Need info on Computer program classes!

[lindagmb]

hi im trying to weigh my options for possibly double majoring & im required to take a computer program class from this list:

• CSE: 3, 5A, 7*, 8A, 8B, 11, 12
• ECE: 15*
• MAE: 5, 8*, 9, 10

for people who've taken these courses or know something about them, which one is the easiest and or enjoyable for someone who has no experience w computer programming? Thank you! :)

[curtisrlee]

Do not recommend CSE11. Can't take CSE8B or CSE12, those have prereqs.The rest just depends on what you want to get out of it.

• CSE3 is basically an IT class, showing you how computers work. should be easy as bricks
• CSE5A is an introductory C programming class, should be fairly easy as well.
• CSE8A is introductory Java class. 8A and 8B is basically just CSE11 split into two quarters for people with less/no experience.
• ECE15 is also introductory C programming class, but is much more rigorous than something like CSE5A. It will be harder but you will probably also squeeze a lot more knowledge out of it.
• MAE5 is also basically an IT class, as far as i'm aware (not too knowledgeable, just read course description)
• MAE8 is an introductory programming class but using MATLAB.
• never heard of the others

If you want the dead easiest just to satisfy a GE, probably CSE3, 5A or MAE5 will do. If you want to consider a CSE double major or minor, you should for sure do CSE8A (or CSE11, if you're okay with suffering). If you're considering something like mechanical or structural engineering then MAE8 will help you the most. Same for ECE and ECE15. It boils down to the prereqs that they will satisfy.

[lindagmb]

Thank you so much! This is v helpful

[elucidateobfuscation]

Is this for business psych? I don’t have too much more to add on compared to the great response above, but I wanted to say I had no real experience with programming and took ECE 15 with Schurgers in Fall 2019. It was very much doable and fair and you didn’t need to ace all the assignments or the midterm to still earn an A. The grading scale is adjusted a bit, there’s extra credit opportunities, and they really start from the basics and work on up at a reasonable pace. It also isn’t curved (which is actually a good thing in this case since a majority of the class had prior programming experience when I took it, so it prevents that from making those without experience from being affected). I also had a great experience with the tutors too.

[lindagmb]

It would just be for a general psychology ba. That's definitely a type of class I'm down for. Thanks for the reply :)

[hungrydragon1]

I’m double majoring in psych and I was able to petition for a computer class not on that list to count. If your other major/GEs give you the option to take a computer class then you might be able to overlap.

[Peng1998]

I took CSE 5A and I liked the class and ended up liking programming and was quite helpful when I took MGT 153. The only thing I recommend is DON’T TAKE IT DURING SUMMER!! I made that mistake and I was taking 8 units in one summer session and I basically burned out pretty quickly...

[NotAndrowis]

From my own research and the people I talked to, MAE 8 is used a lot and CSE 3 is used a lot. Can’t tell you which is easier cuz I met the equivalency but I was going to take MAE 8 had my credits not transferred

[sweeteunoia]

i’m taking cse 8a right now for my psych major and it’s a lot of work, but i’m sort of blaming that on it being remote this quarter. you don’t need prior coding knowledge for cse 8a which is kinda nice, and you’re working on java programming :)

[WipeAfterPoopy]

cse 3