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> Let's see if we can put this in terms that the undergrads will understand -- a problem set It would be more accurate to say "in terms that MIT/Stanford/Ivy u
by kingbirdy 8y ago
> Let's see if we can put this in terms that the undergrads will understand -- a problem set
It would be more accurate to say "in terms that MIT/Stanford/Ivy undergrads will understand", considering most universities just call it "homework". Since that's the background Paul and many of his colleagues come from, it's understandable. However, as a CS undergrad at a more run-of-the-mill university, it's a bit discouraging to see this vocabulary so widespread at the top levels of the industry - it makes it seem almost impossible to break in when everyone else is a part of the "elite" that you're not in.
At the end of the day, I realize this is a totally trivial issue. Just curious if any other folks out there have noticed this.
- salusinarduis 8y agoI went to a state university in a flyover state and they used the term problem set. It is more widespread than you think.
- toomanybeersies 8y agoI didn't go to an Ivy League university, or even a university in the USA, but I still understood what a problem set is. I've been out of university too long to know what they called homework (plus I never did it, hence my B- average), but problem set sounds about right.
- deleted 8y ago[deleted]
- arkades 8y agoI went to what was basically a community college for my undergrad degree. Engineering/physics/chem departments called it problem sets.
- nikofeyn 8y agoi certainly agree there is plenty of systematic elitism out there in the world, but i don't think problem set vs. homework plays a part. haha.
- mlevental 8y agolol what are you talking about. what a thing to interpret as a "micro-aggression" or indicator of "class-divide". Google the term problem set and you'll see plenty of schools that aren't ivies.
- jhbadger 8y agoPersonally, I've never heard what university students do as "homework" -- that's what grade schoolers and high schoolers do and have to turn in. At least in my (public US university in the 1980s) experience, professors generally suggested problems sets to do, but they generally weren't required, although not doing them would make you unprepared for the exams which often had very similar problems as to the ones assigned.