Speedrunning SDC Data Structures and Computer Architecture advice?

[Randyb100]

First off, I had an old SDC account but never finished any courses. I had some sort of weird glitch signing up but eventually got it to work by transferring money to my Paypal. I used the "PatriciaMcQuarrie" coupon code for 30% off. It's $175 with tax per month.

I might have to redo Operating Systems as well, but then I saw that SDC has two courses that transfer to TESU for Operating Systems: one a 1000 level and the other a 3000 level. They both transfer as the same 2000 level class, though.   I wish more were like that. I will be doing the 1000 level as that class was pretty brutal like Computer Architecture. I have actually taken both of those courses already and had to withdraw so I didn't take a D grade. I'm working overtime every week so I don't have as much time as I used to for college.

I have read through a lot of Reddit posts and other DegreeForum posts on these particular classes, so I can find the help I need to get the assignments done. Just looking for pointers for speedrunning, basically. I have to get these done in 2 months so I can meet the conferral deadline for June. I need to pass quickly so I can apply for a promotion at work and get into grad school. I sped through 40% of the quizzes on Computer Architecture today, so I'm hitting the ground running. Yes, I'm using a helper on the quizzes and that's why I'm blazing through them so fast.

Ok, from my understanding you have to make a 70% overall grade to pass. That's 210 points out of 300, with quizzes, assignments, and the final each worth 100 points. So I could technically bomb the final and just do really well on the others and still make it? That's literally a score of 10 on the final if I ace the quizzes and assignments.

Any advice for these? I know the ALU is supposed to  be tough but I found a Udemy course and some people talking about it in a chat. It doesn't look that bad if you've done anything low-level before. The other issue is that me speeding through the quizzes means I'm not going to do well on the finals since I'm just trying to get it over with. I simply don't have the time or money to do it any slower.

One thing I noticed is that while working through the quizzes, a lot of them got checked off as I went. I may have done 30% of them but then all of these extra ones further in the chapter got checked off. Is there a pre-test that will let me skip quizzes like some of the other classes? I have seen them at the top on some but not on these two.

[bjcheung77]

@Randyb100, you don't have to do both the Operating Systems, just the lower level one without too much effort. They both should transfer in as the same class, you can use more time learning the Computer Architecture class instead. Some like to do the assignments first, others like to do the final exam first... Try to get the quizzes done with as close to 100 as possible, then do the exam after you've gone through a review and the practice test, lastly complete the assignments when everything is 'fresh' in the mind, don't wait for later to do the assignments.

[Randyb100]

@Randyb100, you don't have to do both the Operating Systems, just the lower level one without too much effort.  They both should transfer in as the same class, you can use more time learning the Computer Architecture class instead.  Some like to do the assignments first, others like to do the final exam first... Try to get the quizzes done with as close to 100 as possible, then do the exam after you've gone through a review and the practice test, lastly complete the assignments when everything is 'fresh' in the mind, don't wait for later to do the assignments.

I know I don't have to do both. What I mean is I have the option between a 1 and a 3000 level class to transfer in as a 2000 level. Of course I'm going to do the 1000 level. I might pull a C since he's still grading the essay portion of the finals but I'm at a 65 right now otherwise.

Well, it won't let me do anything but the quizzes right now. I think I can do the assignments but I can't take the final. I took the practice test and made an 87 so it's not that difficult. I know I can make a lot more than 10 points on the final, and even if I do poorly I can retake it 2 more times. I'm currently starting chapter 8 and I signed up last night, so within 24 hours I'll have all of the quizzes done. Literally just breezing through them as fast as possible. I do have a reference to check answers but it's not 100% accurate. I probably have a low 90 score overall.

The whole point is the speedrun aspect. I checked the graduation application page again and actually only have until MAY 1ST to get these transferred in, so one month for both classes! I just have weekends to do them. I thought I read something about a late transfer with a fee but am not sure. I don't want to have to wait until September.

Edit: not sure if the attachment is showing up for you guys. It's giving some weird hyperlink when I try to attach it and gave me an error about having too many characters when I pasted it inline with the message. It's the TESU graduation dates. May 1st is the external transcript cut off date for the June conferral.


