Prof. Bing's Physics 141 class v. Physics 151

Colleges and Universities A-Z Emory University
1

Hello all

Can anyone provide some insight into taking Physics 141 from Professor Bing? I’m especially interested in how Professor Bing’s summer course has been received by those who’ve taken it.

Further, how does Physics 141 with Professor Bing compare to Physics 151?

Thanks.

2

@BiffBrown He teaches better than basically everyone so is good for summer, but physics 151 which has calculus makes more sense if you are a math/physics/chemistry major (especially if you plan to take “real” pchem) as it exposes you to using calculus in applied settings, and the lab is a bit more useful in exposing you mathematical derivations (which a chemistry major will see in pchem lecture and lab). Physics 141 lab is too softcore to provide adequate prep for you’ll see in upper level courses. Also, sometimes not using calculus makes physics more complicated (algebra can get nasty when trying to quantify simple phenomenon easily quantified by calculus). Sometimes plug and chug is over-rated.

3

Thanks bernie12.

I noticed that Bing only teaches in the summer now. How good are the Physics professors who teach in the fall and spring (Warncke, Donofrio and Berland)?

Who’s the best instructor for Physics 151 and how much calculus does one need to take it?

4

@BiffBrown : How do we know this? The current arrangement may not be permanent. Donofrio does not actually lecture as far as I know. The other 2 pretty much suck (but are likely at least a tad easier than Bing). It is essentially a Bing or Bust sort of thing. In addition, Bing likely will teach 142. I suspect they switched to have a research faculty teach 141 and him teach 142 this year. Lately 151/152 teachers have been described as decent. Generally the basics of calc. 1 and 2 should be enough for physics 151/152. They typically do not give problems involving any “fancy” math outside of pretty basic differentiation and integration.

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@bernie12 Thanks!

Does Bing’s summer physics classes cover less material than the corresponding fall and spring versions of Physics 141 and Physics 142?

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Same material, in fact slightly more (he covers some enrichment material that often goes on MCAT).

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@bernie12 It sounds like a real boot camp considering that all of that (2 semesters’ worth) is crammed into 12 weeks.

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exams are kind of watered down though…