Feel like my first year is already wrong

College Majors Engineering Majors
1

<p>I just got these courses confirmed for first year engineering at Purdue.. I feel like these are easy courses and I'm missing out on some of the other courses that students take the first year.. is this ok or should I ask to change some of these classes? Advice is greatly appreciated..</p>

<p>CHM 115------------------------------------------------------------------
Stoichiometry; atomic structure; periodic properties; ionic and covalent bonding; molecular geometry; gases, liquids, and solids; crystal structure; thermochemistry; descriptive chemistry of metals and non-metals. Required of students majoring in science and students in engineering who are not in CHM 123.</p>

<p>I don't know why they put me in this and not CHM 123 since I took AP chemistry in H.S., but not the AP exam. Advisor said I won't be behind since I'm in 115 and not 123.. even though 123 is advanced.. lies? - 4 credits</p>

<p>MA 161-------------------------------------------------------------------
Introduction to differential and integral calculus of one variable, with applications. Some schools or departments may allow only 4 credit hours toward graduation for this course. Designed for students who have not had at least a one-semester calculus course in high school, with a grade of "A" or "B". Not open to students with credit in MA 165.</p>

<p>Why did they put me in 161 and not 165? I don't have any knowledge of calculus, but I think I am good enough for 165.. - 5 credits</p>

<p>ENG 126------------------------------------------------------------------
Introduction to the solving of open-ended engineering problems and the use and of computer software, including UNIXTM, computer communications, spreadsheets, and MATLAB. Explicit model-development activities are utilized, and students are expected to develop skill at working in teams. This is emphasized both in laboratories and on projects. </p>

<p>No complaints here, standard course. - 3 credits</p>

<p>PHYS 149-----------------------------------------------------------------
Designed primarily for engineering students in need of preparation for PHYS 152. Basic concepts of kinematics, dynamics, mechanical energy, heat energy, and wave motion. Not available for credit toward graduation in the School of Science or the Schools of Engineering.</p>

<p>Do I really need this for preparation of Mechanics second semester? Not a standard course. I have no knowledge of physics. - 3 credits</p>

<p>ENG 100------------------------------------------------------------------
An introduction to the engineering profession. </p>

<p>No complaints here, standard course. - 1 credit</p>

<p>ENGL 106-----------------------------------------------------------------</p>

<p>They didn't even put me in this course and I need a year of it.. is this a problem?</p>

2

<p>"Why did they put me in 161 and not 165? I don't have any knowledge of calculus, but I think I am good enough for 165."</p>

<p>You need to get over yourself. You have not had calculus. This is a class for people who have not taken calculus. This is exactly what you would need.</p>

<p>As far as the physics class, why did they place you in what sounds like a remedial course that won't count towards graduation? There has to be a reason.</p>

<p>Chemistry class: You didn't take the AP test and therefore do not get credit or placement out of the chemistry class. Just take it. </p>

<p>I'm sure no classes at Purdue are too easy and they would know a hell of a lot better what incoming students are ready for than you would. Take they schedule given unless the physics class was a mistake.</p>

3

<p>
[quote]
"Why did they put me in 161 and not 165? I don't have any knowledge of calculus, but I think I am good enough for 165."</p>

<p>You need to get over yourself. You have not had calculus. This is a class for people who have not taken calculus. This is exactly what you would need.</p>

<p>As far as the physics class, why did they place you in what sounds like a remedial course that won't count towards graduation? There has to be a reason.</p>

<p>Chemistry class: You didn't take the AP test and therefore do not get credit or placement out of the chemistry class. Just take it. </p>

<p>I'm sure no classes at Purdue are too easy and they would know a hell of a lot better what incoming students are ready for than you would. Take they schedule given unless the physics class was a mistake.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Ok I don't think I'm smarter than others, I just don't want to be left behind. Getting placed in an intro calc class feels like I am behind.</p>

<p>I have no highschool physics, but I don't know if I really need the remedial course. Someone on this board told me they took mechanics with no prior physics knowledge and did fine.</p>

<p>The chemistry.. I didn't take the exam because I knew I would be doing chemical engineering and therefore I wanted to retake chemistry in college.. but is it correct for me to get placed in a lower level chemistry course?</p>

<p>And also, it's an academic advisor; a single person who knows nothing about me, I highly doubt they know what I am and am not capable of. </p>

<p>Why the **** are people such dicks on this forum.. I asked a simple question and you tell me to get over myself.. what the <strong><em>? Seriously, I'm thinking about changing my screenname because I guess people are either racist or *</em></strong>ing biased. Annoys the *** out of me. </p>

<p>PS: Is it bad that I didn't get into an English writing course?</p>

4

<p>No one is being racist and to claim that is absurd. People don't always have to agree with what you think.</p>

<p>You are just taking Calc I, which a good number of freshmen take. You are not getting behind. I would try to find out about the physics class and see why you were put in it.</p>

<p>If you don't want people's advice, don't ask. No one is posting here to be a dick. They are giving you their opinion.</p>

5

<p>
[quote]
PS: Is it bad that I didn't get into an English writing course?

