CS major - Should I take Engineering Physics 1 with Calculus 1, 2, or 3?

College Majors Science Majors
1

<p>I have to take 3 Calculus classes and 2 engineering Physics classes for my major. I have no prior experience with Physics or Calculus. I have a decent grasp on Algebra, and I'm taking College Trigonometry in the Fall. I need to know which Calculus class I need to take before attempting physics 1. However, if Physics requires some stuff taught only in the earlier Calculus classes, I don't want to allow too much time between Calculus 1 and Physics. I hope that makes sense.</p>

<p>I am deciding between one of these two combinations, taken over spring and fall semesters:</p>

<p>Calculus 3 with Physics 1 and then Physics 2 with a General education class class, or Calculus 2 with Physics 1 and then Cal 3 with Phys 2.</p>

<p>Here are the course descriptions, taken from my community college catalog:</p>

<p>PHYSICS 235
Engineering Physics I: Mechanics and Wave Motion
Similar to Physics 231; emphasizes methods of analysis practical and theoretical problems in mechanics and wave motion, involving use of elementary calculus. Writing assignments, as appropriate to the discipline, are part of the course. Prerequisite: Credit or concurrent enrollment in Math 207, and Physics 224, or Consent of Department Chairperson.
2 lecture and 4 lab hours per week. 4 credit hours.</p>

<p>PHYSICS 236
Engineering Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism
Similar to Physics 232; emphasizes problem solving involving the use of calculus. Writing assignments, as appropriate to the discipline, are part of the course. Prerequisite: Physics 235, or Consent of Department Chairperson.
2 lecture and 4 lab hours per week. 4 credit hours.</p>

<p>MATHEMATICS 207
Calculus and Analytic Geometry I
Equations of lines, circles and conic sections, limits, and continuity. Derivatives and their applications to curve sketching, maxima-minima and related rate problems. The anti-derivative and definite integral, including change of variables and the fundamental theorem of calculus. Writing assignments, as appropriate to the discipline, are part of the course. Prerequisite: Math 140, and Math 141, or Placement Test, or Consent of Department Chairperson.
250 minutes per week. 5 credit hours.</p>

<p>MATHEMATICS 208
Calculus and Analytic Geometry II
Derivatives of trigonometric and inverse trigonometric functions, logarithmic, and exponential functions. Techniques and applications of integration. Indeterminate forms and L-Hospitals rule. Improper integrals, series and power series. Writing assignments, as appropriate to the discipline, are part of the course. Prerequisite: Math 207 with a grade of C or better, or Consent of Department Chairperson.
250 minutes per week. 5 credit hours.</p>

<p>MATHEMATICS 209
Calculus and Analytic Geometry III
Curves in the plane and in 3 spaces. Polar coordinates and parametric equations. Vectors in 2 dimensional and 3 dimensional space. Derivatives of vector-valued functions. Partial derivatives. Double and triple integrals. Applications. Line integrals and Greens theorem. Divergence and curl. Surface integrals. Gauss theorem and Stokes theorem. Writing assignments, as appropriate to the discipline, are part of the course. Prerequisite: Math 208 with a grade of C or better, or Consent of Department Chairperson.
250 minutes per week. 5 credit hours.</p>

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<p>Another quick question. Would it be wise for me to grab a conceptual physics book to study on the side before I take physics 1? If so, any book suggestions?</p>

2

<p>From the description, Physics I seems to only require Calc I. At most, Physics I might require one or two concepts from Calc II. So I think it’s best taking Calc II with Physics I.</p>

<p>Physics II also seems to only require knowledge from Calc I and maybe one concept from Calc II. However, I’m less sure about this because I have now idea how rigorous your Physics II course. “Electricity and Magnetism” can encompass a lot of things. For example, the concept of flux (electricity) may or may not involve Calc III concepts, depending on how the course is taught, and how much emphasis is placed on the concepts of E&M in 3-D space.
You could probably take Physics II alongside Calc III.</p>

3

<p>You take you Physics sequence 1 semester (or more) behind your Calculus sequence.</p>

<p>Why?</p>

<p>For Physics I, you will use derivatives from Calculus and the Physics profs will ASSUME that you already know derivatives.</p>

<p>For Physics II, you will use integrals to solve electricity and magnetism problems and the Physics profs will ASSUME that you already know intergration. So your course planning should be:</p>

<p>Semester 1

  • Calculus 1</p>

<p>Semester 2

  • Calculus 2
  • Physics 1</p>

<p>Semester 3

  • Calculus 3 or Linear Algebra
  • Physics 2</p>
4

<p>Thanks for the advice guys! I’m most likely going to take physics 1 with Calculus 2. Nonetheless, I’m going to speak with someone at the school before the spring semester starts in 2013.</p>

<p>Anybody have any ideas for some books or material that I could look over before I take the dive into physics 1?</p>

<p>I saw someone post this on another thread:</p>

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