QuantNet C++ course for MFE admission

[Eddy__]

Hi everyone!
For some MFE programs, substantial programming experience in required preferably in C++. The program I am attending (financial math and econ) does not offer me the option to take a semester worth of programming. So, in this case, does the quantnet C++ certificate compensate this aspect of my undergrad. Will MFE programs regard it as equivalent to a semester worth of programming experience?

 

[Andy Nguyen]

The answer is yes. Many top MFE programs accept this C++ certificate to meet their programming requirement. We have thousands of students over the years and I haven't met one that says otherwise
On the other hand, taking a programming course in college is easy. You likely will get a passing grade. Our course is much harder with 50% passing rate so earning it proves you are way more capable than having a regular college course.

 

[Daniel Duffy]

There's no comparison between any C++ course and QN C++. At least I don't know of any.

a guess: a semester of C++ at uni is about [20, 40]% of QN C++.
To give a course in C++ you have to be an expert on C++, You can't do it on the side, like a weekend hobby.

 

[Yevgeniy]

Genuinely curious. What do you think makes this course better than, say, a sequence of 3 standard c++ courses like intro to programming through data structures? For instance, I was looking at this sequence in foothill college which looks like a solid introduction to C++: https://quests.nonlinearmedia.org/foothill/cs2a-winter-2021-syllabus.pdf
https://quests.nonlinearmedia.org/foothill/cs2b-winter-2021-syllabus.pdf
https://quests.nonlinearmedia.org/foothill/cs2c-winter-2021-syllabus.pdf

Minor edit: The above sequence can be done for free as the questing site for code submission is free and all the discussions happen on related reddit channel.

 

[Daniel Duffy]

Genuinely curious. What do you think makes this course better than, say, a sequence of 3 standard c++ courses like intro to programming through data structures? For instance, I was looking at this sequence in foothill college which looks like a solid introduction to C++: https://quests.nonlinearmedia.org/foothill/cs2a-winter-2021-syllabus.pdf
https://quests.nonlinearmedia.org/foothill/cs2b-winter-2021-syllabus.pdf
https://quests.nonlinearmedia.org/foothill/cs2c-winter-2021-syllabus.pdf

Minor edit: The above sequence can be done for free as the questing site for code submission is free and all the discussions happen on related reddit channel.

Who is "Anand"?
I had a look at the courses' outline 'bullets'. The topics look standard if not somewhat outdated (90s feel) and missing stuff.

1. any samples of code?
2. testimonials?

 

[Yevgeniy]

Who is "Anand"?
I had a look at the courses' outline 'bullets'. The topics look standard if not somewhat outdated (90s feel) and missing stuff.

1. any samples of code?
2. testimonials?

Testimonials are mixed as the Professor takes somewhat of a hands-off approach (but he is available to give hints and steer to the right direction), observing the discussions on the forum so the class, imho, prepares one to find solution to the problems online. Attached is the module for introduction to classes as an example.

 

[Andy Nguyen]

Genuinely curious. What do you think makes this course better than, say, a sequence of 3 standard c++ courses like intro to programming through data structures?

The tried and true content tailored for future quantitative finance professionals. It's created by Dr. Daniel Duffy upon his years of experience.
The awesome and unique TA Avi, who will provide personal feedback on your coding technique.
You won't get those anywhere else, free, paid or otherwise.

 

[Daniel Duffy]

Testimonials are mixed as the Professor takes somewhat of a hands-off approach (but he is available to give hints and steer to the right direction), observing the discussions on the forum so the class, imho, prepares one to find solution to the problems online. Attached is the module for introduction to classes as an example.

This is awful code.

class Pet .. that's a joke. The kind of stuff OOP did in the early 90s.

In QN we can create classes for PDE, Monte Carlo etc..
And your TA is the 1-in-a-million Avi.

 

[Yevgeniy]

This is awful code.

class Pet .. that's a joke.

What makes it awful?

 

[Daniel Duffy]

What makes it awful?

Don't get me started!.
e.g. any one who writes a Pet class is for me a warning they have not used C++ in any kind of real app.
Coding style is 90s as well.

 

[Daniel Duffy]

The code uses rand() .. meh

Will rand() ever be deprecated? - C++ Forum

rand() is not recommended for serious random-number generation needs, like cryptography. It is recommended to use C++11's random number generation facilities to replace rand(). (since C++11)

 

[Yevgeniy]

Don't get me started!.
e.g. any one who writes a Pet class is for me a warning they have not used C++ in any kind of real app.
Coding style is 90s as well.

I believe this Pet Class was inherited from Modules of Michael Loceff who was teaching this class before ( Michael Loceff ). I believe that Anand sold an app or company, so i wouldn't necessarily discard him as a practitioner.

 

[Daniel Duffy]

I believe this Pet Class was inherited from Modules of Michael Loceff who was teaching this class before ( Michael Loceff ). I believe that Anand sold an app or company, so i wouldn't necessarily discard him as a practitioner.

This is weird. Still doesn't answer my question.

BTW if your pet goes back into the wild then it is not an instance of Pet?

Here's a waccky example from the mid 90s.

class ICE {};
class CUBE {};

class IceCube: ICE, CUBE
{
};

 

[MRoss]

And your TA is the 1-in-a-million Avi.

Seriously undervalued comment. Avi is amazing.