The discussion revolves around the perceived difficulty of the Physics series courses, particularly focusing on the fundamental mechanics and electromagnetism (E&M) courses compared to Modern Physics. Participants explore whether Modern Physics is intentionally made easier for students who may not continue in physics, and the factors contributing to the challenges faced in earlier courses.
Participants express differing views on the difficulty of Modern Physics compared to earlier courses, with no consensus on whether it is intentionally made easier or if the perceived ease is due to students' improved skills.
Discussion includes assumptions about students' familiarity with problem-solving techniques and the impact of teaching methods on course difficulty. There are unresolved questions regarding the extent to which course difficulty is influenced by the curriculum design for non-physics majors.
Very credible. Still one may wonder if the course #3 in the series (Modern Physics) is toned-down somewhat in difficulty just to help the non-physics majors, because this would usually be their last physics course.Dr. Courtney said:Usually it is getting accustomed to the needed problem solving skills (especially vectors) that makes mechanics and E&M so challenging.
By the time one reaches Modern Physics, one has become accustomed to vectors and problem solving. Modern Physics usually has less emphasis on vectors, so the difficulty often depends on how the professor treats different topics and how difficult the problems he selects are. The prof is limited by student unfamiliarity with differential equations when he assigns problems in quantum mechanics.