These ML exercises run alongside the Foundations in Computer Science course given by Professor Paulson. They are called ticks to emphasise that they are binary pass/fail rather than actively graded.
Ticks 1–4 are compulsory for all candidates and each is worth one tick
Tick 5 is compulsory for CST candidates but not for candidates taking only Paper 1 (i.e. NST of PBS students).
Each tick is accompanied by a starred tick (i.e. 1*, 2*, 3*, 4* and 5*). These are strictly optional and will not contribute to the final mark for the year. Nonetheless you may find it very valuable to attempt these ticks
A new ML tick is set on each of the first four Fridays of term
For each tick you must produce a single text file and submit it via the Moodle site at www.vle.cam.ac.uk. The site will automatically assess the solution and tell you whether the solution is sufficient to pass.
Each tick must pass the automated Moodle checker before 5pm on the Friday after it is set.
Every two weeks on a Thursday afternoon you will be assigned a ticking slot where you will meet with a ticker who will go over your solutions from the past fortnight with you.
A ticking session is a short (5 minute) one-to-one session with a ticker conducted on Thursday afternoons between 2 and 5pm. The role of the ticker is twofold:
to check you understand your solution (and didn’t just have some lucky guesses or copy code from elsewhere);
to give you general feedback on ways to improve your code.
To those ends a Ticker will typically ask you questions related to the core material of the tick and discuss your code directly.
On the basis of past experience, as many students will find the exercises too easy as find them too hard. Likewise, as many students will find that the exercises take a very short time as find they take too much time. The average time spent on each weekly exercise is approximately three hours, but times wildly different from this average may be expected!
There are different ways to get assistance if you find yourself stuck on any tick:
Attend the Thursday afternoon 2-5pm drop-in sessions at the Computer Lab. The department will provide a number of demonstrators who can help you one-to-one.
Use the online forum on the Moodle course
Ask your supervisor for Foundations of Computer Science.
Deadline extensions can be granted for illness or similar reasons. To obtain an extension please email in the first instance, clearly stating your justification for an extension and CCing your Director of Studies.
Please email if you spot any errors in these ticks or you have any difficulties submitting your work.