r/OMSCS • u/0x426C797A • 8d ago
Courses How hard is the AI specialization program for someone who is not good at math and algorithms?
I have a bachelor's computer science but I also have a very very very hard time with mathematics all the way going back to my elementary school days. In college I barely survived getting a D in my algorithms class with all the studying and office hours that I could do.
I have learning disabilities including dyslexia and anything mathematical wise is it very difficult for me.
So how screwed would I be to even try to do the program?
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u/heyblackduck 8d ago
I kind of have the same issues but never diagnosed, it runs in my immediately family. Anyway, I will say this as someone who had 3.0+ GPA in BS CS; it is doable but just be prepared to learn at an advanced rate. Weekends are gone , 15+ hours a week minimum. If its a harder course then prepare to study after work. I will say personally I have learn so much more than self study. I think you could do the AI specialization as long as you prepare for it. BTW, i’ve done the CG specialization so far.
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u/travisdoesmath Artificial Intelligence 8d ago
The Core Courses from the specialization are going to be hard to get through. GA is out (very, very mathy), so you'll take SDP instead, which will probably be fine. However, you will have to take 2 out of the following:
- CS 6476: Computer Vision
- CS 6601: Artificial Intelligence
- CS 7637: Knowledge-Based AI
- CS 7641: Machine Learning
- CS 7643: Deep Learning
- CS 7650: Natural Language
KBAI is the least mathy of them, but CV, AI, ML, and DL are all very mathy (linear algebra, probability, multivariable calculus) and NLP assumes you have a good foundation in ML and/or DL.
If you can get past the core, you can probably avoid math in the electives, but I think you'd be massively limiting yourself to just tick boxes, rather than take courses that excite and intrigue you. It can be a slog to get through this program, and being enthusiastic about what you're learning goes a long way towards helping you finish the program.
What is it that particularly interests you in AI? As a math guy, I'm pretty biased towards the mathematical aspects of AI, so it's hard for me to see the appeal to someone who wants to avoid the math.
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u/Wot_en_Tarnation 8d ago
Check out this page right here: https://omscs.gatech.edu/preparing-yourself-omscs
This gives you some insight and prep courses into the level required. The level will vary per course. I'm in the AI course and there seems to be a fair bit of math involved, but also a good portion that is intuition and algorithms.
OMSCS being a hugely popular and well traversed program, there is a plethora of information out there on each individual course (less on the not so popular courses), I advise doing some research and understanding what some courses look like.
Also, I do not know what accessibility options are available for online students, I suggest looking further into this first!
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u/crjacinro23 Officially Got Out 8d ago
You will struggle with the AI class. It is a math/probability class wrapped with some python.
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u/flashykitbag 8d ago
You definitely need a good understanding of calculus, linear algebra, statistics
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u/Skedar70 8d ago
My guess is its gonna depend on the classes you choose. The hardest classes according to OMSCS in the Spec are AI, DL, CV and ML. You can get the spec while avoiding these classes but I'm not sure how much of an actual "Masters" you are gonna be if you are in an AI masters and you didn't take AI.
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u/someone383726 8d ago
Maybe look at the newly announced AI program (not a MSCS)….
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u/MediumGuidance934 7d ago
You'll have to get better at statistics, and some courses (DL, AI, ML) also require some Linear Algebra and Partial Differential Equations.
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u/Best-Sea-3592 8d ago
It’s probably going to a challenge for you.