How programming intensive are these EECS courses?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Michigan
1

I’m good at math and I want to major in CS and create new technology, but I’m not very good at programming in C++ (though I’m not that bad either. Memorizing all the hundreds of different functions and syntax is what I struggle with the most). I took a C++ class at a local college, which will transfer in as 183, so I will start my first semester with 280 (good idea or should I “retake” 183?).

The career fields I’m interested in are UI/UX design, data analysis, and mobile app development. I’m thinking about taking these courses. How programming intensive are they? And if they aren’t very programming heavy, what did you think about their difficulty in general?

280 - Programming and Introductory Data Structures
281 - Data Structures and Algorithms
370 - Introduction to Computer Organization
376 - Foundations of Computer Science
477 - Introduction to Algorithms
484 - Database Management Systems
493 - User Interface Development

2

Any CS class will require quite a lot of work for the number of credits they are worth. 280 is the typical CS course workload, while 281 is quite heavy. 370 is somewhere in between. The rest should be comparable to 280 in terms of workload.

3

These days 280 you are allowed a partner, so its not that bad.

281 - this is the class that makes or breaks a CS student. They will decide whether to stay CS or change majors. Its a bit more conceptually harder than 280, projects take more time, and no partners.

370 - umcoe16 is right where its between 280 and 281. While not required, ENGR: Microprocessors or 270 makes this class easier.

484- this used to be light when I took it, but now it is more difficult

493- the lightest ULCS you can take, but you won’t learn anything

376 - This varies a lot between people because its a proof-based class. No, projects , 2 exams, 13 or so homeworks (if you get Volkavich) Maybe around 280 level time commitment or less if you’ve taken Linear Algebra (not strictly required). EECS discussions and Office hours are probably more helpful than Lecture

4

@umcoe16 @ForeverAlone Should I take 183 or 280 in the fall? I received credit for 183 from a local CC, where we only worked with C++ and nothing else. But since CC classes are easier, should I take 183 in the fall or will I be fine with 280?

5

I guess if you can, register for both. If you feel like you can handle 280, drop 183, if you feel like you cannot, drop 280.

6

You should do 280 first and take it seriously. Otherwise, you’ll be wasting money if you already have credit for it.

You can gauge yourself by seeing if you can complete this project here
http://g280.eecs.umich.edu/