  Screenshot 2024-03-31 110544.png (Size: 21.57 KB / Downloads: 10)

[Randyb100]

  Screenshot 2024-03-31 130603.png (Size: 94.15 KB / Downloads: 19)

Ok, I got all of the quizzes done today. 94/100. Should I take the exam first or the assignments? I found some thorough discussions over the assignment with examples so I should be able to reference it and knock it out in a few days.

I'm serious about the speed run. I have to get these done ASAP.

EDIT: Took the exam today. Made a 63 but have to wait on the grade. Can I just turn in papers that say "I made a good enough grade to pass" and take the 0 and move on?

Again, this is both quizzes and final done within 24 hours time. I'm thinking if they'll let me I'll do assignment 2 and then skip the ALU building because Logisim is confusing. Why can't I place 8-bit RAM with 1 width like what I'm referencing? I'd rather just skip it entirely.

EDIT #2: Did assignment 2 today. Finished all 3 within 24 hours. Probably a world record. Hopefully it's enough to pass.



  sdfsdf.png (Size: 60.86 KB / Downloads: 13)

EDIT #3: Got my assignment #2 auto graded and made a 64 on it (32 out of 50).

My total score is a 73.something. I'm going to try and submit a paper saying I have enough to pass and won't do the ALU. Hopefully they let me skip it. Edit #4: I submitted the letter.

Now I'm working on Data Structures. Still waiting on my final Operating Systems grade to see if I need to do it. I can't believe I finished Computer Architecture (potentially) in 24 hours.

[jg_nuy]

Frankly, it does not seem like you need help. Sounds like you are doing great.

[Randyb100]

Frankly, it does not seem like you need help. Sounds like you are doing great.

Not quite but I appreciate the compliment. I was hoping someone had some secret links that would walk me through how to do the ALU if anything. All I've found online were links to Udemy courses that cost 80 bucks. I ended up searching Youtube for how to do it and will just bang something out for a low score.

I emailed them about grading assignment 1 as a zero and they informed me that I miscalculated my score. I only have a 61 as it stands. I redid assignment 2 in hopes I get over a 40. That'll put me at 40+63+94, which is 197/300. I would need to score a 26 on assignment 1 or raise my final exam 13 points to a 76 in order to pass.

I may get over a 40, I don't know, but I know I made a 1/5 on the first 3 parts of assignment 2. If I get a 5/5 on each of those, my score will be a 44, so I'll be at 201 and only need to make an 18.

I emailed them back and told them I miscalculated and am going to retake the final, as well as do what I can on assignment 1.

I found these videos just by Googling logisim 8 bit alu:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWxq0856C5U
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvYCchzQTyE


I think I can finagle 20-30 points and get it over with.

---

I did all of the Data Structures quizzes and the assignment. I'm at 194 between the two, so I just need to make a 16 on the final to pass.

I'm working on Operating Systems now and am at 11/98 quizzes. It's just quizzes and a 200 point final, but it's a 1000 level class so I should be able to knock it out quickly.

---

That is literally the end of my bachelor's degree. By Sunday I should be able to finish and finally earn my degree. I started at WGU for IT Management in 2015 and dropped out to be a trucker, just to return to college in 2022. It's now 2024. It's been almost a decade but I made it.

[LevelUP]

Here are Study.com placement tests
https://study.com/academy/about/placement-tests.html

So, you could take these placement tests for operating systems, and it will likely complete some quizzes for the Operating systems course. I completed half of that course from taking other courses.

https://study.com/academy/course/intro-t...ourse.html
https://study.com/academy/course/informa...tions.html
https://study.com/academy/course/busines...stems.html

By taking the practice exam, you should score within 10% of your practice exam grade on the final.

Study.com can take up to 7 days to grade a final exam. Then, you still have to wait several days for it to transfer into TESU and then get the grades added to your degree. I would shoot to complete Study.com courses by April 15th so everything gets transferred in and evaluated by May 1st.

[Randyb100]

Here are Study.com placement tests
https://study.com/academy/about/placement-tests.html

So, you could take these placement tests for operating systems, and it will likely complete some quizzes for the Operating systems course. I completed half of that course from taking other courses.

https://study.com/academy/course/intro-t...ourse.html
https://study.com/academy/course/informa...tions.html
https://study.com/academy/course/busines...stems.html

By taking the practice exam, you should score within 10% of your practice exam grade on the final.

