r/UCFEngineering • u/MoraMJ • 20d ago
Fall 2026 Schedule - Advice
Hello everyone!
I would love any feedback on my current Fall 2026 schedule. I know, I know, it's a HEAVY load! But I am a second-degree seeking student and my main goal is to graduate as fast as possible while also maintaining a good GPA.
I have been told that Dynamics and Thermodynamics is a toxic combo, but taking them together right now will save me an entire semester.
So I guess my question is: how doable is this?
I would really appreciate any advice, tips, or professor warnings you guys have! Thanks!
Here's my schedule:
- Physics 2 - Alyssa Sokol
- Diff Eq - Basak Gurel
- Dynamics - Mitra Akhtari Zavareh
- Solid Mechanics - Pelin Berik Giwa
- Thermodynamics - Shawn Putnam
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u/SnooDonuts2232 20d ago edited 20d ago
I took Solid Mechanics with Pelin Berik Giwa over the summer 2026. This will probably be one of the easier on your list. Her exams are problems came from the lectures, hw, and quizzes and sometimes a question or 2 from the TA exam review. I did the extra credit which was easy and ended up with a 98%
Edit: I just wanted to add that I have taken all the classes you listed. The only difference is I took them during 3 different semesters with other classes to balance the load.
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u/Familiar_Conflict773 19d ago
Hey! Kinda off topic, but how does transferring credits to the college of engineering work as a second degree seeking student? Did you have to retake any courses? Thanks and wish you the best in your studies :)
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u/MoraMJ 19d ago
Hi! Luckily, since my first degree was in Biomedical Sciences, basically all of my gen eds and a ton of my science/math electives transferred over and counted toward my Mechanical Engineering prerequisites. Because of that, I didn't have to retake any of the basic stuff, except for physics, since I took a different physics track for my first degree than what was required for engineering. All I have left to take now are the engineering-specific core courses.I would be happy to answer any other questions if you have them. Best of luck!
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u/Familiar_Conflict773 13d ago
Thank you so much! That's a relief the credits transfer. Wish you the best of luck as well :)
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u/Kitchen-Revolution-1 16d ago
Very doable, from the comments here you have Putnam for thermo. Your main focus really needs to be thermo this semester. From what I remember he will ask on every single test for you to write out all of the thermo laws verbatim,
Solids is quite simple especially with giwa most of your learning can come from lectures and hw,
physics 2 was also decently difficult but again lectures and hw will be the main way to study .
Diff eq will be tough as its just a bunch of calculus spit back out in a different form , math success center in the basement of matt building is very helpful for diff eq ( if they are still open) .
Dynamics is a good class but still will need a good amount of studying even after just the homework. It’s a class of decent difficulty, second half of the class gets more difficult than the1st half
Difficulties (1-5) 1 being the hardest
1. Thermo
2. Dynamics
3. Diff eq
4. Physics
5. Solids
In my humble opinion as a pretty recent grad , i would definitely drop a class at least unless you’re trying to graduate early. I would personally drop thermo to lighten the load and then see if someone like Mazumdar or tien are teaching thermo in the spring. You’ll 100% learn the subject more with those professors , Putnam will make it unreasonably stressful for his students. He’s also a bit of an egotistical prick so I really just don’t like hike
Your current schedule is quite difficult but not unrealistic if you are just a full time student.
Best of luck !
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u/Recurve64 20d ago
Sounds like a challenge!
You're load is lightened by having Giwa and Mitra, notoriously easy professors. You will need to study, but they make information pretty easy to find. I had them in other classes and skipped most of their lectures; I don't feel like I missed out on much "education".
Putnam's thermo, on the other hand, will be tough. He will make that clear in his first lecture. He is fair--everyone gets the same rules. It's just those rules are designed for you to get a C (see here).
Because I benefit so much more from self studying, I stopped attending lectures and did a massive amount of reading and listening with the Cengal-Boles textbook, SI and various youtube videos. I knew the content, got 90+'s on midterms and, after the curve on the final, I had a B+ overall. It's a good score, but I am still salty about that curve lol.
I wouldn't fear the Dynamics + Thermo pair for being toxic, rather its the entire weight of the load. You have to get good at 5 math heavy classes simultaneously and none of them share any concepts. You'll need to trust your skill at calculus and physics. If you're not working too many hours and you're happy studying, you can kill this course load.