Spring 2005
Parallel and Randomized Algorithms:
Dr. C. Pandu Rangan
Again a great course to sit through and learn more than a few tricks in Randomized Algorithms. No exams conducted.
One presentation seminar at the end of the semester + student's personal rapport with the professor decide your grade.
Planning and Constraint Satisfaction:
Dr. Deepak Khemani /
Dr. N.S. Narayanaswamy
A good course because of the assignments. Comments about the Prof. Khemani hold from the AI course.
Research Methodologies:
Dr. Hema A. Murthy /
Dr. Kamala Krithivasan
The only worthwhile lectures are delivered by the department faculty. Otherwise an almost complete waste of time. No effort put
in making any of the presentations useful. The generic professors deliver poor quality sessions. All research students have to
take this pass / fail course. Take your pillow along to the common sessions.
NOTE: The course is not taught by Profs. Krithivasan or Murthy. They are just the official conductors of the department-specific
sessions. So the above comments should not be taken as judgement passed on either of these Profs.
Autumn 2004
Distributed Computing:
Dr. T.A. Gonsalves
A wonderful class mostly because of dear old TAG's great (read twisted) sense of humour, and
the systematic coverage of the material, along with the Oh-so-sweet-and-mellow assignments. Admirable professor.
My advice: TAKE this course!
Advanced Data Structures and Algorithms:
Dr. C. Pandu Rangan
Wonderful class to sit through and gain pearls of theoretical wisdom. Comes with the caveat of a brilliant but touchy professor.
Exams test much more than what is taught, which is a good thing mostly, makes you work harder.
Introduction to Artificial Intelligence:
Dr. Deepak Khemani
A truly introductory course. Algorithms are introduced; the formality of the formal method is avoided,
true in some sense to the very spirit of AI (ask me why). Brainy fella this doc (Duh! He teaches at IITM, dude)
Could be a little better prepared for the lectures though, seems to bring everything out off the top
of his head. The assignments carried a LOT of weight but were only partially satisfying. A little more planned
and this would be a fantastic class.
