Can I handle this intense schedule of physics and history courses?

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The discussion centers around the feasibility of taking multiple challenging courses, including Calculus 3, Physics 2, Modern Physics, Thermodynamics, and a history class. Concerns are raised about the potential difficulty of managing Modern Physics alongside Physics 2, given that Physics 2 is typically a prerequisite. However, it is noted that some students can take these courses concurrently, especially if they prepare in advance. The workload is acknowledged as potentially heavy, with one participant sharing their experience of burnout after a similar course load. The nature of the Thermodynamics course is also discussed, with the suggestion that its complexity may vary based on the textbook used. Ultimately, the consensus is that while the schedule is ambitious, it is manageable for those who are well-prepared and focused, although some students prefer a lighter load to concentrate on their studies. The importance of balancing coursework with research opportunities is also highlighted, emphasizing that for some students, completing required courses is a priority.
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I will be taking calc 3, physics 2(calc based), modern physics and thermo, and a history class. Is this doable or too many physics courses. I feel like I can handle it. And btw my school is ranked 30ish in physics and 60ish overall. Thank you.
 
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I don't see how you can do modern physics at the same time as physics 2 which I am assuming is intro freshman E&M? Isn't physics 2 a prerequisite for modern physics?

Do you go to GATech if I may ask?
 
No I do not. You can take the concurrently and I plan on studying for physics 2 over the summer, so in a way the course will be a review for me.
 
Four physics/math courses and one elective is fairly standard for a serious physics major. Other than the potential sequence issue Hercueflea brought up there is no reason you can't do that.
 
Is "modern physics and thermo" two separate classes? I would be shocked if they were not.

Depending on the thermo book you will be using and the nature of the course (statistical mech vs. Traditional thermo) this could be the real killer in my opinion.
 
Doable depends on the person. Also, not all physics majors take 4 physics classes per semester - some of my friends take 2-3 per semester so that they can concentrate on what they're doing. I did four physics classes one semester (a grad class, quantum, EM and a quantum elective) as well as a history class, and I was pretty burned out. If you thrive on only doing physics classes though, it might be the perfect schedule!
 
The course is modern and thermo two separate books. But I believe the thermo is only 4 chapters.
 
There is a thermal and statistical class I believe that goes way more in detail. I also plan to buy the books early and study them over the summer, so I won't have a hard time.
 
Is this necessary? Course work is a distraction in my view short of the core courses; better to concentrate on research if possible. Otherwise if you need all of these courses and can't take them later, take them now.

The only caveat is if you want to explore an outside subject, in which case a course is a good choice.
 
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I need to take these courses and I believe for undergraduate course grade are more important and research can be done in the summer. I prefer to do research obviously, but I'm not going to neglect course load.
 

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