If you want to switch to CS as soon as possible, this is the kind of schedule you’d be looking at freshman year. If you don’t plan to switch to CS, then disregard this and I hope this will help someone else with similar questions.
Fall:
ECS 30
MAT 21A
GE, or start science sequence if taking the chem or biochem options
Optional second GE if you’re not starting your chosen science sequence
Total: 12 units with 1 GE, 14-16 units with 2 GEs, 13 units with the science sequence
Comments: You could take an additional GE for a total of 4 classes even if you’re starting your science sequence. Try to be at 13-15 units your first quarter regardless; you can always take heavier quarters later, and you’ll need some time to adjust to college. Also just for reference: If you want to do the physics sequence for your science requirement you won’t be able to start until you’ve completed MAT 21B, so spring would be the earliest you could take it assuming you don’t have Calc BC AP credits.
Winter:
ECS 40
MAT 21B
ECS 20
Possible GE or continuation of science sequence
Total: 12 units with those 3 classes, 12-13 units if you swap out ECS 20 but don’t add another class, 15-17 if you take 4 classes
Comments: ECS 20 could also be swapped out for a GE or continuation of science sequence, but doing so would make it take longer to switch majors. If fall quarter didn’t go too well, I’d suggest still keeping it at only 3 classes regardless of what you decide, or have ECS 40, MAT 21B, and 2 GEs. Yes, you want to switch to CS ASAP, but you also don’t want to overwhelm yourself. If fall quarter went well and you feel you could handle 16-17 units, then by all means take the three classes listed above and an additional class. The important thing here is to make sure you’re not biting off more than you can chew.
Spring:
If you completed ECS 30, 20, 40, and MAT 21AB by now, this is when you’d apply to switch. If you didn’t take one or more of them for whatever reason, you’ll need to wait until summer or fall to file the paperwork depending on when you complete them.
ECS 20, if not completed in winter; otherwise, ECS 50 or 60
MAT 21C
Finish up science sequence, or a GE
GE
Total:12-17 units depending on what GEs you decide on and if you’re finishing your science sequence
Comments: Same advice as far as units go: Don’t overwhelm yourself, but by all means fill your schedule up if you’ve been doing well up to this point and feel you can handle it. If you want to do the physics sequence, you’ll most likely be starting it either this quarter or the following fall. If you’re deciding between ECS 50 and 60, I’d recommend 60 because it’s a prereq for more courses.
General advice:
- Switch into CS as soon as you can, because the major is impacted and only majors can sign up for the required classes during pass 1. For as long as you’re not a declared CS major, you’ll have to wait until pass 2 to even have a chance to register for any CS requirements. If you follow the schedule outlined above, you can finish the prereqs for switching by the time spring quarter starts and can switch then. This allows you to register for CS classes during pass 1, starting with fall registration for your second year.
- Take ECS 60 ASAP. It's a prereq for most upper division classes. I took it spring quarter my sophomore year and am still on time to graduate, but it's better to get it done earlier if possible so you have more time to fit in your upper div classes (i.e. you can spread them out if needed).
- You don't have to start your science sequence immediately, but it's better to get it done freshman or sophomore year so you don't need to worry about it later.
- If Sean Davis is teaching a class, be prepared for a heavy workload for that class. 16-17 units is manageable still depending on what other classes you're taking, but whatever class Sean is teaching will be a time sink. Likewise, don't take two Sean Davis classes in the same quarter unless 1. You're only taking one more class and it's a really easy class, or 2. You're crazy. He teaches ECS 30, 40, 50, 60, and 154A, which are all required...so it's almost guaranteed that you'll run into him at least once. He's a great professor, but the workload is killer, particularly if you don't expect it.