Courses Chemical Engineering Student needs opinions on course usefulness please.

AI Thread Summary
When choosing a technical elective, the discussion centers on three courses: Thermal Physics, Math for Physical Sciences Course A, and Math for Physical Sciences Course B. The individual has a solid math background but is uncertain about the relevance of each course to their studies in chemical engineering. Thermal Physics is questioned for its applicability and whether the necessary math can be picked up alongside it. Math 121B covers advanced topics like special functions, series solutions of differential equations, partial differential equations, and probability, raising concerns about its immediate usefulness. Participants emphasize the importance of aligning the course choice with future career goals and the practical applications of the material in engineering contexts. Overall, the decision hinges on the balance between theoretical knowledge and practical skills needed in the field.
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I can take one of the following 3 courses as a technical elective. I need to know which would be the most useful to me. My Math background: I have taken a year of Calculus, linear algebra, and diff eq (no partials.)

Thermal Physics [text: Kittel "Thermal Physics"]:
http://cosmology.berkeley.edu/Classes/S2005/Phys112/"

Math for physical Sciences course A [Text: Boas "Mathematics for the Physical Sciences"]:
http://math.berkeley.edu/~reb/courses/121A/"

Math for physical Sciences course B:
http://math.berkeley.edu/~reb/courses/121B/"


Realistically, I will probably not be able to fit two of these courses in in my time here. Would the physics course be good? would I have or be able to pick up the math for it as needed ?

Please give your opinion. Thank you.
 
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Well, I know these questions have probably been asked before, but I really am having a tough time deciding which course to take. I linked the syllabus/course websites from previous semesters of these in hopes that people could take a look and say "oh, as a chemical engineer this looks useful/unuseful."

Anyhow, here's a quick exerpt of what is covered in Math 121B. I don't know much about this stuff so I'm not sure if i'll need it or not. If you have anything to say, please post. Thanks.

From site on coverage for Math 121B:
"The topics will be special functions, series solutions of differential equations, partial differential equations, and probability. "
 
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