Are ODE's Necessary for Physics Courses?

[JNBirDy]

Awhatup,

I'm currently doing an honors specialization in physics at a Canadian university. However, I initially came to university to study biology and medical sciences. Because of this I didn't enroll in the linear algebra course that is needed for my program, and will therefore have to do it during the fall, and will have to postpone doing the ordinary differential equations course until the fall of my junior year. My question is how important are ODE's to my physics courses (I'll be taking intermediate electromagnetism, modern physics, oscillations and waves, and physical measurement)? Will I be at a disadvantage for not doing the ODE course or will my single and multivariable course be enough mathematics?

An option I have is to take the linear algebra course this summer. Unfortunately though, the professor that is teaching it is known to be quite bad and I'd prefer not to have to endure him unless I have to.

-Thanks.

 

[lsaldana]

ODEs are highly important to physics and you'll see them over and over again. For E&M, you'll have to solve PDEs by separation of variables, for oscillations and waves I can't see where they wouldn't use ODEs really, and for modern physics you solve Schrödinger's eq. so you need to know basic ODEs since you only do the most favorable cases (particle in a box, etc). Take it as soon as possible or do a bit of self teaching if needed.

 

[Geezer]

My question is how important are ODE's to my physics courses?

Very important.

 

[Geezer]

ODEs are highly important to physics and you'll see them over and over again. For E&M, you'll have to solve PDEs by separation of variables, for oscillations and waves I can't see where they wouldn't use ODEs really, and for modern physics you solve Schrödinger's eq. so you need to know basic ODEs since you only do the most favorable cases (particle in a box, etc). Take it as soon as possible or do a bit of self teaching if needed.

Ditto.

 

[JNBirDy]

Thanks for the reply's guys/gals - I'll take the course this fall and do some self teaching this summer.

 

[Norfonz]

If I was you I would try to enroll in a summer course in it at a community college.

 

[Geezer]

If I was you I would try to enroll in a summer course in it at a community college.

Also, I found Schaum's Outlines of Differential Equations to be an EXCELLENT resource for learning ODEs. Buy it online for under $10 and work through all the problems. Everything that appeared in my ODE class was in that book.

 

[JNBirDy]

If I was you I would try to enroll in a summer course in it at a community college.

I don't think Canada (or at least Ontario) has an equivalent to community colleges.

Also, I found Schaum's Outlines of Differential Equations to be an EXCELLENT resource for learning ODEs. Buy it online for under $10 and work through all the problems. Everything that appeared in my ODE class was in that book.

Thanks, I'll check it out.

Anyways, it doesn't look like I'll be able to enroll in the linear algebra class this summer. Instead of being offered in the summer months it is only being offered this month and has already started. I suppose next semester and I'll take:

-Linear Algebra
-Ordinary Differential Equations
-Advanced Calculus I
-Intermediate Electromagnetism
-Oscillations and Waves

Anybody here taken courses similar to that and know if those courses are manageable in one semester? Will I struggle to get good grades due to the course load?

 

[Angry Citizen]

If I was you I would try to enroll in a summer course in it at a community college.

I think it's a bad idea to take differential equations over the summer.

Anybody here taken courses similar to that and know if those courses are manageable in one semester?

I think you should at least familiarize yourself with some of the material in ODE's and LA beforehand just to be sure, but I've seen harsher course schedules.

 

[lsaldana]

I took 4 of those courses at the same time (excluding E&M), they're manageable. With a solid E&M course added I would imagine it being difficult but the math you use there is basically all vector calculus.

 

[anonymity]

I think it's a bad idea to take differential equations over the summer.

Would you say the same about anything in the normal calculus sequence? (single variate and multivariate/vector)?

 

[Angry Citizen]

I took calc I over a five week summer course. I lived. But differential equations requires a more considered approach, in my opinion.

 

[anonymity]

Did you feel that you missed out on anything?

It's more of a side thought, really, because I am staying in my summer multivariable/vector calc course (7 weeks =D) regardless. More curious than anything.

Sorry for hijacking thread -.-

 

[Angry Citizen]

We skipped two sections out of five chapters. One, IIRC, was an applications section. The other was Newton's Method for .. doing ... something. *shrug* I did pretty well. Strangely enough it was calc II that I felt jipped on, and we had a full four months for that class.

 

[Geezer]

I think it's a bad idea to take differential equations over the summer.

I didn't think Diff Eq was very tough, but I admit I took it during an ordinary academic semester. However, I did take 5 units of calculus one summer. It wasn't a big deal. Actually, it was kind of nice because it was the only class I was taking: I was able to focus on it completely without getting distracted by other classes or school obligations.

 

[clope023]

I don't think Canada (or at least Ontario) has an equivalent to community colleges.



Thanks, I'll check it out.

Anyways, it doesn't look like I'll be able to enroll in the linear algebra class this summer. Instead of being offered in the summer months it is only being offered this month and has already started. I suppose next semester and I'll take:

-Linear Algebra
-Ordinary Differential Equations
-Advanced Calculus I
-Intermediate Electromagnetism
-Oscillations and Waves

Anybody here taken courses similar to that and know if those courses are manageable in one semester? Will I struggle to get good grades due to the course load?

Any decent school would not allow you to register for advanced calculus and intermediate EM without doing ODE's and LA.

 

[JNBirDy]

Any decent school would not allow you to register for advanced calculus and intermediate EM without doing ODE's and LA.

Linear Algebra is a prerequisite for the program and if it's not completed in first year you have to do it during the first semester of second year. ODE were covered in my calculus class last year, I think the ODE course just goes into much more detail - probably why I have some leniency in when I complete it.

Most physics students have already completed linear algebra... it's just I was in biology/medical sciences during first year.

 

[Skrew]

Any decent school would not allow you to register for advanced calculus and intermediate EM without doing ODE's and LA.

While I think his course load is a terrible idea, this is wrong.

Linear Algebra might be usefull as it may give an introduction to proofs, but in terms of actual content introductory analysis has no dependence on either.

 

[clope023]

While I think his course load is a terrible idea, this is wrong.

Linear Algebra might be usefull as it may give an introduction to proofs, but in terms of actual content introductory analysis has no dependence on either.

I've taken complex analysis and my knowledge of linear algebra and differential equations only helped in the class, I haven't taken formal courses in real analysis but I've read bits and pieces of various books on it and I think attempting advanced calculus without at least linear is folly.

Also taking E&M without differential equations will be quite terrible as well, one might get by while all the class is doing is vector calculus but when you get to solving maxwells equations I think he'll be in trouble.

I'm saying the school would be doing him a favor by not letting him register without ODE and LA, you can't take analysis in my school without at least LA and another proof writing course, just one example.