Class Workload

[oiprocs]

What's the general thought on taking 4 engineering classes in one quarter? Something to avoid if you can?

The workload in those classes can definitely add up, so I would presume it is best to not put yourself in that situation. However, that would add another year to my schooling.

I guess the underlying question is, 3 years and 3 engineering classes per quarter, or 2 years and 4 per quarter, including a summer session? Comprehension or time-efficiency?

 

[imported_Imp]

Meh, I've been taking 4 engineering classes per year minimum for three years. In my second year, I had 5 per semester. However, a few of them were sustainability/economics courses, which were MILDLY easier. It is very very stressful taking 4 technical courses per year, but I guess that's how "engineering = hard" got its repuration? If you don't mind taking less, which usually classifies you as part-time or something, then do it. I finally got to choose my courses in fourth year now, and had a chance to take 5 engineering courses per term, but when "screw it". I managed to make the free-est schedule I've ever had.

 

[Wonderful Pork]

I usually took 3 or 4 engineering classes per semester. Well, it depends on what you'd consider "engineering" I guess. I'd have a calculus, physics, 2 EE classes, and then a general requirement for my 15-18 credits for the semester (depending on labs, etc).

If you don't count the higher level math and physics stuff as engineering, then only 2 EE courses per semester, mostly because they had prerequisites or were only offered once per year.

I took 4 years BTW.

 

[oiprocs]

Yeah, that's what I hear too; 4 technical's in one quarter is a wrinkle-making-hair-greying endeavor.

Taking 3 per quarter though, won't classify me as part time. Full time is 12 units, so taking 16 units will only decrease my amount spent on school.

Do you feel like you have a strong grasp of the material? It sounds like it's not that crazy of a deal, otherwise you would not have done it for 3 years.

 

[oiprocs]

Originally posted by: Wonderful Pork
I usually took 3 or 4 engineering classes per semester. Well, it depends on what you'd consider "engineering" I guess. I'd have a calculus, physics, 2 EE classes, and then a general requirement for my 15-18 credits for the semester (depending on labs, etc).

If you don't count the higher level math and physics stuff as engineering, then only 2 EE courses per semester, mostly because they had prerequisites or were only offered once per year.

I took 4 years BTW.

Hmm, yeah when I mean 4 engineering classes, I'm talking all engineering. Upper division. All my calculus/physics/lower div's are taken care of.

 

[josh0099]

1. EE-311 Lin Sys & Dsp II
2. EE-360 Linear Contrl Sys
3. EE-380 Inter Elec Lab
4. EE-343 Electronics II
5. EE-454 Microcontroller Appl

EE-494 Sr Project Seminar (A 0 Hour Course that you have to take to move on to the start of your project)
ENGR-390 Applied Engr Math (Really just a math class but is classified by and taught by engineering professors) (Linear Algebra and Prob)

That was my last semester 18 hours Lots of work but doable if you have the work ethic....Also thats how it is laid out by the school for the most part except for the ENGR 390 class. My semester before that wasn't any better I think it was 16 hours of EE classes and one health class if you are a junior or senior, I think it is just expected for you to have a ton of engineering classes.

 

[Skeeedunt]

Four would not be fun. Can you even get four engineering classes to schedule concurrently with labs and everything? That would have been tough to do where I went.

 

[slpaulson]

It all depends on what the courses are.

If you can avoid taking more than one course with a large final project, you should be fine.

Don't make the mistake of taking a 4 credit design lab at the same time as a 500 level course with a large project at the end.
That was not fun.

 

[oiprocs]

Hmm. Point taken from all.

Note to self: check scheduling to avoid getting pwned.

 

[herm0016]

4 eng. courses is not bad. i have taken 5 in a semester. its not fun, but most of the time college courses are not fun. I am a seinor in Mechanical engineering with a 19 credit minor on top of my degree, getting it done in 4 with one summer. sometimes the gen-ed credits take just as much work as the eng. credits.

 

[Parasitic]

I've had plenty of semesters like that. Sure it's tough but work towards it and it'll be rewarding in the end.

 

[Indolent]

I probably averaged 4 per quarter for my last 3 years of school. But, I couldn't afford another year of school so I had some motivation to get them done.