<p>hey,
i'm probably going to go over this schedule with a counselor, but I'd like some input from you guys as well.. I'm a psych major (premed), so how manageable would these classes be for my first semester? </p>
<ul>
<li>Chem 1A w/ lab - 5 units</li>
<li>Math 16A (or Math1A?) - 4 unts</li>
<li>French 3 - 5 units</li>
<li>Psych 110 - 3 units</li>
</ul>
<p>thanks for the help! go bears :)</p>
<p>most freshman don't take upper-division courses like psych 110 their first semester. I wouldn't recommend that, unless if you've taken all of the psych prereqs (whatever those are) at a UC-level school. Even then, I probably wouldn't do it. Upper division courses assume a level of academic maturity, ability to do research papers, etc. that most freshmen aren't ready for.</p>
<p>well, i've taken most prereqs for psych already.. i took courses in highschool during the summers in a community college, and im taking the other two low div classes next summer.. so anyway, i dont think have any other lower div classes for psych, and I'm planning to finish college in 3 years =)</p>
<p>oh and i have like 24 units completed, so isnt it fine if i take upper div?</p>
<p>
[quote]
and im taking the other two low div classes next summer..
[/quote]
</p>
<p>It would make more sense to take these now, they will give you preparation for upper division courses. </p>
<p>As a general rule, people usually finish the lower division requirements before taking upper division courses, because the upper division courses assume knowledge of the lower division courses.</p>
<p>Most freshmen are not prepared to take upper division courses their first semester. I would say, they are not prepared, even if they meet the prerequisites. Most are not prepared for "berkeley-level" coursework at that level.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Whether a freshperson can handle an upperdiv courses varies from individual
[/quote]
</p>
<p>An incoming freshman, in the vast majority of cases, cannot tell if they are ready. They may not find out just how far over their head they are until it's too late.</p>
<p>Just to clarify a bit more, let's say you want to be an econ major. You can easily take Econ 1 first semester, then Econ 100A second semester. That sort of thing is very common. But jumping into Econ 100A, after taking macro/micro at community college (or just the AP Courses), I suspect would be a disaster for a lot of people. They would be unprepared for what is expected of them in an upper division course.</p>
<p>hmmm, well I do have a lot of interest in psychology, and I was actually thinking that it would be one of my easier classes.. and the other 2 lower div classes are stats and cultural anthro...so they won't be covering material about psychology anyway (unlike the example you gave).</p>
<p>but i will take your advice in consideration, thanks... can anyone with a psych major tell me their thoughts on my schedule?</p>
<p>btw chem is 4 units. take math 16a.</p>
<p>ohkay, i will... thanks homind</p>