Hi Guys,
So this would sound complicated. Here is the thing, I’ve been in college in 2014. Went to a community college 2014-2017 and recently transferred to a four year during Fall 2017. It took me till Fall 2018 to realized how much I loved Math. Math has been my passion for a long time, but when I discovered chemistry I followed that path. Chemistry to me was my passion but I started to upon to realized during the organic chemistry sequence and being a TA assistant in for General Chemistry 1 Lab. That for me it was hard because I couldn’t get the concept but I did understand the math behind it. Although I did better in the lab, lecture to me was much harder. I’m very lucky I can still graduate in Spring 2021 after switching majors.
However, the math department requires a minor and as of now is economics. I have been considering switching to Physics because I feel economics won’t help me in the long run which is Atmospheric Science (ATM). I’m also taking ATM major courses like Atmospheric Dynamics and Thermodynamics. Here is my potential schedule and I’m wondering how can I take physics. For my dad’s job to pay for summer tuition, I need two courses and it can be anywhere.
Here are my Physics sequence grades:
Calculus-Based Physics 1 Fall 2017: F
Algebra-Based Physics 1 Summer 2018: C+
Calculus-Based Physics 2 Fall 2018: C- might retake in summer 2020
Spring 2019: 18 credits
AATM 211: Weather Analysis & Forecasting (4)
I CSI 210 (= I CEN 210) Discrete Structures (4) (Unsure, but I really want to complete the CS requirements for my math major) Need two CS courses.
AMAT 299: Introduction to Proofs (3)
AMAT 311: Ordinary Differential Equations (3)
AMAT 409: Vector Analysis
U UNL 299 Information Literacy in Mathematics and Statistics (1) * Offered as a quarter course.*
Summer 2019:
Self-pace online course through University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign math department called NetMath
UIUC Math 415 Applied Linear Algebra
PHY 183B Physics for Scientists and Engineers I Online (Michigan State University)
Fall 2019: 15 credits
AMAT 312: Basic Analysis (3)
AMAT 326: Classical Algebra (3)
AATM 316: Dynamic Meteorology I (3)
AATM 320: Atmospheric Thermodynamics (3)
AATM 311: Severe and Hazardous Weather and Forecasting (3)
Spring 2020: 12 credits
AMAT 327: Elementary Abstract Algebra (3)
AATM 317: Dynamic Meteorology II (3)
AATM 321: Physical Meteorology (4)
AATM 350: Meteorological Data Analysis and Visualization (2)
Fall 2020: 13 credits
AMAT 413: Advanced Calculus I (3) It might not be offered but if it was offered I would take it
AATM 400 Synoptic Meteorology I (3) goal
GER 101 Elementary German I (4)
Spring 2021 (Last Semester)
AMAT 414: Advanced Calculus II (3) *It might not be offered but if it was offer I would take it.
AATM 401: Synoptic Meteorology II (3)
Updated December 26, 2018
My questions what Physics courses will be useful to take as a minor?
These are requried for minor
A PHY 240 Physics III: Structure of Matter (3):
An introduction to the fundamentals of physics: Thermodynamics and kinetic gas theory. Quantum theory of photons, atoms, nuclei and solids. Fall only
A PHY 250 Physics IV: Waves:
Waves and oscillations in optics, in classical and in quantum mechanics. An introduction to physical concepts (wave packets, normal modes, interference and diffraction) and mathematical techniques (Fourier series, transforms, complex numbers, eigenvectors). Spring only
Two courses with an A PHY prefix at the 300 level or above.
I’m thinking
A PHY 440 Quantum Physics I:
Introduction to non-relativistic quantum mechanics; wave functions, amplitudes and probabilities; the superposition of quantum states, the Heisenberg uncertainty principle. Time evolution: the Schroedinger equation, stationary states, two-state systems. Motion in one-dimensional potentials: tunneling, particle in a box, harmonic oscillator.
A PHY 340 Electromagnetism I (3):
Electrostatics and magnetostatics in vacuum and in materials. Maxwell’s equations. Energy and momentum in the electromagnetic field. Introduction to electromagnetic waves.
A PHY 320 Classical Mechanics (3):
Fundamentals of Newtonian mechanics: conservation theorems, central forces, motion in non-inertial frames, rigid-body motion. Lagrange’s and Hamilton’s equations.
A PHY 472 Fluid Mechanics (3):
Most fluids are described by the Navier-Stokes equation. Simplifications or approximations are often needed to extract the physics from this complicated equation. Topics covered include: static fluids, pressure and surfaces; the Euler equation, d’Alembert’s paradox, Bernoulli’s equation and circulation; viscosity, damping and the Reynolds number; boundary layers and turbulence; waves and sound propagation. A PHY 320 and A MAT 214.
MAT 214 is Calculus 3 which I already completed it
*** I’m not an atmospheric science major I’m just taking the courses as electives.***