Hi guys!
I’m a recently admitted student and I want to be a physics major. I just wanted some feedback on Physics 1600 vs Physics 2800. I have taken the highest level of physics offered at my high school, IB Physics HL, and I do very well, but unfortunately it isn’t calc based. What it lacks in calculus, it makes up for in breadth (special relativity, some quantum stuff etc). If i want to be a physics major and go on to grad school, would it be worth trying to place into the 2800 level accelerated physics class? I understand you only save one semester? I have taken the AP exam for Mechanics and got a 4, because I self studied rather along with a couple other tests.
TL;DR: At the end of the day are there any noticeable differences in the outcomes between people who take the 2800 level physics or the 1600 level physics?
Thanks!
I’m not taking 2800, but my friends have told me that 2800 physics is hugely time consuming and hard. I know several students that took it and it honestly adds up to 20-30 hours a week. There are three groups of kids in the class: ones who already know the material and ace it, the ones who are learning it, and the ones who are dismally failing. It is high intensity and I’m not sure I would recommend it unless you are not taking all hard classes. A lot of the material is ostensibly taught via Psets.
That being said, if you love physics, it could be very rewarding and enjoyable. Everyone I know finds it interesting, just exhausting. I do know a girl majoring in physics (w/ no HS physics background) and she took 1600 and found it decent, albeit annoying because much of the class had already seen the material so the curve was iffy. I think 1600 is still challenging and interesting, and well taught. My other friends who took it considered doing applied physics.
1400 is ostensibly for people w/ no calc background but it’s not very fulfilling because you don’t really understand what’s going on.
S is a physics major. Take the 2800 if for no other reason, it provides you with the option of one less semester, so you may find you have an opportunity for something else, perhaps a seminar or independent project with a professor, or maybe it will allow you to fit in a double major with something else, or fit in a minor concentration.
The higher level courses will help you get recognized by the faculty - but they are all very willing to work with any of their students who express interest.
Congratulations, by the way.
My S1 took 2800 and he did spend he a majority of his time on the problem sets which did hurt some other classes (like the easiest class - Art of Engineering!). But he did get an A+ and met some of his best friends. If you take 2800 you will be in class with S2 who is a math wiz (took Calc AP in 9th grade - self taught). If you take 2800 expect to work very hard with some very late nights and look for someone like my son to be in your study group. Good luck!