Hello,
I am planning to major in computer science and have been taking a lot of STEM courses including AP Physics 1, AP Physics C, AP Computer Science, etc. since the beginning of junior year. However, my concern is, I have been falling behind in physics course, and many people say physics is a crucial component of computer science that I have to master in order to start learning the computer science.
Is it true, and will I not be able to graduate in college if I do not do well in physics?
P.S. I have been getting As in math and computer science courses, such as AP Calc, AP Computer Science, AP Computer Science Principles, etc. Also, I really do NOT like hands-on engineering works, like building a computer or electrical engineering works. Is this something I have to correct?
Generally, computer science is a lot lighter on physics than most other engineering and engineering-like degrees. You will still typically have to take the basic calculus-based physics sequence, but it’s not like you will fail as a computer scientists without mastery of physics. The exception might be if you wanted to get into quantum computing.
A lot of schools have CS that degrees that don’t require physics- particularly LACs. If the degree isn’t from a college of engineering, generally physics is not a requirement. And not being good at physics doesn’t say squat about your CS potential. I’m a CS and math major (I’m a student grader for CS- think like a TA, but I don’t actually interact directly with students, just grade their work), and I got a C+ in physics in high school. I won’t have to take physics at all at my school.
@outcast, Physics is not a crucial component of Computer Science at all. You might have to take a course or two in Physics at certain schools, but you will not use the material in any of your CS courses, unless you get into the hardware side of things, which you said you aren’t interested in.
And there are plenty of schools that don’t require Physics at all. At Stevens, you don’t have to take any Physics. At RPI, you have to take one semester of it. At Stony Brook, you have to take some natural sciences courses, but you can avoid Physics by taking Bio, Chem, or Geology instead.