Study.com can take up to 7 days to grade a final exam. Then, you still have to wait several days for it to transfer into TESU, then get the grades added to your degree.  I would shoot to get everything done by April 15th, so everything gets done by May 1st.

Ah ok didn't know that. I'll definitely have to kick it into high gear then. I'll be doing operating systems during work hours since I'm in paid training and have study downtime, like 3 hours worth. Then I'll take all 3 tests this weekend and work on the ALU after work. Wish I could do more during work since I have a lot of extra time but there's really nothing else I can do. I can't install software on my work laptop.

Do you think they would accept diagrams from something other than Logisim? I found https://www.circuitlab.com/editor/#?id=57d693 that's online. I could build them while at work and it would actually look like I'm doing my real work, too, since I'm taking circuitry and robotics classes for my real job.

[LevelUP]

Here are Study.com placement tests
https://study.com/academy/about/placement-tests.html

So, you could take these placement tests for operating systems, and it will likely complete some quizzes for the Operating systems course. I completed half of that course from taking other courses.

https://study.com/academy/course/intro-t...ourse.html
https://study.com/academy/course/informa...tions.html
https://study.com/academy/course/busines...stems.html

By taking the practice exam, you should score within 10% of your practice exam grade on the final.

Study.com can take up to 7 days to grade a final exam. Then, you still have to wait several days for it to transfer into TESU, then get the grades added to your degree.  I would shoot to get everything done by April 15th, so everything gets done by May 1st.

Ah ok didn't know that. I'll definitely have to kick it into high gear then. I'll be doing operating systems during work hours since I'm in paid training and have study downtime, like 3 hours worth. Then I'll take all 3 tests this weekend and work on the ALU after work. Wish I could do more during work since I have a lot of extra time but there's really nothing else I can do. I can't install software on my work laptop.

Do you think they would accept diagrams from something other than Logisim? I found https://www.circuitlab.com/editor/#?id=57d693 that's online. I could build them while at work and it would actually look like I'm doing my real work, too, since I'm taking circuitry and robotics classes for my real job.

I doubt they will take take anything but Logisim. You could ask, though.

[Randyb100]

Here are Study.com placement tests
https://study.com/academy/about/placement-tests.html

So, you could take these placement tests for operating systems, and it will likely complete some quizzes for the Operating systems course. I completed half of that course from taking other courses.

https://study.com/academy/course/intro-t...ourse.html
https://study.com/academy/course/informa...tions.html
https://study.com/academy/course/busines...stems.html

By taking the practice exam, you should score within 10% of your practice exam grade on the final.

Study.com can take up to 7 days to grade a final exam. Then, you still have to wait several days for it to transfer into TESU, then get the grades added to your degree.  I would shoot to get everything done by April 15th, so everything gets done by May 1st.

Ah ok didn't know that. I'll definitely have to kick it into high gear then. I'll be doing operating systems during work hours since I'm in paid training and have study downtime, like 3 hours worth. Then I'll take all 3 tests this weekend and work on the ALU after work. Wish I could do more during work since I have a lot of extra time but there's really nothing else I can do. I can't install software on my work laptop.

Do you think they would accept diagrams from something other than Logisim? I found https://www.circuitlab.com/editor/#?id=57d693 that's online. I could build them while at work and it would actually look like I'm doing my real work, too, since I'm taking circuitry and robotics classes for my real job.

I doubt they will take take anything but Logisim. You could ask, though.

Study.com is taking forever. I have everything done. I took the Data Structures exam this morning. I made a low grade but still have 245 or so points out of 300, so I pass.

Computer Architecture I redid assignment 2 and made a 40, so I have 197 points. I also did assignment one BUT the ALU, so answering the questions and writing out the code and such. I just need 13 points so I'm hoping it's enough to cover it.

My issue is: THEY HAVEN'T GRADED ANYTHING! I have to have this transcript turned in by May 1st! I did email them but I'm not sure what else can be done?


---

I'm now working on some criminal justice classes. My next plan is getting an AAS in criminal justice for a side project I have. I'm seeking my PI license and am starting their training in the fall. I just need 6 classes to get the AAS from TESU, so I should be able to knock them out this year. There's no timeframe for the degree.