Which courses @ U of M are considered “weeding out” classes, as not to overload when building a freshmen schedule?
I think “weed-out” classes are very much misunderstood. They are usually NOT the toughest courses in a major (there are usually significantly tougher upper-level classes). However, as people better develop their study skills and begin to take more focused coursework in their area of interest (and perhaps talent), they sometimes/often (idk which) get better at doing better. I hope that makes sense.
To answer your original question: Your weed-out culprits are Econ 101/102, Gen Chem 1/2 and labs, Orgo 1/2 and labs, the Calc sequence, EECS 203, EECS 280/281, Physics 140/160 series (especially 160), and BIOLOGY 171/172/173. There are definitely other courses, but these are ones that immediately come to mind for me.
The Calculus sequence can be troublesome for even kids who took AP Calc and did well.
Organic Chem one and especially two…can be a nasty stumbling block for Chem and Bio majors.
Chem 130 (gen chem) and calc. IMO, the orgos are hard because they’re approached like any other Chem class. Approach them like a math class and you’ll do better.
Chem 130 is hard mostly because you take it freshman year usually and you have no idea how college courses work.