<p>Hi!</p>
<p>I am currently in the college of letters and science (as a math major, looking to change) and am thinking of changing into the college of engineering. SO, I am wondering what you guys consider to be the most difficult class: the math (30 series), the physics (1/4 series), or the chem (20/30 series)?</p>
<p>Also, I never took physics in high school. Will I be completely soul skewered by physics 1a, even after already having taken math 32a?</p>
<p>Hi!</p>
<p>I am currently in the college of letters and science (as a math major, looking to change) and am thinking of changing into the college of engineering. SO, I am wondering what you guys consider to be the most difficult class: the math (30 series), the physics (1/4 series), or the chem (20/30 series)?</p>
<p>Also, I never took physics in high school. Will I be completely soul skewered by physics 1a, even after already having taken math 32a?</p>
<p>Hey! I"m kind of in the same situation as you, wanting to switch into the engineering school. I'd say Math 32B is harder than 32A by a substantial amount from what I've heard, but you're a math major so it won't be that bad I'm sure! I don't know about 33A and 33B but I vaguely assume that they're between 32B and 32A in difficulty. Physics I think is make or break...I've met some lot of people who were good at math but bad at physics (but not the other way around...). But it's a confidence and not learning the basics well issue - it's absolutely critical to learn how to draw free body diagrams and know subtle sign conventions. It's as much an art as a science, and it'll come with practice - physics is a subject where you really need to focus on getting the core concepts that will be continually applied. Chem 20A is easy if you have a good professor, 20B is a little harder but not by much (but again, the right professor is important - the guy who's teaching Chem 20B this upcoming spring is really bad. don't take him!) I don't know about 30 series...definitely harder than 20 series, and the material seems to get tougher as you go from 30A to 30C. The chem labs are pretty tough, from what my friends have told me. </p>
<p>Sorry for that looong paragraph. :) I'd say Physics 1 sequence is the hardest, followed by Organic chem + Organic chem labs (chem is much more time consuming), then math followed close behind, then general chem dead last...general chem is pretty easy. If you can get solid As in these core classes, you'll be a top engineering student unless some disaster befalls you.</p>
<p>Some tips - be patient with triple integrals - you'll be like..what's the physical significance of triple integrals...it's like 4D...but then you'll see the applications and it'll become MUCH more clear...basically triple integrals are used when you need 3 dimensions to define your location in 3D space, the "4th" dimension is the value of whatever property (like density for example) at that pt in space... is the chapter will be pretty confusing...the second to last chapter on all of those theorems like greens stokes seems really tough too...with Physics 1A, free body diagrams, Newton's Laws, work-energy theorem, potential energy, etc are explained extremely well...if you don't really understand what conservative forces are...keep going, it's really tough - just come back later. If you can do well in Physics 1A...and I mean a solid A knowing the material down to a science, you deserve to feel really confident. Chem 20A, make sure you know molecular orbital theory, coordinate complexes/transition metal compounds, spectroscopy (memorize/understand all of those formulas, like infrared spectroscopy, microwave, and especially NMR..nmr is kinda confusing!!), organic functional groups, drawing basic isomers, dang it I forgot what else the course was about...Try to take Scerri for Chem - he's a good lecturer and if you study his course reader and listen in class and get a good TA (IMPORTANT, get good TAs!), you WILL get a high grade!</p>
<p>Personally, I'm probably best at physics, a little worse at chem, and a little worse at math. I like physics and bio the most! Good luck!</p>