<p>I am a member of class of 12 @ stanford, and i want to do engineering.
I kinda want to do either double major in EE and Management Science & Engineering; or Materials science & engineering and Management science & engineering but not sure. I might do co-term program too.</p>
<p>Winter: IHUM, Math 52, CS 106X, Physics 41 (18 units)</p>
<p>Spring: IHUM, PWR, Math 53, Physics 43, introsem. (20 units)</p>
<p>I have 5 on Calc BC, CS A, Chem, and AP Physics C mechanics. BUt our physics teacher sucks so I want to retake physics.</p>
<li><p>What is the difference between CME 100, 102, 103 and Math 51, 52, 53? Besdies CME uses matlab? </p></li>
<li><p>should i replace CS 106x w/ a chemistry class or introsem during winter?</p></li>
<li><p>I’m really good @ math/science, and i wish to do research at some point early on too. does that mean i should take less courses to fit research in? if i want to do it spring term freshman year that is.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Yea, I would like some input too, my course choices are very similar to OP's, though I'm only taking Physics 45/46. (Who knows we'll probably meet each other?)</p>
<p>That schedule is relatively tough, but definitely doable. </p>
<p>I wouldn't even bother with an introsem at all during the quarter that you have pwr, though. Also there's no need to take 106x over 106b unless you absolutely love cs. If you're taking it for a prereq just take 106b since it's easier.</p>
<p>College isn't like high school. You don't have to necessarily take the most rigorous course load possible every quarter.</p>
<p>I don't know if there's an advantage with grad schools, but you'll drive yourself into burnout if you do. That's never good. I've only really taken the absolute most rigorous courseload possible--for me, this was Math 210B, Math 131, CS106B, Physics 121, Spanish conversation--for one quarter, and it was horrible.</p>
<p>OP, be careful. First, double-majoring is very difficult when one of them is engineering, from what I've heard. Second, consider restricting yourself to three classes in fall of frosh year so you're not swamping yourself with work at the same time as you're adjusting to Stanford. Third, you may not get PWR assigned in spring quarter, and if you don't, there's not guarantee you'll be able to get it changed.</p>
<p>That's a really tough schedule. I know that you are trying to double major in two engineering majors and that is the type of schedule you will need but from personal experience and the experiences of some of my friends you will be very stressed. It's not just the amount of work, but it's also how the classes/sections/tests/labs sometimes overlap.</p>
<p>I would suggest taking two techie series (math & chem, math & physics, or chem & physics) your frosh year. In all reality I think you should drop chem31x.</p>
<p>I'm considering MatSci as a major too and I would suggest taking Engr31 instead of Chem31X. Engr31 is very similar to 31x but taught by a MatSci prof. Just kind of curious, what do you want to do with MatSci?</p>
<p>I would suggest not retaking physics 41 since you got a 5 on the exam. You've showed that you understand the material.</p>
<p>I haven't taken math yet at Stanford, but I will be starting the CME series next year. I finally decided on CME because I think the material will be easier for me to understand if it is applied. Math series is math including theory. CME uses matlab but is math for engineers. It is more applied.</p>
<p>I don't really know that much about research. I would suggest getting to know your prof's is the best bet. I really don't know of any frosh that have done research during the year that are techie, but I guess its possible. Usually the profs want people with more experience.</p>
<p>I was able to get my pwr 1 changed very easily. My advise is to go to the pwr office and talk to the people there. They did it right then and their for me and a friend. Our only reasons we felt pwr would be overwhelming that quarter because of the difficulty of out course loads.</p>
<p>NothinButTheBest, I think it's right for me to assume you're finishing as a freshman at Stanford who will probably major in engineering. If you don't mind, I have a few questions. I know this may sound annoying, but how tough are the math/sci classes at Stanford, specifically the intro ones? Are they hard to earn A's in, or will diligent work result in mostly A's? Also, how good are the Professors in teaching the material? I've often heard (not for Stanford, but other schools), that math and science Professors tend to not be very effective teachers. Lastly, did you engage in research/ secure an internship for this year or the summer in the engineering fields? This is of importance to me because I'd like something to do over next summer. Thanks a lot for reading my post!</p>
