<p>I spent a good hour on the phone with WashDadJr tonight. He was thinking of double-majoring in electrical engineering (his current major) and computer science, until he read the requirements for both degrees. He called me depressed because, "There's no way I can finish both in four years, and there's no way I'm staying in college for five." It took me a while to figure out that he just wanted my support for him changing majors to CS. Like I care -- but I do care that he still called me for advice. This was very cool.</p>
<p>We spent most of the call going through the online course schedule, catalog, and majors requirements figuring out what he is taking second term. Since he started school with 24 units, he can't follow the "recommended freshman curriculum." I guess one bit of good news is that he's a sophomore already, so he gets to register earlier.</p>
<p>He's taking Formal Logic and Discrete Mathematics, Algorithms and Data Structures, Atomic America: The Cultural History of Nuclear Technology in the United States, Introduction to Accounting, General Physics II, and Introduction to Golf. One of the advantages of the AP credits is that he can take the occasional "mostly for fun" class like Atomic America.</p>
<p>Anyone else have a freshman sweating 2nd term registration?</p>
<p>The problem here was one common with small colleges, not many sections of some classes. To get the classes she wanted she would go nonstop MWF with no classes T/TR. She did not like that idea at all. In the end she opted not to take a class for her intended major but another Intro class that she does not need now but will if she decides to transfer. So it is 4 classes MW, 2 on F and 1 on T/TH. She said that was the best she could do</p>
<p>I had to laugh a little WashDad, reading your son's proposed schedule. In light of the "problem with boys" thread - is that a "boy" schedule or what???
Yes he is in engineering/computer science, but "The Cultural History of Nuclear Technology" for fun?! Sorry, I had to giggle.</p>
<p>As the mom of a CS major who's four years post-graduation next month, I recognize the subject areas of your S's courses. How well I remember those days of listening to him agonize over course selection, minor concentration, and electives! I see only one that you listed with the potential to cause your S many sleepless nights, uncharacteristic foul language, and true intellectual challenge. Advise him to hold steady; in time it will come. He must find his own way through the thicket, however frustrating, and not yield to the temptation of comparing himself unfavorably to more naturally talented classmates.</p>
<p>Other than "Introduction to Golf," though, it looks like a solid schedule.</p>
<p>Here's to many more happy, sweaty phone calls for you and WDJ over the next few years!</p>
<p>Washdad, I count 5 academic courses that your son is taking plus golf, yippee(make sure he learns tha one piece takaway). My son is a CompSci major and he found the Discerte Math and DSA courses very challenging and time consuming. If 4 courses is a normal class load, perhaps he should consider ratcheting back his schedule one course. Both courses are foundational and important for success in upcoming CS coursework. </p>
<p>Good luck to him and let him know that this may be the most difficult semester he will encounter so as not to become discouraged.</p>
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Yes he is in engineering/computer science, but "The Cultural History of Nuclear Technology" for fun?! Sorry, I had to giggle.
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<p>You should see some of the classes that I took for fun. :D And I'm female.</p>
<p>I agree with originaloog that this sounds like a hard schedule. I also see another issue with it. Namely, if he wants to get a summer internship in his major, he should consider taking one class that's more practical in orientation. Otherwise many companies won't seriously consider him.</p>
<p>Also, in my undergrad institution, discrete math was a prereq for algorithms, as it's hard to analyze algorithms without already knowing some discrete math. He may want to postpone algorithms until after he's completed discrete math, and sub in a class with a heavy software development or computer systems engineering component.</p>
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<p>LOL cangel, Mathson's schedule is remarkably similar. He was bummed because he didn't get into the freshman writing section that reads Dune.<<</p>
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<p>As if he hadn't read it already!</p>
<p>Don't let me be misleading, I thought organic chemistry was great - one of the most interesting and enjoyable and difficulat classes I ever took - so I'm a member of the nerd club,too.
