Email exchanges...

I honestly feel like my friends are perfect sometimes. Then I wonder why they even talk to me. Then I realize... some of them don't anymore.

Soli Deo Gloria

I was baptized yesterday! It was honestly just such an amazing experience. Praying with the girls before the service, being able to share God's work in my life, and just seeing how many of my friends came to support me.

I've been so blessed. =]

COS 323

The description has changed so much since last year... New professor (like, literally new - he's coming to Princeton in the fall) who works with mathematical computation... It changed from recommended MAT 201/202 but not required, and no required prior experience with MATLAB to this. I'm scared.

Computing and Optimization for the Physical and Social Sciences

Amir Ali Ahmadi 

An introduction to several fundamental and practically-relevant areas of numerical computing with an emphasis on the role of modern optimization. Topics include computational linear algebra, descent methods, basics of linear and semidefinite programming, optimization for statistical regression and classification, trajectory optimization for dynamical systems, and techniques for dealing with uncertainty and intractability in optimization problems. Extensive hands-on experience with high-level optimization software. Applications drawn from operations research, statistics, finance, economics, control theory, and engineering.

Sample reading list:
M.T. Heath, Scientific Computing, an Introductory Survey (2nd edition)
T.H. Cormen, C.E. Leiserson, R.L. Rivest, C. Stein, Introduction to Algorithms (2nd edition)
R.J. Vanderbei, Linear Programming: Foundations and Extensions
Convex Optimization, S.Boyd, and L. Vandenberghe

Reading/Writing assignments:
Problem Sets and Design Projects 

Requirements/Grading: 
Mid Term Exam - 20%
Other Exam - 30%
Problem set(s) - 50%

Other Requirements:
Statistical, design or other software use required 

Prerequisites and Restrictions:
Multivariable Calculus: MAT 203 preferred; MAT 201 is acceptable. Linear Algebra: MAT 204 preferred; MAT 202 is acceptable. Familiarity with MATLAB. Familiarity with basics of probability and random variables (e.g., at the level of ORF 309) is recommended but not required.. 

Other information:
Students will use the MATLAB-based optimization software YALMIP, which is free to download 

"The Dress Looks Nice on You"

Thanks for everything yesterday Matterpie. I love you. =]

Meanwhile at Princeton...

"You're a terrific writer, and this is very polished work."
Grade: B/B+

Hrm. So... Time to be a better writer and shine up my work more I guess?

I have somehow found myself pursuing four certificates (minors). Uhm. I knew my lack of focus in my interests was going to be a problem...

Maybe...

If I surround myself in music and work, I'll feel a little less alone. Strangely, being around people just makes it worse.

It's also striking how little work I've done this weekend.

I miss back when life was simpler. When did it get to this?

Studying Abroad?

I learned that chem majors have the option of studying abroad in the spring of junior year. Which is sounding super appealing especially since there's a program at the University of Edinburgh, which hosts the IIP I've been attempting to get for the past two years...

I just don't know if it's what I want to do. When I heard of the biochem exchange at Oxford, I really wanted to go but knew I couldn't, since junior fall for chem majors is not planned for study abroad (we have core lab and other mandated courses). Unfortunately the program doesn't exist for spring semester. I also don't know if my decision is being influenced by the fact that so many of my friends are going and have gone abroad.

There are so many classes I want to take here, and also certificates I would earn as a result, but I don't think I would be able to fit all those classes in my schedule if I were to study abroad. I honestly just don't know. I'll talk to Dr. L'Esperance about it come advising time I guess, and see if it's feasible, try to figure out if it's what I want, and pray to God to see if it's in His plans for me.

I'm constantly struck by how amazingly kind and willing to help my friends are.