<p>I thought they were definitely tough, but you can definitely do well if you apply yourself. I haven't taken math yet, but I have taken most of the chem and physics intro series. I think the difficulty is relative, it depends on a lot of factors like the prof, your TA, other commitments you have, etc. I've experienced both types of classes here (working hard can lead to an A, while some are just ridiculously hard).</p>
<p>Depending on what your studying you might end up in a class and wonder why do I need to learn this for my major. I know that physics 43 is that class for me. I feel like the material is interesting to learn about, but I doubt I will be using it heavily in my future, at least to the extent to what the midterms have expected us to know. On the other end, I have found chem 33 tests to be ridiculously hard not because of the material but because of the time limit. I struggled adjusting to the speed but the extra work has paid off on my last midterm.</p>
<p>Some profs are good, some aren't. You mostly learn on your own or with others doing problem sets and reading, TA/Prof office hours, or in section. From my experience learning in college is nothing like learning in high school. More responsibility is put on yourself to learn the information in a way that works best for you if you don't understand everything from lecture (which you probably don't even if you think you do).</p>
<p>I applied to do research here over the summer with the MatSci department, but I didn't get accepted. They really wanted sophomores (they stated it on the app), but I thought maybe since this department is smaller I might have a chance. I also applied to intern at GM but I haven't heard back. I would suggest taking an introsem that you are really interested in and then getting to know the prof and ask him/her if they have any positions in their lab.</p>
<p>Your welcome! If you have anymore questions, feel free to ask.</p>
<p>hey, thanks everyone.
I can definitely take physics 46 out since it's just a lab course.</p>
<p>the reason why i wanted to take 4 autum quarter is b/c i talked to a few stanford freshmen who regret not taking more courses and found it too easy (and they were perhaps more or less around the same intellectual level as I am in math/science). I know that Math and physics should come easy to me, so i wanted to do a bit more courses. </p>
<p>I want to do Mat. Sci b/c i want to be involved in alternative energy. I did research last summer in fuel cells, and will continue this summer. Since I had research experience before, am on my way to a patent, and was an intel STS finalist, i figured i might have a slightly better shot getting a research position freshman year.
and lastly, about the physics thing...our teacher really barely taught anything besides linear motion. I still barely know much about rotational motion/inertia/momentum/harmonic motion/gravitational force...etc. So i think retaking Physics will give me a better foundation.</p>
<p>HOwever, I am considering taking away the CS class to reduce my class load. If i could choose, i'd rather take Chem 31X second/third quarter, but i think it's only offered in the autum quarter?</p>
<p>oh last thing -the double major thing is jsut something i've been thinking. I think in practice i might end up doing co-term program, and get a BS in one engineering while a MS in another one.</p>
<p>stanford2012
Yeah, if you really want to do MatSci, you don't need physics labs. Chem31x is only offered in the fall, and if you want to do MatSci alternative energy track, you only need one quarter of chem. I'm not sure why you want to take it or cs106x now; it really isn't required for anything else that for that track. Plus, chem31x is geared more towards premeds (biochem), if you want to take a chem class that is more geared towards matsci and engineering in general, I strongly suggest taking engr31 (A). I took Engr31 and the prof relates what you are learning in chem to a lot of MatSci research including alternative energy. The CA for this class was doing research on hydrogen storage. It seems like these are the kind of people that you want to get in contact with.</p>
<p>I would suggest that if you are interested in MatSci, you should take more MatSci classes, like Engr 50 (intro to matsci,W), or this matsci lab....I think its MatSci 160 or 161. It's offered in the spring and counts for the writing in the major. When you take these classes, get to know the profs so that you can get in their labs. This will be more important in the long run than taking all these general weeder intro classes.</p>
<p>GeekNerd
