<p>I am in the Computer Science major and I signed up for Physics 101, otherwise known as introduction to Physics. I'm not required to take this class but I do need to take Physics 201, which is Mechanics and Sound. I'm wondering, is it recommended to take introductory physics first so I have a general knowledge for Physics 201? Or can I just skip introduction and just go straight to 201? 201 covers everything in 101 but I'm afraid it might go too fast of a pace for me.</p>
<p>Can you post what subjects are covered in those classes (and the level of detail covered) here? Or post links to the course websites? It’s very hard to decide with such limited information.</p>
<p>What is generally recommended at your school? Is there some sort of placement test you could take?</p>
<p>Also, did you have exposure to physics in high school? If you did well in physics or AP physics in high school, you may be able to skip the intro class. If you’ve never taken a physics class before, it might be good to take the intro class. Without additional knowledge, I would do whatever your adviser or department recommends.</p>
<p>Here’s the course description for each class:</p>
<p>Physics 101: An overview of the principles of mechanics, thermodynamics, and waves. The areas covered include: observation and measurement, kinematics, dynamics, work and energy, impulse, and momentum, fluids, heat and temperature, oscillations, and waves in mechanical media.</p>
<p>Physics 201: A broad coverage of the principles of mechanics and wave motion. The areas covered include: observation and measure* ment, kinematics, dynamics, work and energy, impulse and momentum, equilibrium of rigid bodies, rotational motion, oscilla* tions, and waves in mechanical media. Required for students whose field of study is physics, chemistry, or computer science</p>
<p>I’ve taken both regular and AP Physics in high school. I did average to below average. I wasn’t strong in physics but I wasn’t too terrible that I didn’t fail. I didn’t pass the AP test for it sadly. But I have all my notes from my AP classes, which could help. Also, there’s no placement test, or not that I know of for physics 101. Just a math requirement to take Physics 201 which I have completed.</p>
<p>So it looks like the main difference between the two is that the second one might use calculus and/or have more challenging problems. Since you’ve already completed 2 years of physics in high school it seems like it’ll be a waste of time to relearn the exact same topics just to prepare for a class where the level of detail won’t be that much higher.</p>