Optimizing Course Load for UT Austin Transfer: Diff EQ, Calc 3, and German 2

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The discussion centers on a student planning to transfer to UT Austin to study Mechanical Engineering, expressing concerns about an upcoming semester's course load. The proposed schedule includes German 2, Calculus 3, Differential Equations, and Honors Engineering Physics 1. The student is particularly worried about managing the workload, especially since they will have a notoriously tough professor for Calculus 3 and Differential Equations, known for rigorous grading and heavy homework. Responses indicate that the schedule is manageable compared to others, emphasizing that the courses will provide a strong foundation for the Mechanical Engineering degree. Engineering Physics 1 is described as calculus-based mechanics, which should be familiar to the student. While there are concerns about time management and understanding complex concepts, advice suggests treating school like a job and starting assignments early to maintain a high GPA. Overall, the consensus is that the course load is challenging but achievable with proper time management.
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Planning on transferring to UT Austin next fall to study MechE. Currently have a 4.0 (Calc 2, German 1, Gen Phys 1) but I'm worried that my schedule for next semester would be too much and tank my GPA. Am I trying to take too much?

Spring:
German 2 (have to take to complete language requirements)
Calculus 3
Differential Equation
Honors Engineering Physics 1

I'm trying to do this so I can take Linear Algebra and Engineering Physics 2 in the summer, unfortunately Linear Algebra is only offered in the summer at my institution. Would Diff EQ and Calc 3 be too much? I would have the same professor for each but he's notorious for being a hard grader and giving lots of homework; but all the people I've met who have taken him said he's really hard but they gained more out of his class than any other professor since he drills the applications of the concepts.

Advice?
 
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inia6448 said:
Planning on transferring to UT Austin next fall to study MechE. Currently have a 4.0 (Calc 2, German 1, Gen Phys 1) but I'm worried that my schedule for next semester would be too much and tank my GPA. Am I trying to take too much?

Spring:
German 2 (have to take to complete language requirements)
Calculus 3
Differential Equation
Honors Engineering Physics 1

I'm trying to do this so I can take Linear Algebra and Engineering Physics 2 in the summer, unfortunately Linear Algebra is only offered in the summer at my institution. Would Diff EQ and Calc 3 be too much? I would have the same professor for each but he's notorious for being a hard grader and giving lots of homework; but all the people I've met who have taken him said he's really hard but they gained more out of his class than any other professor since he drills the applications of the concepts.

Advice?

What does engineering physics I entail? Generally though that schedule doesn't seem too bad at all (some of the schedules people here put up are really crazy by comparison), yours seems standard if anything IMO. And professors who drill applications of the concepts of Diffy Q's and Calc 3 should give you a strong base for the rest of your ME degree to build on, which is a good thing. Diffy Q's tends to be fairly mechanical, so though there might be a lot of homework it isn't difficult homework (as opposed to Calc 3 anyway). Manage your time well and start your problem sets the instant they're due and you should be ok I think.
 
clope023 said:
What does engineering physics I entail? Generally though that schedule doesn't seem too bad at all (some of the schedules people here put up are really crazy by comparison), yours seems standard if anything IMO. And professors who drill applications of the concepts of Diffy Q's and Calc 3 should give you a strong base for the rest of your ME degree to build on, which is a good thing. Diffy Q's tends to be fairly mechanical, so though there might be a lot of homework it isn't difficult homework (as opposed to Calc 3 anyway). Manage your time well and start your problem sets the instant they're due and you should be ok I think.

Engineering Physics 1 is just calculus based mechanics (kinematics, rotational motion, thermo, waves). I'm in General Physics 1 right now so all the concepts that will be in EP1 are going to be the same just with calculus so I don't think it will be too hard. But there is a project involved in the class since it's an Honors course so I'm just kind of worried about not having enough time to truly understand everything that's going on in all my classes.
 
The only problem i see, is that you need some concepts from calc 3 for diffEq, like partial derivatives, and maybe a few other things, but its all very minor
 
No, it's doable. Treat school like a job (40 hrs per week) and you should have no problems getting stellar grades. That's what grad school will be like.
 
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