<p>For an incoming freshman with 6++ yrs of continuous C++ programming & debugging experience (autodidact) in creating one's own fun/nerdy projects, how feasible is it to take EECS 280 first term, and possibly patch "holes" (if any) here and there on one's own if needed? If 280 somehow proves to be too much a few weeks going in, is it possible to switch to 151 or 183 right then? Or is there any other alternative?</p>
<p>Or, would you suggest that the student takes Engr 151 or EECS 183 first, along with 3 other rigorous courses? If so, which of the 2 is more rigorous? Thanks!</p>
<p>EECS 183 programs in Java, but anyone with that much C++ experience should be able to pick up Java without taking a formal course, and they’d be bored to tears in 183. Certainly, they should start in a higher course than that. </p>
<p>Thanks @nubswitstubs and @Finnlet! Will Java ever be needed if one’s to major in CS? My S has used C++ and Python most extensively, as well as several other languages, but never Java. If Java’s not necessary, then it looks like 280 is the right place to start/continue, unless there are other better options. I’d rather him not getting overloaded as he needs to get acclimated during his freshman yr.</p>
<p>i’m pretty sure 183 doesn’t cover java (maybe it did in the past? but it hasn’t recently) – i think it covers mostly c++ and a bit of python now. it sounds like 280 is a good place to start. i’d recommend taking eecs 203 simultaneously so that he can take 281 the next semester. </p>
<p>Thanks, good to know about 203. But I’m not sure if 5 classes will be a good idea for Freshman, especially when he’s also considering UROP, and exploring various student clubs/activities his 1st yr.</p>
<p>the reason i suggested it is because a lot of companies only seriously consider students for CS internships after they have taken 281, so your son would have a much better chance of getting an internship the summer following freshman year if he takes 281 during the winter semester. </p>
<p>Thanks @nubswitstubs! I think he mentioned about doing Study Abroad the summer after freshman yr. But I’ll let him know of your 281 pointer in case he wants to consider internship instead.</p>
<p>While we’re at this, how’s the quality of instructors teaching 280 in Fall (and 281 in Winter) compared to those teaching 280 in Winter (and 281 in Fall)? Is the former group (instructors & cohorts) <em>generally</em> better?</p>
<p>Unless this changed this year from C++ to Java, this isn’t true. </p>
<p>There’s always different professors teaching 280 and 281, but some commonly teach it. But there’s no pattern to who’s teaching it in fall vs winter. </p>
<p>Just looked at the website and it doesn’t look like 183 is required for CS-LSA. Not sure where ForeverAlone is getting that. </p>
<p>I’m also going to recommend he takes 203 simultaneously with 280 so he can take 281 in the winter. </p>
<p>Unconfirmed but had a prospective freshman buddy say that he tried to register for 280 but the system said he didn’t meet the reqs. Someone else told me they’re implementing the change this year so they probably haven’t updated the website</p>
<p>While waiting for ~2 more wks to find out @registration, any thoughts on whether 280 will be a good class to “bond” with other students (via study groups or team projects, etc)? Or, would it be a better experience for freshmen to take Engr 100 to both learn and bond?</p>
<p>Any useful tips for freshmen wanting to major in CS (but unsure of doing it via LSA vs Engr yet)? Interesting CS clubs/activities/events, classes/electives, pc-vs-mac laptops, todos, and anything else relevant?</p>
<p>There are some clubs. He can check them out when he starts to see if he wants to get involved with them. I didn’t bother with anything specifically CS focused. </p>
<p>280 is a pretty good class for meeting others in your class, because everyone constantly needs help with something in that class. </p>
<p>And any computer lab in CSE or EECS building will be filled with 280 people for the 2 or 3 days before a project is due. Probably also the CAEN lab in the basement of the Ugli as well. </p>
<p>My D found the advising at orientation extremely helpful for registration - including looking at best classes w/ respect to AP credit, placement tests, etc. They also looked at balance of classes and total load. FYI, recommendation for most majors, incl engineering, was 12-15 hours for first term. D had multiple group and one-on-one advising sessions. (Parents are not involved in the process at orientation - you are in a completely separate program if you go.) D’s was quite complicated as she’s a double degree student and she (and I) thought the process was quite good.
At the parent engineering session, they recommended Freshman go to the activities at start of fall term to learn more about clubs and then join a few. They also said that the professional engineering clubs are good for most students as they help them meet others in their major, are mostly social and don’t take too much time. Technical clubs (like solar cars, e.g.) are great for those with a particular passion but can take a huge amount of time that a Freshman might not be able to balance. Clubs outside of engineering, intramurals, etc. were also recommended to meet folks, learn the campus and get some exercise!
Regarding PC/Mac, that was asked in multiple parent sessions and the answer was always the same - read the info on the web, but most schools (incl. engr.) have no preference and there are students who favor each. </p>
<p>I personally don’t think it’s good that freshman advisers recommend only 12-13 credits first semester. Plenty of people can handle more, but instead of trying to evaluate whether a particular student can handle more or not, they just go straight for telling everyone to take the minimum. </p>
<p>They said 12-15, but our experience was that the advisors absolutely looked at the student as an individual. My D was recommended 18, split across her two majors. </p>