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Some here may know that I shall be going for my Master's degree (Georgia Tech MSCS, to be specific) this fall. Given that there are many here who have experience with graduate school, I have a few queries and doubts on which advice would be a great help.
a) The first concerns the degree option that I should pick. The degree requirements are a minimum of 36 credits (I am presuming at the rate of 3 credits a course). The coursework option consists entirely of coursework, with a minimum of 30 hours in CS courses. The thesis option requires a 12-credit thesis, and 24 credits in CS courses. The project option requires a 9-hour project, and similarly 24 credits in CS courses. You also have to complete at least one specialisation by taking the relevant courses.
Specifically, what are the project and thesis options likely to entail? I was initially leaning towards the option of the thesis, but after learning that there most probably shall not be sufficient time to tackle a significant or interesting enough problem, I am considering the coursework option.
Another factor in this decision that I am not completely sure whether or not I want to continue on to a Ph.D. after this. As it is impossible to have any real exposure to research as an Indian undergraduate (unless you're in one of the top three IITs), this decision shall have to be taken based on the situation after a year of studies. I have been advised that even for the Ph.D., the coursework option would be better, as it would provide a solid foundation for further work. Is this a correct assessment?
b) The second concerns the requirements for becoming an RA or a TA. An RA would be absolutely ideal, as it would simultaneously reduce the cost of the degree (exorbitant as it is in Indian rupees), and further give me valuable research experience which could be later useful if I want to go for a Ph.D. I am not familiar with the norms of the academic system of the USA, and would greatly appreciate any tips on getting one.
c) I consider my undergraduate mathematics education unsatisfactory - to put it very mildly. How much dishonour is there (if any) in taking fundamental undergraduate courses in mathematical subjects I want to understand? This shall not prolong the degree, as it is a four-semester degree, and paying the fees for twelve credits per semester is mandatory, making for a total of 48 credits I can take while there. Given that, if I pick the coursework option, 24 of them shall go towards fulfilling two specialisations and 12 in optional CS subjects I am interested in, still leaving 12 credits which I can spend pretty much as I please without affecting the cost of the degree (they do, however, count towards the final GPA, which makes me feel slightly dishonest about taking them), I thought it may be wise to use these credits to correct this deficiency. Is this sensible, or a bad choice?
(In case anyone is interested, I shall open a new thread on the topic of my experience with mathematics in my undergraduate studies, which I have seen reflected everywhere across the country; it is something that most people here shall find difficult to believe.)
a) The first concerns the degree option that I should pick. The degree requirements are a minimum of 36 credits (I am presuming at the rate of 3 credits a course). The coursework option consists entirely of coursework, with a minimum of 30 hours in CS courses. The thesis option requires a 12-credit thesis, and 24 credits in CS courses. The project option requires a 9-hour project, and similarly 24 credits in CS courses. You also have to complete at least one specialisation by taking the relevant courses.
Specifically, what are the project and thesis options likely to entail? I was initially leaning towards the option of the thesis, but after learning that there most probably shall not be sufficient time to tackle a significant or interesting enough problem, I am considering the coursework option.
Another factor in this decision that I am not completely sure whether or not I want to continue on to a Ph.D. after this. As it is impossible to have any real exposure to research as an Indian undergraduate (unless you're in one of the top three IITs), this decision shall have to be taken based on the situation after a year of studies. I have been advised that even for the Ph.D., the coursework option would be better, as it would provide a solid foundation for further work. Is this a correct assessment?
b) The second concerns the requirements for becoming an RA or a TA. An RA would be absolutely ideal, as it would simultaneously reduce the cost of the degree (exorbitant as it is in Indian rupees), and further give me valuable research experience which could be later useful if I want to go for a Ph.D. I am not familiar with the norms of the academic system of the USA, and would greatly appreciate any tips on getting one.
c) I consider my undergraduate mathematics education unsatisfactory - to put it very mildly. How much dishonour is there (if any) in taking fundamental undergraduate courses in mathematical subjects I want to understand? This shall not prolong the degree, as it is a four-semester degree, and paying the fees for twelve credits per semester is mandatory, making for a total of 48 credits I can take while there. Given that, if I pick the coursework option, 24 of them shall go towards fulfilling two specialisations and 12 in optional CS subjects I am interested in, still leaving 12 credits which I can spend pretty much as I please without affecting the cost of the degree (they do, however, count towards the final GPA, which makes me feel slightly dishonest about taking them), I thought it may be wise to use these credits to correct this deficiency. Is this sensible, or a bad choice?
(In case anyone is interested, I shall open a new thread on the topic of my experience with mathematics in my undergraduate studies, which I have seen reflected everywhere across the country; it is something that most people here shall find difficult to believe.)
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