Possible Course Schedule Difficulty (EECS, Physics, Math)

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of California - Berkeley
1

<p>I was previously thinking about double majoring EECS and physics with minor in math, but it seems that the L&S breadth requirements would make that way too excessive. So, I'm thinking about majoring in EECS with a double minor in Physics and Math (not even sure if you can do that), so I can take more of the classes I'm interested in.</p>

<p>This is a schedule I came up with, where I'm taking no more than 4 classes a semester. It seems rather rigorous, but I can't think of what I would change to make it easier.</p>

<p>EECS Areas of Focus:
Algorithms
Digital Circuits
Quantum Computing
Artificial Intelligence</p>

<p>Summer 2010:</p>

<pre><code>PHYS 7B Physics for Scientists and Engineers
English N1A
</code></pre>

<p>Fall 2010:</p>

<pre><code>CS 61A Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs
CS 47B Data Structures (already took course, but want more practice)
PHYS 7C Physics for Scientists and Engineers
English R1B (R&C requirement part B)
</code></pre>

<p>Spring 2011:</p>

<pre><code>CS 61C Machine Structures
EE 20N Structure and Interpretation of System and Signals
Econ 100A (or whatever upper level Econ course)
PHYS 105 Analytic Mechanics
</code></pre>

<p>Fall 2011:
EE 40 Introduction to Microelectronic Circuits
CS 70 Discrete Math
Math 104 Introduction to Analysis
Anthropology 2AC Introduction to Architecture</p>

<p>Spring 2012:
CS 150 Components and Design Techniques for Digital Systems
EE 105 Microelectronic Devices and Circuits (Digital Circuit focus)
Math 110 Linear Algebra
PHYS 110A Electromagnetism and Optics</p>

<p>Fall 2012:
PHYS 137A Quantum Mechanics
EE 141 Intro to Digital Integrated Circuits (Digital Circuit focus)
CS 170 Introduction to CS Theory (Algorithms focus)
Math 113 Introduction to Abstract Algebra</p>

<p>Spring 2013:
PHYS 137B Quantum Mechanics
CS C191 Quantum Information Science and Technology (Quantum Comp. focus)
CS 172 Computers and Complexity (Algorithms focus)</p>

<p>Fall 2013:
PHYS 129 Particle Physics (Physics Elective)
CS 174 Combinatorics and Discrete Probability (Algorithms focus)
Math 185 Introduction to Complex Analysis
E 190 Technical Writing (not sure if it is still required)</p>

<p>Spring 2014:
PHYS 130 Quantum and Non-linear Optics
CS 188 Introduction to Artificial Intelligence (AI focus)
Math 189 Mathematical Methods in Classical and Quantum Mechanics
Econ 100B (to satisfy two upper division humanities and 2 in 1 department).</p>

<p>I would like to do research during the year and internships over the summer, so is there anyway to make this schedule easier. Such as if it was easier to take CS 170, 172, and 174 simultaneously (although it most likely isn't).</p>

<p>I suppose I could take courses over another summer, but I'd ideally be doing internships (maybe I could do the summer after Freshman year I could take 2 courses).</p>

<p>Would I be stretching my schedule to thin (as in too much breadth instead of taking grad level courses), or would this be good if I'm interested in grad school for Applied Math, Applied Physics, or EECS?</p>

<p>Thanks in advance.</p>

2

<p>That is some extensive planning</p>

3

<p>Yeah, this has gone through several iterations, but they all look like classes that I will enjoy.</p>

<p>I’m just worried that 4 years is not enough time to complete all I want to complete. Ideally I would have time to get majors in all three subjects, but I guess in grad school I can continue pursuing my interests.</p>

4

<p>I know how you feel. I would love to get degrees in Physics, MCB, and Math.</p>

5

<p>do you have courses or ap credit to pass out of Econ 1? Also, it might be easier to start out with math 110 rather than 104 depending on how good you are with proofs.</p>

6

<p>I’ve taken 2 Econ courses at a Community College (Macro and micro) which together are equivalent to Econ 1 (From assist.org) and I’m taking both of the AP tests expecting a 4 or 5.</p>

<p>I also have AP credit from Calc BC (5) and Physics C (5).</p>

<p>@ afc10ns, I definitely agree. I love Computer Science, Physics, Math, Chemistry, and Biology and I wouldn’t hesitate to get degrees in all of them if I could.</p>

