Computer Science Post-Bacc at CU Boulder - Computer Science Post-Bacc May '22 Newsletter

Mathematician, artist, archeologist, mudlarker and University of Colorado Professor in Computer Science is how Elisabeth Stade was described in the Guardian photo essay by world renown photographer David Levene. “It can sound like a lot!” says Stade, “People always ask me how all these pieces can possibly come together. But they really do.”

Originally trained as a mathematician, Stade was always interested in more than numbers. “In the first calculus course I ever taught, we used coding alongside mathematics, and even investigated the algorithms within the graphing calculators we were using.” Stade has created educational experiences at all levels, from developing new college courses like Mathematics from the Visual Arts to online apps for children with Phet Simulations.  She even built a mathematics park in Lafayette Colorado as part of a National Science foundation research project. “We were folding advanced micro-polymers in the lab and wanted a way to make the research ideas accessible - so we created a mathematical canopy and worked with local artists to develop CU Geometry Point.” The park includes hands-on activities and 3-D augmented reality elements.  Stade finds computer science comes back again and again as a way to tie together her many research interests. 

While collecting artifacts in the UK she attended an archeology conference and found herself partnering and ultimately leading the DataArc archeology team - a National Science Foundation grant creating an innovative searchable database across a variety of data sets, including climate, literature and archeology. The best part of the project was that three of our postbacc students joined in the research process. They developed database tools and held workshops for the scientists - one student was hired by the team when she graduated.

For Stade, computer science is a powerful way to access, create, and explore the rich worlds of human experience. “This is what I love about teaching for our program. We have students coming from many different careers and experiences - from biology, graphic design, engineering, even yoga teachers and photographers - and all of them are finding ways that computer science can enhance their passions or develop new skills.”

We are sad to announce that Dr. Sina Aghli will be leaving the Post Baccalaureate Applied Computer Science Program to pursue an exciting opportunity in industry as a Robotic Controls Scientist at PickNick Robotics. Dr. Aghli has been a valuable asset to the program and will be sorely missed by both his students and colleagues. Though we are sad to see him go, we are excited about this exciting new opportunity and wish him the best of luck in his new endeavor. Dr. Aghli sends the following message to students in the program:

Hello Friends, 

I hope this email finds you all happy and healthy. With a bitter-sweet heart, I am writing to let you all know that I have decided to try a different career path in life. I have recently accepted a position as a Robotic Controls Scientist at PickNik Robotics here in boulder. In the past three/four years, I have enjoyed talking to every one of you in my classes and I hope you have had a similar experience. I was very excited to see more familiar faces in my robotics class but life happens, I am going to miss you all! 
Please keep in touch through LinkedIn! It is always heartwarming for me to see students achieve their career goals.
I wish every one of you the best! 
Sina Aghli,

Due to Dr. Aghli's departure, the program is postponing the launch of the Special Topics Robotics course that was scheduled to begin in Fall 22. We hope to be able to offer this again in the near future and are working on the introduction of other Special Topics courses in the future. Stay tuned for more information.

The Summer Term started on Monday (5/16). Because Summer is a condensed term, important deadlines are a little different. Important dates to remember:

• Monday, May 23rd: Last day to add a course
• Friday, May 27th: Last day to drop course without tuition/fee charges and a W grade, edit course options, and withdraw from the session with a full refund
• Monday, July 11th: Last day to drop a course and remain enrolled in at least one other variable session course. You will be assessed full tuition, and a W grade will post to your transcript.
• Thursday, August 4th: Last day to withdraw from the Summer term; you'll be assessed 100% of tuition and W grades will post to your transcript.
• Friday, August 5th: Last day of Summer term.

Variable Summer Term Website 

Please contact your Academic Advisor, Kristina Richards (Kristina.Richards@cu.edu) if you have any questions.

Congratulations to all of our Applied Computer Science Post Baccalaureate Spring Graduates! The program officially graduated 16 degree candidate students. We are so proud of all of your accopmlishments and wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors!

Job Responsibilities

Post-Baccalaureate Student Assistants (SAs) support the students and instructors of a specific course. A SA's primary role is to support the students and instructors of a specific course, or support the Lead Instructor in moderating student communication channels. This includes supporting the course instructor throughout the semester with duties such as grading, providing basic technical assistance to students of the course, and assisting students on the course web forum. This position does no direct classroom instruction. 

SAs are supervised by the Program Coordinator of the Computer Science Post-Baccalaureate program. 

More details about pay, eligibility requirements, responsibilities, and application process.

We are excited to announce the debut of CSPB 4622: Machine Learning, which will be offered in both the Summer and Fall 2022 terms. Dr. Geena Kim has put together a great informational video about the course: CSPB 4622 - Machine Learning Overview Video

This course does have a number of prerequisites, which include: CSPB 2820: Linear Algebra, CSPB 2824: Discrete Structures,  and CSPB 2270: Data Structures. Linear Algebra (CSPB 2820) runs every other term and is currently being offered in Summer 2022 and Spring 2023. Please reach out to your advisor Kristina Richards if you have questions about fitting these courses into your schedule. 

There is increasing use of machine learning in education as it facilitates both teaching and learning. As part of artificial intelligence, machine learning is supporting teaching and learning in a number of ways.

Here we discuss three successful use cases.

There are a number of things students can do as the term begins to set the stage for success. Summer, in particular goes quickly as it an accelerated 12-week term. Here are some strategies to get started:

• Download your course syllabus and review in full. What are the important deadlines? What is the cadence of the course? Which course topics are you comfortable with? Which are brand new? When does your instructor hold office hours?
• Create a master schedule which include all major due dates. Carve out dedicated study time accordingly. It is easier to committ to coursework if it is already build into your schedule. Work with your partner, spouse or other family members to work around family committments. Post master schedule for household to see.
• Read all instructions for assignments, labs and course requirements carefully and early on. Do you have questions about a particular course assignment? Do you need further clarification?
• Communicate with your instructor early on if you have concerns about the syllabus or requirements in the course. Early communication can help to eleviate issues later on, particularly in seeking clarificaiton about assignment requirements and content. Your advisor Kristina Richards can also assist if you need to make scheduling adustments.
• Check Course Announcements in Moodle regularly. Updates, points of clarification and general information will be provided by your instructor on a regular basis.

If you find yourself struggling to manage committments or want help coming up with a plan, please contact your advisor Kristina Richards, who is happy to set up an academic coaching session.