Reviews of core courses
From Unofficial Guide to Engineering
The following reviews are a compilation of what various students think. Thus, they do not represent the opinions of all students.
This page is organized by department. No matter what your major is, you will be required to take classes in the math and physics departments, and most likely in other engineering departments as well.
Chemistry
Chemistry 1A - General Chemistry
- Overview: A fast and broad overview of chemistry. Includes reduction/oxidation reactions, bonding theory, a bit of quantum mechanics, acidity and buffering, and much more.
- Be prepared for:
- Blisteringly fast pace. The class has a nasty habit of moving on to the next topic before you've wrapped your head around the last one.
- The labs are long, although they don't always take the full four hours. Chem 1A attracts many students from nontechnical disciplines, so you may end up working with a clueless lab partner.
Math
Math 53 – Multivariable Calculus
- Overview: Spatial geometry, parametric equations and polar coodinates. Derivatives and integrals of functions of two and three variables. Vector calculus. Theorems of Green, Stokes and the Divergence Theorem. This class first covers a large amount of "general" math that allows you to model in more than two dimensions with ease (the coordinate systems and the like). This leads to double differentiation and double integration, which leads to an extention of the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus. This course takes the Math 1 series ideas and generalizes it into multiple dimensions.
- Be prepared for: Thinking in 2D and 3D. Some focus is on theorems, but most of the math is pretty intuitive if you think of it spatially. This is a very big challenge to some students, and takes more time than expected, but in general the workload in this class is slightly less than in Math 1B.
Math 54 – Linear Algebra and Differential Equations
- Overview: Two classes in one, this class starts with an introduction to linear algebra (matrices and vectors) and then follows with some complicated differential equation theory. Contrary to popular belief, this class does not prerequire Math 53. Some parts of 54 depend on parts of 53, and vice versa. In fact, it may be best to try to take both classes at once, if you have time.
- Be prepared for: There's an insane amount of material to cover, so this class is invariably rushed, especially near the end of the semester. Don't worry if you can't get the differential equation stuff – no one really does, and all the class asks you to do is be able to solve them, not actually get into the theory behind it all. This class is much more abstract than math 53.
Physics
Physics 7A – Mechanics and Waves
- Overview: Motion in 2D and 3D (including rotation), energy conservation, some basic stuff about waves, and gravity.
- Be prepared for: This class may seem simple, but the tests are usually very hard. You need a good grasp of the fundamentals when taking this class.
Physics 7B – Electromagnetism and Heat
- Overview: This class, like math 54 is split into two parts. Heat includes energy conservation, radiation, conduction, as well as an introduction to thermodynamics. Electromagnetism starts with electrostatics then goes on to magnetism and Faraday's and Maxwell's laws. Some basic circuit theory is also covered.
- Be prepared for: There's some pretty complicated math here, so it may be a good idea to have math 53 under your belt before trying this class out. Thermodynamics and electromagnetism are independent, so don't worry if you don't enjoy the class at first.
Engineering
Engineering 36 - Engineering Mechanics I
- Overview: Statics in 2- and 3D. Hardly any material that shouldn't already be familiar from Physics 7A.
- Be prepared for: Lots and lots and lots of tedious calculations. Homework for this class is a killer because it takes so long and its so easy to make a careless mistake. Physics 7A is a pre-requisite, but isn't nearly as important as your comfort level with vectors, so some math 53/54 experience will help a lot. Don't believe anyone who tells you it's “only” 2 units. Its a lot more work than that.
Engineering 45 – Properties of Materials
- Overview: This class is an information overload. Its an overview of almost everything of interest in materials science, from undergraduate basics all the way to graduate level concepts.
- Be prepared for: There's tons of writing in this class, from homeworks to lab reports, so expect the homework to take forever. Don't expect to be able to know everything thought in this class – its a survey course, after all. Try to get a grasp of the concepts and visit the TBP exam file archives when finals roll around.
Engineering 77 – Introduction to Computer Programming
- Overview: This is a must-have class (if you're not a CS major, that is). It covers the basics of programming from an engineering problem-solving perspective. There are lots of examples taken from various fields. Try to take this reasonably early since it really helps to know how to program for some upper division classes.
- Be prepared for: The labs can take a very long time to finish if you're a novice programmer. Getting good in this class is all about getting as much practice as possible.
Bioengineering
Chemical Engineering
Civil and Environmental Engineering
Civil Engineering 130 – Mechanics of Materials I
- Overview: All about what happens when you try to bend or stress materials. It borrows a little from E45 and a little from E36. Problems and concepts can be reasonably difficult as its quite a jump in conceptual difficulty from E36.