I'm not quite sure I understand what you're saying, but I think I would say yes, to a certain degree. SLE is harder than ihum because its more intense, but there are definitely ihums that are just as intense (as far as the amount of reading and work). I would suggest that if it seems interesting to you than take it. I would say if you want to major in math and then coterm, I don't see a problem with you taking SLE as far as getting behind. There aren't as many required classes in math so you should be ok.</p>
<p>Strong suggestion: Calm down on all the units. You'll drive yourself crazy, and in the end only graduate a little sooner with a lower GPA -- having not taken away everything you could have from your courses. Why do you want to leave so soon? Grad school won't be nearly as much fun. </p>
<p>High-achieving kids are conditioned in high school to do too much in order to look good and get into a top school. It worked for you; congratulations! But don't confuse that with the rest of your life. And trust me -- Stanford will come up with difficult work for you to do in science and engineering classes. Sooner than you think.</p>
<p>is ENGR 31 the same as Chem 31X in terms of materials except it's more engineering focused? kinda like the relation between CME 100/102/104 and Math 51/52/53?</p>
<p>The courses I listed doesn't seem to be much harder than the norm? I've talked to a few people who regret taking so little courses, which is why I came up w/ such a list. But i'm taking away some courses now.</p>
<p>Yes, I would say so. "Technically" they are equivalent, but I didn't take Chem 31X so I can't speak for the material in class.</p>
<p>I am not really trying to change the courses you are planning to take. I'm only trying to offer advice based on my experiences and what I've heard from others. My suggestion is just to take it light initially and then gradually build until you've reached your comfort level. I'm actually kind of confused why the people you have talked have so many regrets. I am not sure if you have tried this yet, but I would suggest taking the time to create a four year plan, maybe even multiple four year plans. I have three four year plans. I know. I know, it sounds kind of crazy, but it helps me to visualize my steps and the path I am choosing before I take it. I think if you take the time out to plan correctly, you won't feel the same amount of regret, because you know what you need to do in order to reach your goal. I think that is why I am ok with taking a light course load this year. I know what I need to do to reach my goal and I am comfortable with the pace I've chosen.</p>
<p>My son had very similar schedule to your proposed one 1st quarter, except with math 51H, and he did just fine academically and socially. (Though H series is a killer, so he dropped to reg. after that.) He LOVED 106X (but he is a CS guy).</p>
<p>wow, nothingbutbest, you're very organized!
i created 1 or 2 4-year plans for HS curriculum haha.
But college is just so much more! I think I'll try to settle down first few quarters, then when i get to know stanford's courses i'll try to create 4-year plans. Currently, I'm not even 100% sure whhich major i'll be in!</p>
<p>PS. i think I'll take your suggestion taking ENR 31 instead of Chem31X</p>
<p>SO yeah I took CME 100, 102, 104. Its a good sequence but a good deal more work than the Math 50 series and we cover the material a little bit differently. I suggest taking it over 50 series b/c it teaches you good habits early on including going to office hours which almost everyone in the class needs, working in groups, starting problem sets early and getting the feel of engineering workload. </p>
<p>In your proposed schedule I would drop Chem 31x. Keep 106x if you are a solid programmer else take 106a and have fun or 106b.
Oh dont double major in engineering, EE will keep you busy enough.</p>
<p>Hey, thanks for all the help guys.
Since I want to do research each trimester (hopefully, I know it's hard for freshmen to get research jobs, but I have a pretty good experience in research in HS, including some major awards, so I think I should have a good shot getting one), I altered my schedule a bit.</p>
<p>I decided to drop CS because it doesn't seem to be THAT essential to either Materials Science OR Electrical Engineering. I still want to keep CHem 31X or ENGR 31 because I am fairly comfortable with taking math/physics/chem all together. I think I should be able to handle that work since I know a few people who did that freshman year fall term, and i believe they have similar math/science abilities as I do. </p>
<p>Instead of trying to take the most units each quarter, I'm now trying to leave space for research or perhaps an on-campus job (and of course, other activities like clubs)</p>
<p>Again, thanks to everyone who responded to this thread!</p>