On Thu, 20 Dec 2001 at 19:58, R Feria wrote:
> Well, that can be arranged - provided that UPManila provide me with
> transpo (hatid-sundo hehe) and a higher per hour rate. hehehe...

Unfortunately I can guarantee neither. I'm a lowly student. ;>

> I have heard not so good feedback regarding the CS program in Manila.
> I'd recommend that you shift to Diliman while you still have a chance.
> Perhaps you can be one of my lead student assistants. ;-)

Maybe it's too late. I'm already in my fourth year of residency
(1998-xxxxx), and am a sophomore by standing (shiftee from Biology). I'll
just finish my BSc. There are books and PLUGgers like you to help guide me
along the lonely path of righteousness. Besides: I have advocacy to do! ;>

> Teaching a programming language is necessary.

It's necessary and it's been done. CS11 focused on C. CS21 focused on C++.
Why Magboo decided to force Java down our throats in our data structures
classes when we already know C/C++ is beyond me. Imagine: we've spent the
first few weeks of our lab classes learning Java instead of learning
various algorithms and implementing them in our choice of C or C++ (or
whatever, if you ask me).

> It helps in training students on how to solve problems and implement
> their solutions using a programming language.

:)

> However, teaching Java in Data Structures is not ideal because of the
> fact that Java does not have pointers.

Man, you should talk to those guys! Este, -that- guy. Magboo handles the
CS curriculum. It's funny, because he has a BSc in Math, and an MD. I'm
sure he has some MSc but I doubt it's in CS!

> Learning pointers is fun - and necessary in implementing various data
> structures.

Definitely fun! I enjoyed using pointers for linked lists a lot. But then
when I saw Python's list data type I freaked out. It's so much more human.
Hahaha. So now I'm enjoying Python's very English-like language. ;>

> This is the reason why we are teaching students Java AND C prior to the
> Data Structures.

We were taught C/C++, including pointers, linked lists, and using these
for stacks and queues in CS11 and CS21. Why Magboo's shoving Java down now
is beyond me. Imagine: we're learning java.awt.* and java.applets.* in
DATA STRUCTURES AND ALGORITHMS! BOOOHOOOOHOOOO!!! Someone strike down that
doctor with a bolt of lightning.

> And I do agree, students do have their choice of programming language to
> use - except when teachers require certain languages, of course.

In UP Manila we don't. And neither do the lab instructors. Our lab
instructor, a fairly proficient one, prefers C. Except she was instructed
explicitly to force us to use Java. :(

> Shifting from UPM to UPD is not too late since you have yet to take an
> OS course.

Another thing: I doubt they'll let me in without "divine intervention". Do
you want me to send you a breakdown of my grades? (personally, of course,
hehehe).

> As for MSCS, yes, I encourage you to take it in Diliman. Hehehe...

Unless of course somehow I get a scholarship for ... CalTech. ;>

 --> Jijo

--
Federico Sevilla III  :: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Network Administrator :: The Leather Collection, Inc.
GnuPG Key: http://jijo.leathercollection.ph/jijo.gpg

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