Physics at LAS vs Engineering Physics?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign
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<p>I got accepted into LAS physics but from what I heard at the physics orientation, there's really no difference between the two programs. What I did want to know is if I decided to take on an engineering minor (comp. or something only offered through Engineering), could I straddle the two colleges or is this impossible?</p>

<p>(Oh, a quick question for current students, are there guidance offices or something that students can go to and find out what they want to do? I'm getting nervous as hell because I already have 37 hours of my GenEds done through AP credits but walking straight into physics is making me nervous)</p>

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<p>Engineering only offers a few minors, and some of them (I think BioE) are restricted to Engineering majors. Computer Science is open to everyone.</p>

<p>College</a> of Engineering</p>

<p>Do you have AP credit for Physics C? Which Physics course were you thinking of taking? Don't worry, lots of freshmen take physics their first semester, even after skipping 1 or 2 semesters with AP.</p>

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<p>hi,Silvestris. Congrats on joining physics. I am a current student in physics, LAS specialized curriculum in physics to be exact. As you probably already know there are a couple "different" kinds of physics majors, each has different requirement for the number of physics courses. Specialized physics is the most rigorous program since it requires pretty much all the major 300-400 level courses. However, this is what seems like on the paper. In reality, many of my Engineering physics friends take the exact same physics classes as I am taking. If your eventual goal is to get into grad school in the physics field, there are a number of physics classes you have to take no matter what, 325 326,435,436,485,486,427. Even though engineering physics doesn't require the second semesters of a few classes (326,436,487), almost everyone here,who's serious about physics, takes them.
So in short, are there differences between these physics majors? Yes. Are the differences a big deal and do they affect your physics study in any way? No. </p>

<p>If you want to take on an engineering minor, you will do fine with either choices. I can speak from my personal experience. Because of the AP credits I got, I skipped 211 and 212, the intro mechanics and E&M classes, and a lot of other classes, such as chem, and GenEnds out of the way. So by this time, I am pretty done with all the required physics classes (I am a sophomore btw). I have decided to take a lot electrical engineering classes. I have taken one already, and I will take many more in the ECE in the coming two years, more than enough to get a minor in ECE if they actuall offer one. </p>

<p>It seems like you already have a lot of AP credits under your belt. My opinion is that you should have room for another minor in engineering with either LAS physics or engineering physics. </p>

<p>Yes, it is pretty confusing with all the choices in physics. When it comes to undergrad guidance, there are a few resources in the department although I cant say they are the best. The best advices I got are from my professors and other students. </p>

<p>Well, if you have more questions, feel free to shoot me a message or IM me.</p>

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<p>im_blue: No AP Phsyics credit :) I wouldn't dream of skipping an intro physics course. It would pretty much screw me up for the next four years, heh. And I have no idea which physics class yet because the whole website is very confusing and there's no one to ask about this stuff (except for lovely CC of course).</p>

<p>alwaysfaithful: That's great to know that they're not all that different. It wouldn't be too great if you went in as an engineering physics major but then- whoops! wanted to do specialized physics and ended up staying an extra year. Grats on being in specialized! I've heard nothing but good things about it and I was considering the same option for a while.</p>

<p>Sometime after my final Ap exams, I'll try to sort this mess of college stuff out and I thank you very much for the offer to answer some questions!</p>

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<p>All physics majors start with Physics 211 - Mechanics, followed by Physics 212 - Electricity and Magnetism.</p>