After which math class should I take Physics

College Majors Engineering Majors
1

<p>My college is pretty quick to rush us into Physics because of the volume of courses engineering majors will have to take. They have us taking Physics 1 with Calc 1 as a co-req and Physics 2 with Calc 2 as a co-req. I heard you're doomed for failure if you do it this way, because you're not sufficiently prepared for the math you're going to encounter.</p>

<p>I have credit for Calc 1 and the Algebra-Based Physics sequence. I'm confident I know my Calc 1 stuff and I'm pretty good at Mechanics, but I know nothing about E&M, yet I still got a credit for it. (The AP Algebra-Based exam is poorly designed; it's is one big test; I guess I did well enough on the mechanics part to make up for my complete lack of knowledge of E&M.)</p>

<p>So, my question is, should I take Calc 2 with Physics 1 and Calc 3 with Physics 2? That way my knowledge from Alg-Based physics last year is fresh in my head. BUT I've also heard that the more math you know, the easier Physics becomes (E&M in particular, which would really help me out). So, should I do the Chem sequence this year instead and, next year, take Linear Algebra with Physics 1 and Differential Equations with Physics 2. Would that help me a lot in my Physics classes?</p>

<p>I heard another plus about waiting off a little bit until you develop good math skills is that you actually understand Physics, not just know how to do a problem, but why.</p>

<p>So, which would you recommend for me?</p>

2

<p>Our experience teaching physics to a lot of engineers is that those who have a good grasp of Calc I will do fine in Physics I (mechanics). In fact this is the recommended combination for our engineering students.</p>

3

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<p>This is actually the standard sequence at many schools. Calculus 3 is multivariable calculus, which can be quite handy in Physics 2, which typically includes E&M.</p>

<p>If the physics sequence is important as prerequisites for later courses you need to take, try to avoid delaying it, since delaying it could delay graduation.</p>

4

<p>Differential equations is very important if you want to understand how the formulas are derived. It is not required though and i don’t recommend taking it at the same time as physics 1, if it delays graduation</p>

5

<p>I was always told that your Calculus sequence should be “1 ahead” of your Physics sequence.</p>

<p>Calc I then Physics I, Calc 2 then Physics 2…although like UCBAlumnus said, it would be real nice if you could get in Calc 3 before Physics 2 or at least have Calc 3 cover enough vector material before Physics 2 starts with E&M.</p>

<p>When I was an undergrad, some EE majors delayed Physics 2 until after the first Electric Circuits class so they could “kill” the Electronics portion of Physics 2.</p>

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<p>Differential equations was my “operating systems” (of CS) of the math program. Things really clicked with that course.</p>