<p>Hi.
I was just looking through Harvard's and Princeton's maths and physics websites, and just got the feeling that Harvard's was 'better'.
Harvard just seemed to have more advanced papers, like the famous math 55.
I don't know if I am using the Princeton website right, but they didn't even have a course and electromagnetism theory at 200 level!
I could see only like 3 papers at 200 level and a seminar.
Is this impression just a baseless idea that I got from these websites, or is Harvard actually better than Princeton in these subjects?</p>
<p>You should really try to visit. Or look up cookiemom's posts. Her son came to Princeton for its advanced math program, generally known to be one of the best in the country, if the not the absolute best for undergraduates. Ditto physics.</p>
<p>That would be a news to my son !...He is planning to take physics+electro+magnets in the spring. He is in Physics+mechanics. He wanted to take advanced Phys. the first semester, but changed his mind. I think he is also in advanced calculus.</p>
<p>Just for your info. at a freshman level, you won't find much difference anywhere.</p>
<p>princeton's faculty includes FIVE nobel laureates in physics. it's as good as any in the world. as for the 200-level classes, i think you may be confused. there are three 200-level classes (203, 205, 209) being offered this fall, but others will be offered in the spring, and next fall. for example, 208 (quantum mechanics) was offered last spring, and 210 (experimental physics seminar) in spring of 2004. all colleges and universities rotate their offerings like this. also, the "level" isn't all that important. freshmen can and do take 300-level classes where qualified.</p>
<p>One of my hallmates was on the USA Physics Team, and is currently taking a 200 level Physics course and seems more than adequately challenged. I won't argue with the implication that Harvard markets its majors and departments better, but Princeton's departments are more than challenging.</p>
<p>Harvard and Princeton both have exceptional math and physics departments and both provide very advanced courses to undergrads. </p>
<p>Math 55 is Honors Advanced Calculus and Linear Algebra. The "equivalent" at Princeton is Math 217 Honors Linear Algebra. There are about 10 kids in the class and half of them are freshman. Like math 55 most of the freshmen are International Math Olympiad competitors.</p>
<p>As for physics there are five Nobel laureates on the faculty and undergraduates work 1:1 with faculty on cutting edge research teams. </p>
<p>Princeton's departments are smaller and there is a 1:1 ratio of professors to undergraduate majors in each department. Also Princeton requires a junior research paper and a senior thesis. You cannot double major, but your research papers can combine math and physics. In fact both departments are housed in the same building.</p>
<p>I don't wanna sound like I am bragging or being arrogant at all, but I am an IMO medallist, and also at the IPO level in physics, and I just thought that Princeton may not really offer challenging undergraduate courses in these subjects.
I guess that was a stupid thing to worry about really.
I mean it is "PRINCETON" after all.</p>