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In my free time, I've recently begun to look at Columbia's course catalog, and I think I've selected the ones that are my first choice as far as scheduling goes next year. Feel free to post schedules and/or advice.

Semester 1:
1. Math V1201: Calculus IIIA
2. PHYS C1401: Physics—Alexandro Curioni
3. Physics Lab
4. ENGL C1010 : University Writing
5. Physical Education: Strength Training
6. GRAP E1115x and y: Engineering graphics

Semester 2:
7. Math V1205: Calculus IVA
8. PHYS C1402: Physics
9. Engineering and the Rise of Modern Industry— Atle Gjelsvik
10. ENGI E1102: Gateway Lab
11. Physical Education: Strength Training
12. COMS W1007: Introduction to Computer Science

I'll be in Carman next year, coed floor.

By Fueng08 (Fueng08) on Monday, July 19, 2004 - 10:25 am: Edit

pigeonblood, are you CC or SEAS?

Also, any advice out there on a non-technical, fairly interesting, yet easy course to round out a tough math/science schedule? (I'm in SEAS).

Lastly...who's got thoughts on Physics 1401/1402 vs 1601/1602? I want to take 1601/1602 (Got 2 5's on the C exam) but I don't know if that, along with Calc IIIA and Intensive General Chem is too much to handle.

By Crazybug (Crazybug) on Monday, July 19, 2004 - 11:00 am: Edit

Calc IIIA is the easiest of the Calc sequence at Columbia. I got a B- on my first midterm, skipped every class after that, studied 8 hours the night before the final, and pulled off an A for the course.

IChem is much more quantitative than normal GChem. If you like calculation more than memorization, you'll be fine.

And for God's sake, take 1601. I took 1401 for two weeks before the sleeping in class bumped me up to 1601. Rocked an A- in 1601 and a A in 1602.

You sound like you're in a good spot to take 2801, which you should do if you're hypermotivated enough...

By Blah1111 (Blah1111) on Monday, July 19, 2004 - 12:48 pm: Edit

Crazybug, are SEAS students allowed to do Honors Math III/IV? If Calc IIIA sounds easy enough, would it be a good idea to go proof-oriented?

By Crazybug (Crazybug) on Monday, July 19, 2004 - 12:51 pm: Edit

Yes, SEAS students are allowed to do Honors III/IV, but they aren't encouraged to do so. Face it, proofs won't help you in engineering. Calc IIIA is ridiculously easy, but Calc IVA will set the bar back to normal. I wouldn't recommend Honors Math, though. Unless you are both Russian and a genius, you'll never survive.

By Fueng08 (Fueng08) on Tuesday, July 20, 2004 - 12:04 am: Edit

hehe crazybug...thanks for the advice. I think I'll just go with Calc IIIA, IChem, and phys. 1601, and then drop down to phys 1401 if it's too insane.

you sound very confident in your recommendations, are you extremely talented though? i only ask because the weight of your advice depends a lot on how good you are relative to me. I mean, i got 5's in chem, calc bc, and physics mech/e&m, but I know that at columbia the bar is raised a hell of a lot.

any sort of objective standard you can use to when talking about first year courses?

also, how do recitation sections work? How often do they meet/how long is each meeting? Do you have to go? Do you sign up for them?

last--how's university writing?

Thanks a lot for the help.

By Crazybug (Crazybug) on Tuesday, July 20, 2004 - 09:47 am: Edit

That sounds like a good courseload.

I'm not *that* talented. I took AP Physics C in high school but didn't take the exam (because it would have gotten me nowhere at CU). I didn't take AP Chem. I did take Calc AB and got a 5. In terms of "raising the bar", you'll find that 1401 is on par with, if not easier than Physics C. 1601 is more difficult, but the curve for 1601 is centered around a B+. I think the mean for the 1601 final was in the low 50s..

As for an objective standard, I normally spend about 5-8 hours a week on problem sets. But I actually do them. If you just copy them, or "skim" your way through, you can finish them in an hour. Exam time, everyone goes nuts.

For recitation sections, certain classes like GChem and Econ have pseudo-required sections. By that I mean you do have to go (hence the "required" part), but once you have passed your 5/8 quizzes, you don't need to go anymore (hence, the "pseudo" part). It doesn't help if your preceptors are boring-ass Romanian grad students. Usually, theres 5-10 sections depending on the size of the class.

