Part-Time Student: 300-Level Physics Classes

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the experiences and expectations of a part-time student entering 300-level physics classes, specifically Electricity and Magnetism (E&M) and intermediate modern physics. Participants share insights on the mathematical foundations necessary for these courses and the variability in course content across different institutions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses uncertainty about their preparedness for upcoming classes and reflects on their previous performance, indicating reliance on cheat sheets.
  • Another participant emphasizes the importance of a solid understanding of vector calculus for E&M and suggests it is also sufficient for modern physics.
  • A different participant notes that E&M will likely involve solving boundary value problems, particularly the Laplace and Poisson equations, and mentions mathematical methods like Fourier analysis and the method of images.
  • One participant advises asking professors about course expectations, highlighting that course content can vary significantly between institutions.
  • Another participant prompts the original poster to refer to the course description for specific expectations.
  • A light-hearted exchange occurs regarding the naming of universities, with a participant humorously referencing "North Podunk State" and another responding in defense of "South Podunk State."

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on specific expectations for the courses, as they acknowledge variability based on different institutions and professors. Multiple viewpoints on the necessary mathematical background and course content remain present.

Contextual Notes

The discussion reflects a range of assumptions about the prerequisites for the courses and the variability in course structure across different universities, which may affect the original poster's preparation and expectations.

Who May Find This Useful

Part-time students considering advanced physics courses, individuals interested in the variability of physics curricula across institutions, and those seeking advice on mathematical preparation for upper-level physics classes.

Blue Kangaroo
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I'm not if this is the right place for this, so mods can feel free to move this. I'm a part-time student going into my second semester of 300 level physics class. This past semester I oscillated between feeling just fine and questioning whether physics was right for me (usually around test time). I ended up with an A, A- and B- in thermodynamics, waves and oscillations and a lab respectively, but I'm not quite sure that's indicative of what I learned. Let's just say cheat sheets are a big help.

Starting next month, I'll be taking E&M1, intermediate modern physics and a lab. What exactly can I expect in the first two of those classes? What are the most important calculus topics to review? To make a long story short, it's been about 4 years since I took the calc sequence, so I'm hoping it will come back to me.
 
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A solid understanding of vector calculus will be incredibly useful for E&M. For modern physics, that will also be sufficient.
 
Blue Kangaroo said:
What exactly can I expect in the first two of those classes?
E&M will likely focus on solving boundary value problems. In particular, the Laplace and Poisson equations. The mathematical methods involved will likely include Fourier analysis and the method of images.

Topics in Modern physics courses can vary a lot depending on the professor. My modern physics course focused on solid state physics and optics but yours can easily be different.
 
Blue Kangaroo said:
Starting next month, I'll be taking E&M1, intermediate modern physics and a lab. What exactly can I expect in the first two of those classes?
Ask the professors. Different schools do things differently: MIT or Caltech versus a flagship state university (U of Michigan, U of Texas, Ohio State) versus someplace like North Podunk State.

(I'm assuming you're in the US.)
 
Blue Kangaroo said:
What exactly can I expect in the first two of those classes?

What does it say in the course description?
 
jtbell said:
versus someplace like North Podunk State
.
Well at least you didn't insult South Podunk State!
.
South Podunk State alumni :woot:
 

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