<p>Now that I’ve been accepted at Cockrell, I want to know about all of the classes that I probably will take in my first semester, which professor is the best, what textbooks are used, etc. so that I can set my class schedule earlier and be ready for registering on August. </p>
<p>I wouldn’t worry about trying to set a schedule other than figuring out the courses you want to take. If you are not registering until August, you will have very little choice. You will most probably take whatever you can get and hope that you can get the courses you really need. Don’t mean to sound pessimistic, but that’s just the way it is.</p>
<p>As far as professors go, a popular tool used by many is myedu.com. It used to be pick-a-prof. You have to pay to use it, but it is very inexpensive and gives some good feedback on profs.</p>
<p>If Dr. Gonzalez is teaching Calculus, definitely take him. My ds had him for 408c and d and he is a very good teacher. I believe Dr. Swinnea is the only one who teaches CHE210, so you don’t have to worry who to take there!</p>
<p>CHE 102 is not required and does not count toward your degree, but I highly recommend you take it. It is kind of an intro to the program and is taught by the department chair. It is only pass/fail and lots of good information/minimal work.</p>
<p>Don’t worry about textbooks now, because different profs use diff books, so you can’t figure that out until you know what classes you will have.</p>
<p>If you have your UT eid and can sign in to the registrar’s site and check the course schedule, there are links on each class for the required and suggested books.</p>
<p>Cockrell takes great care of engineering students. During orientation, you’ll receive an “Engineering Bible” and meet in a group advising session in addition to an individual advising appointment before you register for your classes. You do NOT want to buy your books before you register -the sections you want may be closed, and different instructors require different textbooks (or publish their own course packs). Like Queen mentioned, your first semester schedule will probably not be ideal, so prepare to accept that. You’ll have the rest of your college career to build “the perfect schedule”.</p>
<p>I have a related question: my IB scores don’t come out until after my orientation session. I would like to use my scores to get credit for certain classes (math, history, english, etc). What do you suggest I do?</p>
<p>If the IB scores will allow you to skip a prereq class, you’ll have to wait to register (during adds & drops) for the classes you really want. To be safe, sign up for the classes you will take if the scores aren’t as high as you anticipate. You can always adjust your schedule later.</p>
<p>@Queen: Is there any possibility that I ended up taking less classes just because they are full before I register? </p>
<p>@zlc: Thanks! I have a Chem AP score of 5, and I’m going to petition. BTW, what is the drawback? Why I am “expected to consult with your academic advisor before claiming credit”?</p>
<p>Another drawback is that some departments expect specific courses to be completed “in residence” -they want you to complete the class within the department. Your academic advisor is the best person to consult for that info.</p>
<p>Eclipze - I think you will be ok. Engineering has a very structured course schedule. If you will have alot of AP and IB credits, then them classes you will need will be pretty specific. In other words, there aren’t alot of electives in ChemE!</p>
<p>After the registration in Nov. for the spring semester, my son was very distraught because he could not get a chem class that he absolutely had to have. They told him not to worry, to wait until adds and drops and if he could not get it then, come see them. He was able to pick it up then, so it was not a problem.</p>
<p>A word of warning about AP credit for Chem. If you made a 5 on the test, then you can place out of 8 hours of chem, 301, 302 and 204 (a lab). If you take credit for all of those, then your first chem class at UT will be OChem. I would definitely wait to speak with your advisor before claiming your credit. you can do that at orientation.</p>
<p>Sorry to butt in on this thread, but QueenofEverythin:</p>
<p>Regarding the claiming AP of credits, what sort of things would we discuss with an academic adviser before claiming credits? I’m aware that it might mess up the tuition rebate, but are they just concerned about our readiness for the higher level chem classes? How would they gauge that before we register for classes?</p>
<p>Eclipze - Haha, don’t be too sure about those easy A’s!! Chem classes at UT are very rigorous! Can’t help you with those profs, maybe someone else could answer that.</p>
<p>Gordman - Excellent question! On core courses like English or History, I would not worry about advising. On something in your major, it would not hurt to talk with an advisor first. Once you claim credit for a course, you can’t undo it. An advisor might encourage you to take a certain class instead of the credit, because the next course is very rigorous and you need to be prepared. I’m not an advisor, so I don’t know, I would just advise erring on the side of caution.</p>
<p>I second what QueenOfEverythin says about Chem Classes at UT. Even though I got A’s in both CH 301 and CH 302, both classes are demanding and rigorous. Do NOT assume classes are easy at UT automatically- wait till you take your first couple of test.</p>
<p>I’m glad to hear that the chem classes are harder now. When I took it in 1980, it was a joke! Very easy multiple choice tests. It was a waste of time.</p>