Is the Physics and EE Program at uOttawa Brutal in Year 2?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the perceived difficulty of the second year in the Physics and Electrical Engineering (EE) program at the University of Ottawa. Participants explore whether the course structure is designed to be synergistic, potentially easing the workload, and share personal experiences and opinions regarding the demands of the program.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses concern about the intensity of the second year, questioning if the courses are structured to support each other.
  • Another participant asserts that the courses do synergize, noting that subjects like Quantum Mechanics and Circuit Theory share mathematical foundations, though acknowledges the workload will be significant.
  • A different viewpoint highlights the challenges of a double major, suggesting that while it may limit options, it could also align with the interests of some students. They mention the increased workload and the necessity of strong math skills.
  • Another participant shares their experience, indicating that the combination of Physics and EE is beneficial for certain fields, though it may extend the duration of study compared to pursuing a master's degree directly.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that the program is demanding and that the courses are interconnected. However, there is no consensus on whether the workload is manageable or if it will be overwhelming for all students.

Contextual Notes

Some participants note the importance of strong mathematical skills and the potential for increased assignments and responsibilities in a double major, but do not resolve how these factors will affect individual experiences.

Who May Find This Useful

Prospective students considering the Physics and EE program at uOttawa, as well as those interested in the balance of workload and course synergy in STEM education.

CrunchBerries
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http://www.uottawa.ca/academic/info/regist/calendars/programs/1564.html

I am looking at this program and it looks awesome. However looking at year #2, it looks pretty brutal from my newb perspective..

My question is; is this as brutal as I think it is, or is this program putting courses together in a way where they synergise where one course helps with another?

If i were to take this it really looks like I would have no time for anything other than school lol.. Its hard to pick between physics and EE...
 
Yes, they do synergize. Quantum, Signals, Random Signals and Stat.Thermo have a lot in common as do Circuit Theory and Mechanics. Essentially it is the same Math applied to different physical processes. It will be brutal though doable. Make sure your math is strong as you will be using it a lot from year three on.
 
The thing with a double major is that it really doesn't leave a lot of room for other options. For some people this is perfect, because given the choice, those would be the courses they would take anyway. Other need to switch gears and take a non-STEM course for one of five each semester. The trouble is when you're not sure which one you are. The only real proving ground is experience.

If this looks like the program you really want to do, it's not unreasonable. It looks like you would overload for one semester in your second year though. This is fine, but remember that you'll have roughly 20% more assignments, mid-terms, reading material etc. than the average student at your school. Of course that will be tough. But lots of people manage to do this quite successfully.
 
I did a similar program. If you want to go into any of the physics heavy EE fields (such as solid state electronics or electromagnetics) it is a perfect combination. Physics and EE complement each other quite nicely. However, it does take an extra year that could be spent working on a masters instead.

But it looks like a great program with a lot of good electives to choose from.
 
Wow thanks for the answers guys, this is what i was hoping for. I am definitely going to give this program a second look.
 

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