Instrumentation (BioE core)
BioE 304 (4) — Analysis of Physiological Systems (BioE core)
CSE 378 (4) — Machine Organization & Design (CSE Core)
CSE 322 (3) — Introduction to Formal Models (CSE Core)

Winter 2007 (16)
BioE 303 (4) — Signal Processing (BioE core)
BioE 305 (4) — Analysis of Physiological Systems & Transport (BioE core)
CSE 451 (4) — Operating Systems (CSE Core)
CSE 466 (4) — Software for Embedded Systems (CE Hardware Requirement)

Spring 2007 (17)
BioE 357 (4) — Molecular & Cellular Bioengineering I (BioE Core)
BioE 481 (4) — Research & Design Fundamentals (CSE Core)
CSE 461 (4) — Introduction to Networks (CSE Core)
EE 233 (5) — Circuit Theory (CE Hardware Requirement)

Summer 2007
Quit Job (?), Find Bioengineering Research Laboratory

Autumn 2007 (16)
BioE 482 (4) — Senior Capstone Research/Design (BioE Core)
BioC 405 (3) — Introduction to Biochemistry (BioE Requirement)
CSE 467 (4) — Advanced Digital Design (CE Hardware Requirement)
CSE 403 (4) — Software Engineering (CE Senior Elective)

Winter 2008 (15)
BioE 482 (4) — Senior Capstone Research/Design (BioE Core)
BioE 470 (4) — Systems Engineering & E-Medicine (BioE Senior Elective)
BioE 490 (3) — Biomaterials (BioE Senior Elective)
CSE 490i (4) — Neurobotics (CSE Senior Elective, BioE Senior Elective by Petition)

Spring 2008 (16)
BioE 455 (4) — BioMEMS (BioE Senior Elective)
BioE 457 (4) — Molecular & Cellular Bioengineering II (BioE Senior Elective)
CSE 444 (3) — Introduction to Database Systems (CE Senior Elective)
CSE 477 (5) — Hardware Design Capstone (CE Hardware Requirement)

Graduation!

Ohio State vs Michigan sure lived up to its hype. Wow!

Washington Huskies partially redeemed a lost season with an inspired winning performance against Washington State in the Apple Cup.

Rutgers fell from the ranks of the unbeaten, opening the door even wider for the hordes of one-loss teams chomping at the bit. Boise State vs Ohio State, anyone?

James Bond: Casino Royale — ok, but not really as good as all the reviews made it out to be.

Update: I forgot to include a score, lets say 2.5/5