Need some guidance on what to self study this summer

[DrummingAtom]

So this fall is going to be my first full semester as an EE major. Here's my classes:

Introduction to Circuits and Electronics

This course introduces linear circuit analysis and design including extensive use of op amps. Presents DC networks, including node and mesh analysis with controlled sources. Analysis of RL and RC circuits for both transient and sinusoidal steady-state responses using phasors.

C Programming for EE/ECE

No course description.

Introduction to Ordinary Differential Equations with Linear Algebra

Introduces ordinary differential equations, systems of linear equations, matrices, determinants, vector spaces, linear transformations, and systems of linear differential equations.

Gen Physics 2 (E&M)

Covers electricity and magnetism, wave motion, and optics.

Pretty much everything is going to be new to me. I plan on buying the books for each class very soon. I want to have a big head start on at least 2 of these classes so I can free up some time to get into a research group (hopefully). I'm not quite sure which classes will be difficult, so I'm just looking for some experience input. Any thoughts? Thanks.

 

[anonymity]

I say relax and have some fun over the summer.

Chances are (not to be overly cynical) that you won't get into a research group (in the formal sense, doing work for a professor) until you have some more classes under your belt (this doesn't mean you shouldn't try, of course).

E&M and circuits will have some overlap, so that may prove to be helpful.

C will be entirely foreign, but if you are semi-interested in programming, and don't completely ignore the class, I don't think you will have a problem with it.

Differential equations and Linear Algebra will essentially be a continuation of your previous calculus courses, just from a new angel (and of course with some focus on linear algebra, but I would venture a guess that it is predominately a differential equations course)As I said, I wouldn't stress over it too much. Go in with a clear head ready to go..Don't burn yourself out before it even starts.

That being said, I would brush over my old calculus I and II notes if I were you (integration techniques and a general knowledge of calculus I and II will be important), and check out some of the basic syntax and format of C, so that it's a little more familiar ( http://www2.sis.pitt.edu/~ir/KS/Data/RMiles/contents.html --- from a google search).

To stress the fact that you shouldn't spend the whole summer doing this (or at least I wouldn't recommend it -- you will have to study it next fall anyway, so why go into too much depth now), I just want to say that if i were you i'd wait until a month or so before classes start and just do some basic review then.

My two cents. Feel free to add or debate.

edit: If you do want to study over the summer, and if registration isn't closed, you could consider taking a course at a local college. Just a thought.