What courses to choose (mechanical engineering)?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of California - Berkeley
1

i really dont know how much is too much. till now i have selected these in my schedule planner-
chem 1A
chem 1AL
math 53
engineering 25(not sure abt this can i take something better?)
psych 1
english R1A
econ 1

2

http://engineering.berkeley.edu/academics/undergraduate-guide/academic-departments-programs/mechanical-engineering is the schedule template for ME.

Looks like you have a 5 on AP calculus BC, but no score >3 in AP English. What other AP scores do you have, if any?

Since you are taking a math course more advanced than 1A, you may want to consider starting the physics sequence (7A and 7B) before taking chemistry. Physics 7A and 7B are listed prerequisites to various ME courses (7A for ME C85 and 7B for ME 40; these are prerequisites to other ME courses), so getting them done earlier will give you more schedule flexibility. Although Chemistry 1A/1AL is required, it is not a critical prerequisite to ME courses.

The courses you have listed are 22 units. A normal course load is 15-16 units (the ME template lists 13-17 unit semesters).

You may want to check your knowledge of Math 1A and 1B material with the old final exams at https://tbp.berkeley.edu/courses/math/ .

English R&C course instructors have reading lists and descriptions at http://english.berkeley.edu/course_semesters/34 . You may want to choose a section with readings that interest you the most.

Based on the above, consider the following schedule:

Physics 7A
Math 53 (or 54)
English R1A or other R&C A course, or an H/SS course like Economics 1 or Psychology 1 or whatever
Engineering 25
optional Engineering 26 or 27 (if you want 16 instead of 14 units)

3

i have 5 on ap physics c:EnM. Should i keep chem 1A and drop engineering 25 or chem 1AL for physics 7A?

4

and yes i would like a lighter courseload:)

5

The CoE lets you skip Physics 7A with a 5 on AP physics C mechanics, but gives no placement for AP physics C E&M. See http://engineering.berkeley.edu/academics/undergraduate-guide/exams-ap-ib-level-and-transfer-credit-information .

If you can skip Physics 7A, you may want to try the old final exams at https://tbp.berkeley.edu/courses/physics/ before actually doing so.

What other AP or college credit are you bringing in?

6

@ucbalumnus none:p only took APs during 12th grade. Im an international. Can I take Chem 1A without 1AL?
also, what if i take Physics 7A and audit Math 1B? I have done those previous year worksheets, but would still like to oversee what goes on in the lectures.

7

I think you technically could take chem 1a without chem 1aL (unlike bio1a where they require you to be in bio1al at the same time), but for most majors, they require that you eventually take both chem 1A and chem 1AL.

And yes, you could probably “audit” math 1b by going to a few lectures and sit in the back. Probably nobody will notice since there are so many people.