<p>Hello, I am a student who will most likely be attending MCS this fall(assuming financial aid is viable) and I plan to major in Physics and Mathematics. I have a few questions about Freshman courses.</p>
<p>My first few questions regard the introductory physics courses. Looking at the course descriptions, I think Matter & Interactions(33-131) appeals to me the most. The problem is that my school only offers a CP Physics course that I'd describe as the level of depth of AP Physics B, but it only covers up to electrostatics. My teacher gave me an algebra based textbook though, and I understand when calculus can be implemented as I self study each chapter. This is the textbook. Amazon.com:</a> Physics: Algebra/Trig (9780534365769): Eugene Hecht: Books Anyway, it is recommended that I score a 4 or 5 on the Physics C: Mechanics exam, but I did not think I would be able to without extensive self-studying during a time when I have other more realistic commitments. This is especially because I didn't have the class, and my high school doesn't offer it. So I didn't choose to take it. Instead, I am willing to self-study whichever textbook is used in the Matter & Interactions course, during my summer vacation, and hopefully qualify to take the course. I don't think I'll have any problem unless there is an assumption that I know things I do not; I don't want to be left behind. I have a good conceptual background in physics, and can implement the algebraic and trigonometric techniques to solve problems, but I haven't had a formal implementation of Calculus in physics yet. So I have two questions relevant to this. </p>
<ol>
<li><p>What textbook is used in the Matter and Interactions course?</p></li>
<li><p>Will I be able to take this course without taking a Calculus-based physics course prior to it? This is assuming I self-study the textbook used in this class over the summer vacation?</p></li>
</ol>
<p>My second set of questions regard the Calculus courses. I am currently in AP Calculus AB, and expect to receive a 5 on the AP exam. I also plan to self-study the rest of my textbook, which covers the rest of single-variable Calculus. If I do well enough on the online placement exam, I plan to take the Analysis course instead of progressing straight to multivariable calculus. It sounds very interesting, and I think the added theoretical depth to what I've just learned would really help cement the basis of higher mathematics in my brain. I'd especially like to see proofs as early as possible. However, I'm wary of whether or not it would be too much to take this class and the Matter & Interactions course at the same time. I work very hard, and I have a decent level of aptitude and a vivacious interest in mathematics and physics. I expect to study all the time, and I'll never miss a lecture. So if the only problem is the workload, I can definitely do it. </p>
<p>Also, I'm a bit confused on when this course is taken. On the MCS Mathematics department website it is said to be a sophomore level class, but in this link <a href="http://www.cmu.edu/mcs/undergrad/advising/forms/SchedulingInfo-fall.pdf%5B/url%5D">http://www.cmu.edu/mcs/undergrad/advising/forms/SchedulingInfo-fall.pdf</a> it seems as if freshman take it.</p>
<p>Thank you!</p>