I’m planning to take 19 units this fall.
Physics with calculus 1 (5)
Organic chemistry 1 (5)
Multivariable calculus (5)
Forensic science (4)
Physics w/ calc 1 and OC 1 are only offered in the fall, as well as forensic science, which I need for my major preparation. I’m taking multivariable calculus because I plan to take differential equations in the spring and it’s a requirement.
Is this work load doable? I only work 2x a week but I have no problem quitting if it gets in the way of school.
What were the most units you’ve taken and how did you do in your classes?
Have you taken this sort of workload before? I’m getting a headache from just looking at this schedule lol. I think the most I’ve ever taken was 18 units during fall quarter but only two of them were difficult classes.
Yes.
19 units, in a quarter system of 10 weeks, will be tough.
I don’t know why are you in such a hurry to cram classes into your schedule (that’s IF your schedule is approved by your department.)
What are you trying to prove? If you haven’t done a quarter at a UC, I would not recommend it.
You were at a CC.
The pace is a LOT faster at the UC’s.
The campuses are larger and the logistics to get to the class buildings can be hectic.
Are you including your labs within these units?
Those 19 units at a CC are probably equivalent to 16 units at UCs, since your three 5 unit courses are often 4 unit courses at UCs (your CC may have some unit inflation). For example, compare the unit values at an example UC and an example CC at http://web2.assist.org/web-assist/report.do?agreement=aa&reportPath=REPORT_2&reportScript=Rep2.pl&event=19&dir=2&sia=BERKELEY&ria=UCM&ia=UCM&oia=BERKELEY&aay=16-17&ay=16-17&dora=CHEM .
However, 16 units is still a full time course load, expecting a nominal 48 hours of work per week (including in-class and out-of-class time). Additionally, two of the courses are lab courses, so that can make them more work than typical courses of the same unit value. Many students do take similar course loads, but success depends on good time management and study skills, especially if you have other time commitments like a job.
Imma take 24.5 next quarter 3 major and 2 GE
I’m in CC.
Workload will be intense. Very intense. I’ve seen it done, but with everyone who managed to complete it successfully, they were very dedicated and well organized. You will constantly have to be one step ahead, and you’ll be studying almost all the time with little free time. You have very, very little room for failure, so you’ll have to push yourself for the whole semester.
It’s possible, but it requires a lot of work on your part. You have to ask yourself if you’re willing to dedicate all your time to schoolwork and consider whether if you have a good history of keeping to your word.
I’ve taken up to 22 units – but never in classes that are as demanding and competitive (and likely important prerequisites) as organic chemistry or multivariable calculus.
My advice would be to lighten that load, undless for some reason you have already done a lot of this material elsewhere and feel you already have a leg up on the subject. If it’s new to you – do yourself a favor. And redo that schedule.
One problem with over-loading and we see it up here time and again, is the GPA suffers. Your eagerness to get it done could bump you down to the lower tier UCs or seriously mess up your major prep GPA. You really need to know the landscape before taking that plunge. Only you know that answer.
It does sound a bit heavy. Any schedule with multiple math, science, and even foreign language courses are going to demand a lot of study time. Is there any way that a class might be offered in the summer and you’d be willing to knock it out then? My heaviest semester was a 21 unit one. Here was my schedule:
Intro to Data Structures with C++ (3 units)
Object-Oriented Programming with C++ (3 units)
Symbolic Logic (3 units)
Human Biological Evolution (3 units)
Spanish I (5 units)
Statistics (4 units)
I had no other obligations and this was such a tough schedule for me. In fact, I completely neglected my stats class and did horribly on the first exam. I got a D. On the second exam, I didn’t really fare much better. I did okay on the third exam and the final, but really, I was basically failing my exams because I didn’t have the proper time to dedicate to each class. Had it not been for extensive extra credit opportunities, there is no way I would have passed the stats class. I managed to get something like 81% and since my CC doesn’t use +/-, it just showed up as B and I ended the semester with a 3.81 GPA. If anything, you can go for it and just drop any courses if it turns out to be overwhelming. But like others have said, I would suggest a little re-tooling if at all possible.
If you’ve done Physics before then you’ll be fine in that class. The math really shouldn’t be a worry but understand definitions and concepts. Half the content in multi is really easy. Idk bout the chem classes. Your going to have to work hard but it’s entirely doable.