Courses Taking both Classical Physics and Quantum Physics at the Same Time.

[CrosisBH]

Hello! I'll be entering my second semester of my junior year of my Physics Degree. My uni doesn't have a bad physics program, but it's really small so I have to take my upper level classes as soon as they're offered or I won't take them for another 2 years or so. They are on a cycle so I will be taking everything in 4 years. This leads me to this semester. They kind of "reset the clock" on Classical Physics, and it turns out that Classical and Quantum Physics are offered this semester (along with Computational). Naturally I had to enroll in both of them if I want to graduate on time. I'm wondering if anyone here has done this and has any advice for how to handle this semester.

I have all my background math, Calc 1-3, Diff EQ, and Linear Algebra.

Thank you!

 

[ZapperZ]

What did your advisor say when you asked him/her about this?

Zz.

 

[CrosisBH]

They simply said "You're going to have to do this if you want to graduate in 2021" They're the one that suggested I do it.

 

[Vanadium 50]

First, it's clear that university is aware of things and thus can react accordingly. Secondly, it is far from clear what "Classical Physics" means. You will have a hard time finding people in a similar boat if you don't describe the boat.

 

[jtbell]

Do you know what the textbooks are? That would help people here judge the level of the two courses.

 

[CrosisBH]

Sorry I confused myself when making this thread. I was tired. I should also specify the level of the course too. Quantum Physics I is the course name, but the other course is Classical Mechanics I. As for textbooks, I haven't figured out my Quantum book but I know for Classical Mechanics it's Taylor's Classical Mechanics.

 

[Dr Transport]

I took both classical mechanics and an introduction to quantum mechanics at the same time as an undergrad, it is doable.

 

[Dr. Courtney]

Not something to worry too much about. In a perfect world, sure it would be better to let Hamiltonian dynamics learned in classical mechanics percolate for a semester or two before digging into quantum mechanics. But the profs teaching the courses know a number of students are taking the two courses at the same time, and I think you should trust them to make the necessary adjustments in their presentations.