I started my studies in October 1994 in the faculty of Technology at
University of Silesia in Katowice. It was the maturity certificate grades that decided about admission. Most of the lectures took place in Sosnowiec, which was very convenient. However, because of my ambitions and
the rating of Universities at this time on 29 September 1995 I decided to write an
application to the Dean of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Automatics, Computer Science and Electronics at
AGH Univeristy of Science and Technology
in Kraków with a request to admit me into the second year of daytime studies. On the same day I also made an appointment with the Dean for an interview.
On Tuesday, 3rd October I went to Krakow and was admitted into the second year in the faculty of Automatics and Robotics Engineering. The Vice dean gave me credit for the first year from my
credit book
from the University of Silesia and
noted
the Calculus of Probability, Introduction to Automatics and Robotics and Computer Science as the curriculum differences.
Because of this I didn't have to take
entrance exams.
In the first and second year my additional subjects and the standard ones coincided, so to make my studying easier the University gave me the individual studying schedule for the whole time of my studies.
At the same time I was
crossed out of the Silesian University's list of students.
I received
a new credit book.
As everyone knows, in Poland the real studying happens only in
Kraków. It's determined by the cultural education and manners of its inhabitants, only a slight sign of industry as well as history and architecture of this place. Since it's the best technical university in Poland,
AGH University of Science and Technology in Kraków specialise in each and every field of technical knowledge.
Differences in teaching were soon easily noticeable. Mathematics, apart from algebra and analysis which were done in the first year, was then divided into differential calculus and calculus of probability as separate subjects. Highly qualified lecturers usually didn't check the attendance at the classes because what really counted there was our knowledge and understanding of scientific and technical problems, which we were obliged to prove every time in order to receive the credit. Well equipped laboratories of each department really made an impression. In the 3 and 4 year together with my friends I took part in interdepartmental volleyball matches. We played with electronic engineers, students of Computing Science, Mechanics, Physic and with so called "Wires"- students of Electrotechnics. People of my age, who I could always count on in this time, were Michael and Peter.
The main advantage of studying is that various scientific problems and research are available in a great amounts and researches and projects are prepared in 2-6 people groups. Such an approach enables students who specialise in a given subject to study only this projects which really interest them. During 4 years of my studies at
Automatics Department
I prepared a lot of exercises' descriptions, labs and projects. Here are a few examples.
I decided to write my MSc thesis under supervision of
professor Konrad Wala, who studied various issues that made up a single unit nicely called "Operational Research". In my thesis I did research on Quadratic Assignment Problem (QAP). In order to facilitate my research I wrote an application in Bilder C++ environment in the operational system Microsoft Windows. The executive function of this application minimises the purpose function - summary cost of assignment to resource applying well-known algorithm Tabu Search. During the permutations aimed to find the best solution the algorithm keeps some historical information related to the evolution of the search on so called "Tabu List". Such an information is used to guide the movement from one solution to the next one avoiding cycling. Once a solution is visited the movement from which it was obtained is considered a tabu. The algorithm has a prohibition parameter - temporary prohibition of moves in order to avoid cycles in the search trajectory. After some time the elements are removed from the Tabu List and can be moved again. By means of the tool created by me I tested many problems considering QAP involving matrix and I presented the results in my thesis. Professor Wala
marked it "Very Good".
It was 2 June 1999 when I graduated on time obtaining certificate of completion. I decided to postpone the presentation of my graduate thesis on Spring 2000. To be able to present your thesis one must clear many issues with every unit of the University and fill in so called "leaving card". To do this one have to visit many places. On 22 March I obtained the Master of Science degree in automatic of AGH in Kraków receiving B plus. The grade was lowered by the average grade from my studies namely 4,23. On 13 April during the official gala in the hall of A0 building the dean of University of Science and Technology in Kraków presented me with the diploma of graduation. I invited my parents, my sister, my aunt Wanda, uncle Włodek who also graduated from AGH (metallurgy) and my aunt Bożena, who studied on Jagiellonian University at the Department of Chemistry. During my whole studies I obtained 109 semester credits and passed 26 exams.