[/quote]
you have to look at the catalog and see. There might be different requirements. My school engineers aren't required to take a writing course but they are for certain liberal arts courses. You just have to do more research.</p>

<p>Many people do intro stuff first year. If you want to get ahead, go for it.</p>

6

<p>My S is not going to Purdue but to another technical school. Their placement policy for Calculus and Chemistry is based on math ACT or SAT scores.</p>

<p>Okay, I read through the First Year Handbook and it looks like Purdue has on line tests to determine placements in Calculus and Chemistry (and I suspect Physics also). I suspect that you scored lower on this test and need to take preliminary courses. Here the link the the Handbook <a href="https://engineering.purdue.edu/ENE/ResourcesFor/students/StudentHandbook%5B/url%5D"&gt;https://engineering.purdue.edu/ENE/ResourcesFor/students/StudentHandbook&lt;/a> and the information that I am going on is on page 14.</p>

<p>Now my opinion. I think that the school has lots of practice knowing what courses would be the most successful for their students. If these are the courses that they have determined, I would go with their recommendation. They may be easy, but it's better to have an easy semester than one where you are not doing well. Start out the year in good shape and with a good GPA. A good foundation in college is the best start.</p>

7

<p>Take chem 1. </p>

<p>Calc 1(integral and differential calculus) is supposed to be a prerequisite for Physics(mechanics).Take it-especially because you didnt take calc in high school. In most schools, students schedule it for their second semester. Trust me- take that intro physics course. It's not going to help you much with physics mechanics but just take it if thats what your school recommendeds.</p>

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<p>The thing is, you're worrying <em>far</em> too much, in our eyes! You haven't even <em>gotten</em> to Purdue yet, and we already see you freaking out about being behind... Trust me, you're not behind. You're ahead of most, in that you've figured out what you want to major in. I know people who've had to add a year to their college careers because they decided they wanted to switch to engineering. One of my friends decided second semester his junior year that he no longer wanted to do astrophysics, and took two extra years to get a history degree.</p>

<p>Purdue has a long-standing history of producing excellent engineers. If you've got concerns with what courses they've put you in, have a talk with your advisor. There's really nothing we can do about it, and we're not particularly in a position to know what exactly your academic background is, and what your goals are, so we're really not in a position to be able to give good advice about it, even. Academic advisors are there for just this sort of reason, if you've got concerns about your course placements, but honestly, Purdue wouldn't steer you wrong. Not your first semester, when the spread of intro courses is fairly cut-and-dried.</p>

<p>Listen to what Purdue recommends, if you're still uncomfortable with it then talk to your advisor about it, and please please PLEASE take some time to enjoy college. Claims of racism are completely unfounded, as you'll find that lots of us are in a minority situation ourselves. Claims of calling you out on being unnecessarily uptight about college, however, are not... Chill out some! Smell some roses, man! Enjoy life!</p>

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<p>Haha. He/she already pulled the race card. Wow.</p>

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<p>"Why the **** are people such dicks on this forum.. I asked a simple question and you tell me to get over myself.. what the <strong><em>? Seriously, I'm thinking about changing my screenname because I guess people are either racist or *</em></strong>ing biased. Annoys the *** out of me."</p>

<p>Actually it's because you ask such ridiculous questions and get all defensive when people give you answers you don't want to hear. I'll admit, I thought you were FOB at first, but none of the foreign students I've worked with are as stressed out about academics as you are. Not to mention you have to be in the country a while to start pulling the race card so quickly. </p>

<p>If you know the Chem, skip it, but for the other two, why would you skip a class on something you didn't know about?</p>

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<p>Indian, calm down. Just because 'someone on this board told you' that s/he could eliminate world hunger with 2 grains of rice, a middle-C tuning fork, and a post-it does not necessarily mean it's true in all cases and for everyone. Your advisor has access to your educational history, has seen real students likely in the same position as you (as well as data on students s/he didn't deal with personally), and with these, can give you a good idea of what you need to take and stay on track.</p>

<p>You say that you think you are good enough for math165 and don't wish to take 161. We aren't familiar with the classes at your school - 165 could be a course on differential equations or a faster paced introductory calc course. Furthermore, why do you think you're ready for 165 when your conselor thinks otherwise? Simply saying that you think you're good enough isn't enough for someone on this forum to give you precise advice - in general, if you don't know a subject that you need for the future, you should take a course on it. McGrit's reaction was simply that - a statement of what, considering the way you presented the information, is the common view around here.</p>

<p>So -- what is math 165, what makes it different from 161, and do you have the background required for 165? If you don't have the background, you may be even further behind by struggling in the class and thus hurting your studies in your other classes.</p>

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<p>165 is probably calc 2(sequences,series,etc.)</p>

