Hey Penn Staters, what’s up.
I’m planning to attend fall semester this year at university park with an undecided major in the college of engineering.
I had NSO rather late so I ran up to a problem where I have math 141, chem 110 AND physics 211 L & R in the 1st semester.
I’m wondering if these three courses are a lot of workload and if a person could really handle them. (I’m not a genius)
I will be happy read your opinions on what I should do.
(I got ap credit for math 140 and microecon)
Right now, I’m thinking of dropping math 141 and take it 2nd semester, but I don’t know what to fill up those 4 credits. If I drop math 141, i will have 11 credits.
and I kind of want 15-17 credits.
thanks a lot!
Youneed at least 12 credits to be considered a full time student. I can’t speak to the difficulty levels of your chosen courses, but as far as replacing 141, go to the schedule of courses.
http://schedule.psu.edu
Below the usual search terms is a link that opens up other choices, and you can search for open gen eds, even by category if you wish.
Most everything is full right now, but sign up for a waitlist message for any class that seems a good substitution. The first week of classes, everyone drops and adds and drops again, so it is entirely likely you could get off the waitlist if you act quickly. Don’t drop math until you have a substitute.
All college classes are a lot of work. And you might not be a genius — but you are a Penn Stater now, and that’s pretty competitive company. Congrats!
I’m not sure what I should repace math 141 with. I’m thinking of a gen ed class but i’ll end up with 3 gen ed classes if i want 17 credits this semester or 14 credits (that seems too little imo)
I cannot stress this point strong enough. Whatever you decide to do, be sure to take enough credits (15 min, 16 better) so that if you have to drop a class you will remain a full time student.
Your idea to take 141 in the spring is a good option. delaying chem or Phys will put you behind.
so should i take three gen ed classes in my first semester?
Look at your recommended academic plan, for starters. You most likely have to take either freshman English or EDesign. http://www.engr.psu.edu/AcademicPlans/
As for workload: those three types of classes will have to be taken together, no matter what, if you want to be in engineering. My spring semester had Math 141H, Chem 112, Phys 211, an English, and a Spanish. It’s normal. They’re prereqs – everyone has to take them, and if you don’t, you’re behind. Engineering has a very tight schedule.
At pitt all freshman engineering students are required to take call, Chem and physics
I would drop 141 or Physics while you can and take it in the spring. That schedule is tough. My D is an engineering major. Take one of those in the Spring . A lot of classes will open up this week. Talk to your advisor and get on those waiting lists. D also took online classes this summer to fill some Gen Ed classes. Easy A’s and a GPA booster. You need a 3.0 by the need of sophomore year to stay in the program. A friend of hers did Physics at a branch this summer and it was much easier. Do not take all those classes the same semester.
^^^ Actually, according to this page, the grade cut-off varies depending on what kind of engineering you want to take:
https://advising.psu.edu/entrance-major-requirements-college-engineering-entering-penn-state-summer-2015
Some are 3.2 (Chem Eng), some are 3.0 (Aerospace), some are 2.6 (Comp Eng and Comp Sci), and for Electrical Engineering, just a passing grade of 2.0 will suffice. Not sure why, but my guess is it’s because:
- Merely passing the core Electrical Engineering courses is already hard enough.
- It’s less popular than its more specialized cousin Computer Engineering, so they don’t want to turn away any more students.
You should have English 15 or 30 in addition to all-tech classes, plus a 1-credit sport or other option.
Can you “not take” the math credit you got, and take 140? You’d have the credits but the class would be easy for you; this way you’d be able to concentrate on your two science classes and have enough time for your English 15/30 reading/writing. You MUST have 15-16 credits because otherwise you can’t drop any class even if it turns out you’re getting low grades in one, and it’s a surefire way to tank your GPA right off the bat :s. With 15-16 credits you can drop a class and still be in compliance for your financial aid.
@greenbutton Perhaps add CHEM 111 (CHEM 110’s lab counterpart) as a 1-credit course to bring up your credits to 15 (along with Chem, Physics and 2 GE’s). You might have to settle on a night class though.
If you don’t need CHEM 111 for your expected major don’t take it - D said it was the most time consuming course she took freshman year. Lots of busy work and fairly tough grading for a 1 credit course.
I forgot, for your first semester you always have to take a 1-credit seminar course anyway. So that should bring your credits to 15 even without CHEM 111. As Dreadpirit said above, if it’s not required for your prospective major, you shouldn’t take it.