CS 231A Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Is CS231A the same as the former CS223B in contents and scope?
A: Yes. This is a simple renumbering. The contents and scope of CS231A remains largely unchanged from CS223B. For those students interested in a sequence of computer vision classes, the more advanced, in-depth and project-focused graduate level computer vision class, formerly numbered CS223C, will be renamed to CS231B. Both CS231A and CS231B are offered once a year.
Q2: "Introduction to Computer Vision" (former CS223B) has traditionally been offered in winter quarter. Is CS231A going to be repeated in the winter quarter this year (2011-2012)?
A: No. Due to special arrangement, CS231A is offered ONLY in the fall this year, and will not be offered in the winter.
Q3: Schedule conflict. I have another class during MW 9:30-10:45am time, can you please move CS231A to another time?
A: Unfortunately we need to accommodate all students in the class; hence, the class cannot be moved. The good news is that CS231A is SCPD. So in the worst case, you could watch the lectures online without physically attending them. We encourage you to stay in our course!
Q4: What's the collaboration policy in Problem Sets?
A: We expect students to complete their own problem set and to hand in one PS per student. If you did study together, please put the name(s) of your study group on your solution when you hand in the PS. Also, please put number of late days used in the problem set. Finally, we expect students to not look at implementations online. Just like all other classes at Stanford, we take the students Honor Code extremely seriously. Please refer to the link for more details.
Q5: I am already doing some research at a lab that is related to computer vision. Can I use that as my course project?
A: In general, we are open to students to incorporate their existing research project into the Final Course Project. But we expect that your course project is about the specific parts of your research that are 1) pertaining to computer vision, and 2) conducted by you (and your partner currently taking CS231A, if applied). To ensure that, for those students whose course project is part of a larger project from another class or research lab, we ask you to write an Appendix section at the end of the final writeup. This section should clearly spell out the following items:
- Explicitly explain what the computer vision components are in this course project;
- Explicitly list out all of your own contributions in this project in terms of:
• ideas
• formulations of algorithms
• software and coding
• designs of experiments
• analysis of experiments
- Verify and confirm that you (and your partner currently taking CS231A) are the sole author(s) of the writeup. Please provide papers, theses, or other documents related to this project so that we can compare with your own writeup.
Q6: What software background do I need to take CS231A?
A: There are two places you need to do programming in this class: Problem sets, and final course project. For all Problem Sets, we expect you to know Matlab fairly and use it as the main language for completing the programming assignments. For your final course project, you can use the language of your choice.
Q7: Is there any *required* prerequisites for CS231A?
A: Because of the diverse background of our students, it is difficult to require specific classes as prerequisites. But students are expected to have the following background. And our experiences in the past have shown that the following set of knowledge and skills are crucial for excelling in CS231A:
- Knowledge of basic computer science principles and skills, at a level sufficient to write a reasonably non-trivial computer program. Specifically, proficient Matlab skills are required for Problem Sets.
- Familiarity with the basic probability theory (e.g. CS109 or Stat116).
- Familiarity with the basic linear algebra (e.g. any one of Math 51, Math 103, Math 113, or CS 205).
- Basic knowledge in machine learning (e.g. knowing materials in CS 221 or CS 229).
Q8: I am not taking CS231A for credit, can I audit or sit-in?
A: In general we are very open to sitting-in guests if you are a member of the Stanford community (registered student, staff, and/or faculty). Out of courtesy, we would appreciate that you first email cs231a-aut1112-staff@lists.stanford.edu or talk to the instructor after the first class you attend.
Q9: How do I submit my homework assignment outside class?
A: If you are a regular (non-SCPD) student and need to submit your homework assignment outside class, there is a submission cabinet in the Gates building, near the east entrance. You can find a photo of it here. Please do not email your homework to us. Please remember to write down the date and time of submission as well as the late day you are using for that problem set.
If you are an SCPD student, you should email your solutions to us cs231a-aut1112-staff@lists.stanford.edu and cc to scpd-distribution@lists.stanford.edu as a log. Write "Problem Set PID Submission" on the Subject of the email, where PID is the problem set number (1/2/3/4).
Q10: Are there any special homework submission instructions for SCPD students?
A: All homeworks should be emailed as a SINGLE pdf file. Additionally, all SCPD students should also include the Homework Routing Form available here. This should appear as the very first page of your Homework solutions. Without the form the staff will be unable to return the graded homework to you.
Q11: Will the TA sections be recorded?
A: Yes. The TA sections will also be recorded and can be accessed online along with the recorded lectures.
Q12: How could the course be taken for 4 units? What is the difference in the requirements?
A: If you would like to take the course for 4 units, please register for both 3 units CS 231A and 1 unit CS 231AL courses; there is no difference as far as requirement is concerned.
Q13: I would like to come to homework session on off-business hours but I do not have an access to the buildling. What should I do?
A: Your Stanford ID card can be used as a key to get into the basement of Gates. The room where the homework session is held, Gates 104, can be accessed from the basement; come from the corner entrance to the basement and knock on the door! Then, one of the TAs should open the door for you.