<p>I'm a prospective transfer student and I was planning on taking summer at Berkeley this year. My original plan was to take CS61A and EE40 together, but it seems like the times of these two classes are in conflict.</p>
<p>Some background info: I'm much more worried about EE40 than CS61A. I worked as a software developer for several years, know many programming languages (C, Java, Perl, .NET, etc) and theory, I also have quite some network knowledge (some Cisco certifications) and other knowledge (Linux/Unix, etc). I even got somewhat familiar with scheme and watched some of the webcasts for CS61A and it seemed like there was nothing I didn't already have knowledge in. So, my basic thought was that I could pass this class quite easily. I would have to put most of my work into EE40.</p>
<p>Now my questions:
- Is it possible to enroll in both classes even though they conflict on 2 days (missing ~30-60min of CS lecture on MW)? If yes, do you think it's doable to self-study the CS61A material I'm missing (by book/webcasts/prior knowledge/notes from classmates)?
- Am I wrong in my assumption that I can pass CS61A "quite easily"? I know that understanding the material (which is extremely easy for me) doesn't mean that I will ace the exams, and then there's the curve. Do you think taking these two classes is too much even with my prior knowledge? I know they're said to be typical weed-out classes....
- Is it possible to enroll in CS61B/CS61C in summer without having taken CS61A in before? The times would be different. Is this advisable/doable (to everybodywho has taken it before)?
- Do you have any other suggestions of what classes to take (Session C) for an EECS transfer student? I really don't want to take one class only, I also don't want to take anything unnecessary that doesn't count towards my requirements later.</p>
<p>CS 61A is a fairly easy class until halfway through it, when you start getting into OOP and evaluators. At that point, it can be hard even for students with plenty of programming experience.</p>
<p>You'll certainly need to know your basic data structures (which are taught in 61B) for 61C, though the bulk of the course is hardware-based. CS 61B has almost no overlap with A, and if you're a software developer, you should find it easy.</p>
<p>Regarding EE 40, the first quarter of the class is physics E&M review, and then you go on to learn about filters, operational amplifiers, and finally, MOSFETs. It's actually quite rigorous the first time through unless you're already familiar with the subject, though when you look back at it after having taken EE 105, 130, 140, 141, etc. you feel like you've barely learned anything in 40.</p>
<p>Personally, I'd suggest taking one class. Each session C class is already double-paced and you don't need to add to that.</p>
<p>I know nothing specific about the courses, but I'm 90% sure that you aren't even able to register for two classes that have a time conflict like that.</p>
<p>Thank you Student, that helps me a lot. According to the FAQ I can enroll in 61B/61C even though I haven't taken 61A.</p>
<p>CS61B has the same time conflict, but at least I would have some time before the labs. CS61C is the only one without a time conflict. However, I don't have much prior knowledge in low-level programming, hardware or assembly, I only know some basics, that makes it a lot harder for me than 61A/61B. I already learned most of the data structures from 61B (plus Java is my main language), I just don't remember much of them. I think if I watch the webcasts and review some things, I'll be fine.</p>
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Personally, I'd suggest taking one class. Each session C class is already double-paced and you don't need to add to that.
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Thank you, you make me wondering. So 8 summer units would be something like 16 regular units. I think that's doable, especially because of my prior knowledge. If I knew nothing about programming I'd probably stick with one class, but I think I'll go for two. I hope I'm not making a mistake here.</p>
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I know nothing specific about the courses, but I'm 90% sure that you aren't even able to register for two classes that have a time conflict like that.
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Hm, thank you. Even though I don't like it, that would make my decision extremely easy. I would have to take 61C. Does anybody else have experience with this?</p>
<p>I think I'll go for 61A+EE40 if enrollment is possible. If not 61C+EE40 and I'm gonna watch all the webcasts and buy the book beforehand.</p>
<p>Of course, more opinions are appreciated :)</p>
<p>Actually you can enroll in classes that have a time conflict. I've done it during the summer before, and I'm doing it right now this semester. Go for 61A and EE40. As you said, you'll be missing some lecture, but you can survive learning from the book and going to lab. And you can always watch Harvey in the archived 61A webcasts to make up for missing lecture.</p>
<p>I have a feeling you're greatly overestimating your ability to pull off the cs61a/ee40 combo in summer. </p>
<p>Most students in 61A have already taken a programming course in Java or C++ with data structures. I don't think you're better off than anyone else in your class with regards to previous applicable programming knowledge.</p>
<p>Your Cisco cert, .net, perl, and Linux is not going to help you at all. </p>
<p>With regards to EE40, how were your grades in Math 1a/1b and Physics 7a/7b? Do you remember your E&M? Were those courses taken at a community college?</p>
<p>BouncingBoy, thank you for your comment. I'm a little scared too that I'm overestimating myself. </p>
<p>Some people tell me CS61A is extremely easy, others tell me it's really hard. However, judging from the webcasts I've seen, the material seemed really easy/straightforward. But well, that the lectures are straightforward, doesn't mean the exams or assignment are that easy. So I'm not really sure what to believe here. </p>
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With regards to EE40, how were your grades in Math 1a/1b and Physics 7a/7b? Do you remember your E&M? Were those courses taken at a community college?
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Yes, I took them at a CC and I got all A's in them. But well, at least I'm not worried that I'm overestimating myself for EE40. I'm expecting it to be a challenging class for me.</p>
<p>I'm just a little scared that I'm wrong about CS61A, as you said, maybe it's not that easy. So you're thinking it's rather unlikely I can handle both classes during summer? I'm used to studying a lot. At my CC, I was/am usually taking 18-19 units per semester plus working 20h/week. So I'm used to studying/working the whole week from 7AM to 11PM every day. What do you think will be the problem? Not enough time? Material too challenging? Anything else?</p>
<p>OK. Go for it. I would read the relevant SICP sections from cover the cover and takes notes on the webcasts before summer session. Do the same thing with EE40 if you can. I can understand wanting both courses since they articulate poorly from most community colleges.</p>
<p>I once took a 3-week condensed course that met 3 hrs a day/5 times a week with a full time job and the only reason I got an A is because I read the entire book beforehand and took notes while reading the book before the course started. My life during that course consisted entirely of writing papers, working, eating, and sleeping. There was no literally no time for reading other than a quick skim through my notes.</p>
<p>Yeah, I want these courses because my CC does not offer any equivalents and I would have to take them anyway after I transfer. Plus, I'm an international student, so my transfer chances (even with a high GPA) are pretty low, I figured that taking these two classes in summer and therefore completing more prereqs than most other people (EE40 and CS61 equivalents are not really offered at any CC AFAIK) with a good grade would help me for admission.</p>
<p>I'll try to get the books already, thank you. Unfortunately I only have about 2 weeks between the end of my semester and the start of the summer session to study.</p>
<p>Laney College in Oakland offers a course that articulates with CS61A. Yes, that articulation is rare but it exists. Maybe you can ask the CS dept for a list of colleges that have articulation with 61A and 61C and hope they're somewhat nearby.</p>
<p>Thanks, I know that some CCs have articulation for CS61A but it's really rare. Unfortunately my CC has no articulation for any CS61x at all, not even 61B. We have a lot of CS classes (including C++ data structures and java data structures), but it seems like they're not equivalent to 61B.</p>
<p>Since I'm international I can't take a class at another CC "just like that". If I could, I would have done it already ;)</p>