Is this a good idea for a 21-credit semester?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the feasibility of taking a 21-credit semester in a physics undergraduate program. Participants explore the implications of course load, academic requirements, and personal circumstances, including the necessity of maintaining a scholarship and managing extracurricular activities.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant outlines their planned course load for the semester, including a mix of general education, biology, physics, and mathematics courses, and expresses concern about maintaining their GPA for a scholarship.
  • Several participants advise against taking Linear Algebra in the same semester as other rigorous courses, suggesting it may be too much to handle.
  • Another participant questions the necessity of taking 21 credits, asking if the original poster is trying to finish their degree early.
  • One participant notes that in their country, a 21-22 credit load is considered normal for a Bachelor of Science degree, which contrasts with typical credit loads in the US.
  • There is a discussion about the interpretation of credit hours and the expected study time associated with them, with one participant seeking clarification on how this applies in the original poster's country.
  • Another participant suggests that if the original poster is required to take 20-21 credits, then it is indeed normal for their situation, but they propose that a course in differential equations might be more beneficial than Linear Algebra.
  • One participant emphasizes the importance of providing context when seeking advice, particularly regarding geographical differences in academic expectations.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing opinions on the advisability of taking 21 credits and the specific courses to include. While some argue against the proposed course load, others acknowledge that it may be necessary based on the original poster's academic environment. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the best approach to course selection.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the differences in academic structures between countries, particularly regarding credit loads and graduation requirements. There is also mention of the stress associated with mandatory extracurricular activities, which adds to the complexity of the original poster's situation.

TechieDork
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I'm freshly fininished my 2nd semester of a first year physics undergrad program

(A on every class excepts for chemistry because of some health issues that day)

And these are courses that I'm taking for my first semester of 2nd year.

***Gened Political Science 3 credits

Intro Bio Lecture 3 credits

Lab Bio 1 credit
Eng for Physics 1 credit
Scientific Method 1 credit

Mechanics 1 3 credits
Thermodynamics 1 3 credits
Maths for Physcs 1 3 credits

***Free elective : Linear Algebra 1 3 credits

I choose L.A. 1 as a free elective because I want to build my mathematical maturity for the upcoming Q.M. classes but this class in my UNI is well known for its rigour and high failing rates.

My current GPA lies between 3.5-3.7. I need to maintain >=3.25 for a scholarship program and I also have to publish 2 projects as well.

Is this a good idea?
 
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No. Just don't take LA until next semester, you already have a math methods course which should be more than good enough.
 
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romsofia said:
No. Just don't take LA until next semester, you already have a math methods course which should be more than good enough.

This is the only class that fits my free elective schedule ,LOL
 
Why do you need to take 21 credits? Are you trying to finish your degree early?
 
I don't recommend 21 credits in 1 semester.
 
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jtbell said:
Why do you need to take 21 credits? Are you trying to finish your degree early?

Because It's mandatory, 21-22 credits a semester is considered normal for a Bsc degree in my country.

Not only having to take 20+ credits a semester. there are mandatory extracurriculum activities hours one needed in order to graduate aswell.

The extracurries in my UNI are really time-consuming and stressful.
 
TechieDork said:
in my country
Aha. I assumed you were in the US, where a "normal" load is usually 15-16 credits per semester (5 x 3-credit courses), and more than 18 is an "overload."
 
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TechieDork said:
Because It's mandatory, 21-22 credits a semester is considered normal for a Bsc degree in my country.

Not only having to take 20+ credits a semester. there are mandatory extracurriculum activities hours one needed in order to graduate aswell.

The extracurries in my UNI are really time-consuming and stressful.
?
?
 
symbolipoint said:
?
?

Thailand
 
  • #10
Just curious, are credit hours interpreted there as in US, x credit hrs means that for every hr of class you need x hrs of study? If so, how do you find some 50hrs week of study plus some 10hrs of course per week? How many total hrs for the degree?
 
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  • #11
My advice was also assuming you were in the USA, if 20-21 hours is normal, then it is normal. If i were in your shoes, maybe a course on differential equations would be more beneficial during this semester than a course on linear algebra, but both will be work, and if you can only fit linear algebra, well then... guess you have to take it?
 
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  • #12
Moral of the story: If you are asking for advice, and especially if you're new here, describe all the "back story", especially where in the world you are. Otherwise, you'll get advises that do not apply to you, and we'll waste our time and effort giving you advises that do not apply to you.

Zz.
 
  • #13
ZapperZ said:
Moral of the story: If you are asking for advice, and especially if you're new here, describe all the "back story", especially where in the world you are. Otherwise, you'll get advises that do not apply to you, and we'll waste our time and effort giving you advises that do not apply to you.

Zz.
I agree, but let's not hold our breaths, good chance s/he will never come back.
 

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