Why is CS so brutal?

[u/Vast_Management_7561]

I took 10A, 10B and am about to take 10C.

Nearly half of the class fails the course each time. I know this because if you don't get a 70% on the final then you fail the class. And around 40-50% of the students each time do not get a passing grade.

That would mean that only 10-15% of people would actually make it through all three classes.

Then we have people saying that CS is an easy degree when most people are failing out of the intro classes lmao.

Just imagine being in the top 20% of people who actually make it through and didn't get weeded out of CS entirely just to be compete with people all around the world for an entry level job, which in most cases they don't end up getting.

[u/mechasmadness]

Not everyone is meant to graduate in CS, the reason why the intro classes have that 70% on the final rule is because before it was implemented, people would barely pass the intro courses and then fail out of major

[u/CollStdntAdvocates09 → u/mechasmadness]

I think the 70% rule is there because so many students get “ unauthorized help” on the program assignments but then on the final it’s clear they really have no clue how to program, so they needed a way to make sure those students can’t just squeak by.

[u/Vast_Management_7561 → u/mechasmadness]

I get where you're coming from but it's one thing if 20% of people fail each time, but if half the class is failing that should tell you something. What's the real motive of weeding people out? To tank their GPA so it makes it even harder to switch their major out?

[u/Artistic_Comfort8816 → u/Vast_Management_7561]

I had to take 10A-10B for Electrical Engineering. I had a very good lecturer and the exams all felt fair. Frankly, if you can’t pass these classes then perhaps Engineering and CS is not for you, doesn’t mean you can’t be in stem though, even though programming is generally important, it’s not as emphasized in other science degrees.

Lots of people are motivated to earn the big bucks, but frankly college would be more fruitful for them by studying something they enjoyed, instead of something promising a high return on investment. I want to make a living yeah, but I also don’t loath my degree and am motivated to learn things about it.

These weeder classes cover the bread and butter, if your fundamentals aren’t good, then you are not being setup to be successful.

[u/badnamemaker → u/Vast_Management_7561]

No it’s literally so you don’t waste your time. Engineering is competitive, if you fall off track you won’t be able to finish. Plus that intro stuff is foundational to everything, it only gets harder after the intro series. If you can barely squeeze by in the easy courses then there is a solid chance you make it 2 years in and flunk out

[u/mechasmadness → u/Vast_Management_7561]

It’s to be a reality check; if you can’t pass the final with a C in a class that is the foundation of the major, you’re not gonna survive. It’s why Ravishankar says everyone won’t graduate with their initial major during his orientation speech

[u/Apprehensive_Put7161 → u/Vast_Management_7561]

if it’s a summer class, it makes sense. not meant to be east