- Be prepared for: Some ordinary differential equations. The Popov textbook is pretty hard to read. A lot easier to get by if you have Govindjee's notes. Govindjee tends to focus more on concepts and less on hard calculations.
Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Electrical engineering
EE20N – Structure and Interpretation of Signals and Systems
- Overview: Begins with an overview of discrete math, and then introduces mathematical modeling techniques. These models are central to communication systems, but you will also see them in other areas of EE. Unfortunately, EE 20 doesn't cover these models in any depth. You'll be able to understand the language, but to actually make yourself useful, you'll need to go on to the 120 series.
- Useful prior knowledge: If you know some linear algebra, you will understand the second half of the class much better. According to Prof. Lee, students do better in EE 20 if they've taken Math 53 or 54.
- Prerequisite for: EE 120 series.
- Be prepared for:
- Confusion. The latter half of the class covers mathematical models (Fourier series, and friends), which can take a very long time to sink in.
- The labs are very interesting but they sometimes take longer the three hour lab period. The labs and some of the homework use Matlab but the class contains no lectures on Matlab.
- Even though you believe that the state machine diagrams are useless, they are very useful in EECS 150.
EE40 – Introduction to Microelectronic Circuits
- Overview: This course teaches the fundamentals of electrical engineering. The labs provide hands on experience on electronic equipment including oscilloscopes and digital mutimeters. This course is a prerequisite for all electrical engineering except EE 120 series. Students should take EE 40 over EE 100 if they have any interest in MEMS, electronics, or robotics because you will learn more. Note: EE40 is required for EECS students.
- Be prepared for: The quality and syllabus depends heavily on who is teaching the course.
Electrical Engineering 100 - Electronic Techniques for Engineering
- Overview: Electrical engineering for non-EE majors. This is essentially enough basic circuit theory so you can build a circuit if you need to. The class is pretty basic overall and should not be a problem.
- Be prepared for: Sometimes the homeworks make you solve a lot of simultaneous equations.
EE105 – Microelectronic Devices and Circuits
- Overview: The topics include the characteristics and basic physics of MOSFETs and BJTs. You also learn some basic small signal and transient analysis, particularly as it relates to amplifiers. The labs are very interesting.
- Be prepared for:
- Semi-formal lab reports, which take 3-4 hours to write.
- The tests are usually very hard so you should definitely review tests from previous semesters.
EE120 – Signals and Systems
- Overview: The topics include Fourier transforms, Fourier series, discrete Fourier transforms, and Laplace transforms. You will learn basic modulation techniques including amplitude modulation and frequency modulation. Essentially an applied math course.
- Be prepared for: Since there's no lab, the homeworks are very long. Many of the assignments will require Matlab.
EE126 – Probability and Random Processes
- Overview: The course teaches probability and random processes. The topics include detection and hypothesis testing estimations, auto correlation, and Markov chains.
- Be prepared for: The homework is very long and difficult. You need to do the readings. Finally, the tests are very difficult. You should do the problems at the end of the chapter and study previous semesters midterms.
EE130 – Integrated Circuit Devices
- Overview: The topics include physical understanding of the pn junction, MOS transistor and bipolar transistors. You will also learn how to analyze and design semiconductor devices.
- Be prepared for: The can be long. Some professors use a 5 quiz and final format.
EE140 – Linear Integrated Circuits
- Overview: The topics include amplifiers, feedback, transient response, stability, and compensation.
- Be prepared for: This class has three projects that involve detailed spice simulation. This class moves quickly so do not miss any lectures.
EE141 – Introduction to Digital Integrated Circuits
- Overview: This course is an introduction to digital integrated circuits. The topics include propagation delay, noise margins, and power dissipation. You will learn how to design and simulate courses with cadence.
- Be prepared for: The project is usually long. The tests can be very difficult.
EE143 – Microfabrication Technology
- Overview: This class teaches the fundamentals of IC technologies and surface micromachine technology. In the lab, you will make a chip using a basic cmos process. You will also learn how to characterize the chip.
- Be prepared for: The labs can occasionally go over the three hour time limit. The lab reports require a lot of work and are very long. This class requires a lot of memorization.
Computer science
CS61A - Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs
- Overview: Computer science theory. Has some really mind-boggling concepts, but much less coding than other CS classes. Uses Scheme, a really fun and easy programming language. If you like math, you'll probably like CS 61A. The programming you learn in this class is much more of the pure computer science style than software engineering, and logically follows to self-study in such languages as Python and Ruby.
