<p>I'd like to run some scheduling ideas by those who have been-there-done-that.</p>
<p>I'm looking to plan the first 3 semesters at the Uni, but I can't get to the second semester without completing the first. Here's what I've got so far:</p>
<p>Plane Trigonometry - (3)hrs
Calculus with Analytic Geometry 1 - (5)hrs
Chemistry with Lab 1 - (3+2)hrs</p>
<p>TOTAL - 13 hours</p>
<p>It's tempting to just stop there, but I'm wondering if I should throw in something that I'm required to take, like Intro to Modern Philosophy or Intro to Art, both of which are 3 hours.</p>
<p><strong>I know it seems odd to take trig and calc at the same time. Rest assured, I know plenty of trigonometry. I've just never taken a class before (self-taught) and I want to do it for the sake of knowledge.</strong></p>
<p>If you know trigonometry well, don’t waste space in your college schedule with it. (You may want to go over the old final exams for that course to see if there are any gaps in what you know.)</p>
<p>You will typically need to average 15 credits per semester to complete 120 credits after 8 semesters. At some schools, engineering majors need more than 120 credits, so you may need to average 16 or 17 credits per semester.</p>
<p>A reasonable full course load would be:</p>
<p>calculus 1
chemistry with lab 1, assuming it is required for your major
plus two courses from:
English composition, assuming you need to take it
humanities or social studies breadth elective
introductory engineering or computer science course needed for your major</p>
<p>Non-chemical engineering students who start in a math course more advanced than calculus 1 may want to prioritize physics over chemistry, since physics is typically more important in prerequisite sequences for non-chemical engineering majors.</p>
<p>I’d like to add something before going further. I’ve already taken the following REQUIRED courses, at the CC:</p>
<p>Both English Comp courses + A extra course in scientific and technical writing
Oral comm.
Social Science</p>
<p>The only non-major courses I will be taking at the University is:</p>
<p>Intro to Modern Philosophy (required)
Intro to Art (Required)
Fundamentals of Interpersonal Communication (By Choice)</p>
<hr>
<p>As for the trig, I know enough to do very well in the mechanics portion of my current intro physics course, and I know enough to answer all trig based ACT problems correctly. In fact, you may (if I recall correctly) have been the one who sent me to that diagnostic placement exam, and on that exam I got all trig questions right. Also, according to that exam, I’m ready for calculus. That’s why I want to take calculus, but I’d feel more comfortable also taking trig now, because I bet there’s a lot in there that I don’t know.</p>
<p>As for taking more hours, you’re right. I think I’ll add one of the three from above. All are 3 hours, so I’ll be at 16.</p>
<p>In that case, my second semester may look something like:</p>
<p>Calculus with Analytic Geometry 2 - (4)hrs
Physics 1 with lab - (4+1)hrs
Freshman Engineering Seminar - (1)hrs
The Engineering Profession - (1)hrs
Introduction to CAD - (1)hrs
Engineering Computations (3)hrs</p>
<p>Total - 15 hrs</p>
<p>It looks like you have some schedule slack from your already fulfilled breadths, so the urgency to have a full schedule is not at great. But you may want to make a full schedule anyway, to “save the slack” for later semesters if you have a later semester with more difficult courses (since you may be taking trigonometry now as review, which should not be too difficult compared to most courses you will take).</p>
<p>If you do choose to take trigonometry as review, you may still want to add another course, either one of the remaining breadths, or engineering computations, or some or all of the 1-credit courses, if they are available next semester, to make a 16 credit schedule.</p>
<p>I didn’t think about the slack thing. I certainly want to save that slack for later, so I’ll try for 15-17 hours each semester for the first 3 at least and use the slack later.</p>
<p>1st Semester:</p>
<p>Trig
Calc 1
Chem 1 w/ Lab
Interpersonnal Communication</p>
<p>Total - 16 hours</p>
<p>2nd Semester:</p>
<p>Calc 2
Physics 1 w/ Lab
Engineering Seminar
Engineering Profession
Intro to CAD
Engineering Computations</p>
<p>Total - 15 hours</p>
<p>Possible 3rd Semester:</p>
<p>Calc 3
Physics 2 w/Lab
Intro to Modern Philosophy
Circuits 1</p>
<p>Total - 16 Hours</p>
<p>If this one is good, I’m good to go for three semesters. My school only requires having taken calc 1 before circuits 1.</p>
<p>Be flexible in substituting elective courses if your first choice is full. For example, if interpersonal communication in the first semester is full, consider taking the philosophy course, art course, computing course, or some or all of the 1 credit courses in its place. If circuits 1 only requires calculus 1, then it can be an alternate course in your second semester if you have scheduling difficulties then. (But, as you have probably figured out, do all you can to get into the math and physics courses, since these are a crucial prerequisite sequence for later courses.)</p>
<p>Makes sense. Thanks for the advice. I’ll write the schedule down as is above, keeping in mind that some can be moved if certain classes are full, like you said. I’m the kind of person who tries to get in to make a schedule ASAP, so hopefully I wont have to deal with that too often.</p>
<p>Note that another reason you may not be able to take a course in a given semester is that it is offered only at the same time as some course that you must take (e.g. if interpersonal communication happens to be at the same time as calculus 1).</p>