<p>For someone with absolutely NONE experience with computer science, programming, java, etc. should i start off with 3 or try 8A? I dont think 8A has any prereqs, but im concerned that i might be way behind everyone else. Im strong in math, so could that help me out at all? Any helps appreciated</p>
<p>I don’t know about whether you should take 3 or 8A but I’ll tell you that at least with the Comp Sci course I took in high school, math had very little to do with actually learning the coding in Java, although I don’t know how it’ll be in college. I mean it has math to it in some cases but it’s more like learning a new language</p>
<p>CSE 3 is a joke. I went in with no experience and got an A in 8A easily. You don’t need math, just a bit of logic and common sense. Ord (the teacher for fall quarter) is one of the best lecturers in the department so take his classes whenever you can.</p>
<p>I can answer most of your first quarter CS questions, if you have any.</p>
<p>@nothingtodo - thanks for replying, your input really helps, i’ll try and see if i can get into ord’s class. does 8A fill up quick?</p>
<p>I wouldn’t worry about getting in, they’ll have enough seats for everyone or open more.</p>
<p>The last time I checked CSE 8A, there were 0 available seats and 69 waitlisted LOL ><"…Man I hope they open up enough spaces for that big of a waitlist. And as time passes, the list will only getting bigger…</p>
<p>That’s not bad. I think my class in the fall had 150+ people in it.</p>
<p>What do we exactly do in CSE 3? I know it’s the basic computer stuff, but what will lectures and labs be about/what will we be doing? Like why is the lab for almost 2 hours?</p>
<p>My advisor was just telling me that beginning Fall 2010 we have to take a CSE placement test to determine which class we should take. I haven’t done that yet. Do you have to go with whatever you test results dictate, or do you just use the test results as a guide and you can still take a different class if you feel you are ready?</p>
<p>@ArtDancer
I was gonna tell you to use the godly search function to answer your question, but since I’m already typing…might as well 
. The CSE placement test recommends the course you should take (poor recommendations apparently since many people reported getting CSE 3 as a result). You don’t have to follow its recommendation.</p>
<p>^ @101921 - Thanks!</p>