<p>As incoming and current Hopkins students know, today marks the first day of course selection. And I am stumped.</p>
<p>If a current student or any knowledgeable student can help, I would greatly appreciate it.</p>
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<li><p>As of now, I have registered for 14 credits which is 1 credit short for an engineering student. But, I have AP credits which have waived a year of Chemistry and a semester of Physics for me. Is this alright or do I have to register for more classes? I would prefer a lighter load but I'm okay with a tighter schedule.</p></li>
<li><p>Since General Physics II (I think it's supposed to be electromagnetism) was full and I'm waitlisted, I decided to register for another physics class. I've taken the Phys C Mechanics exam and I'm able to waive either 171.101 or 171.103 apparently... So until I'm off the waitlist, I've registered for both of the classes and I guess I'll just drop them after I've finalized. Can someone tell me which physics class I should pick if I can't get into Gen Phys II (171.102)? Also, what are the chances that I'll actually get into Phys II? Do people ever drop classes in the middle of summer?</p></li>
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<p>Thanks for any help provided. I hope I can do the same for you.</p>
<p>Parent of a rising sophomore physics major here.</p>
<p>Definitely stay on the list for Gen Phy II if you are talking about 102 with Maksimovic. He’s a way cool prof and usually teaches physics for physics majors which they love. That may be why it is filled up. They could open up more sections or kids could change out. I think it happens not uncommonly so keep checking the course list website.</p>
<p>Consider taking 105 if you can’t get into 102. I know nearly all the kids in it last year had already had AP physics and it was still not easy. Don’t know anything about the prof though.</p>
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<li><p>A lighter load is no problem. Keep in mind, though you don’t get grades your Freshman Fall (i.e. all your classes are S/U, and don’t affect your GPA), you can still make Dean’s List. There will be a citation on your transcript if you make it. (Dean’s List = 3.5 GPA with at least 14 credits total, 12 of which are graded). So take a load you know you can handle and do well in. I double majored in Biomedical Engineering and Electrical Engineering and I took 16 credits my Freshman Fall. You are perfectly fine with 14. </p></li>
<li><p>They may add spots to the class (Physics II). I was waitlisted for Orgo my freshman year and they added a number of spots and I got in. I’m pretty sure they’ll add spots and you’ll get in. If not, you can also just take Physics II in the spring? Its typically a Spring class, and Prof. Leheny (Spring Physics II) is an excellent professor. You can instead try to double up on Math? Depending on your major you can take a number of different types of classes.</p></li>
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<p>ihs and vader, thanks so much for your helpful replies!</p>
<p>@ihs, I will definitely stay on the list I’m really looking forward to having a cool teacher because, honestly, I tend to space out a lot when the teacher’s boring. I don’t know about 105, though because it seems to require an entirely separate lab. I’ve already registered for phys I lab to fill the requirements for 101 and 103. I think I’ll just take 103 if I can’t get into 102 because it’s suited for my major… I think.</p>
<p>@vader: I’m a BME major Did you ever only register for 14 credits? I’m not sure about the number you need to be considered a full time student, but the engineering handbook says 15-18.5… Do they consider AP credits?</p>
<p>I’ll definitely consider taking more math if 102 is unavailable for some inexplicable reason and I find that 101 and 103 are pointless. I might as well get differential equations and linear algebra out of the way.</p>
<p>I never took 14 credits but a number of my friends did (BMEs as well). Its not a big deal at all. 14 credits is definitely full time, and qualifies for Dean’s List. Since you mentioned Differential Equations…keep in mind, Diff Eq is the MOST important math for BME. Make sure you pay attention to it when you take it. You really start to use Diff Eq. in Sophomore Spring onward. Make sure you know it decently well! Most BMEs (including me) take Linear Algebra, Calculus III and Differential Equations Freshman Year, and then Prob/Stat Sophomore year (and then one more math to get the Math Minor :P) </p>
<p>If you have room and even if you have AP Credit for Computer Science, I would recommend taking a MATLAB class (any of them, including the Scientific Computing classes). Unfortunately MATLAB is quite poorly taught in the BME Dept (actually its never taught, you’re expected to just pick it up). I’m really glad I took a MATLAB class my first semester because when the time came I was prepared. Most BMEs are taken my surprise and a lot of people I know spent several sleep-less nights trying to figure it out. Do look into this, you’ll thank me later! </p>
<p>Feel free to PM me if you have any BME-related Q’s; happy to help! :)</p>
<p>As a BME alum, I strongly ditto vader1990’s comments about taking a MATLAB class at some point unless you’re very comfortable with programming and won’t have a problem picking it up on the fly.</p>
I’m really looking forward to having a cool teacher because, honestly, I tend to space out a lot when the teacher’s boring. I don’t know about 105, though because it seems to require an entirely separate lab. I’ve already registered for phys I lab to fill the requirements for 101 and 103. I think I’ll just take 103 if I can’t get into 102 because it’s suited for my major… I think.</p>
Did you ever only register for 14 credits? I’m not sure about the number you need to be considered a full time student, but the engineering handbook says 15-18.5… Do they consider AP credits?</p>