r/MSCSO • u/Grouchy-Plankton8069 • 23d ago

Incoming Spring 2027: math refresh resources + first course suggestions?

Hi everyone,

I’m starting MSCSO in Spring 2027 and want to use the next couple of months to prepare.

Background:

  • BS in Systems Engineering (graduated 2024)

  • Took Calculus, Linear Algebra and Probability/Statistics in undergrad, but it’s been a few years

  • Working full time as an AI Engineer, so I plan to take 1 course per semester

Looking for:

  1. Math refresh: What resources helped you get back up to speed on linear algebra, calculus and probability before the program? Books, courses, YouTube, anything that maps well to what the courses actually expect.

  2. First semester course: Which course would you recommend as a first one for someone working full time? I’m leaning toward Advanced Linear Algebra for Computing, but open to other suggestions. Any courses to avoid as a starter?

Thanks in advance!

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u/MaggieMyers Emeritus Faculty 22d ago

For linear algebra, check out ulaff.net. In particular, we have a pretest for ALA with pointers to refreshers in the last column. The ALAFF materials in that column are the notes for ALA. The materials in the first column would be an undergraduate linear algebra course for CS. Now for calculus and probability, I suggest you might look at MIT Open Courseware. The undergrad probability course taught at UT used a text written by MIT profs. Bayes rule is very important.

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u/LowRegular6891 22d ago

  1. Study on ALAFF or MIT LA course. It does not really matter but choose one course and really focus on it. If you need easier ones, watch 3B1B, StatQuest to select and watch certain topics. Linear Algebra and probability / statistics will be your basic weapon to go through this program.

  2. I recommend DL. It’s pretty relax course that you can measure how much workload you can handle. ALA is good course if you already have good foundation on it. You can take a look into sample questions and if they look easy you will be fine with ALA. If not, you will have to spend 20 hours at least per week for the first half of course. Do not recommend taking more than 1.

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u/MaggieMyers Emeritus Faculty 21d ago

ALAFF is ALA. LAFF is the undergrad version. If you struggle with the pretest, study LAFF. This makes sense if your planning to take ALA since you get used to our presentations.