<p>I'm a first semester freshman and I took two physics classes this semester-Electromagnetism (PHYS 201) and Mathematical Methods (PHYS 205.) I took college physics in high school but taught myself calculus as my school had no AP's. Anyway, I had a really tough first semester. Physics is a tiny department at my all-women's college and the girls in the department were really mean to me for no reason. They constantly trashed me. I can't stand this school. Anyway, I worked really hard and got an A in Math Methods but a C in Electromagnetism. While I'm still not positive this grade is justified (the prof. is really not transparent about her grading) I'm just devastated. I busted my butt for that class. E&M has always been the area of physics I'm the least interested in and have the most trouble with, and the problem was seriously exacerbated because the teacher was terrible. Obviously, I'm not using that as an excuse but she really was. Anyway...I'm trying to transfer out and I'm terrified that this one stupid grade will ruin my chances to transfer and have a good undergraduate experience (I just hate everything about this school-the general atmosphere and the physics department) and it will ruin my applications to grad school. I feel dumb now for not taking this class pass/fail but I don't know if that would have looked any better. Anyone here get a C in one of their physics classes and end up doing amazing and wonderful things? I'm really disappointed and frustrated. Physics is my dream and I would be devastated to see it slip away.</p>
<p>I’m a high school senior applying to colleges for physics (whoo!) and I completely understand what you mean about electromagnetism. It’s incredibly complex and interesting but when explained badly it makes me want to jump off a cliff. </p>
<p>I’m obviously not the highest authority on something like this, but it is my understanding that a C in a freshman year course won’t significantly damage your chances at grad school, provided you address the issue. Who’s to say you won’t get this professor again?</p>
<p>You seem unhappy at your school. Transferring isn’t always the best option and you should clearly go over the financials, but if you want to go onto grad school you definitely need an extremely solid foundation in physics, and it doesn’t seem like you’re getting that.</p>
<p>I was an engineering major. I made a C in first semester physics - my very first exam at college was in physics, and I got a 46!! I was used to making all A+s. Second semester I managed a B. Anyway, I ended up graduating with a 3.8+ GPA and graduated with high honors. I got a full fellowship to graduate school - they even gave me a stipend to live on, in addition to free tuition. So it’s not the end of the world. No, I wasn’t a physics major, but structural engineering requires a lot of physics!</p>
<p>Mistanverous-Ugh-thank you! Poorly explained E&M is just the worst. The bad news is-if I stay at this school it’s basically guaranteed I will have her again because the faculty is so small, and she will likely be one of my academic advisors. After this experience I’m dreading that. The department at this school is not bad in the slightest it’s just very focused on the engineering side of physics, most of the support goes towards people who are interested in engineering as a career, and in my experience the people who populate it are really toxic. I can’t imagine spending another three years here but I’m afraid this C will completely negate my chances to transfer. I got all A’s other than this one C and I feel like none of my hard work matters because of it.</p>
<p>Good luck in your college search!</p>
<p>MaineLonghorn-do you think that it will make a difference because this class technically isn’t a first-semester class? Or something freshmen typically take?</p>
<p>Thank you! Again I’m not completely informed on the transfer process but I’m sure if you found a way to communicate the issue with the professor to your schools it won’t be as horrible as you think. Having all As in other classes shows that this C isn’t necessarily representative of your skill, not to mention first year physics classes at many schools are designed to “weed you out”.</p>
<p>Mistanervous-I’m wondering if I should get a recommendation from the professor of this class I got a C in. Then they’ll at least know I didn’t get a C out of laziness.</p>
<p>I’m not sure, if you think the professor will write you an adequate rec I don’t see why not!</p>
<p>So this wasn’t the intro calc-based physics II class? You were taking the upper level E&M course. Can I ask what book you were using?</p>
<p>Also, what topics were covered in your math methods course?</p>
<p>Jbrussell-it wasn’t Electronics, if that’s what you mean. It was calc 2 based. All I mean is that it’s usually not taken as a first semester course, if first years do take it they almost always take it second semester. We used Fundamentals of Physics.
Math Methods covered Taylor series, Fourier series, vector calc, linear algebra, multiple integrals, partial derivatives, imaginary numbers, and differential equations. The class was so we could learn how these topics work and how they’re used in physics.</p>
<p>Okay, so it was part of the intro physics sequence not the upper level E&M course that physics students take sophomore/junior year. Hmm, you definitely had more than enough math to excel in the electromagnetics class. Usually, the intro physics sequence is meant to weed people out so that could why you had such a hard time. Regardless, I would agree with others that a C is no big deal, especially first semester.</p>
<p>Did you have AP credit for physics I and calc I-III and ODE? I wonder if you may have some gaps in your knowledge… Sometimes it’s best to start from the bottom to make sure you have a good foundation.</p>
<p>Jbrussell-my school didn’t offer APs. I took the first level of calc based physics at a college during my senior year. My math skills weren’t the issue. Electromagnetism has never been my strong suit in physics and the professor was honestly really bad. I don’t want to sound like I’m blaming anyone but I definitely put in the time and effort for this class. Generally the test averages were quite low too. The class was mostly comprised of sophomores and I was one of three freshmen.</p>