<p>Just some background, I'm not an incoming freshman... I'm going into my 2nd year and have so far taken classes and studied with the intention of becoming an Econ or Haas major (another one of those.... I know). However, recently I've been thinking of the L&S Computer Science major thats offered (and now uncapped ;)). Throughout my life, I've always enjoyed working with computers. Programming, graphics, gaming, building them, anything. I'm the type of guy that actually enjoys writing/reading code (so far at least, CompSci at Berkeley is probably a bit different ;) and REALLY enjoys building computers. I'm a nerd in that sense, I know.</p>
<p>Although I don't have the SAT scores that some of the other students doing CompSci, that hadn't stopped me before. In high school I took a few programming courses, got a 5 on the AP exam without problems. There were kids in my class who had similar (or better) stats to Berkeley EECS standards, yet I still managed to match and often exceed their performances in the class. I don't know what it is, I just feel like my brain is wired to work with computers...</p>
<p>The reason why I didn't apply to Berkeley as a CompSci major (or pursued that route once I got there) is because I feared that it might be too over my head. Recently, however, I've come to regret my decision to not even try a CompSci course and see how it goes. The reason I thought it was too difficult was because I looked at the stats of those going the EECS route. Basically, I'm curious exactly how difficult some find (or think) the L&S CS major is. How difficult do you think it would be to exceed a 3.0 GPA (hopefully be in the mid 3s) while doing an L&S CS major? I ask because I want to go to grad school later (and get a degree in Econ). Any comments or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!</p>
<p>Some have said it's "easy" because it doesn't require as many physics/electronics courses as EECS, though I don't think it is, even in comparison to EECS. It's definitely one of the hardest majors in L&S and arguably on the campus (especially the CS61 series -- kicks about everyone's ass, or so I've heard). I don't think it'd be too difficult to break a 3.0 in compsci, though it'd probably be somewhat tough to maintain a 3.5. You seem like you'd succeed, though.</p>
<p>Even though a year has passed and you haven't tried any CS courses, you can probably jump right in past the really basic courses, since you've already had experience. See this, if you haven't already:</p>
<p>L&S CS can be extremely hard and painstaking if you don't like it-- more so than other majors IMO. On the other hand, it can be very rewarding if you enjoy the subject.</p>
<p>For example, most of the EECS majors I've come across say their CS classes are significantly harder than their EE classes (this might explain some of the huge hatred towards the cs61 series). I don't know how the overall figures look, but it seems (in my experience) that most EECS majors decide NOT to pursue the software option.</p>
<p>But you have to keep in mind these are the "math-minded" EECS people. It may simply be that most EECS are super math people. EE classes are generally closer and more reliant on math and a mathematical mode of thinking, whereas the CS61 series almost have no resemblance or dependency on math. They are entirely CS/theoretical. There are people who love this, and there are, as I mentioned above, people who absolutely loathe it.</p>
<p>Therefore, it really is impossible to say whether EECS or CS is harder. It depends on the person. CS requires you to take many many CS classes, including CS70 and upper division ones too, whereas EECS gives you the option of going a different route and taking CS61a,b,c and be done with CS courses forever.</p>
<p>I think its at least somewhat safe to say that the CS classes will be quite a bit more difficult than Econ classes (I've taken both) for most people. But you said you got a 5 on the CS AP exam in high school, and that's a very good indication that you will be receptive to CS at Berkeley. The SAT score probably doesn't mean too much, as the SATs don't test a CS mode of thinking. You can be awesome at math and still stumble in cs61a. The bottom line is that if you think you might like and excel in CS, definitely try it. You may find it very rewarding, or, extremely difficult (but many feel this way at first, so don't be frustrated). If it doesn't work out, at least you'll live knowing that you tried it out.</p>
<p>Thanks so much for your replies, very helpful. I've heard of the CS61 series, went and took a look on the course webpages. Is the grading what makes the 61 series so hard? I took a look at projects/exams and found I could understand a fair amount of the material on there through my previous programming experience. For those who have taken the courses, is there a strong focus on Java? Also, in your experiences do people who go in loving computer science still love it after classes like the CS61 series? I looked at some of the upper-division courses and found I would love to take almost all of them... and hope that wouldn't change because of experiences in other courses.</p>
<p>Hey, I'm pretty similar to you. I thought about doing Haas or Econ coming in to college. And then I decided to pursue CS starting my second year. I didn't have as much prior programming experience as you have though. And I decided to keep Econ as a double major because I thought it was really interesting.</p>
<p>As for the difficulty of the 61 series, it really varies among people. For me, it's toughest thing I've had to take in my whole life, but I'm hanging in there and quite enjoying it. I've known plenty of people who have not been able to stand the difficulty or just did not like it and switched out to something else. I also know people who think that the 61 series is pretty easy. I think the general consensus is that the 61 series is pretty tough, with people that like it and people that hate it as well. </p>
<p>Judging from your experience, I think you should have no problem dealing with CS courses. Acing them is a different story, but I think you're quite capable. And for 61 series, only 61B teaches Java. CS61A teaches Scheme and CS61C teaches C and MIPS. Also, since you got a 5 on the AP exam (AB exam I assume), you can pass out of CS61B.</p>
<p>Thanks for the reply... Whats the major (and classes) like in terms of time commitments? I ask because I'm currently a member of a varsity sports team at cal. And unfortunately, I took the A level exam not the AB (my school only offered the A level course and exam, although there was very little difference between the A and AB level material). No worries though, I think I'd like to take the course if its based around Java anyway :)</p>
<p>As long as you aren't stupid and set your schedule with multiple difficult classes (that have heavy workloads), CS + sports shouldn't be difficult.</p>
<p>The CS site says:</p>
<p>"EECS150, 152, 162 and 184 are known to have heavy workloads. It is recommended that you not take these courses in combination."</p>
<p>Ace the class or be able to do alright in it? I took a look at the 61A video and watched the course overview and found I knew or had some familiarity with the majority of things he talked about.... is that unusual? Are people confused even after the first lecture in 61A?</p>
<p>Acing the class is no easy feat, but it's quite doable. CS61A does give around 30% of some sort of A. And I think 61A starts out pretty slow in the beginning. I came into 61A having very little programming experience, and I thought the first few lectures were rather slow and very much understandable.</p>
<p>Will you be able to ace the class? That's anyone's guess. I'm pretty sure many people i took the cs61 series with at least understood the material to some fair degree (the people are generally pretty smart) but it's a completely different matter to ace the class.</p>
<p>There are people who find the 61 series easy, but I think most find the workload, if not the material, at least somewhat challenging. A good number get pummeled, too.</p>
<p>As far as I can tell, you'll be absolutely fine in the CS classes. Will you ace it? Hard to say. Impossible to say that for pretty much anyone. Will you AT LEAST be fine? If you study hard, In my opinion, absolutely without a doubt. (All indications suggest this: You have prior CS experience, AP exam, viewed some lectures, etc.) In the end, even people without any of your experience can do very well (short of acing maybe) in the cs61 series if they study really hard. Go for it!</p>
<p>Yea exactly... A better way to guage is to go through the projects and homeworks (which are the same every semester) and the exams. And I think the OP has done some of that already.</p>