<p>I've read in some posts that many berkeley courses for science classes like physics or computer science count for two equivalent courses in a quarter based UC system (like UCLA) but humanities don't do this, do they? and as a result, students have more time to work on their humanities classes than they would in a quarter system.</p>
<p>so what do you guys think? is the question in the title true?</p>
<p>With respect to Physics, it appears that [UCLA</a> Physics 1A,1B,1C + Physics 4A,4B](<a href=“http://www.registrar.ucla.edu/catalog/catalog10-11-663.htm#135768576_pgfId-999188]UCLA”>http://www.registrar.ucla.edu/catalog/catalog10-11-663.htm#135768576_pgfId-999188) is equivalent to Berkeley Physics 7A,7B,7C, but crammed into three quarters instead of three semesters. UCLA does give 5 quarter units for the lectures (1A,1B,1C) and 2 for the labs (4A,4B), for a total of 19 quarter units, equivalent to 12+1/3 semester units (Berkeley Physics 7A,7B,7C is a total of 12 semester units).</p>
<p>They don’t do quantum mechanics.</p>
<p>I don’t know about your post, but I can address your question in the title.</p>
<p>It appears that in Berkeley, there are very few easy STEM classes while in the humanities and social sciences, there are many easy classes. There are hard classes on both sides, but the difference is that on the engineering/math/science side, there’s no “easy” path.</p>
<p>My friend in Pomona has an opposite experience where he claims Chemistry and Math are much much easier than the writing seminars he is forced to take.</p>
<p>Perhaps it is just a Berkeley thing?</p>
<p>Are the two fields even comparable? Unlike engineering, humanities classes don’t have weekly problem sets and take tests to only get around 40%, but they still have essays and papers that must be constantly revised. I’m sure reading thousands of pages of dry books isn’t always fun either. I’ll admit humanities majors can have bit more spare time since they don’t need to work on their paper 24/7, but I am sure the amount and the depth of thinking to write that paper is no better than the engineers working on the problem sets until 4AM on the day it’s due.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>You do mean to exclude those courses with course number 10, which exist to satisfy breadth requirements for non-majors, right?</p>
<p>Perhaps in terms of breadth requirements, it may be “harder” for science and engineering majors, since they must take the same humanities and social studies courses that those majoring in those subject take (and, in the College of Engineering, must take at least two upper division humanities or social studies courses). In contrast, humanities and social studies majors can take two “10” or similar courses to fulfill their science breadth requirements.</p>
<p>Of course, some people just find some subjects more difficult than others. One student may find math and science harder than humanities and social studies, while another student may find the opposite. (However, science courses with labs can be a considerable amount of workload that may not be accurately reflected in the credit units.)</p>
<p>sciences are usually harder than humanities, I don’t think Berkeley’s any different</p>
<p>
No I’m including these. These are pretty much the only easy techy courses which is why I said there are very few easy STEM classes. </p>
<p>For a humanities / social science major, there are difficult classes you can choose to take for sure, but it appears that you can avoid many of them if you so choose. The same is not true for techy majors.</p>
<p>@UpMagic Exactly.</p>
<p>It really depends on your strengths and what you prefer. Generally, science classes are graded harder than humanities classes. But a science major would struggle in an upper div humanities classes if he was a weak writer and not used to writing argumentative/persuasive papers. Plus, the science major may be used to thinking in terms of “black” and “white” (where an answer is either completely right or completely wrong) instead of thinking about the gray, which is what humanities teach you to do. </p>
<p>The same can be said for a humanities major. He may be an excellent writer/creative thinker, but he may not be used to seeing things in “black and white” which is what science entails. He or she may also lack the math skills necessary for the hard sciences. </p>
<p>So it depends. Yes, science classes are harder, and graded more harshly, but humanities classes can be challenging if you’re not a reading/writing person.</p>
<p>Engineering classes have a higher workload, but course content is not any more difficult than non-engineering classes. </p>
<p>I personally found introductory computer science (61A) to be easier than introductory philosophy (25B). In 61A, you learn a concept, try out on the computer and chug away till you get the correct answer. Its mindless work compared to what you have to do in philosophy where you have to make sense of complex arguments, and then write a novel argument of your own, making sure your written words are supported by mathematical logic.</p>
<p>Ultimately, to each their own. I’m sure most theater majors would have great difficulty in engineering and engineering majors would be unable to perform in theater. Quit trying to determine “what’s harder” and instead focus on finding a major compatible with your interests and abilities.</p>
<p>I would just like to add that getting solid A’s in humanities classes DO require lots and lots of work. Not only must you know the material inside out, but you have to be a better writer and better student than your peers. You have to be willing to engage in discussions and coming up with varying theories during discussion if you’re aiming for that solid A. Getting A’s in humanities are by no means easy. Even A minuses require that you know your material in and out, but maybe you’re not as good as a writer or thinker to compete for the A. </p>
<p>People say that humanities classes are easier than science classes because humanities classes tend to be curved at a B-. You can bs completely through and get a B-, whereas you would get an F in a science class. Getting B-s and Bs don’t require much work; B+s require a bit more work. But it does get hard when you’re aiming for A’s/A-s. </p>
<p>Plus, I think it evens out anyways. If you’re aiming for a top law school, you need to get as good grades as possible. So for many humanities majors aiming for the highest law schools, getting anything below a A- may be unacceptable. So for them, the pressure is on to do well.</p>
<p>It’s still not as time consuming nor as rigorous IMO as the sciences. But by no means is it easy if you want A’s.</p>
<p>As a psych major who has taken MCB/IB/Chem/BioE classes, I think that the sciences generally attract more intelligent people and it requires more work and a better work ethic to do well in the science classes.</p>