Thoughts On Classes (Winter '22)
As usual, I’m taking four classes this winter quarter. After having a session of each, here are some preliminary thoughts I have on them (not ranked in any specific order).
Introduction to Machine Learning
Description: The course title, the instructor says the course will place more emphasis on the theory rather than the tools required for machine learning.
The first lecture we had was just a basic introduction to machine learning and what we aim to accomplish to do in the course. The interesting thing is that the professor refers to machine learning as a concept as simply an “engineering paradigm” rather than anything more specific than that. The second lecture started covering theory, which has actually been very enjoyable so far (although I’m not that familiar with all the symbols).
Ring Theory
Description: Second introductory course in algebra, will cover rings for the first half of the quarter and then modules for the rest.
In the first class, we covered the (surprise surprise) definition of a ring and then a few basic ideas and examples that stem from it. Nothing difficult yet, but I do know that this is the hardest course in the algebra sequence so I’m expecting it to ramp up pretty quickly. The good thing is that algebra is easily my favorite subject of all the math I’ve done so far, and the first quarter (group theory) was interesting enough to make up for it is hard. The funny thing about rings is that the definition is deceptively simple, but the theory stretches out for far longer than a single course could cover (I guess that’s true for most math, actually), so I’m really looking forward to seeing how it all plays out.
Introduction to Computer Networks
Description: Again the same as the title, the course webpage promises that we will “understand how the internet works” by the end.
The first two lectures have been pretty interesting, although moving slowly. Projects are considered to be the centerpiece of this course, and we already got assigned the first one (building a simple IRC server). It’s also important to note that this is the first class I’m taking at UChicago that requires group work, so I hope that plays out well.
Power, Identity, and Resistance II
Description: Second course covering political philosophy, economy, and governments (to give some context, the course starts with Hobbes' Leviathan). This quarter will focus more on the economic aspect of all this, so we’re starting with The Wealth of Nations by Adam Smith (I mean, what else would we do?). We will also be reading Marx, Arendt, and Hayek.
The last quarter of this class was boring, but I have to say the first discussion lecture we had about Adam Smith was far more engaging than I expected it to be. It was very interesting to learn about the historical aspects of Smith’s work, as well as see him lay out the foundation of his economic thought. Also, he really really likes corn.