- #1
jubby
- 5
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Last year I re-declared myself a physics major--my "senior" year. Now I will be in school for the next two years striving to complete the physics requirements. I've been thinking a lot about ways to make the next two years worthwhile, and here's what I got:
- Minor in math and/or geology (I was previously a geology major, and only need two more classes to get the minor)
- Summer research internships/fellowships (not THIS summer, but hopefully the summer before my senior year)
- Research during school (Space Grant fellowship/maybe work in a physics lab)
I've done the last one and hope to continue to do that up until I graduate in SPR 2014. My questions for this summer:
(1) Should I take Intro to Differential Equations this summer, or should I attempt to self-teach myself this?
(2) I was also thinking of trying to read over theoretical mechanics (Classical Mechanics by Taylor--required text for theoretical next semester), and intro to E&M (Griffiths--most likely a required text for next semester--E&M is also my weakest subject so I was thinking of obtaining the solutions manual and doing problems throughout the summer)--if I don't take summer school, can I teach myself the above (Differential intro), E&M, AND theoretical
I don't expect to learn everything outright this summer, but I at least hope to be somewhat ahead of the curve before school starts. What do you think? The reason I ask if it's possible to have a summer and to teach myself all this is because summer school is very expensive--1100+ for three credits w/out book(s), and I try to help my family out by paying for a few bills and for paying for my own books when I can.
ALSO, would working in a physics lab throughout next semester (if I don't apply/get accepted into the Space Grant program) be advisable with this course load next semester:
- Theoretical Mechanics (Junior level)
- Electricity and Magnetism (Junior level)
- Mathematical Physics (Junior/Senior level)
- Intro to Astrophysics (Sophomore level I think--first time offered at our school) AND/OR Structural Geology (Junior level + lab).
Thank you so much for reading, and any help would be very much appreciated.
- Minor in math and/or geology (I was previously a geology major, and only need two more classes to get the minor)
- Summer research internships/fellowships (not THIS summer, but hopefully the summer before my senior year)
- Research during school (Space Grant fellowship/maybe work in a physics lab)
I've done the last one and hope to continue to do that up until I graduate in SPR 2014. My questions for this summer:
(1) Should I take Intro to Differential Equations this summer, or should I attempt to self-teach myself this?
(2) I was also thinking of trying to read over theoretical mechanics (Classical Mechanics by Taylor--required text for theoretical next semester), and intro to E&M (Griffiths--most likely a required text for next semester--E&M is also my weakest subject so I was thinking of obtaining the solutions manual and doing problems throughout the summer)--if I don't take summer school, can I teach myself the above (Differential intro), E&M, AND theoretical
I don't expect to learn everything outright this summer, but I at least hope to be somewhat ahead of the curve before school starts. What do you think? The reason I ask if it's possible to have a summer and to teach myself all this is because summer school is very expensive--1100+ for three credits w/out book(s), and I try to help my family out by paying for a few bills and for paying for my own books when I can.
ALSO, would working in a physics lab throughout next semester (if I don't apply/get accepted into the Space Grant program) be advisable with this course load next semester:
- Theoretical Mechanics (Junior level)
- Electricity and Magnetism (Junior level)
- Mathematical Physics (Junior/Senior level)
- Intro to Astrophysics (Sophomore level I think--first time offered at our school) AND/OR Structural Geology (Junior level + lab).
Thank you so much for reading, and any help would be very much appreciated.