<p>I think I did something crazy with my schedule...Even before registering for classes, I was very interested in CS(Games), but my parents didn't let me do it. After convincing them, I decided to change my schedule around and see how it goes. But the thing is, I still want to be on track if I were to switch to CS. So...I went ahead and took:</p>
<p>CSCI 180 (CS Games only)
CSCI 281 (CS Games only)
CSCI 103 (CS + CS Games class)
CSCI 109 (CS + CS Games class)</p>
<p>I'll be taking all 4 of those CS classes in the fall. CSCI 180 and 281 are the games courses, but they are each only for 1 day (3 hour classes). My schedule itself looks much cleaner and easier because I don't have a math class, but is this overkill, I mean 4 CS classes? I could drop both CSCI 103 and CSCI 109 in favor of Linear Algebra.</p>
<p>I'm hesitant to talk to my adviser atm since she'll be wondering what the hell I was thinking especially since I've changed my schedule around a lot already. I feel really lost and I second guess myself on everything so I have a hard time sticking to 1 thing and not feeling regret =(</p>
<p>My hesitancy comes from the fact that I know I don't want to go into the gaming industry (it's relatively unstable), but I'm very interested in making games and getting that experience meeting like-minded people. My parents were convinced that CS(Games) will only lead to jobs in the gaming industry, but I know that's not true since many CS(Games) majors go on to do work elsewhere.</p>
<p>Hey there CygnusFiend. Yeah, you do seem a little flip-floppy especially since I remember you wanted to do CECS at one point too haha. Anyways, I would say that you should take the math class and stay on course with the other CS(Games) majors. Otherwise, you will be 1 semester ahead of them if you take CSCI 103 and CSCI 109. I see why you would want to do that, but trust me, if you want to switch majors, just talk to your advisors and they will figure out a proper course plan for you.</p>
<p>Yeah…I’ve pretty much considered every CS major. As you can see, I’m not good at picking one thing and sticking with it. Thanks for the advice!</p>
<p>Anyways, do you think 4 CS classes is do-able though? I don’t mind being 1 sem ahead of my fellow majors especially if I can use it to my advantage when switching majors.</p>
<p>Speak to your academic advisor to make sure you stay on track. Do not be afraid to speak to them. They are there for you. I am sure there are many students that are unsure about what classes to take. Don’t you have some G.E. or language classes you need to fulfill? Don’t put this conversation off with your advisor, call tomorrow. Class starts really soon. Good luck!!!</p>
<p>You should be fine. If you’re planning on sticking to CS, get used to having 4 CS classes. It’s manageable. </p>
<p>Unless they’ve improved (I heard they haven’t) CSCI 180 and CSCI 281 are not very good classes, so you’ll do fine as long as you put the work in. </p>
<p>I recommend you keep CSCI 103 and CSCI 109 because the sooner you take those the better. If you switch out of Games, then you’ll still be on track. If you switch out of CS, then that’s a whole different situation.</p>
<p>If you’re not sure you want to stay in CS (Games), then drop 180 and 281 for a GE and possibly WRIT 140. Those are good to get out of the way.</p>
<p>Your advisor is there to help, so as long as you do due diligence and ask well thought out questions, they will help you as much as possible. (Ex: A bad question would be asking when a class is when you can simply look it up on the Schedule of Classes).</p>
<p>@psydent, so what I ended up doing is I took Math 225 and Web Publishing, thereby dropping CSCI 103 and CSCI 109. I’m pretty confident I want to stay in CS(Games). I want to be able to take the CS classes with my fellow CS(Games) peers so I guess I will just follow that track.</p>
<p>With that being said, are you sure CSCI 180 and CSCI 281 aren’t very good? CSCI 281 is being taught by Professor Easley who apparently is good and CSCI 180 is taught by St John Colon (idk anything about him).</p>
<p>Does not taking CSCI 104 and CSCI 170 by freshman year really hamper my chances of getting an internship next summer? Perhaps I could network my way via friends/parents?</p>
<p>To clarify, the typical CS(Games) schedule looks like this:</p>
<p>CSCI 180
CSCI 281
GE VI
Writ 140
ENGR 102</p>
<p>Mine looks like this:</p>
<p>CSCI 180
CSCI 281
GE V
Math 225
Web Publishing
ENGR 102</p>
<p>No I’m not sure. </p>
<p>Something else I’m outdated on are internships after your first year. It was less likely when I was there, but it has become more common. It’s still good to look into all connections possible to find something. Also, if you or anyone you know qualifies, this is a great program: [Fellowship</a> Backs Minority Computer Science Students | Wired Enterprise | Wired.com](<a href=“http://www.wired.com/wiredenterprise/2012/09/code-2040/]Fellowship”>Fellowship Backs Minority Computer Science Students | WIRED)</p>
<p>If you can choose between Math 225 and EE 241, do EE 241.</p>
<p>EE 241 seems to be taught by Michael Neely. Do you know how he is?</p>
<p>Nope.
Neither class is very useful for CS (Games) so might as well go for EE 241 because it’s easier and less time consuming.</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice psydent, but I do feel like I have an easy enough schedule already for Fall. I have CSCI 180, 281, and Math 225 as my core classes. </p>
<p>Aside from that, I have an excellent GE V, Web Publishing with Patrick Dent who is apparently amazing, and ENGR 102 which is pass/fail.</p>
<p>It’s not just that EE 241 is an easier class (grade padding), it’s that it’s less time consuming. This is extremely valuable in college, especially in your first semester where your time management skills will be challenged and grow. If you spend less time on insignificant class (EE 241) then you can spend more time on CSCI 281 and ITP 104. These classes will be much more important in the long run.</p>
<p>Is Math 225 really that much more time though? In terms of lecture it’s 160 minutes for EE 241 versus 150 minutes for Math 225. The discussion for EE 241 is 50 minutes, while the discussion for Math 225 is 100 minutes. In total, that’s about 40 minutes difference (most of it is discussion) and Math 225 is also 1 more unit that EE 241. </p>
<p>But, perhaps you’re right. I’m an incoming freshman so I don’t have any actual experience to back up what I’m saying.</p>
<p>You forgot about assignments and studying. Different for everyone but EE 241 was easy and my friends that took Math 225 said it was hard.</p>
<p>Oh yeah, totally forgot about homework. Alright, I’ll ask some other people and decide. There’s like 30 spots open in EE 241 so it shouldn’t be a problem. According the USC’s course evaluations for professors though, Professor Neely doesn’t seem so good.</p>