Courses How important is physics in computer science?

Click For Summary
Physics is a crucial component of the Computer Science curriculum, particularly for students aiming to transfer to universities like UC or CSU. Articulation agreements often mandate 3-4 quarters of physics, emphasizing its importance in providing a strong technical foundation. Physics enhances understanding in various areas of Computer Science, including game development, where knowledge of physics can improve realism in simulations. Additionally, many CS career paths intersect with electrical engineering, necessitating a grasp of fundamental physics concepts, especially in fields like robotics, computational biology, and machine learning, where collaboration with engineers is common. Overall, physics serves as a vital tool for problem-solving and innovation in technology-related disciplines.
leewilliam236
Messages
1
Reaction score
0
I was looking at assist.org. A website for community college students that lists the courses you need to take at a CC in order to transfer to a UC or CSU. I'm a CompSci major, and realized that everyone of the articulation agreements required 3-4 quarters of Physics. I'm just wondering, why is Physics important in Computer Science? Are there any real life examples of how it's applied?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Physics news on Phys.org
leewilliam236 said:
I was looking at assist.org. A website for community college students that lists the courses you need to take at a CC in order to transfer to a UC or CSU. I'm a CompSci major, and realized that everyone of the articulation agreements required 3-4 quarters of Physics. I'm just wondering, why is Physics important in Computer Science? Are there any real life examples of how it's applied?
At my undergrad university (UC Davis), all Engineering majors were required to take at least 3 intro physics courses (calculus-based, technical track). It's part of your general technical education, As for when you may find practical application of the courses in your CS education and work, that just depends on what kind of CS work you end up doing. Even if you just end up coding video games, you will probably benefit from a basic knowledge about physics.
 
  • Like
Likes Crass_Oscillator
leewilliam236 said:
I was looking at assist.org. A website for community college students that lists the courses you need to take at a CC in order to transfer to a UC or CSU. I'm a CompSci major, and realized that everyone of the articulation agreements required 3-4 quarters of Physics. I'm just wondering, why is Physics important in Computer Science? Are there any real life examples of how it's applied?
Some CS majors head for career tracks that require more electrical engineering, whether in graduate school or industry, and you need at least basic physics to grasp circuits, among other things.

Subfields in graduate school include computational biology, robotics, and even some machine learning if you are collaborating with electrical engineers working on, say, specialized hardware for neural networks.
 
  • Like
Likes berkeman
TL;DR: Jackson or Zangwill for Electrodynamics? Hi, I want to learn ultrafast optics and I am interested in condensed matter physics, ie using ultrafast optics in condensed matter systems. However, before I get onto ultrafast optics I need to improve my electrodynamics knowledge. Should I study Jackson or Zangwill for Electrodynamics? My level at the moment is Griffiths. Given my interest in ultrafast optics in condensed matter, I am not sure which book is better suited for me. If...

Similar threads

  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
4K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
5K
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
5K
  • · Replies 23 ·
Replies
23
Views
6K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
807