<p>The main topics covered are Optics, Electricity and Magnetism, and Modern Physics.
A while ago we had first midterm and it only had 3 simple written questions, while previously all the homeworks had over 40 questions.
It sucks to miss some questions on exam when you could do many other question types in homework just because the prof randomly put questions you're not good at.
I think it should help to try to do all the questions in textbook for chapters covered. But the prof said he wouldn't post answers to end-of-chapter probs in textbook. Should I buy my own answer manual for the text then?
Please suggest tips or suggestions for success in physics 2? Are there any supplemental books that really helped you?</p>
<p>Is the course calculus based?</p>
<p>No, it's not.</p>
<p>Physics II ruined my life (AKA in pre-med terms it was my first and only B+). You either understand E&M or you don't.</p>
<p>I had a professor like this. He always gave problems that are harder than the ones in the book. There are ways around this. One, you can practice making up problems and solving them. I kept doing this until it got to a point where I had made problems that my professor couldn't even solve. Needless to say, his exams turned out easy. Two, you can get a full solutions manual and do 30% easy-medium level questions and after the easy ones you can attempt the other 70% consisting of hard/brain teaser types. Usually books have some sort of ranking system( e.g 1 star=easy, 2 star=moderate, 3 star=hard "stars located next to problems). At a certain point, you should be doing problems timed. Don't stop until you can solve a hard problem in about 20-25 min. Three, use other sources. I liked MIT courseware. Some of the stuff they have are pretty advanced. But good to know nontheless. Or just order a harder textbook. Usually top tech school are rife with these book. All one needs to do is to go to that school's website, search for a course and the download the syllabus, which should have the course text book.</p>
<p>I rememer that DS decided to buy the answer manual FOR THE SUDENT when he took physics II. He shared the cost with one of his friends.</p>
<p>I think the publisher will not sell the answer manual for the instructor to anybody other than the instructor. The difference between the answer manual for the student and that for the instructor is that the former includes the answers to half of the problems only.</p>
<p>DS seems to be doing fine using the student version of answer manual only. But he rarely has any problem with physics though. At one time he was toying with the idea of majoring in physics because he loves physics. (He once commented that the E&M section in his textbook is particularly "enjoyable".)</p>
<p>But on the other hand, his comments toward bio courses are mostly negative. Some examples: "word vomiting", "memorization competition game", "A science course should not be taught like this."</p>
<p>Is there any pre-med student here who feels the same way about the intro bio courses?</p>
<p>It is not that he is not able to do well (grade-wise) on these bio courses -- he actually got A's on all the bio courses he ever took. He just did not enjoy studying them. If his attitude toward the bio course is not changed, he may even consider to stop staying on the pre-med track. We will see what happens in the next semester or two. Well...I have side-tracked.</p>
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But on the other hand, his comments toward bio courses are mostly negative. Some examples: "word vomiting", "memorization competition game", "A science course should not be taught like this."
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The intro bio courses I took at college weren't memorization-intensive. Application rather than memorization was emphasized. For example, all my exams in intro bio were open-book and open-notes and only gave you essay-type questions rather than multiple or matching. The essay questions never asked you to regurgitate info but rather they made you actually think and apply essential knowledge which I think is much harder than just memorizing. (I hate open-book exams :() Anyway, intro bio is one of those courses that differ a lot from school to school.</p>
<p>student14x, I looked into MIT courseware but unfortunately a lot of topics covered and question types tested are very different from the course I'm taking and so will not be really useful for me. Thanks for your suggestion, though.</p>
<p>The memorization-intensive course that I referred to above is Cell Biology. The textbook is so dense that many students have no choice but spend a lot of time on it in order to do well on the test. It may be one of the few most intense courses for the biology major. Some pre-med's even try to take other course in place of this course if they are not willing to commit so much time on this course. The competition is quite fierce because you need to answer 90+ percents of questions correctly in order to secure an A due to the curve.</p>
<p>Interestingly, the means of many physical science courses (e.g., physics) tend to be much lower, e.g., 64/100 with std. dev. of 12. It is not unusual that the highest grade is an 88/100.</p>
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Physics II ruined my life (AKA in pre-med terms it was my first and only B+).
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</p>
<p>cry me a river....try two Bs and two B+s in engineering level physics</p>
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At one time he was toying with the idea of majoring in physics because he loves physics. (He once commented that the E&M section in his textbook is particularly "enjoyable".)</p>
<p>But on the other hand, his comments toward bio courses are mostly negative. Some examples: "word vomiting", "memorization competition game"
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My D is the exact opposite.</p>
<p>BUMP !</p>
<p>Amazon.com:</a> Schaum's Outline of Physics for Engineering and Science: Michael Browne: Books</p>
<p>This is the most helpful book I've ever bought for a class. I used it for AP Physics C in high school and again when I took more physics in college.</p>
<p>Edit: It's calculus-based, but it is still probably hepful even for a non-calculus class</p>
<p>exactly what happened to me, castleinthesky. My only B+ in my pre-req science classes.</p>