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<p>I checked Purdue's website and checked MA 165 and it clearly states that it is designed for students with at least a semester of calculus and is the same thing as 161 with conic sections. Since there is just an extra topic, I guess you can go for it. However, the prerequisites demand for "competency in college algebra, trigonometry at the level of MA 151." I can just guess that the reason you are not in 165 is lack of that competency.</p>

<p>However, the physics thing should be changed since the corequisite is your current calculus class. I know plenty of people with no experience with physics and do ok in it.</p>

14

<p>
[quote]
Actually it's because you ask such ridiculous questions and get all defensive when people give you answers you don't want to hear. I'll admit, I thought you were FOB at first, but none of the foreign students I've worked with are as stressed out about academics as you are. Not to mention you have to be in the country a while to start pulling the race card so quickly.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>I don't think my questions are that ridiculous but whatever. I only get defensive when people say things like "kthxdie", and assume that I'm full of myself. The reason why I'm so stressed out is because a lot of things depend on how well I do in college. I am expected to pay off $130,000 in loans, secure a job, help family with financial problems in India if needed, and help pay for my sister's college since she will be going to medical school here. And by the way, I've lived here since 1991, and this is the first time I've "pulled the race card." </p>

<p>
[quote]
Okay, I read through the First Year Handbook and it looks like Purdue has on line tests to determine placements in Calculus and Chemistry (and I suspect Physics also). I suspect that you scored lower on this test and need to take preliminary courses. Here the link the the Handbook <a href="https://engineering.purdue.edu/ENE/...StudentHandbook%5B/url%5D"&gt;https://engineering.purdue.edu/ENE/...StudentHandbook&lt;/a> and the information that I am going on is on page 14.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>The CRT (Calculus Readiness Test) gives you three attempts to score highly. My first attempt was 13/21, second was 16/21, third was 18/21. 13/21 is considered passing and is the minimum required for placement into calculus. Also, MA 165 is calculus one with conic sections as someone earlier stated, and I just feel ready to handle the workload. </p>

<p>The CCI (Chemistry Concepts Inventory) is to be taken once, and I scored highly on it. Also, I had a year of AP chemistry, so this is the main puzzler for me; why am I in the lower level class?</p>

<p>There is no physics test. The advisor said I have to take it because I have no highschool physics, but since you guys said PHYS 149 won't help with mechanics (PHYS 172), should I ask to get placed into ENGL 106? I think I have to take that for the second semester so I may find it difficult to take the second writing course without the first semester course.</p>

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<p>
[quote]
If you don't want people's advice, don't ask. No one is posting here to be a dick. They are giving you their opinion.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Lol, actually go to the college life forum and search for one of my threads called "How do I make sure my clothes don't get stolen?" and see if people post to be dicks. :)</p>

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<p>Indian, I must admit I'm as confused as you are. I would call or e-mail your advisor and tell him exactly what you've told us. Unless he (or she) can find a compelling arguement for your placement, I would kindly ask for the placement that you want.</p>

<p>Maybe the advisor has looked only at your first placement test score without looking further. I would pursue this. Have you been to orientation yet? If not, I would set up an appointment with the advisor. They have many students to schedule and may have made a mistake.
Good luck</p>

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<p>Dude, "Indian" calm down. I am a current Purdue student in engineering. I completed freshman engineering and I am going to be a sophomore, so I can tell you a few things about the classes. For the math class, if you don't have any knowledge of Calculus then the advisor will put you in MA 161 even if you passed the Calculus Readiness Test (CRT) which is basically a pre-calculus test. Don't worry too much about this as I was also placed in MA 161 and took MA 162 next semester and I did fine with A's and B's. The curve is also nicer for MA 161 than MA 165. Also since you don't have any physics knowledge at HS level, it would be wise to take the PHYS 149 course as Purdue's Engineering Mechanics (PHYS 152) is quite rigorous (It has the highest failure in the country after some course at MIT) The ENGL 106 course is required of all engineering freshmen so that is compulsory. As for CHM 115, although you took AP chem, it seems you didn't do well in the class so it would be better to start with CHM 115 and then move up next semester if you find it too easy. Many engineers including ChemEs take CHm 115 before moving on to their professional school so you are nbt behind. Take it easy and don't worry too much about your classes. Just try to do well in them.</p>

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<p>Thank you Boomer01 for your great and timely advice. Indian, I hope that you listen to boomer01, it sounds like he has been in your shoes and is offering great information. It is much better to have an easier semester and be successful than to struggle.</p>

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<p>All the more reason you shouldn't stress out this much about classes. Like everyone has said, getting a 4.0 isn't crucial, and jumping ahead to coursework you're not ready for is a great way to completely distance yourself from that goal. Just relax.</p>

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<p>boomer01, thanks a lot for your help as well as everyone else. I understand everything except the ENGL 106 part now. I think I have 16 credits already, so should I still ask for placement into ENGL 106?</p>