<p>I've done some research on my own of how many STEM classes an undergraduate should take as a STEM major, and 3 looks to be the golden number. What I also heard from many was that 4 is too much, which sounds fairly reasonable. However, a civil engineering major in ASU (although I am not interested in CE) takes 4 STEM classes a semester for majority of their undergraduate years, also one semester with 5.</p>
<p>I assume this is because civil engineering requires the covering of variety of different materials. However, I am an intended physics major. Do you think 4 STEM classes in a single semester could work out well? For example, this: Math Method in Physics I, Quantum Physics I, Classical Particles, Fields, and Matter I, and Thermofluid I. All four of those are in a single semester, and I will not have to take any other class therefore it will be a 13 credit hour semester. What do you think? Is it manageable? I'd like to know your experience taking 3 or 4 STEM classes.</p>
<p>I think it depends heavily on the specific classes and the professors teaching them. The classes you listed could be quite difficult and being an upcoming freshman, it could be a bad idea. I started out taking only 2-3 STEM classes per semester as a physics major never taking less than 15 credits and slowly built my confidence up. Last semester I took 5 STEM: math methods, classical mechanics, mathematical statistics, planetary science, and plate tectonics but I will never do that again. I ended up with a 4.0 but it really was not worth the stress…</p>
<p>I would say, if it’s your first semester then start slow and work your way up. This strategy has worked well for me.</p>
<p>wow 4.0 with 5 STEM courses, must’ve been hell for you. I suppose I can handle 3 then (and maybe later a 4)! Thanks for the input, just the answer I was looking for :D</p>
<p>Consider whether the courses in question have labs. Courses with labs tend to take up a lot more time, almost as if the lab were another course in time commitment. This can also apply to courses with computer programming assignments or term projects (including humanities and social studies courses).</p>
<p>It really depends on both yourself, and the specific classes. Some STEM classes are going to be significantly less demanding than others. As mentioned above, classes with labs are going to typically take up considerably more time. Some classes are going to involve large problem sets every week, while others might have little to no homework, instead being based more on conceptual understanding of ideas and terminology and such. </p>
<p>Some people have the dedication to devote themselves to taking 4-5 hard STEM classes in a semester, but this can also often result in a nearly non-existent social life. It really depends on you.</p>