<p>Considering the computer science major in the CoL&S. I have some background in computer science from a high school course and self-study, will I be prepared to take CS 61A, or should I take CS 10 before CS 61A?</p>
<p>Do you know recursion (what it is, how to use it)? Can you do a simple FizzBuzz test (google it) in a favorite language of your choice? If the answers to both questions are yes, yes you’re ready. CS61A starts from the ground up and doesn’t require much experience, but having some is always nice (especially some Python). CS10 is designed for people who hasn’t written a single HelloWorld line, or aspired CS majors who want a chill first semester to get used to the Berkeley’s workload. </p>
<p>If you are really concerned, I’d advise going to both classes and see which one fit you best. (Sign up for 61A though - CS10 never ran out of seats AFAIK). If John DeNero teaches CS61A again, you should REALLY take it in the fall (yeah I know I’m biased, but I don’t think you could have a better professor for your introductory CS class :P)</p>
<p>I used recursion and wrote a FizzBuzz program (both in Python) as part of Udacity’s Introduction to Computer Science course.
<a href=“https://www.udacity.com/course/cs101[/url]”>https://www.udacity.com/course/cs101</a>
Is CS 61A doable over the summer? If so, would you recommend only taking CS 61A instead of the more common two summer courses (CS 61A + another course)?</p>
<p>61A has been just about the easiest class I’ve taken at Berkeley, so my perspective may be rather skewed, but it is indeed doable over the summer, and you’ll probably be fine taking another course. Take a look at the material if you want: <a href=“http://www-inst.eecs.berkeley.edu/~cs61a/[/url]”>http://www-inst.eecs.berkeley.edu/~cs61a/</a></p>
<p>I took 61A over the summer, definitely doable. I wouldn’t suggest pairing it with 61BL, though. 
Part of it also depends on you… are you confident with coding and do you pick up concepts easily? If you tend to struggle conceptually then you may not want a second class.</p>
<p>@OP: LOL I also took CS101, this time a year ago. Great course, and Dave Evans was one of the best instructors ever. Anyway, then yes, you’re ready to take the course. Idk about summer classes, but from I heard from failure622 above and other people, last summer’s course was really great. If you are willing to pay out of your pocket, and take CS61B in the Fall with THE MAN, then yeah, go for it. THE MAN is great btw, but I wouldn’t recommend taking it with him as a freshman unless you have substantial programming experience.</p>
<p>61A’s load is pretty light - I’d say 4-6 hours a week with no project, and 8-10 for weeks with one. (That doesn’t include in-class time). Consider taking a look at the material like energize said, if you feel like you can do these in your sleep (or have good time management skill, live somewhere on campus that will minimize transportation), then yeah, you can absolutely take an extra course in the summer.</p>
<p>I took Hilfing- I mean, THE MAN’s 61B as a freshman, and I did fine without significant programming experience… But I guess I’m abnormal. (More evidence of this is that I usually spent no more than a couple of hours on 61A outside of class during non-project weeks, unlike the 4-6 hours stated above. I’m not sure why this is.)</p>
<p>I took cs101 too a year ago. It’s actually the course that first introduced me to programming.</p>
<p>I feel that online courses like Udacity’s allow me to learn faster in a period of time, because of the feeling of one on one interaction it has. Anyone agree?</p>
<p>You are special, energize 
second semester freshman taking CS170</p>