EECS and CES + choosing a major

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of California - Berkeley
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<p>So, it's that dreaded time of the semester again when I have to decide what courses I am going to be taking next semester, and I always hate these moments in the semester, because there I go, coasting through all of the courses that I like and admire, and suddenly I'm forced out of my comfort zone and to reconsider my major. Because, well, I have none.</p>

<p>I am, as some people would remember, in Engineering - Undeclared (I'm a sophomore next fall), leaning towards either EECS or CES (Computational Engineering Science). I just wanted people's opinion, if they have any, on either of the two majors, and if anyone has had the same dilemma in choosing between them, all the better, because that is what I am currently facing. If any current EECS major/CES major has taken the course, it would really help if you could please tell me what E45 involves, because I'm considering taking it (because it is a CES pre-req), but I don't know if it is 'my kind of course' , if you know what I mean (whether I will have a genuine interest in it, especially since I'll be doing it against CS61C).</p>

<p>Also, I'm hecka panicking right now over the prospect of <em>choosing</em> the darn major. You know those moments when you try to pick something, and everything seems tantalizing, and you don't want to pick one for fear that picking it will make you miss out on something else you might really love? Yeah. It's been hurting my performance for the last two weeks (in the runup to my Telebears appointment), and I'm not sure how I should be going about making the final decision -- both the act and the decision. If anyone has any input, ideas or anecdotes on this, it would be well appreciated. What, in your opinion, <em>makes</em> an EECS major?</p>

<p>Finally, can Physics 7B and EE40 be taken together? The former is the prerequisite of the latter, but I wondered if it can be a corequisite as well. I've emailed the concerned authorities, but have, as of yet, received no replies.</p>

<p>Many thanks. I hope to be sleeping well soon. :)</p>

<p>(~J)</p>

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<p>Bumpity-boing.</p>

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<p>Unless you have a very solid background in circuits, you should definitely take Physics 7B before EE 40.</p>

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<p>As you may know, CES and EECS are pretty different majors. In EECS, you learn how to make computers (hardware, software, what have you, depending on your major), while in CES you learn how to use computers to create computational models/simulations of physical and engineering phenomena. Getting a job with EECS is probably easier. CES sounds like more fun though.</p>

<p>E45 is supposed to be an interesting class. You do some fun labs--liquid metals, LN2, etc. Dunno how hard it is. </p>

<p>I'm gonna disagree with Student about Physics 7B and EE40. You only spend a couple weeks on circuits in 7B, and what you learn is pretty basic. If you understand capacitors, inductors, resistors, Kirchhoff's laws, etc. (you can learn this stuff in a week or two), you'll be fine. EE42, which is basically the same class as EE40 (this semester they merged the lectures for EE 40 and 42, they're that similar), has no 7B requirement. Whether they'll let you take 40 without 7B is a different question.</p>

<p>Best wishes.</p>

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<p>E45 is supposed to have a really good professor teaching it in the fall too. Personally EECS and CES don't seem that different to me so you'll probably be fine with either one.</p>