Difficulty level of upper div physics classes?

[ThugFish]

I'm not sure if this is off-topic for this section of the forum but I wasn't sure where else to post it.

I'm substantially behind compared to other physics majors at the moment (3rd year student with enough credits to be considered mid 4th year student) so i wanted to pick up the pace. I like physics a lot but personally I don't feel like I can do physics anymore because of how behind I am already. I've only taken the easier calc based intro physics classes (because I wasn't originally a physics major and the harder intro classes were basically only for physics/engineering majors). Also I haven't taken the 2nd half of vector calc (double/triple int, surface/line int, green/stokes/divergence theorem) and I haven't taken differential equations yet either.

Would it be a good idea trying to combine first half of classical mech with 2nd half of vector calc and differential equations together? I feel like it would probably be overwhelming but that's why I am asking.

My major is currently geology but I really don't like it because its not quantitative enough for me and also i hate doing field work, id rather be doing office/lab work.

My other choices would be to do either environmental science or applied mathematics.

Any advice?

 

[Vanadium 50]

Also I haven't taken the 2nd half of vector calc (double/triple int, surface/line int, green/stokes/divergence theorem) and I haven't taken differential equations yet either.

Would it be a good idea trying to combine first half of classical mech with 2nd half of vector calc and differential equations together?

No. You need to take classes in the proper sequence, or you will get even more behind.

 

[Dishsoap]

As Vanadium said, you really need to take vector calculus before you even think about classical mechanics.

Secondly, just because you are behind doesn't mean you "can't do physics anymore". If you just switched majors, you can't expect to be at the same level as everyone who has been doing physics all along. You will get there eventually.