<p>Gen Chem 1 is a course in quantum mechanics, so it is totally different from anything you may have taken in high school. Rather than considering chemical reactions, you will be learning about the modern understanding of how chemistry is possible at the atomic and sub-atomic level. Quantum chemistry makes use of probability to study electromagnetism, spectroscopy, chemical bonding, photons, etc.</p>
<p>That’s actually interesting, because Webstac says the 197 sections are capped at 60 instead of 120. I’m just worried that if I waitlist myself for Bernatowicz, I’ll end up not getting off of it. If that does happen, I’m not sure if I’ll be assigned a section of 197 I don’t want, or worse, have to take 117. I am a mechanical engineering major though, I’m not sure if that helps…</p>
<p>thewildthings - It’s not capped at 60. That’s the current level to prohibit upperclassmen from taking spots designed for freshmen, and will be manually adjusted when the freshmen register. It’s why there’s such a weird waitlist process.</p>
<p>Do note - there’s some 250-300 engineering freshmen; divide that by 5 and you’ve got another <60 or so people in each section (less though, because of those who choose 117 or the compsci kids who don’t take physics at all).</p>
<p>If you want to take 197, you’ll get in to some 197 section. It might not be Bernie’s (but you may get lucky), but it will be some section or other. I don’t think they make you take 117 like they used to.</p>
<p>[Back in myyyy day, there were only 2 sections, and they were capped at 105 and 109. You had to be super lucky to get in, especially if you were bme because Trousil was your only option since Bernie’s overlapped with bme140. I still don’t know how I managed to be 100 on the waitlist but still get in to Trousil’s section back then.]</p>
<p>Thanks, that’s good to know. I wish they’d be a little more transparent on how you get ranked on the waitlist, but it’s still tons better than public school so I ain’t complaining xD.</p>
<p>They actually are quite transparent on it.
The engineering freshman registration guide has been updated as of today (well, july 1):
[Washington</a> University Engineering ? Registration Guide for Freshmen 2011](<a href=“http://engineering.wustl.edu/freshmen/default.aspx]Washington”>http://engineering.wustl.edu/freshmen/default.aspx)</p>
<p>What you’re looking for is the physics section:
[Washington</a> University Engineering ? Freshmen Registration Guide - Physics Placement Exams & Requirements](<a href=“http://engineering.wustl.edu/freshmen/physics.aspx]Washington”>http://engineering.wustl.edu/freshmen/physics.aspx)</p>
<p>You’ll get acquainted with engineering.wustl real quick.</p>
<p>In short, freshmen have priority for the remaining 197 spots (about 300 spots or so, I’d guess, because the official statement is that half the seats are reserved for freshmen), regardless of school or the number of upperclassmen already on the waitlist.</p>
<p>Other than that, you’re simply ranked in the order in which people click that register button on webstac. You’ll be given what # you are, but don’t forget that there are unimportant upperclassment who are in the 1-50 spots. </p>
<p>I’d suggest that when registration opens, physics is the first class you do. Similarly, be up and ready when registration opens. So if you’re west coast, and don’t want to be up at 7:30am (and didn’t go to the summer weekend thing or whatever it is), tough. Get up.</p>
<p>I don’t mean that to sound harsh - it’s just how registration works, and will work for your next four years here. You’ll get used to the rat race that is anxiously waiting for the split second your time opens up. WashU is miles better than most of the schools my friends went to in those regards, but they can’t do anything about the fact that 5-600 people want to take Bernatowicz’s section that’s capped at 120.</p>
<p>Edit:</p>
<p>Oh! And while I’m still thinking about this… go and like the engineering facebook page: <a href=“Facebook”>Facebook;
<p>They often post good info (ie they posted today that the guide has been updated for the upcoming year) that is somewhat important for you to know. For the record I have no affiliation with it (so I’m not gaining anything from the plug) - I just think it’s one of the very few useful official WashU facebook pages.</p>
<p>Oh, so they just take you off the waitlist in the order you register. I know that’s true for the other classes, but I just wasn’t sure how they were doing it for this particular class. Anyways, thanks xD.</p>
<p>^johnson- so do students who register for Physics through Art Sci weekend get a better choice of section? It looks like the concensus is that Bernatowicz is the best professor- my sons schedule currently has Physics 117- can he just drop that course (by going to the website) and sign up for 197?</p>
