<p>Math 1B
R+C (A)
Physics 7A
Chem. 1A</p>
<p>The R+C class is still yet to be determined, but that doesn't matter that much since I will have to take one of the options regardless. I would just like to know what are the most popular and easiest R+C classes? Also, I took AP Calc BC and am pretty sure I will get a 4 or a 5 since I got a 5 on Calc AB, so is it worth going straight into Math 53 or being mroe laid back with Math 1B? I heard Math 1B was a hard class as it is so I'm a little worried about it and if it might be worth skipping. I am also a declared Mechanical Engineering major, but am still stuck between Mechanical and EECS, and at this point the only course that doesn't overlap with EECS is Chem 1A, so I am not sure if it is worth taking this class if I might switch out of Mechanical Engineering. Any suggestions?</p>
<p>For math, you can try the sample Math 1A and 1B final exams found here:
[Choosing</a> an Appropriate First Math Course — UC Berkeley College of Engineering](<a href=“http://coe.berkeley.edu/students/current-undergraduates/new-students/choosing-an-appropriate-first-math-course.html]Choosing”>http://coe.berkeley.edu/students/current-undergraduates/new-students/choosing-an-appropriate-first-math-course.html)
Based on how well you know the material covered in the final exams, you can choose a math course appropriately. If you know the material in 1A and 1B well, save yourself a course and go directly to 53 and/or 54. On the other hand, if the 1B material is a struggle (but the 1A material is easy), you may want to take 1B. If even the 1A material is a struggle, then you may want to take 1A (which would mean delaying Physics 7A).</p>
<p>Chemistry 1A (or 4A) can be used on the natural science requirement for EECS (at least 11 units including Physics 7A and 7B), so it would not be a complete waste if you took it and then switched to EECS. If you do want to do EECS, you may want to consider CS 61A. However, a schedule with CS 61A, Physics 7A, and Chemistry 1A (or 4A) could be a heavy workload (two lab courses and one programming course), so it may not be a good idea to take all three together in your first semester when you are still adjusting to university life.</p>
<p>Go with Math 53 if you got guts. 3 semesters of lower-division math just isn’t worth it. In fact, I don’t understand why CoE doesn’t make engineers take Math 110 or 104 instead of wasting their precious semesters on 1A-1B series when most students already know the concepts.</p>
<p>If you can’t decide between EECS and ME, I’ll give you a slight hint. If you really like Physics 7A and do well in 7A, ME will suit you well. I think ME 104 is the true indicator, but Physics 7A is close enough. For EECS, take EE 20N or 40 (either one, really) as soon as you can.</p>
<p>Thanks for the helpful information. I think I will be taking Math 1B since I took the 1B exams and didn’t really understand the questions at all. What is the difference between Chem 1A and 4A? I just saw on my degree audit worksheets that they required Chem 1A and 1B for Mechanical Engineering. At this point, I don’t see the use in taking CS 61A since I’m still a Mechanical Engineering major and from what I’ve read I wouldn’t be able to switch majors until at least the 2nd semester. would I be able to do CS 61A second semester if I switched then?</p>
<p>What is the difference between Chem 1A and 4A? I was one of the fools who took Chem 4A instead of 1A and I’ll tell you right now don’t you do that if you respect yourself. Just don’t ask because I cannot describe in words how gloomy life was when I took it.</p>
<p>And yes, for CS 61A, there are many folks who do it in the spring even though they’re already in EECS. Nothing is too late if you’re determined to catch up :P</p>
<p>Okay. And do any of these classes have honors classes? And if so are they worth it? What advantage do they give you? Are they that much harder? etc.</p>
<p>Honors versions exist for:</p>
<p>Math 1B, 53, 54, and various upper division math courses
Physics 7A, 7B, 7C</p>
<p>(You can probably consider Chemistry 4A, 4B as kind of like an honors version of Chemistry 1A, 1B.)</p>
<p>Here is the Math department’s description of the honors courses:
[Honors</a> Courses - UC Berkeley Department of Mathematics](<a href=“http://math.berkeley.edu/courses_honors.html]Honors”>http://math.berkeley.edu/courses_honors.html)</p>
<p>The Physics department’s description of the honors courses is in the middle of this page:
[physics</a> @ berkeley - The Major and Minor Program](<a href=“Home | Physics”>Home | Physics)</p>
<p>Basically, the honors courses will have more theory, proofs, and difficult problems. The main takers of such courses would be those who are intending to major in the subject or who otherwise really like the course material. For most engineering majors who do not have a very high interest in the course material, it is not necessary to take the honors courses.</p>
<p>Honestly, if you want to switch into EECS, just take CS61A first semester:</p>
<p>CS61A
Math1B
Physics7A</p>
<p>If your (overall and technical) GPA is at least 3.2, then you’re guaranteed the switch. It’s a relatively painless process and while none of those classes are ‘easy’, maintaining a 3.2 shouldn’t be that hard.</p>
<p>Don’t I need to do the R+C class though? And I’m honestly not sure which I wanna do, honestly my first impressions about not doing mechanical engineering were because I sorta dislike chemistry and I’m not exactly a handyman, I mean I’ve wanted to do mechanical engineering for a while now but my impression from visiting Berkeley was that it was more of a hands on “machine shop” major.</p>
<p>There are plenty of theories you do in Mechnical Engineering. You will inevitably hit the machine shop for your senior project, but it is not a hands on “machine shop” major unless you keep picking electives that requires it.</p>
<p>3 techs + humanities is normal. If you can AP out of chem and math, do it. Tons of prereqs for MechE. I’m MechE and its an interesting major. Its really diverse. It took me a while to figure out what I wanted to focus on. </p>
<p>I was in the same spot that you were in 2 yrs ago. I’m just taking CS classes on the side. I’ll be in CS61A next semester. Everyone hires CS people :'(</p>
<p>Berkeley Mechanical Engineering is definitely not just a machine shop major. I don’t even think the lower div ME classes (ME40, MEC85) have ‘machine shop’ labs. I hear they are pretty theoretical actually, with some Matlab assignments in MEC85(?). Yeah you need to do R&C. I tend to leave out humanities when planning schedules because I usually take them P/NP so I don’t really count them. But you’re right, R&C is definitely something you need to focus on since it’s letter graded.</p>
<p>Anyway, I was faced with the same problem last year, when I decided to switch to EECS. It was either going to be ME or EECS for me, and I picked EECS. I’m not saying that you should do EECS, though. I really think you just need to talk to more EECS/ME people to really get an idea of what the classes will be like.</p>