Calculus III or Thermodynamics: Which is the Best Fit for Next Semester?

  • Thread starter Thread starter ZenOne
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Fit Semester
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the decision-making process for selecting between Calculus III and Thermodynamics for the upcoming semester. Participants are considering the implications of taking these courses alongside other engineering classes, focusing on their respective challenges and interests in physics and mathematics.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant outlines their current schedule and seeks advice on whether to take Thermodynamics or Calculus III, expressing uncertainty about the workload.
  • Another participant suggests taking Thermodynamics first, followed by Calculus III and then Partial Differential Equations (PDE).
  • A participant expresses concern about the difficulty of taking two heavy math classes simultaneously, indicating a preference for a balanced workload.
  • One participant questions the similarities between Thermodynamics and Electromagnetism (E&M), noting their interest in Thermodynamics but previous struggles with E&M, seeking insights on the methods used in Thermodynamics.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on which course to take, as opinions vary regarding the workload and personal interests in the subjects.

Contextual Notes

Participants express varying levels of interest and concern regarding the difficulty of the courses, but no specific assumptions or definitions are clarified in the discussion.

Who May Find This Useful

Students in engineering programs considering course selections, particularly those weighing the balance between mathematics and physics courses.

ZenOne
Messages
119
Reaction score
0
I have made my schedule for next semester and I am unsure if I should take Calculus III or Thermodynamics (first ME course), my schedule looks like this:

ENGR 213-Applied ODE
ENGR 242-Statics
ENGR 301-Economic Management in Engineering
MECH 211-Mechanical Engineering Drawing
Either ENGR 251-Thermodynaics or ENGR 233-Applied Advanced Calculus for Engineers (Calculus III, basically).

Is taking ODE and Calculus III recommended or would Thermodynamics be a better fit there?

Thanks in advance.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
 
Basically 2 heavy physics classes or 2 heavy math classes. Anyone?

*NOTE: I like both subjects equally.
 
I would take thermo this term, calc3 next and PDE after that.
 
That was my leaning--for some reason the idea of calculus 3 and 4 at the same time seems like too much.

How similar is Thermodynamics to E&M because I love physics but I found E&M to be incredibly boring and hard to visualize. I find the topic Thermo to be more interesting, in general, but are the methods used as obscure as E&M?

Thank BTW and thanks in advance for any responses.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 23 ·
Replies
23
Views
4K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
5K
Replies
14
Views
12K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K