Taking Junior level E@M as a freshmen?

Yes, it will be too much.

 

I'm surprised your university might let you skip out of the freshman course to the junior course... did you talk to any advisor?

That said: I concur with Vanadium's assessment. Generally, the introductory calc-based sequence (for scientists and engineers) is pretty simple (and non-calc-based).. but often the EM course steps it up quite a lot (so it isn't necessary to have an honors section -- at a certain point honors students distinguish themselves by merely being top performers in a regular difficult-for-everyone course, and by extending their experience by doing research, studying abroad, etc.).

I took the junior level course concurrently with a PDE course and found them to be quite complementary. You may want to do this if you are interested enough by the first course (and will be likely required to do so if you are a physics major).

 

If you're good with math and are comfortable with introductory E&M, do it.

 

I'm taking it as a sophomore right now. It's tough but definitely manageable and I really love the course. But I took honors electromagnetism (we used Purcell) and physics c last year and I definitely think having just taken honors really helped. The course is very heavy on vector calculus so you should be comfortable with that before taking e&m.

 

Bad advice. (I would also encourage everyone asking for advice to learn a little about the backgrounds of those who give you advice).

Not taking the prerequisites (plural, math and physics) plus a poor score on the AP does not equal preparation for an upper division course.

 

I think you should take the class.

 

I agree with this, especially the part about learning the backgrounds of others' advice. A junior level E&M class can be tricky and it shouldn't be taken lightly. Of course, a strong background in vector calculus will help but math is only part of a physics class, you will need strong basics in the physics to be successful.

 

Well, he hasn't even taken a junior level class which is an issue in my eyes. Junior and senior level classes are a LOT harder and have a lot more work associated with them.

Also, AP physics C has one major flaw in it, and that flaw is you don't cover waves. Junior level E&M will expect you to already know basic E&M waves.

But it seems like you've decided to not take the class.

Have fun in your other classes though :D!

 

I don't see how. What are the prerequisites of any junior level physics course in general such as E&M, Classical and Quantum? Usually two: Knowing the introductory components of those courses well, and being comfortable with the math (usually Calc 1-3, basic Differential Equations and basic Linear Algebra). So if you have the background what difference does it make whether you're a freshman or a junior?

So to the OP: Before taking the class ask yourself: Do I know and am I comfortable with most of the concepts introduced in introductory E&M? Am I comfortable with Vector Calculus and mathematics in general? If yes, then like I said before, do it. If not, just do the freshman version and learn the math before embarking on it.

 

This is probably the most important reason, to me anyway. The upper level classes require a lot of time put into it, and requires a different mode of thought. I had to read and reread every chapter at least a couple of times before it really sunk in (mainly talking about Griffith's QM and Marion & Thornton Mechanics level, but something like Griffith's E&M would be at a similar level).

Right now, I'm a sophomore and I'll be taking the class. This semester I took junior/senior level QM and classical mechanics, and they were both a real shock to me. It took up lots of my time, and I didn't do great in the beginning (though I did get used to it, so it's not all bad). However, in my first year I learned an incredible amount of math and physics through self-study and through interacting with peers, as well as keeping an active interest in learning topics from higher level physics on my own when possible. It really does take some time to develop some mental maturity when dealing with these topics, regardless of how intelligent you may be (or maybe not, but I'm assuming you're not a super-genius). Also, getting used to the math can take some..... getting used to. Of course, for some (me included), the math gets to be obvious once it's taught from the context of physics, but of course I'm saying this having taken multicalc/linear algebra/DE's a semester before upper level physics.

Though if you're really interested in it, you should really sit in and follow along in the class. That would probably be best, since it'll give you a taste of what's expected of you in 2 years while not putting so much stress on you (as well as keeping you from possibly butchering your GPA).

 

I think its better to be challenged. Even if you are really unprepared I think you should be able to do okay (B- ish).

 

He'll be challenged when he walks into the class in 2 years with the pre-reqs; he'll be murdered if he walks in there now. E&M is unforgiving under the best of circumstances.

 

Even IF he has the prereqs, I would consider this bad advice. He is only a freshman, and he won't be able to handle junior classes even if he is comfortable with the material.

Like others have said, a junior level course is WAY different than a freshman course. While a freshman course is likely to be a bit of plug-and-chug thingies, a junior level course is way different and requires serious thinking. That is: you need "scientific maturity" to get through the class. Very few freshmen have this maturity.

 

Well I never said that if he takes it, it's gonna be easy. OP should be aware that if he does go through with taking the class, he's gonna have to work hard, especially because it'll be the first class of this type he'll be taking (long problem sets, difficult concepts, more math). However, you need to make the transition sometime, and it's not like people who take it their junior year will have magically gained some "scientific maturity", since physics classes for the first 2 years in the curriculum are very basic and the math is til ODE's. So if the OP has a similar preparation, what's wrong with him taking it?

 

With all due respect, I don't think a college sophomore is really in the best position to be giving advice about junior-level courses. I think it's doing more harm than good.

Number Nine has it exactly right.

 

God if I came to this forum asking for advice when I was a freshman I'd probably be pushing garbage bins for a living.

Just try the class, see how it works out.

 

There is a reason that classes have prerequisites.

I looked up the class at a good state school. They use Griffiths, which is typical. They require as a prereq Differential Equations and a co-req in junior level mechanics, which in turn has as a prereq a sort of math methods class and freshman-level E&M. So he is missing three prereqs and one co-req.

He is not prepared for this course.