Frequently Asked Questions

Notice

The FAQ content below is from 2024 and is provided for reference only. Course policies, procedures, and answers may change for 2025. Please check back for updated information.

Projects

Is there a project component in the course?

Yes and No. Each assignment includes a project-like question that provides structured hands-on experience. This approach:

Ensures all students work on similar problems
Provides better guidance and support
Helps you understand concepts through practical application
No separate final project required

Can you give an example of a project question?

Example: Activity Classifier 1. Build a classifier for activities (walking, running, etc.) 2. Start with publicly available datasets 3. Collect your own data using smartphones 4. Train and evaluate your personalized classifier 5. Optional: Deploy the classifier on your smartphone

Prerequisites

What are the course prerequisites?

While there are no formal prerequisites, you should have:

Python Programming (ES242 equivalent)
Data Structures & Algorithms
Probability & Statistics
Linear Algebra
Basic Calculus

What is the prerequisite exam?

A mandatory exam to ensure you have the necessary background knowledge to succeed in the course.

How can I prepare for the prerequisite exam?

Review your undergraduate course materials
Study the preparation materials on the homepage
Focus on Python, linear algebra, and probability concepts

What happens if I don’t clear the prerequisite exam?

You will not be allowed to enroll in the course. The instructor determines the cutoff score (not revealed beforehand).

Classroom Policies

Can I use my laptop in class?

No. Laptops are not permitted in class for any reason.

Quizzes

What happens if I miss a quiz?

Quiz score = 0%
The “best 3 out of 4” policy accommodates missed quizzes
No makeup quizzes for any reason

Are quizzes open book?

No. All quizzes and exams are closed book. No notes permitted.

When will I get my answer sheets back?

4-5 working days after the quiz.

Quiz schedule and format?

2 quizzes during mid-semester period
2 quizzes during end-semester period
Mix of MCQs and subjective questions

Assignments

What if I miss an assignment deadline?

No extensions are granted for any reason.

Where do I ask assignment questions?

First: Ask on Slack #assignments channel
If no response in 2 days: Email the instructor

Can I use languages other than Python?

No. All assignments must be completed in Python only.

How are assignments evaluated?

Viva Voce Process: 1. TAs compare submitted code with live code 2. No changes allowed during viva (warnings issued) 3. Code demonstration and Q&A session

Grade Breakdown: - Code functionality: 50% - Assignment understanding: 25% - Code quality: 12.5% - Theory concepts: 12.5%

Question Distribution: - 75% assignment-specific - 25% theory concepts

Individual or group work?

Group assignments. All team members receive the same grade.

Attendance

What’s the attendance policy?

See the detailed attendance policy in the grading section.

Audit Policy

Can I audit the course?

Lecture Attendance: Free to attend all lectures

Limitations: - No assignment grading (limited TA capacity) - Cannot formally join assignment teams - No official course credit

Computational Resources

What computing resources are available?

Google Cloud Credits are typically provided for the course.

Sufficient for all assignments
Updates posted when credits are available
Instructions provided for setup and usage