<p>Alright, I just started taking Physics based Calculus: Mechanics this semester, and so far, I don't seem to like/understand much of it. I find it kinds of ironic since most people I know say "If you are good at Calculus, then you are good at Physics". I have no problem with the three semesters of calculus, but for some reasons, I can't understand physics really well...</p>
<p>We are currently in the "motion in 2 & 3 dimensions" chapter and it confuses the hell out of me. Two semester of physics (this one and a electromagnetism one) are required for my major, which is computer science. So I want to ask fellow CC-ers, especially those that are majoring in CS or related field, is physics super important to understand computer science? I don't have any trouble with the intro to programming and data structure courses at my college, but I'm just afraid that the lack of knowledge in physics will hinder my ability to perform in upper division CS courses. Thanks.</p>
<p>By the way, having said that, I am still trying to understand all the concepts and getting a good grade in this course, so it's not like I'm giving up or something. Is there any online website that summarizes all the important stuff from a super-duper-thick book like Pauls Online Notes for Calculus? Thanks (again).</p>
<p>Who said “if you are good at calculus, you are good at physics”? That couldn’t be further from the truth. It’s like saying “If you are physically fit, you will be good at any sport”. Calculus helps, but it does not guarantee you will do well. I know plenty of math majors that hate physics. </p>
<p>As for physics being important in CS, I doubt that. Although physics majors need some basic programming, CS majors should be able to get by without any physics at all. Unless you’re trying to get into computational physics, I don’t see how a CS major would need E&M and mechanics. I guess your school is trying to aim for a “well-rounded” CS major, and may be a blessing in disguise if you change your mind when it comes to applying to graduate school. </p>
<p>As for understanding the concepts, this happens to most. Unless you’re some genius, most people don’t understand some concepts the first time around and may have to be retaught twice or thrice before understanding it. Some, like myself, don’t even get it until taking a later class when those concepts are applied to learn new ones, essentially making those earlier concepts seem quite trivial.</p>
<p>Is physics required for the computer science major, or a general education requirement for a Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Engineering degree? The latter would not be uncommon.</p>
<p>Physics is a bit more useful for the hardware side and CS has been moving more to the software side.</p>
<p>My son had no problems with his physics or other lab sciences courses. He studied the materials a semester ahead so that he knew most of the material before classes started.</p>
<p>If you have trouble with concepts, make use of your school’s tutoring center.</p>
<p>Mechanics is mostly useless for EE, CompE, and CS (especially CS) so don’t worry about it. Might use some of it in an upper level electromagnetics for EE but for CS everything is on the computer.</p>
<p>Just another random question: If you could rate the importance of the following math classes for upper division CS courses, which one would be the most important? 3 sems of Calculus, Linear Alg, DE, and Discrete Math. So far, I like Discrete Math best, and I think it’s going to be used a lot in CS compared to the other three. Am I right?</p>
<p>Physics is not that important for CS software, unless you are writing software with applications to physics or using physics (e.g. computer games). The electricity and magnetism part of physics may be of interest if you do electronics and hardware, or software relating to such applications.</p>
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<p>Discrete math is probably the most important in general. Also, any math course with proofs (i.e. many junior/senior level math courses, and honors freshman/sophomore level math courses) will help you get the mindset for CS theory (algorithms, complexity, and computability) courses. More advanced math like abstract algebra and number theory should help if you want to go into cryptography.</p>
<p>Preface with I’m an EE but I’ve done some CS courses as well. Physics and math are both generally useless (aside from stuff you might learn in HS). CS is 99% logic based so if you can reason worth a damn then it’s an easy major.</p>
<p>It’s true of pretty much every major… no gen eds are relevant to upper division classes (physics and math are gen eds unless you’re majoring in those). In fact, my upper div classes now seem like complete islands.</p>
<p>Discrete math is probably the most important math class for CS but most schools offer only one semester which only scrapes the surface. I took the discrete math class from the CS department, and the proofs class from the Math department which are similar but touch on different things. A semester of probability (not a semester of prob/stat, but just probability) is helpful too. Linear Algebra (a first course in linear algebra, no need for the abstract version offered as an upper division course) is important in many applied type classes like Computer Graphics, Computer Vision, Machine Learning, and AI. Calculus can be important for certain optimization, but isn’t really used in CS (although it is used a little in more advanced discrete math)</p>
<p>Loading up on discrete math classes is important imo (Combinatorics, Probability, Graph Theory, etc.) – seperate classes not one survey class</p>
<p>DE typically isn’t used in CS, but can be found in EE.</p>
