<p>Sup everyone. Where are my engineers at? </p>
<p>I have been accepted to Cal for fall 2014 in the college of engineering. I am currently in EECS, but I am more than open to explore other types of engineering. I am considering Chemical, Industrial, or Civil Engineering. Do you guys have any suggestions on how I can pick my major? Also, how can I survive as an engineering student at Cal? I've heard so many horror stories. Any input would be appreciated. Thank you very much.</p>
<p>Try it and see. Think you like CS? Take 61A, see if you still like it. Or take one of MechE’s intro classes. A lot of the engineering majors should be fairly similar in terms of pre-reqs… you’ll need a lot of math and physics. Breadth requirements will be the same/similar as well. That means there’s not too much pressure time-wise to decide on a major, so long as you’re already in something STEM you won’t be too behind if you swap in freshman/sophomore year. Just explore. The best way to decide if you like a major is to try taking classes in that area.</p>
<p>As for surviving… as a freshman, don’t take on too much. You’ll probably overestimate your ability to keep up with classes. After first semester, that rule changes to “know your limits”. Some students are fine with lots of tech classes, others will stick to the two at a time rule. It depends on you, but it’s better to aim lighter at the start.</p>
<p>Also, study groups and office hours are great. Especially in EECS, try to find good people to work with… smart ones who you get along well with, who you can do projects and problem sets with. It really does make a difference, and it’ll help keep stress down and GPA/knowledge up.</p>
<p>Note that each major has some frosh-level courses unique to the major:</p>
<p>EECS: CS 61A, 61B
IEOR: Engineering 7
CivilE: Engineering 7, CE 92
ChemE: Chemistry 4A (instead of 1A/1AL), 4B, ChemE 40</p>
<p>Common courses include the Math (1A, 1B, 53, 54) and Physics (7A, 7B) courses. Chemistry 1A/1AL or 4A is required for most CoE majors except for EECS, which allows those courses for its additional science elective. CoC majors including ChemE require Chemistry 4A and 4B.</p>
<p>Just to add what the others have said, Chemical Engineering is NOT in CoE, it’s in the College of Chemistry, so you would have to switch colleges in order to pursue that major.</p>
<p>Thank you for your replies! It really means a lot. By any chance, do you guys have classes that you recommend for me or do NOT recommend for me? Also, about how many classes should I enroll in as a freshman? Thank you again! ^:)^ </p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-california-berkeley/1646964-coe-frosh-schedule-suggestions.html”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-california-berkeley/1646964-coe-frosh-schedule-suggestions.html</a> has suggestions for CoE frosh contemplating their schedules.</p>