r/OMSA

Hey guys,

I'm on my 8th course and currently in the Analytical track. My long term goal is to work in DS/ML so was thinking maybe I should take Deep Learning which is a C-track elective. My problem is that I feel like I read somewhere that 1 course can't count for 2 requirements, but I can't find where I saw that. It would mean if I wanted to switch to C-track I'd need to take an extra course.

Completed:

All foundation courses (currently in DVA)

ISYE 6644 Simulation and Modeling (A track, Ops elective)

ISYE 6669 Deterministic Optimization (A track, Ops elective)

ISYE 6414 Regression (A track, Stats elective)

Future:

Spring '27 - ISYE 6740 CDA (A and C track, Stats elective)

Summer '27 - Practicum

Fall '27 - Either DMSL (A track, stats elective) or Deep Learning (C track) depending if I can switch tracks

For those who have taken DL, if I can't count CDA towards both a C-track elective and a Stats elective, is sticking around for an extra semester to do Deep Learning worth it? Could I take DMSL, graduate so I actually have the piece of paper, and then enroll in DL or would I have to push off graduation to do that? (which would be really unappealing honestly, I've been doing this since 2023)

Edit: I'm not necessarily concerned about which track I end up being, I'm concerned that if I take DL, I won't have technically satisfied either A or C track because I'll only have 1 C track elective since CDA would be my second stat requirement, and so not contribute to a C track elective. DL is not an A track elective so I won't satisfy the A track either. Need 2 stats electives and 2 track specific electives with no double dipping (if my memory is correct)

I am in C-track and after this semester I will have done:

7643 DL, 6040 iCDA, 6242 DVA, 8803 ANLP, 6414 REG, 6501 iAM, 6644 SIM, 6740 CDA, and MGT 6203. I've also opted out of MGT 8803.

Next semester I plan to take my last elective along with the Praticum.

Honestly at this point, I am so tired and burned out. And I've already been able to transition into an ML-based Data Scientist role which was always the goal of this doing this program.

Now I just want to take the easiest breeziest class and be done with OMSA once and for all. According to OMSA Degree Planner, I can pretty much choose any elective. Which course should I take that is objectively the path of least resistance?

So far I've shortlisted:

• CS 6750: Human-Computer Interaction
• CS 7280: Network Science
• ISYE 7406: Data Mining and Statistical Learning
• MGT 6059: Emerging Technologies (7-week)
• MGT 6311: Digital Marketing
• MGT 6655: Business Data Preparation & Visualization (7-week)
• MGT 6727: Privacy for Professionals
• MGT 8813: Financial Modeling
• MGT 8823: Data Analysis for Continuous Improvement
• MGT 8833: Analysis of Unstructured Data (7-week)
• PUBP 6725: Information Security Policies

Thank you in advance for any insights!

I only scored 3 points on the first midterm, even though I studied very hard for this class and have been putting in more than 20 hours each week. I think my main issue is that it takes me hours to solve a single question, and the syntax just doesn’t come naturally to me. I also struggle with figuring out the right algorithm or approach to solve a problem. In addition, I wanna go to the TA office hour, but I honestly not sure whether they will be able to help me other than showing me the answers.

What are some ways I can recover from this and improve going forward?

I’m in OMSA right now and wondering if I should apply to the new OMS AI program when it opens.
I’m mostly interested in ML, NLP, and LLMs. With where AI is going, “analytics” in the degree title is honestly a bit of a turnoff for me. Maybe I’m overthinking the name, but I wonder if it makes a difference to employers.
I also lowkey feel like some of the OMSA curriculum is outdated, though I haven’t taken enough electives yet to judge the whole program.
Foundations of AI Theory and Predictive AI both sound interesting. Obviously we need to see the actual courses first, but is anyone else considering switching? Or would you just stick with OMSA and take the ML electives?

I’m currently taking CSE 6040. I prepared on my own before the course, but I came in with little experience in Python, SQL, and pandas.

I recently took the midterm and was only able to solve 2 problems. For most of the others, I didn’t even know how to approach them.

For those who took CS 1301 before CSE 6040, did it help you significantly?

I’m trying to decide whether I should withdraw or stay and push through.

P.S. I know no one can make this decision for me, but I really appreciate any thoughts or experiences you’re willing to share! 

For those who've taken CSE 6040, how recoverable am I after doing poorly on MT1? I'm able to dedicate more time to future topics, but how much do they build on ones covered so far (floating-point encoding, regex, etc.)?

This is the last class I need to take before graduating the program and I just can't get through it. I have gotten straight A's in all the other courses I have taken in OMSA and never ran into a problem like this. Even after taking extensive notes on both lectures and asynchronous meetings I have trouble keeping up with all the information. For Finance I did the all the provided practice problems and felt like I had a good grasp of the material but ran out of time 3/4ths way through the exam. Even after all the practice I still felt iffy on the finance exam. I feel extremely burned out and don't know what to do anymore.

Hi everyone!

I currently work in healthcare as a laboratory scientist and was wondering if anyone who is currently in or has graduated from the program came from a healthcare background and would recommend OMSA as a way to switch careers? I'm interested in pursuing health data analytics and would prefer a structured program to help me learn the skills needed to break into analytics.

If anyone has any insights on whether OMSA would be a good program for this, it would be greatly appreciated :)

Hi guys
I'll be starting OMSA in spring 2027. Track c.
I'm from a non CS/math background at 50 years old. I have completed most of the prerequisites (programming, linear algebra, calculus, stats and prob )

I'll be working approx 20hrs a week come January.
Adult child is on her own, I'm not married and have a quiet social life.

I was thinking about starting with 2 courses per semester 1 over the summers.

Does that sound realistic?
I worry about not pushing myself enough too.

What are the courses in this degree that require setting up external camera for the exams?

Anyone else finding the homework to be a huge leap in application from what is demonstrated in the lectures and Office Hours?

I've pretty much resigned myself to smashing my head against a wall, getting a 75 or 50 on the HW and doing my actual learning from the solutions after grading.

https://preview.redd.it/dhbps31akvth1.jpg?width=750&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c8dbf8ff37be00632608897fcb019542f800fce6

📣 Calling all Georgia Tech OMSA and MSA students & alumni. The 2026 OMSA Conference is happening on Thursday, October 8 - Friday, October 9 and YOU are invited. It's also FREE! 🙌🏻🙌🏾

If you attended last year, you know how awesome it was. It's going to be even bigger and better this year. Attend the whole conference or just those sessions you're interested in. Several Deans, Directors, Professors, and even fellow students will be speaking at the conference. 🐝

Check your emails for your personalized registration link. Current students, it should have gone to your gatech.edu email. Alumni, it should have gone to whatever email you left on file with GT. If you didn't get the link, use this one:

https://events.gatech.edu/en/415oCF6/oms-analytics-conference-2026-4a6TVsiRpJ/overview

Go Jackets,

Joe Domaleski (aka "The middle-age grad student")
OMSA Class of 2026
on behalf of the OMSA Conference Committee

Now that the due date to complete Midterm 1 has passed, I was curious to hear your thoughts on it. I consider myself an A student and have good familiarity with the material, but I personally didn’t think there was enough time to complete everything— and I definitely ran out of time. Did anyone else have the same experience?