RELATIONSHIPS AMONG THE COURSES

CS 681 shares lecture sessions with CS 481 and CS 781.

CS 681 is the "pivot" course between CS 481 and CS 781:

CS 481 simplifies CS 681. A popular scheme is for the 481 student to do
   all the work assigned to the CS 681 student but with an "allowance"
   whereby grading can be skewed by choosing "best" portions.

   See below for more information ...

CS 781 students normally take a lead in project work creating more
   scientific documents, fully referenced, etc.