<p>PsychoDad - I believe so. The professors can look at the list and tell who the freshmen are based on level. Freshmen should all be a level 1 right now regardless of AP/IB/other credit, because I don’t think they add that to your transcript until September/October.</p>
<p>The number of non-engineering/non-physics major students who take Physics as a freshmen is so small that it doesn’t really affect the number of spots in terms of the engineers; registration opens for them july 16th unless they went to the engineering weekend.</p>
<p>Also, the professors can see what school everyone is in, but not major (especially artsci, since that isn’t declared freshman year), so I’m 95% sure your son can just go add himself to Bernie’s waitlist right now if he wants.</p>
<p>Hopefully someone else can back me up on this. I just see no reason why he couldn’t switch right now if he wants to.</p>
<p>^That is the understanding that I have as well.</p>
<p>How strict are they about having Calc 2 as a corequisite for Physics 197? My son is signed up for Calc 1 but is going to take the Calc 2 placement exam.</p>
<p>I don’t know about this specific scenario, but they’re generally not overly strict about pre-reqs. I’ve known a couple people that have taken Bio2 before Bio1. I don’t know if this is a similar case, though.</p>
<p>I don’t think they ever enforce co-requisites; I don’t even think the physics professors can even tell what other courses you’re in. So your son should understand that he can almost certainly sign up for physics and Math 131, but he’ll probably have a hard time. It’s difficult to understand what’s going on in a derivation-focused, calculus-based physics course when you’re just beginning to learn what a derivative is.</p>
<p>Keep in mind that if he is sure he wants to start with Math 131 but doesn’t think he can keep up in physics, he’ll have to delay taking physics until his sophomore year. That should be avoided if it will complicate his schedule, so if he feels at all comfortable with the material in 131 I would go for 132.</p>
<p>Ravnzcroft- he’s pretty comfortable with most first semester calculus topics and is pretty sure he can handle the rigor- I just think he has concerns about the Physics 117 class and its quality (he sees that the professor for first semester isn’t that highly rated, but there is a different prof for 118, so he may tough it out.</p>
<p>Which is he signed up for–117 or 197? I would recommend avoiding 117 at all costs. 197 is structured much better.</p>
<p>Also, my impression is that Math 131 is harder than 132 because they really pummel you with difficult derivatives and integrals to make sure you truly know how to do the hard stuff. Freshman year, a girl on my floor was working on a problem set and came into my suite to get help from some people in 132 and 233. We all took one look at the derivative she had to do and were shocked by how ridiculously difficult and tedious it looked.</p>
<p>Well, if he’s comfortable with the material, there’s a decent shot that he places into calc 2 anyways, and we can avoid the problem. I haven’t taken physics yet, so I can’t speak as to the mathematical rigor of the course…</p>
<p>PsychoDad10</p>
<p>As a Physician yourself why you think Medicine is not the path your son should follow. Just curious.? </p>
<p>At least their jobs are not shipping overseas for cheap Labor or cheap engineers…</p>
<p>^ Dad- I am very disillusioned with medicine based on the fact that physicians have lost so much autonomy. In addition the doctor-patient relationship keeps getting destroyed by insurance companies and stupid government regulations. Our expenses keep going up and reimbursement keeps going down. The big trend supported by big brother is that physicians should be employees of hospitals, which only increases costs and really doesn’t improve anyone’s care. In this scheme, physicians are easily expendible. Just my take, but many physicians I know echo similar sentiments. I already predict much more dissatisfaction once the PPACA goes into effect.</p>
<p>I agree that with recent passing of Health care laws and others which are in pipelines Medicine wont be same as it used to be. We will become more like our neighbor to the north. But it still better then other professions like Hi Tech where most of the jobs are shipped overseas and even Finance where they hire them in thousands and layoff in thousands depending upon the Economy. </p>
<p>I myself from a family (Cousins, Nephews, Nieces… ) where last time I counted were 47 Physicians and none of them like the way Medicine is going. But even if they make half what they making now they are far better then others who are trying to survive the New world Economy… </p>
<p>One of my nephew just start his ER in TX with a 400k offer and he do have a big college Debt too but I am quiet sure with that kind of $$$ that Debt will be paid off soon.</p>