It's just that other people's tough classes always sounded so much more difficult and mysterious than my bio and chem classes. Perhaps because I don't really believe in physics? ;).</p>
<p>Here's to all the budding engineers, computer whizzes and mathematicians - good luck next semester!</p>
<p>DD sent her schedule to me. She's a Junior in Engineering. I don't even understand the TITLES of her classes but I know she will have another solid, work-packed quarter.</p>
<p>... and I'm only taking social sciences. I had some trouble getting the classes I needed for winter term, but it's mostly sorted out. I was placed in the section of Economics 1 (The Price System) that's taught by the best professor, according to the reviews. Public Policy 5 (Introduction to Public Policy) was overenrolled, and I initially didn't get in, but the professor force-added all the freshmen who wanted to take it, since it's an introductory course and required for the minor. Now I just have to switch sections of Government 5 (International Politics) because the one I'm in meets at the same time as PBPL 5... that really shouldn't be a problem, but I haven't been able to get in touch with the professor, and I need his signature to switch. :confused:</p>
<p>I don't know if it's a bad idea to take three lecture classes (45, 50, and 88 students) in the same quarter, but I've only had small classes fall term, so I suppose it balances out.</p>
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I see only one that you listed with the potential to cause your S many sleepless nights, uncharacteristic foul language, and true intellectual challenge. Advise him to hold steady; in time it will come. He must find his own way through the thicket, however frustrating, and not yield to the temptation of comparing himself unfavorably to more naturally talented classmates.</p>
<p>Other than "Introduction to Golf," though, it looks like a solid schedule.
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<p>LOTFL Mudder's_Mudder!!! </p>
<p>So true! I took a golf rotation for my Physical Education requirement and almost failed it!! I haven't picked up a golf club since, even though DH is a golf afficionado!</p>
<p>My clueless son who doesn't check email thought he had registered only to find out 2 weeks later he had a hold due to proof of health insurance. Not sure why they needed it again since I had provided it in the fall.
He ended up not getting the classes he wanted but did find a schedule that he is happy with. His first priority was no classes at 8 or 9 am. Fall term he had to get up early m-f.
As someone who started out thinking math or engineering and switched gears this summer to studio art he is feeling lucky with his load.
Painting, Graphic design, freshman seminar (chosen based on time-not subject emphasis), art history and philosophy. With this schedule he does have a 9 am tues and thurs but it is painting with his advisor so he is willing to compromise his sleep. Plus with only 10 students you are missed if your absent.
He has ADD so made a conscious choice to not take any class with over 25 students.
He is planning on taking his science requirement this summer at the community college. Smaller classses. His school has a pharmacy and dental school so science classes are extremely competitive.</p>
<p>Yep, cute post Mudders_Mudder. Depending on how it goes, I recommend Michael Murphy’s Golf in the Kingdom or David Leadbetter’s Faults and Fixes.</p>
<p>What do you want to wager on the possibility that WashDadJrs future career will benefit at least as much from the Intro to Golf as from the arcane comp sci and physics.....</p>
<p>S finally settled on his second semester schedule on Monday. Somewhat boxed himself in with his requirement of no Friday classes and no classes before 9 am. Taking Economics, Enviro. Studies, Roman Civilization and Ethics. With 12 credits from AP History, has taken all his lower level major requirements already and can't get into the upper level courses until next semester. Sounds like a lot more fun that what I took freshman year. At least two out of the four course are small.</p>
<p>WashDad--Pretty much the same "boy schedule" planning with Son'o'Dad'o'2, except that he had to submit a tentative plan for the whole four years to declare his major. </p>
<p>Like WashSon, he has a lot of AP credit, so he laid out a 4-year schedule to "do it all." His plan is to get a dual major Electrial/Computer Engineering BS degree and an EE masters degree via the BS/MS program. Sounds a little ambitious to me, but he'll have to figure out what he can handle. I think the Comp Eng major is closer to EE than Comp Sci, so the additional requirements are not as bad.</p>
<p>His biggest worry was finding one easy humanities/social science course to finish out his H&S credits beyond the required core sequence and his AP History/English credits. I expect that "The Cultural History of Nuclear Technology" has too many papers for his taste. Sadly, he takes after his dad. At least he has made some "normal" friends up there! :)</p>
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What do you want to wager on the possibility that WashDadJrs future career will benefit at least as much from the Intro to Golf as from the arcane comp sci and physics.....
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<p>Ha! He has a non-credit phys ed requirement. I'll have to suggest that!</p>
<p>Since I was the dead last group on all of campus to register ( it goes by credit hours coming in, and though I took APs I did not get the credit in college for them) I did not get alot of the classes I wanted. I am taking Piano 1, Psycholinguistics, Musical Theater Workshop, English 1101, Spanish 1102, and I am on the wailist for Child and Adolescent Development and Intro to Sociology. Trying to stay as far away from Math and Science as possible, unlike your son, Washdad. lol</p>