<p>I'm trying to figure out my first semester freshman schedule and with the classes that I'd like to be taking I'd have way too many credits. I'm majoring in bioengineering and I think I'll do either Chem 1A or Physics 7A but I'm not sure which one to do. I've only had honors chemistry and the class was fairly basic so I probably should take chemistry but I like Physics a lot more. Also, it is suggested that BioE majors take Physics 7A Spring semester which doesn't really make sense to me (wouldn't you want 7A and 7B in one year?). I've only had Physics B but I've done Calc BC. </p>
<p>You don't need to take Physics A and B consecutively - they're basically mutually exclusive of each other, except for the math part.</p>
<p>But I'd recommend Chem 1A. It's pretty easy and it's a nice way of transitioning into real college course (I don't care what they say, AP courses are nothing like college courses), whereas taking Physics 7 series right off the bat might discourage you a bit. The biggest mistake a lot of incoming freshmen, especially science majors, make is that they did really well in high school and therefore think that Cal will be no problem. Not true at all. Take something easier in the beginning to ease yourself in, because it'll still be a step up from high school, but not so tough that it'll make you hate Cal. That's what o-chem is for.</p>
<p>Physics 7A is actually a prereq. of Physics 7B but they may be taken concurrently.</p>
<p>Chem 1A is a weeder class but Physics 7A is generally harder (and a bit of a weeder class itself since you'll be taking it with Engineering students) so it depends on which one you're stronger in.</p>
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it is suggested that BioE majors take Physics 7A Spring semester which doesn't really make sense to me (wouldn't you want 7A and 7B in one year?).
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<p>"Traditionally" Physics 7A is a spring semester course, because you need Math 1A as a prerequisite, and need to be taking Math 1B concurrently. So, many students need(ed) to take Math 1A Fall and then Math 1B/Physics 7A Spring. Chem 1A doesn't have that math requirement so all incoming freshman can take it.</p>
<p>I don't see any reason to take 7A and 7B in the same year. </p>
<p>If you really don't like chemistry as much, taking it the first semester might be a good idea. You might find out that you really hate it, and that you need to find a different major. Better to find that out early rather than later.</p>
<p>It's not that I don't like Chemistry at all, I just like Physics better but it sounds like I should just wait until second semester. Although, someone told me to just sign up for all of them and go for the first couple of weeks and then drop one if you can't handle it. Is that as easy as it sounds? </p>
<p>If your schedule permits, certainly you could sign up for more and drop one. But you won't be able to tell in the first two weeks what you can "handle" because you won't have had mid-terms yet. I would be conservative first semester.</p>