OpenMusings

M255′s out of the way now, and I’ve just submitted TMA04 for T224. Since the T224 exam’s not until mid-October & my next SSC (S199 Modelling the Climate) doesn’t begin for another month, I’m at a loose end for a month. This is a new experience for me – although I suspect someone will have a list of chores for me, now that I’m not disappearing into the study 4 days a week.

A thought about S199. This involves using a distributed processing tool (climateprediction.net) for the duration of the course – my “general use” PC is an old G4 Mac mini, which doesn’t meet the system requirements for BOINC CPDN, so I’ll have to fire up The Beast: my Windows XP gaming PC. The problem with this is that The Beast generates so much heat (and chews through so much electricity) that it’s almost a climate change factor in its own right. Somehow this doesn’t seem quite right…!

Curious things you notice when reading exam feedback and such. In the case of M255, it appears that 2 people turned up for the exam, filled in their names & PIs to register that they were actually there, and then didn’t bother answering any questions (724 students “took” the exam, 722 gained a score in one of the parts; I assume the 2 that got an overall ‘G’ on the University Scale were the two that didn’t bother).

I can’t help but wonder: Why!? If you’re so past caring that you don’t even attempt a question, why bother turning up, as a no-show is the same as a nul-points in the end – and I can’t see the exam paper having been so scary to anyone that they couldn’t attempt anything.

One of those questions that’s destined to remain unanswered, but definitely made me curious…