<p>Is Math 21B, ECS 20, ECS 40 and Chem 2A too much for winter '15? I want to switch ECS 20 with a GE but i cant find an interesting one that fits my schedule.</p>
<p>A big warning: ECS 40 is being taught by Sean Davis. Having had two classes with him (ECS 30 and 60), it’s a VERY high workload, and he says that 40 is the highest workload of all his classes. That said, definitely take it. You’ll know that material like the back of your hand and will be glad that you did it later on. Plus, Sean’s a nice and very approachable guy; make sure to talk to him about anything you’re having issues with.</p>
<p>With that warning, I would strongly consider dropping ECS 20 and either just having those three classes or finding a GE in its place. You’ll want to have plenty of time to allow for ECS 40 if at all possible. I took 40 with MAT 21B (albeit with an easier professor) and it wasn’t bad. My partner in 40 was taking CHE 2C at the same time and said that it was more annoying than difficult.</p>
<p>All of that said, if you do end up keeping ECS 20 it’s still manageable. It’d be a tough schedule for sure, but it’s certainly not impossible. I personally took 20 with MAT 67, CHE 2A, and LIN 177…it was tough but manageable, though I had basically no social life to speak of for that quarter.</p>
<p>In short: It would be manageable, but don’t expect to have much of a social life. If you decide to drop any of those classes, drop ECS 20.</p>
<p>I would drop ECS 20, but the only other GE that would be of use and fits in my schedule is NAS 1 ( also fulfills my history requirement). Its 4 units as well and I’m guessing it would have a workload equal to that of ECS 20. In such a case, would you recommend switching ECS 20 with NAS 1 or not?</p>
<p>ECS 40 looks hard, most people pair up ECS 20 with some other computer science course. MATH 21B is really not too bad. CHEM 2A likewise. But yeah don’t do ECS 20 and 40. Take 40 and another GE if you still want 17 units.
As for Sean, I haven’t had a class with him yet, so I can’t say anything about him. I’ve heard he prepares you well, but does so by not curving your grades and assigning a ton of work. Basically a weeder professor.</p>
<p>Oh yeah, and I would be careful when you say your “only other GE that would be of use”. I do recommend switching ECS 20 with something else, but it doesn’t have to be NAS 1. Keep your options open. Everything counts towards something, and something important at that!</p>
<p>Yeah, you’re at a point where pretty much any class would be of some use. Is there anything in particular you’re looking for in a GE? Presumably you need SS/AH classes, but are there any other areas that you need to fulfill?</p>
<p>Just to clarify on Sean: His style is essentially work overload. This isn’t bad in and of itself because it forces you to work with all the material in the class and prepares you later. But, it’s a huge time sink and can quickly make a usually-easily-manageable schedule really difficult simply because of the amount of time required for that one class. So like I said, it’s definitely worth it to take it with him; you just want to schedule carefully so that you have adequate time for his class.</p>