<p>MechWahoo, did you take APMA 109? If you did, they take the fourth credit (109 is considered a 3-credit Unrestricted Elective) and add it to the transfer credit of a 3-credit math course at another school like Diff Eq. That's what I did at NOVA even though we never did Laplace Transforms (don't tell them, though).</p>
<p>I probably should have taken the class at W&M and fought later. Better to apologize than ask for permission. I've already paid, though.</p>
<p>I did take 109. My high school only offered one year of Calc and since it was in my junior year, I didn't feel very comfortable starting off with 111. </p>
<p>That put me behind, so I'm taking both APMA 212 & 213 this summer. Not a cheap deal, as it is going to cost me close to $4,000 and I'm in-state. The meal plan is nearly $30 per day which is just ridiculous. I didn't particularly want to bring my car but I have to, in order to save money.</p>
<p>So Majoring in Physics is a no-no? I was led to believe UVA had one of the better physics departments...</p>
<p>I think we were all referring to E-school physics. I'm told the PHYS 151 and 152 classes for physics majors are a little less gruesome.</p>
<p>I don't want to get myself into physics and then realize it's too hard...</p>
<p>you know what, if you like something, you can probably find a way to do well in the class and you shouldn't stop considering majoring in something just because someone on here says it is hard. on the other hand, you shouldnt be naive and think it will be a piece of cake. i think you need to try out things you are interested in and just do your best. your 1st yr grades dont matter THAT much in the long run anyways, unless you fail everything (which im sure you wont). better to have taken the class and decided not to do that major than to regret not taking it, wonder what it would have been like, etc etc.</p>
<p>Sigma, don't let people saying physics is hard let you get out of thinking about majoring in it!</p>
<p>Lets look at it this way. The majority of people that take physics are not physic majors and don't have that affinity and passion for physics that physics majors have. Even very bright engineering majors often aren't that into it because it takes a mindset different from engineering. They may be smart enough to handle it, but still.</p>
<p>Most people can't handle physics. Its a fact, so your going to get a lot of people that hated it, thought it was impossible, and so on because they don't have the mindset (or some may say, mental disease :) to be a physicist.</p>
<p>as hazelorb said, if you like it you will find a way to do well. You may wanna check out a website called <a href="http://www.physicsforums.com%5B/url%5D">www.physicsforums.com</a>. They have a lot of kids who get on there and are concerned that they don't have the brains to handle phsyics, and they have a lot of experienced physicists who reply. Trust me, you'll get MUCH better advice about a possible physics major there than you will here (though you wont get much UVa specific talk).</p>
<p>and yeah, UVa physics is arguably the strongest in the state (VT and W&M aren't bad). In fact, its 1/2 the reason I'm coming ;)</p>
<p>I'll apologize for not saying "Stay away from Physics 142/241!" The physics professors here do well in the higher level classes, but most professors don't like teaching the lower level classes. I had a liking of physics in HS, but after 142 I can see that I could not handle another semester.</p>
<p>Prospectives and first years, don't let a few CCers' ideas of a class or two affect your long term educational plans like your major. I can give you horror stories about people not making up to snuff in every class I have taken, but I don't want that make you not pursue computer engineering or engineering in general. We only give advice and you can follow as much as you want.</p>
<p>speaking of comp stuff, "malex" i learned how to use access yesterday and its like the worst piece of software... ever. how did microsoft get away with that one. then again, how do they get away with windows.</p>
<p>Microsoft did what we call in the business "pull the wool over your eyes." It has gotten so bad that a few people are "bah"-ing.</p>
<p>Thanks, Dean J! </p>
<p>With a 92% graduation rate, congratulations on Sunday should also go out to the admissions committee. I've had a chance to meet many of my son's classmates. You do impressive work, Dean J.</p>