Starting CompSci Major sophomore year?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of California - Berkeley
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<p>I've been planning on majoring in physics and applied math, but after learning some C++ over the summer, I realized compsci isn't as dreadfully boring as I remember (the last experience I had with programming was in 8th grade, and it went terribly) and I'm considering switching applied math to computer science. I haven't taken any compsci classes yet. I plan on taking CS61A, Physics H7C, CS70, math 54, and some music class (for breadth) in the fall. Both my freshman semesters were full of math and physics classes, and I feel I haven't really been challenged by college yet (I stupidly took only 3 classes first semester, and 4 second semester). </p>

<p>My question is, is CS61A as heavy of a workload as I've heard? I've heard bad things about Persson's 1b, Rezhankanlou's math 53, and the physics H7 series, but I've had no problem in any of those, so I'm kind of inclined to disbelieve it. I've also heard that CS61A is a bad idea with no prior programming experience. I've heard that I should learn "up to recursion" before taking CS61A, and I have no problem with that. Any other opinions from people who've taken these classes?</p>

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<p>If you breezed through H7 series then I wonder if any lower division class would faze you. If you know how to program in c++ already and understand recursion than you should be fine. I think people generally have trouble with 61a because it’s like an intro course to them.</p>

<p>The projects aren’t terribly time consuming and the midterms are doable if you use the reference manual (look at the past midterms and extrapolate the results) during the test, lol.</p>

<p>5 classes is an experience, though :P</p>

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<p>Thanks a lot. Scheduling shenanigans may make me drop the CS70 anyway, so it’s kind of moot.</p>

<p>Anyone taken 54 with Voleiscu (or however his name is spelled)? Courserank and ninjacourses have some very choice things to say about him (second lowest rated prof in berkeley?!) but the waitlist for the other class is a mile long</p>