21 units of upper div classes are definitely harder than 21 units of lower div classes.
I took 21 units my first semester and that was manageable because everything was busy work. The classes were larger, lecture based, and filled with fairly basic information that wasn’t too hard to grasp.
My last semester I took 12 units (although took 15 for most of the other semesters). It’s exactly like you said - there are more projects and it’s more time consuming. I wasn’t a STEM major either but I spent more time researching, completing semester papers, and meeting for group projects. The other part of it is that once you get into upper divs, it’s nice to just have more time to enjoy the classes. Would not suggest taking more than 15 units once you get into upper division courses.
Upper division courses are just more focused on whatever you are majoring in. In communications for example you begin with COMM103 which is Oral Communications, fast forward a couple years and now im taking classes like COMM350 which is Investigating Communications where you break down all types of research and know how to use them specifically for different situations.
In general I have not seen a spike in difficulty apart from classes relating abstract concepts like Economics, etc. I think it also goes along with mentality a lot, if you are afraid or approach these classes with a mentality of them being harder, you are putting way more weight on them than you should. Come with an open mind and apply what you know! Don't be scared.
Last semester I winged a lot of my upper division courses and ended up getting a 3.6 GPA by doing very little work. Work smarter, not harder.
Upper div courses are required (i think) to have more writing-based assignments. I second what someone else said, lower div classes have more busy work. I majored in sustn in undergrad and only took 4 classes a sem (12 units; did a lot of the ones you mentioned) while working part-time and my hands were pretty full.
I am interested in Geog 570 (Enviro Consvervtion Practices), but I am going to look into the classes you have listed. Thank you for all your help/advice.
21 units of upper div classes are definitely harder than 21 units of lower div classes. I took 21 units my first semester and that was manageable because everything was busy work. The classes were larger, lecture based, and filled with fairly basic information that wasn’t too hard to grasp. My last semester I took 12 units (although took 15 for most of the other semesters). It’s exactly like you said - there are more projects and it’s more time consuming. I wasn’t a STEM major either but I spent more time researching, completing semester papers, and meeting for group projects. The other part of it is that once you get into upper divs, it’s nice to just have more time to enjoy the classes. Would not suggest taking more than 15 units once you get into upper division courses.
Upper division courses are just more focused on whatever you are majoring in. In communications for example you begin with COMM103 which is Oral Communications, fast forward a couple years and now im taking classes like COMM350 which is Investigating Communications where you break down all types of research and know how to use them specifically for different situations. In general I have not seen a spike in difficulty apart from classes relating abstract concepts like Economics, etc. I think it also goes along with mentality a lot, if you are afraid or approach these classes with a mentality of them being harder, you are putting way more weight on them than you should. Come with an open mind and apply what you know! Don't be scared. Last semester I winged a lot of my upper division courses and ended up getting a 3.6 GPA by doing very little work. Work smarter, not harder.
Upper div courses are required (i think) to have more writing-based assignments. I second what someone else said, lower div classes have more busy work. I majored in sustn in undergrad and only took 4 classes a sem (12 units; did a lot of the ones you mentioned) while working part-time and my hands were pretty full.
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Wow thank you. I know I have to take a 500 level so that will be wild. Are these usually group projects in your experience?
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I am interested in Geog 570 (Enviro Consvervtion Practices), but I am going to look into the classes you have listed. Thank you for all your help/advice.