Need Help with the Freshman Schedule

Colleges and Universities A-Z Duke University
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<p>Hi I am an incoming freshman in the Class of 2015 and have a few questions about my schedule. I want to double major in Economics and Computer Science with a certificate in MMS. </p>

<p>For my first semester I'd like to take a lighter load to get acquainted to college courses and maintain a solid GPA. Unfortunately I wasn't selected to take writing 20 this semester. However, I was thinking that I could take this opportunity to get some of my natural science requirements out of the way. If anyone has any suggestions for easy NS classes that'd be greatly appreciated. </p>

<p>Also I was wondering if it was possible to take 2 seminars in one semester. </p>

<p>These are my possibilities for next semester:</p>

<p>Definitely taking: </p>

<p>Econ 55D- Many have said that this is a very hard class. Consequently, I'd like to keep the rest of my schedule fairly light while still fulfilling requirements. </p>

<p>Comp Sci 6- I have past experience in programming but Comp Sci 100 conflicts with Econ 55D and there is still a lot to be learned from an introductory course. </p>

<p>Choosing between these courses for the next 2/3 slots: </p>

<p>Stat 103/104- I can always take one of these course next semester. I have already taken the math prereqs at the University of Missouri. I am wavering on putting this in my schedule because I feel like it might be overkill for my first semester. I am also leaning towards Stat 103 because people have said that it is significantly easier. </p>

<p>Up to two seminars?- If possible and not frowned upon, I'd like to take two seminars my first semester. This would knock out requirements while not overloading my schedule. </p>

<p>An Easy Natural Science class- If it isn't possible to take two seminars, I'm searching for a </p>

<p>Chinese- I could possibly take Chinese first semester but I'm not sure which class I should take. I would like to take as few language courses as possible. I can understand Chinese and speak reasonably well but my writing/reading is around a 3rd grade level. </p>

<p>Is it a good idea to take 5 courses my first semester if three of the courses are relatively easy (2 seminars and an easy natural science or civilization course)? Or would I be better off taking just 4? Also, how many courses does the typical Duke student take after his first semester? </p>

<p>Any answers, advice or recommendations are greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!</p>

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<p>I’m also a '15er and was informed that you can only take four classes. I’m interested to see what easy NS courses current Duke students recommend because I too am looking to knock out my NS requirement with a class that isn’t too difficult. When shopping for courses I looked on courserank and ratemyprofessor. Course rank was great because it kept me from bookbagging courses that were almost universally regarded as being absurdly difficult (e.g. Spanish 101). Good luck!</p>

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<p>Thanks a lot! Any other advice/answers?</p>

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<p>

EOS 11 (preferably with Klein) and Chem 83 are by far two of the easiest NS classes.</p>

<p>

It’s possible, but you should likely prepared for a pretty reading/writing intensive semester. Seminars are obviously discussion-based but there is generally A LOT of reading involved; depending on the class you may also be required to write a pretty decent amount. I think Duke generally advises students not to take two seminars in a semester for that reason, but if it’s your thing you’ll be fine.</p>

<p>

I’m not familiar with the CompSci major at all, but it looks to me like you’ll have to take either Stat 104 and Math 124 or 127, or just take CompSci 102. For Econ, you’ll need either 103 or 104. Basically, either way you’ll be taking two classes to knock out the requirements for the two majors…so it really doesn’t matter if you take 103 or 104. However, the Econ dept recommends 103.</p>

<p>

Sorry, not familiar with the Chinese dept, but you should check out the self-placement guide: <a href=“http://asianmideast.duke.edu/uploads/assets/How%20to%20Use%20the%20Self.pdf[/url]”>http://asianmideast.duke.edu/uploads/assets/How%20to%20Use%20the%20Self.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>

As was already said, they won’t let you take 5 courses your first semester (for very good reason). After the first semester, I would say the “typical” Duke student still takes just 4 classes. Students do overload, but (if I’m generalizing here) it’s normally engineering students who do so with any regularity.</p>

<p>Also, don’t worry too much about making the rest of your schedule “easy” because of Econ 55. I believe Nechyba is teaching it in the fall? He is great and the class was actually not that difficult. It required some good studying before exams but overall it was one of the easier Econ core classes I’ve taken. </p>

<p>Finally, you mentioned you had the math pre-req for Stat 104–I assume this is multivariable calculus? If so, make sure you have that credit accepted as pre-matriculation credit by Duke, because it is a major prereq for both CompSci and Econ. </p>

<p>Hope that helped! Let me know if you have any other questions.</p>

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<p>Wow that was incredibly helpful; that definitely cleared a lot of things up for me. Thanks so much bludev!</p>

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<p>Just a little point on the 4 class max thing.
You CAN take 5 courses first semester freshman year; you just have to arrange a little chitchat with your Dean and explain why you want to. Chances are, they’ll let you, as long as your reason isn’t entirely stupid.</p>

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<p>Just FYI, there is a world of difference between Stat 103 and Stat 104. I’ve heard that Stat 103 is basically a souped-up version of AP Stat; this characterization could be wrong, but generally it’s not considered too painful. Stat 104, on the other hand, is also known as Math 135, and it’s a rigorous calculus-based probability class. Speaking from experience, Stat 104 was interesting, but it was also pretty difficult. Also, it’s all probability, so you’d need to take another class like Stat 114 if you want to really learn “statistics.”</p>

<p>If you have interest in pursuing math/stat further, or if you want an in-depth knowledge of probability, Stat 104 would be a good class for you. If not, 103 might be the better option.</p>