For physics, there is no "required" recitation section, although the TA will usually schedule an optional recitation section. I'd attend these a bit more religiously.

As for University Writing, take everything you've "learned" in AP English and toss it out the window. It's very different from everything you've experienced so far. The "timed writings" you've probably been doing will never find application college life again. If anything, UW stresses argumentative, critical thinking, and rhetorical skills. Instead of being asking to defend a position, you'll most likely be asked to create one and then defend it. Then, you have to consider length. The longest papers you've written in high school were probably around the 1000-1500 word mark (5-6 pages). In UW, you need to produce double that most of the time. So, the "write-it-the-night-before-its-due" mentality definitely won't float anymore. Finally, the topics you will be asked to write on will require much more thought, consideration, and research. UW instructors make it very clear they aren't impressed by fluff or "space-filler" writing. I've spent quite a few long nights in the Butler lounge just reading and writing away.

By Elleneast (Elleneast) on Tuesday, July 20, 2004 - 10:21 am: Edit

"As for University Writing, take everything you've "learned" in AP English and toss it out the window."

My daughter said similar things about University Writing. She thought that her instructor was fabulous and that she learned a great deal. This same instructor was noted in CULPA as being a grade Nazi. She heard of no A's being given in her class...even to the most talented. Still, she did not regret having him.

For future reference (and I would not make course selection decisions based only on information posted at the following site):

http://culpa.info/

By Blah1111 (Blah1111) on Tuesday, July 20, 2004 - 01:39 pm: Edit

How much time on average say, per week, would you say you expended on the University Writing course?

By Crazybug (Crazybug) on Tuesday, July 20, 2004 - 01:54 pm: Edit

That would honestly depend on the week. For the first few weeks, we had 2 "exercises" - short, 500-word pieces - which took around an hour each to write, per week.

Then, we launched into papers (there are a total of 4 that you must complete) and interspersed sessions of research + exercises + group work in between.

The first paper (called the "lens" essay) took me around ten hours, from planning to finish to compose. It was 1500 words in length.

The second paper (called the "constellation" essay) took me around fifteen hours, from planning to finish, to compose. It was around 2500 words in length.

The third paper (called the "collaborative critical project" essay) took me around twenty five hours. But I really busted my ass on that. I researched way more than I had to, tore up and rewrite entire pages, etc. That was 3500 words in length.

The final paper (the "retrospective" essay) took around four hours to bang out. It was a brief, 1200-word harrangue.

Each paper is given a due date of two-to-three weeks from the date of assignment. During that time, you are expected to turn in frequent drafts, make presentations when necessary, and consult with your instructor.

By Godis (Godis) on Tuesday, July 20, 2004 - 02:02 pm: Edit

sounds like fun. how was the writing for lithum?

By Crazybug (Crazybug) on Tuesday, July 20, 2004 - 02:24 pm: Edit

Wouldn't know. I'm in SEAS. Taking Contemporary Civilization next semester.

By Ripvak23 (Ripvak23) on Tuesday, July 20, 2004 - 02:34 pm: Edit

"sounds like fun" lol... who you tryin to fool (yourself)?

By Theinnocntone (Theinnocntone) on Tuesday, July 20, 2004 - 10:18 pm: Edit

Writing for lit hum depends on your teacher. My class had two 6 page papers a semester and that was about it. Second semester my teacher started trying to set weekly short essays, but that only lasted about three weeks. But some classes have 6 two page papers. YOu have to write a total of 12 pages a semester, and it's up to the teacher to decide how to do that. I guess if they really wanted they could set 12 one pagers or one 12 pager.

By Fueng08 (Fueng08) on Wednesday, July 21, 2004 - 10:30 am: Edit

crazybug, is that 5-8 hrs a week spent on all problem sets (math, chem, physics)? or per class?

UW sounds pretty insane.

thanks for the comments.

By Crazybug (Crazybug) on Wednesday, July 21, 2004 - 11:00 am: Edit

UW is rigorous, but by no means insane. It was one of the easier classes (in terms of content, not workload) that I had per semester.

The 5-8 hours is on physics alone. Math is 2-4 hours. Chem has "optional" problem sets.

By Localmooer (Localmooer) on Wednesday, July 21, 2004 - 12:52 pm: Edit

Hmm... I did an insane amount of work for UW, although I had the director of the Writing Program...

Physics Lab is intended to be taken after you finish physics (and if taken in the spring, assumes a three semester sequence)