<p>Can someone talk about lectures, discussions, labs, seminars, and decals? I’m still a little confused about them.
I’m a spring admit and I’ve seen many people posting their schedules on the Facebook group, etc.</p>
<p>I think I’ve seen some courses with lecture, discussion, and a lab (Chemistry). I’m guessing the science courses are like that? But what about other courses? I’ve seen a Stats class have a lecture and also a lab, which confuses me. Do most classes come with a lecture and a lab?</p>
<p>Do I enroll in them separately (what would you suggest to phase 1 and to phase 2?)</p>
<p>My CalSO is in the fall so I’m sure they’ll go over it then but for now, I just don’t know.</p>
<p>@berkeleyc I’m confused re router. Just got a mailing from Cal housing that says routers are not permitted in the dorms because they can interfere with the wifi system.</p>
<p>@krickadoodle
Lecture: HUGE class, sit and listen to a professor teach/talk, you take notes and pay attention.</p>
<p>Discussion: Small sections (5-30 students), typically let by a GSI/TA, you get personal attention and will have discussions, work on practice problems, ask lots of questions, whatever. It’s more interactive than lecture.</p>
<p>Lab: Normally in a lab room… usually with some sort of lab/project you’re working on. Has equipment and stuff. No idea what a Stats lab would be.</p>
<p>Seminar: Kind of a non-class. Usually pass/fail, the people there are there because they’re interested in the topic. Topics tend to be very specific. Should be a professor in charge of seminar classes.</p>
<p>Decals: Student run classes, most students take these because they sound fun or because they need another unit or two.</p>
<p>For registration, if there are labs/discussions you’ll usually sign up for those when you sign up for the lecture. They kinda all come together. Some classes do weird things with sections (like CS61A) where they might not let you sign up during Telebears, this has to do with waitlist stuff and fairness. But for most classes you’ll add the lecture you want, then it will ask which section(s) you’re registering for. Some classes require you to go to your assigned sections, others don’t care if/when you go.</p>
<p>@collegetime18 The wifi in the Units is still sorta new… I think they put it in about a year ago? I’ve always just brought an ethernet cable, it works faster than the wifi does, and then you don’t have to deal with log-in screens.</p>
<p>Does anyone know how class cancellation works? I have looked everywhere online but have not found any information. I am currently enrolled in a class that looks like it might be cancelled because of low enrollment. There are seven people, including myself, enrolled in what is supposed to be a thirty person class. I’m just wondering because I have my eye on a backup class just in case this class is cancelled, but seats are filling up and I don’t know if I should switch to that backup class or not. </p>
<p>Dorm room questions: about how many books can you bring to fit on your bookshelves? Also, how are the mattress pads they provide? Should we bring our own new pad or are they good enough? Thanks – my S is in Unit 3.</p>
<p>Btw, is Welcome Week open to anyone or just freshman? I’ll be missing out on Welcome Week this year (spring admit who is doing CC in socal) but was wondering if I could go to the event next year as a sophomore? I’m pretty bummed about missing Caltopia, amongst the other fall stuff, this year.</p>
<p>@krickadoodle Yup, welcome week events are open to everyone. You might need to ask around to find out when/where things are if you’re not living in the dorms, but otherwise no one cares how old you are. They probably wouldn’t even notice if non-students were at the events.</p>
<p>That’s a great idea! We will definitely be writing an article about bus transit soon. I’ve found google maps is the best option to find buses. @MsStarlite</p>
<p>Lectures are not necessarily huge. For example, Math H53, H54, 104, 113, 185 tend to have relatively small lectures, which can be more interactive. Some such courses (e.g. Math H53 and H54) may also have discussions as well.</p>
<p>However, in popular subjects like CS, economics, and biology, even upper division courses often have large lectures.</p>
<p>Also, what are the most useful apps for students? I know there are apps for the football schedule and Cal Performances, as well as a guidebook for “Getting Your Bearings” are there more? </p>
<p>Is it possible to switch discussion sections after classes start?
One of my discussion sections conflict with my other class’s lecture, and the two classes are both important so I don’t want to drop either one. The two classes are both full so I can’t change this on telebears. I’m really hoping to switch discussion sections.
Also, if I don’t show up for the discussion section on the first day of school, will they kick me out of the class?</p>
<p>It is possible to change, but how difficult it will be depends on how full the class is and the department’s policies. Department policy may vary on whether you are dropped due to non-attendance.</p>
<p>Can I bring in my own microwave / fridge to residence hall ?</p>
<p>The <a href=“http://sa.berkeley.edu/move-in/faq”>http://sa.berkeley.edu/move-in/faq</a> says: Residents living in the residence halls who wish to have a refrigerator, microwave or combination unit in their room must rent these appliances from UC Berkeley’s approved vendor College Products. If you reserve by the vendor’s stated “due date,” the rented appliance will be placed in you room prior to move-in. Personal microwaves, refrigerators and/or combination units are not allowed.</p>
<p>@oreonmilk - to add on to what others have said, it is usually possible to switch sections after. A class that I took made you find another student in another section that also wanted to switch. Another possibility is that you can talk to the GSI and ask to attend/sit in on another discussion section instead. This method doesn’t require you to show up to the one you actually signed up for. For instance, for my math 16b class, I went to my gsi’s 11 am discussion instead of the 9:30 am one that I signed up for on telebears. </p>
<p>If you have any other questions regarding schedules/classes, feel free to check out:</p>
<p>@labrat43 - Technically, you are supposed to rent appliances from UC Berkeley’s approved vendor. I’ve heard of students that try to sneak in their own fridge/microwaves, so I guess you could do it at your own risk. The safer/recommended way is to get it from the approved vendor. </p>
<p>@bowling555 I don’t know the specifics of the major, but assist.org is a good place to start. It’ll show you what the pre-reqs for your major are, and the articulations for your local CC. You should take as many of those pre-reqs as you can in your two years (60+ semester credits) at CC.</p>
<p>Freshman spring admit here.
My schedule for the spring is going to be Math 1A, Chem 1A, Chem 1AL, an English course, and a decal/ seminar.</p>
<p>Will I be at a disadvantage since my phase 1 time is so late (at calso on Nov 13/14)? Planning on phasing 1 my math class, chem lab, and English class (9 units). Thoughts/ tips/ etc? Thank you.</p>
<p>@krickadoodle From my experience, you should be able to get into the classes! Chances are, the people who are signing up for the same classes won’t have super early phase 1. The only potential problem is that you might not get the discussion/lab section that you want/prefer. Make sure you have backup sections written down, so you aren’t panicking during your limited time to sign up! I don’t know what English class you’re signing up for, but I would consider phase 1 Chem 1A because that class is extremely popular! </p>