<p>I'll be a Freshman this Fall as a Computer Engineering major, and these are the classes I'm taking:</p>
<p>Chem 1A
Chem 1AL
Computer Science 8
Math 4A (AP Calculus BC score was a 5)
**(I'm exempt from all 3 writing classes since I got a 5 on the AP Language test)</p>
<p>Any advice on my schedule? Like timings, professor reviews, what and what not to do?</p>
<p>Also, when do we sign up for these classes? I went on GOLD and the "Space" column for each class keeps decreasing... so either that means something else or I'm late.</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>You will enroll in courses during orientation. Do not worry about the entry-level classes appearing full. During each orientation session, more seats or sections will become available for most of the core lower division coursework (this certainly includes chem 1a/1al and math 4a, probably cs 8). Be aware that calculus is unrelated to linear algebra. Ma4A will start very easy and remain so if you pay attention and study: it will become brutal if you do not since there are a lot of definitions (Morrison was pretty good if you went to office hours). If 4A is too theoretical for you, 6A is calculus 3 (calculus of several dimensions) and 4B is differential equations (the rates of things, such as rate of cooling).</p>
<p>Your schedule seems very reasonable. </p>
<p>It is more of a CCS chem class, but I recommend Chem 2A if you’ve studied chemistry (particularly AP chemistry) during high school. Chem 1A is boring and a waste of time and Laverman (Chem 2A prof) is one of the better chemistry dept lecturers. I think the class requires permission, so write Laverman a line when you register (or your dept advisers).</p>
<p>Thanks so much! One of my friends also wants to know about Math 3A, such as which professor to choose and just general feedback.</p>
<p>Also, do you recommend any certain professors for my classes? I’ll definitely keep Laverman and Morrison in mind.</p>
<p>Morrison is good if you go to office hours. He is meh if you only go to lecture. Do not trust ratemyprofessors for professors, as some only have bitter students reviewing, while others have reasonable students reviewing.</p>
<p>For math, I thought Helms was pretty good. Moore and Chen are fairly terrible (I thought they did not communicate well, though the tests were easy enough if that’s what you want). I do not think that he teaches lower-division, but Bartlett is great. Cooper is amusing and can be reasonably clear.</p>
<p>For chemistry, I can only recommend Little, Buratto, and Laverman (the first two teach upper-division with rare exceptions).</p>
<p>For cmpsc, conrad and bultan I know to be excellent. I have heard mostly good things about many of the other cmpsc professors.</p>
<p>Physics: get wrecked. You will have one of three professors for Phys 1/2 (winter/spring), and none are good (gwinn, what’s-his-name the author of the book you use, …). I would recommend the phys 20 series if you are willing to put in the nontrivial time requirement and want a good intro phys professor (would need to petition CompEngr admin to get it to replace phys 1 series).</p>
<p>Math 3A should be a cakewalk if you’ve studied calculus before. I do not actually know anyone that didn’t start in Math 4A, so I cannot speak to how easy or difficult learning calculus for the first time in 3A/3B might be.</p>
<p>Computer engineer here! We can talk more, if you want, when the school season starts.</p>
<p>My number one advice is to make sure you get ahead early. Hit the ground running, because the moment you slack off at any point during the year, you’re going to fall behind in your work. It’s not that the courses are difficult; it’s that the entire college dynamic is difficult to adapt to, and those to figure out how college works the fastest will be the most ahead.</p>
<p>Don’t bother taking anything honors or special in Chem. You’re gonna have one annoying quarter of it and you’ll never see it again. Taking honors in classes is completely unnecessary, even if you’re in the Honors Program, because you have no need to. Let the people in Letters and Sciences focus on those sorts of things.</p>
<p>For Physics, yes, you’re probably going to get a ■■■■ instructor or two. Yes, you’re going to absolutely despise the web homework system we have. But you’ll get through it, and you’ll deal. The best way to do so is to go to office hours as much as you can, and if you’re having trouble, hit up the Physics Study Room on campus. But you won’t have to worry about that until Winter Quarter.</p>
<p>For now, focus on having a good summer. Just make sure you’re able to get back in gear quickly when the quarter starts again.</p>
<p>Thanks so much to the both of you! I really appreciate the feedback and advice!</p>
<p>I’m considering taking 3A since I want to follow the recommended CE outline that UCSB provides, and I want to get an easy GPA booster (if that makes sense).</p>
<p>Do you have any advice on how to choose classes? As in my class schedule? Such as what time of the day to take Chem and etc. Also at orientation, should I take my laptop? I heard people go nuts when they release you to sign up for classes. </p>
<p>As of right now, from you guys told me, this is what I see:</p>
<p>CompSci: Conrad or Bultan
Chem: Laverman, Little/Burrato (they teach upper-division usually), and I also heard that Price is good? I think the choices for this year are Price, Kunkel, Joseph (i think), and Feldwinn?
Math: there’s no one listed on GOLD and you guys said 3A is pretty easy so I’m not too worried.
Chem 1AL: Van Koppen is the only one listed.</p>
<p>Since I’m starting Physics next quarter, I’ll come back to you guys for that a little later. </p>
<p>@StyxxNStones, what was your schedule your Freshman year Fall Quarter? I’ll definitely hit you up when school starts!</p>