u/dystopiancarnival

Hi everyone!

I'm planning to switch from auditing to purchasing the course for credit, as I'm now supposed to take the final exams for the MSDS. I'm starting with the Statistical pathway and wanted to understand what to expect from the proctored exams beforehand (and also for the other coursework in this degree).

I've gone through some older Reddit threads and information online and understand that, apart from the formula sheet provided, we're generally given only a blank sheet of paper during the exam. I still have a few questions and apprehensions:

1. How much time and how many attempts are typically given? In one course, I saw something along the lines of "unlimited submissions within 2 hours." Does that mean you get your grade immediately after submitting, similar to assignments, and can then review/re-attempt the exam within those two hours? Or does "unlimited submissions" simply mean you can submit multiple times, without seeing your grade immediately?
2. How stringent is the proctoring? Are they continuously watching the screen/camera very closely, or is it relatively relaxed? I ask because I tend to get overwhelmed when I feel like someone is monitoring my every movement, and it can affect my performance. Also, are you allowed to think out loud while solving problems? I personally find it helpful to verbalize my thought process, but I'm not sure whether that's permitted.
3. Are Z/t tables or other statistical tables provided? I saw an older Reddit thread saying they aren't, but I'd appreciate confirmation from anyone who has taken the exams recently. If they're not provided, how are we expected to obtain the required number of decimal places/critical values?
4. How much R do we actually need to know? I've heard that an R notebook is provided during the exam. What would you recommend for someone who is comfortable with the statistical concepts but isn't particularly strong in R? How much R should one learn beforehand to avoid fumbling during the exam and make effective use of the notebook? I'm asking because the courses with proctored exams don't seem to have much in the way of R programming assignments - most of the practice appears to be MCQs or handwritten-style questions. So I'm unsure what level of R proficiency is actually expected.
5. What exactly does the proctoring process involve? I've taken online company aptitude tests where you just have to keep your camera on, but I've never had to "show your environment." What does that mean in the context of the MSDS exams? Also, what are you actually allowed to have with you? Is it strictly one blank sheet + the provided formula sheet, with no notebook/paper beyond that? I have relatively large handwriting and worry that I could run out of space fairly quickly. Are things like a water bottle or necessary medication allowed? Basically, how strict are they about the physical environment and permitted items?
6. How difficult are the exam questions compared with the videos and practice assignments? Are they roughly at the same level, or significantly harder? What would you recommend as the best way to prepare? Are there any particular resources, practice materials, or strategies that helped you?

I'd be extremely grateful if anyone who's taken these exams recently could share their experience. And if there's anything important I haven't asked about, especially something you wish you'd known before taking the exams, I'd love to hear that as well!

Thanks in advance!

P.S. I used AI to help refine the wording/flow of this post.

Hi everyone.

I’m currently transitioning from a career in finance into neuroscience and am looking to start getting more involved in research.

I’m still early in the learning process and have been working on building my understanding of the literature, reading papers, and getting familiar with how research is approached in the field. I’d love to connect with others who are also interested in neuroscience research and potentially collaborate on a paper or research project. I', looking for cognitive neuroscience and computational neuroscience (no wet-lab/ medical side).

I’m particularly interested in learning through hands-on experience and contributing wherever I can, while continuing to develop my skills along the way.

If anyone is working on a project and is open to collaborating with someone at an early stage (or are are looking to collaborate with someone on a new project), I’d be happy to connect and discuss further.

Kindly DM.

Thanks!

P.S. I used AI to smooth out the sentence flow.

Edit: added specific part I'm studying for.

Hi everyone.

I am planning to pursue an MSCS and wanted some advice on how to prepare beforehand.

My background is in Commerce, so I do not have the same CS foundation that someone with a CS/ engineering undergraduate degree would typically have. I have some basic programming exposure (extremely elementary), but I have not formally studied computer science.

I have tried searching online and going through previous discussions, but I could not find a clear answer for someone coming from a completely non-CS background. Most advice seems to be aimed at people who already have some CS foundation.

I wanted to ask:

1. What topics should someone know before starting an MSCS programme? I am not trying to learn an entire undergraduate CS degree before beginning, but I want to have enough foundation so that I can properly understand the coursework rather than struggle with assumed prerequisites.

2. Which areas should I focus on before starting? As in the topics such as Calculus, Matrices, etc?

3. What topics are considered essential, and what topics can realistically be learned during the programme?

4. How much preparation time would be realistic for someone from a non-CS background?

5. Would a few weeks/ months of focused preparation be enough, or does it usually require a year or more to become comfortable with graduate-level CS coursework? (the catch is according to a personal plan of mine, I would want to begin with the degree in a week or two, but wanted to know what pre-requisites are needed before putting in the money)

6. For people who made a similar transition:

• What did you study before starting?
• What gaps did you underestimate?
• What do you wish you had learned earlier?

I am willing to put in the work, but I want to make sure I am focusing on the right things instead of randomly collecting courses.

Any advice from current MSCS students or people who transitioned from non-CS backgrounds would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

PS: I used Ai to refine my word flow.