What classes are you guys thinking of taking?

llpitch · 07-20-2009, 03:58 AM

Even post your possible autumn quarter schedules if you know what you want haha =]

I'm thinking of taking:

Math 51
Physics 41
CS106A
IHUM
Beginning or Intermediate Weightlifting

Do any current students have any opinions on this schedule? Is it too tough for the first quarter? Does anyone have any experience with the weightlifting classes? Are they worth it?

Thanks =]

GammaGrozza · 07-20-2009, 11:31 AM

I'm in your situation (so I don't know a ton about classes and stuff), but that schedule does seem tough, especially for the first quarter, where you'll probably want to transition nicely and have time to bond with your peers.

hpfan018 · 07-20-2009, 11:46 AM

I've heard people say that for your first quarter it would be best to take 3-4 courses. 5 courses seems like a lot. I think I'll do 4 my first quarter: IHUM, Math 51, French (I haven't taken the placemnet test yet so I don't know what level I'll be taking) and I'm undecided about the last one, maybe physics or chemistry.

Sly Si · 07-20-2009, 12:23 PM

I recommend three serious courses (weightlifting doesn't count) your first quarter unless you really need to take 4 for your major(s). OP, Physics 41 is not offered fall quarter, so this should make it easy for you to trim your schedule down to three.

llpitch · 07-20-2009, 04:41 PM

haha oh I didn't know that. I should really read the bulletin more carefully =] Thanks Sly

Change91 · 07-21-2009, 10:23 PM

could you potentially take a language class (i.e. spanish) every quarter?

and so would IHUM, language, and history/english/philsophy be good choices for the three ''serious'' classes for fall quarter?

Senior0991 · 07-21-2009, 10:40 PM

^If you're not going into engineering, math, science, or something else that would probably be fine (not 100% sure because I'm not a student yet).

For me, I'm thinking of:
IHUM (hopefully FED)
PWR or Language (let's hope I pass out of language)
Math 53 or engineering equivalent
Possible introsem, or, if I'm really up to it, Chem 31X. But chem is more of a "winter" thing, to be honest.

walkyu · 07-21-2009, 11:11 PM

Expect your schedules to change when you start to find out when classes start. There will be conflicts, especially with IHUM/PWR. You'll find that a lot of your academic frustration the first week will be applying to Introsems (if you choose to), and petitioning to change IHUM courses/sections (and PWR if you need to change your assignment).

For engineering equivalents of the math 50 series, check out the CME courses.

Also, chem 31X is only offered in the fall.

You guys can start checking out courserank.stanford.edu (requires a SUnet ID). Extremely helpful guide to classes (though it hasn't been updated for the 09-10 year yet). Has reviews of courses (dubious at best), grade distributions (also dubious), but lets you plan out potential schedules and is organized fairly well.

Change91 · 07-22-2009, 12:05 AM

yeah, im definitely not majoring in anything math or science related. humanities based and probably something history related. so the no sci or math fall quarter is ok..?

and crap i forgot about pwr. when do we have to take that?

Senior0991 · 07-22-2009, 12:08 AM

^we get assigned a quarter to take it in, if i remember correctly. You'll find out in August (?) if you have it in the fall quarter.

I presume no math/science fall quarter is OK. The way I see it: I'll be an engineering student, and I don't have to take a math or science fall quarter because of AP stuff (right?). So I don't think it's necessary to take math/science fall quarter, especially if you're a fuzzy (omg, I'm adopting stanford lingo- darn

).

And chem really is a winter class. It sucks I'll have to take it in the fall. And yeah, I was referring to CME. I guess I have to figure out which one to take.

bluebubbles · 07-22-2009, 05:28 PM

Here's moi:

IHUM (hopefully FED)
French I
Math 19 or Math 41 (haven't decided yet)
One of the poli sci 100 classes (haven't decided which one yet)
A fun seminar that's only like 1 or 2 credits

At the end of high school I was really looking forward to taking a lot of fun classes in college but with all these requirements (seriously, Stanford, they're a bit ridiculous...) it looks like that won't be happening til sophomore year

walkyu · 07-22-2009, 06:58 PM

Unless you're on a math/science/engineering track, you don't lose much by not taking a math or science class fall quarter. Even math 51, required for econ for instance, is sometimes taken "off track" (meaning in the winter or spring), so the curves are a little more generous. The reasoning is, the most prepared and ambitious people will get rid of the math 51 requirement as soon as possible, in the fall.

If you're majoring in history or some kind of humanities, don't worry about taking math/science to fulfill requirements. If you're worried about taking any core classes, look at some introsems. They often fulfill GERs, are not as difficult as the core class, and are a lot more enjoyable. I can't stress enough how awesome introsems can be, don't worry about taking one every quarter if you can (especially if you're knocking out GERs).

The bottom line is, there's no "quota" on which subjects you have to take for how long for when. It's entirely up to you. Engineers tend to want to get rid of requirements, hence early programming of math/science core classes. That's their prerogative.

Also, PWR is assigned to you for either fall, winter, or spring. You can however petition to change your PWR assignment, by filling out a short form that asks you your reasoning. They will take pretty much any reasonable answer. If your petition somehow gets denied, just keep petitioning, it'll get changed eventually (or come up with better reasons).

I think most colleges (especially those emphasizing a liberal arts style education), with the exception of Brown perhaps, have some kind of general education/distribution requirements. Don't get bogged down in them, chances are you'll take classes that fulfill them anyway. The best way to take fun classes that will really get you engaged early on with a prof. is through introsems. Be sure to write good applications.

bluebubbles · 07-22-2009, 08:47 PM

Thanks for all that, walkyu! I'm definitely planning on taking a bunch of introsems. I can't wait til the list comes out soon!

Just a question, is it normal to see sophomores (or even juniors) in freshman-oriented, big lecture classes like, say, Poli Sci 1?

walkyu · 07-22-2009, 08:57 PM

Definitely, especially PS1. Most people don't declare until the later part of the sophomore year (so sometimes they have to take PS1 to fulfill major requirements), and for majors like polisci and IR, PS1 isn't required to be taken in sequence. Econ 1A/1B often has IR sophomores, and even juniors. Of course you want to try to bypass the large lecture classes earlier, but because a class like PS1 is required for a few majors, it's not unusual to see upperclassmen (though usually more freshmen).

hotjava64 · 07-23-2009, 09:14 PM

Right now it looks like:
CHEM 31A
MATH 51
IHUM (Beyond Survival?)
Nothing/MUSIC 18B/Some other elective

Depending on how things go Autumn Quarter, I might take a serious music course like MUSIC 19 or something Winter Quarter.