7

<p>It’s good to plan ahead (much better than not planning) and you’ve seen some of the courses available, but you should make your decisions as you go once you know what you can handle and what you’d like to do, because your schedule tells me that you don’t know what you’re most interested in. For one, taking 188 alone doesn’t constitute as an “AI focus” and you may be doing yourself a disservice by not taking Operating Systems. Slow down a bit and figure out what you want to do after getting a better sense of where you stand.</p>

8

<p>E190 is not required anymore by the way. I don’t even think they offer it anymore.</p>

9

<p>Thanks, I was going by the EECS Handbook and that was the only AI course it listed.</p>

<p>I’ll probably be swapping out Upper Division EECS courses when I figure out what I’m interested in. For now it is mainly Quantum Computing (I only saw the one CS C191, so I’d take more if there were more available). </p>

<p>I will probably narrow down my area of focus to 2. Quantum Computing and Algorithms, with several other courses to supplement that. Also maybe a couple digital/optical circuits as well because I’m interested in that.</p>

<p>Are there any other courses that you recommend because they’re fun or important. The Operating Systems course is one I’ll probably be interested in, but I’m not sure what others would be good.</p>

<p>So, right now I’m thinking that I’ll just end up swapping around the Upper Division EECS courses to things that I’m interested in as I go.</p>

<p>Thanks.</p>

10

<p>It didn’t give me an option to edit the original for some reason so here is updated schedule:</p>

<p>EECS Areas of Focus:
Algorithms
Quantum Computing
Some Digital Circuits</p>

<p>Summer 2010:</p>

<pre><code>PHYS 7B Physics for Scientists and Engineers
English N1A
</code></pre>

<p>Fall 2010:</p>

<pre><code>CS 61A Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs
CS 47B Data Structures (already took course, but want more practice)
PHYS 7C Physics for Scientists and Engineers
English R1B (R&C requirement part B)
</code></pre>

<p>Spring 2011:</p>

<pre><code>CS 61C Machine Structures
EE 20N Structure and Interpretation of System and Signals
Econ 100A (or whatever upper level Econ course)
PHYS 105 Analytic Mechanics
</code></pre>

<p>Sophomore</p>

<p>Fall 2011:
EE 40 Introduction to Microelectronic Circuits
CS 70 Discrete Math
Math 104 Introduction to Analysis
Anthropology 2AC Introduction to Architecture</p>

<p>Spring 2012:
CS 162 Operating Systems and System Programming
EE 105 Microelectronic Devices and Circuits<br>
Math 110 Linear Algebra
PHYS 110A Electromagnetism and Optics</p>

<p>Junior</p>

<p>Fall 2012:
PHYS 137A Quantum Mechanics
EE 141 Intro to Digital Integrated Circuits
CS 170 Introduction to CS Theory (Algorithms focus)
Math 113 Introduction to Abstract Algebra</p>

<p>Spring 2013:
PHYS 137B Quantum Mechanics
CS C191 Quantum Information Science and Technology
CS 172 Computers and Complexity (Algorithms focus)
CS 161 Computer Security
Senior:</p>

<p>Fall 2013:
PHYS 129 Particle Physics
CS 174 Combinatorics and Discrete Probability (Algorithms focus)
Math 185 Introduction to Complex Analysis
CS 184 Foundations of Computer Graphics</p>

<p>Spring 2014:
PHYS 130 Quantum and Non-linear Optics
Math 189 Mathematical Methods in Classical and Quantum Mechanics
Econ 100B (to satisfy two upper division humanities and 2 in 1 department).
CS 194/EE 147 Introduction to Microelectromechanical Systems</p>

<p>Computer Security, Graphics, and Operating Systems are fairly interesting. MEMS or at least some sort of micro/nano fabrication lab would also be really awesome.</p>

11

<p>Uhm…It’s nice to plan and all, but you’re not even at Berkeley yet. Why don’t you come here, take a year of courses, and scope a level of comfort? I recently learned that ambition != success…Try not to make the same mistake. Try out your freshman schedule and see where that puts you.</p>

12

<p>Good job on getting it all planned out. However, to be honest, things will <em>almost certainly</em> change within the time you’re here, and you should take your plan with a grain of salt.</p>

<p>The schedule looks difficult, but it’ll be managable if you work hard at it.</p>

<p>Follow your plan for the first couple semesters, but do expect the rest to change. Good luck!</p>