<p>Does anyone know what textbooks the frosh are using/will be using for physics and calculus? </p>
<p>My physics AP teacher sort of sucks and it would be fantastic if I could look through the textbooks ahead of time this summer to make sure I don't fail too badly.</p>
<p>Relax…have fun this summer - you’ll have plenty of time to learn the material. If you got in, that means both students and faculty members believe you can handle the workload. So, throw away your books and go camping, go to the beach or just sit all day and watch TV - this might be the last chance you get to do absolutely nothing [without any consequences] before you go off into the real world.</p>
<p>If he is asking now, that probably means that he has been accepted already</p>
<p>Around 6 yrs ago, they were using Serway, but I’m not sure about now. They used Purcell’s E&M book for the analytical track after the first term. I would recommend that book if you want a physics book to read for fun.</p>
<p>Second Hriundeli. I know it’s hard advice to listen to now, but you’re going to spend the rest of your life working. Don’t start early just to get that P+ in Ph1a. (It’s pass/fail, and P+ doesn’t exist)</p>
<p>Haha okay, no hardcore studying this summer then. Thanks guys.</p>
<p>I asked several junior and senior students and they answered the same:NO serious studies!! Jesus I really don’t understand-if the school doesn’t encourage serious study during the summer, why then, should we take placement tests? I am very much allergic to tests and I don’t even know why…</p>
<p>about textbooks, I heard that they use Goodstein’s The Mechanical Universe and Apostol’s Calculus for practical track. If I am right, that is.</p>
<p>You take placement tests to determine what you’ve already learned, not what you can cram into your head right before the test. If you want to brush up on some stuff you’ve forgotten, fine. But you don’t need Caltech’s textbooks to do that.</p>