- Useful prior knowledge: Hardly any. Anyone who has ever written a computer program should be able to leap over CS 3 directly into 61A. There is a placement test, but it's very easy, and it's only administered if the class is impacted. As a general rule, if you know what "recursion" means in programming terms, you're fine.
- Be prepared for: Using UNIX to do your labs, and possibly your homework and projects as well. If you've spent your entire life in Windows, you will find UNIX startling, but help is available.
CS 61B - Data Structures
- Overview: General techniques of programming. It will teach you how to write more effective programs (using arrays, trees, etc.), but the theory is simple compared to 61A material. The class's other objective is to make you a more effective programmer (testing, program organization, etc).
- Be prepared for: Lots and lots of coding. This is mainly a software engineering class - you will be prepared for most real-life coding situations after taking this class. The three or four projects can take anywhere from 20 hours to 80 hours each depending on who teaches it.
- Projects: projects include such tools as an interactive networked board-game, logical puzzle solvers and a particle simulator driven by a fancy tree setup to store data.
EECS150 – Digital Design
- Overview: This course teaches you how to design the digital projects.
- Be prepared for: The project is very long (100 hours). The material is easier than most EECS courses.
Industrial Engineering and Operations Research
Materials Science and Engineering
MSE111 - Properties of Electronic Materials and Devices
- Overview: An introduction to the behavior of electrons in solids. Begins with a review of quantum mechanics, and builds up to bulk properties like conductivity. Stays mostly on the materials side of things; diodes and transistors get short shrift.
Mechanical Engineering
ME104 – Engineering Mechanics II
- Overview: Dynamics in 2D. Lots of kinematics too. This is the meat of mechanical engineers.
- Be prepared for: You'll need some grasp of MATLAB in this class as many problems are done on computer. You'll also be better off with vector math (math 53) and obviously E36 and physics 7A. Its all pretty basic material.
ME105 – Thermodynamics
- Overview: Basic engineering analysis of thermodynamics. Generally stuff about how to extract work from working fluids. How engines, generators, mixing chambers and cooling systems work.
- Be prepared for: There's lots of calculations here, but mathematically its limited to addition and multiplication. Pay attention early on, because a good grasp of the basics lets you figure out the rest of the course. It usually seems pretty straightfoward, but professors have been known to throw curveballs in exams.
ME106 – Fluid Mechanics
- Overview: Introduction to the physics of fluids from a fairly elementary perspective. The focus is less on the theory of fluids and more on learning how to do useful engineering calculations for problems involving fluids. You will redo in greater depth topics covered in Physics 7A, such as fluid statics and the Bernouilli equation, and then go into topics such as pipe flow, Navier-Stokes equations, and compressible flow.
- Be prepared for: Some in the math in solving the Navier-Stokes equations can be hard if you don't have experience with partial differential equations, but it's fine once you get the hang of it. Overall a fairly straightforward class.
ME107A - Experimentation and Measurement
- Overview: Lab class. The lectures only extend 3/4s of the way through the semester and stop after that. The lab reports are long and can be hard, however. The class works in groups of 3-4 on the labs, and the whole group shares the lab grade (55% of total). Minimal homework if you don't count the lab reports.
- Be prepared for: The theoretical material is ridiculously hard. However, this class doesn't require understanding of theory – merely application. Think of it as “stuff you should know” that didn't fit anywhere else and got lumped together into this one class. The lab reports should be started early and have a lot of effort in them, since they make up so much of the overall grade. Be careful with group choices, because a bad group may mean you get to do all the work, or end up with a bad grade because your groupmates let you down. It happens every year, and the department's stand is usually hands-off (ie: don't expect to be able to switch groups mid-semester)
ME124 – Mechanical Behavior of Engineering Materials
- Overview: Why things break. Stress and failure analysis.
- Be prepared for: Nasty theory. There's an introduction to things like the stress tensor and deformation gradient. Depending on who you get there may be a significant computational element. Thankfully, it seems okay if you don't get all the theory – application's much more important.
ME185 – Continuum Mechanics
- Overview: This is only a basic/core class if you're a PhD candidate. Its tensor math and stress analysis all the way. Be warned that the textbook expressly states that the class is for final year math majors or graduate engineering students.
- Be prepared for: The matrix/vector part of Math 54 is covered in the first two weeks or so, and is then extended to stress analysis, material properties and all sorts of mind boggling stuff. If it wasn't so useful for stress analysis and material properties, all of this material would be considered hardcore math major stuff – and that's basically what it is: vector and tensor math, including calculus. If you ever wondered what “stress” actually was in MEC124, look no further. The homeworks tend to end up being doing proofs that the professor didn't have time to complete in class.
