Univ Physics Courses: EE Major Feedback Requested

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers around a student's inquiry about their first-year physics courses required for an Electrical Engineering major. The courses include PCS 125 Physics I, which covers fundamental concepts such as forces, fields, oscillations, and optics; PCS 211 Physics II - Mechanics, focusing on Newtonian mechanics and dynamics; and PCS 224 Solid State Physics, which delves into quantum mechanics and properties of materials. Participants note the unusual course numbering and structure, highlighting that typically, mechanics precedes electricity and magnetism in the curriculum. There is also commentary on the inclusion of advanced topics like quantization of radiation early in the sequence and the potential prerequisites for the solid state course. Overall, the conversation reflects a mix of curiosity and envy regarding the course offerings and their sequence.
nikola-tesla
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hey all, these are going to be my first year physics courses at univ. i was just wondering what you all thought of them! I am majoring in EE and not the greatest fan of physics but these 3 courses are mandatory and i understand why, i was just looking for you input! thanks a bunch. :smile:

PCS 125 Physics I

Forces, fields and potentials for gravitational, electrical and magnetic systems. Oscillations, sound, electromagnetic waves. Geometric and wave optics. Quantization of radiation. (formerly PCS 123).
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Lect: 3 hrs./Lab: 1 hr.


PCS 211 Physics II - Mechanics

Newton’s laws, reaction forces, free body diagrams, friction, equilibrium of rigid bodies, torque, centre of gravity, linear and rotational kinematics and dynamics, conservation of linear and angular momentum and energy, moment of inertia, work and power, collisions.
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Lect: 4 hrs./Lab: 1 hr.
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PCS 224 Solid State Physics

Quantum mechanics and quantum nature of solids, properties of materials. Band theory in metals and semiconductors. Conduction processes, the p-n junction, transistors and other solid state devices.
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Lect: 3 hrs./Lab: 1 hr.
 
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Looks pretty much like the introductory 3 course set, except the order might be a little backwards: the usual order is Mechanics, then E&M and finally Wave Phenomena, or some variation of that. Looks like you are basically covering it all though.

~Lyuokdea
 
well, since the classes are...mandatory, looks like it doesn't matter what we think! :-p

kinda strange how they numbered their two intro courses: usually Newtonian mechanics is the first physics course!

also looks like they crammed in fields and waves in the same course--some but not all schools keep them separate. (university of florida has two intro courses, Newtonian mech and electricity and magnetism/optics.)

a bit strange how your first course has quantization of radiation in there, but i guess it makes sense to make a transition into a modern physics course.

and are there any prereqs for that solid state course?

i'm jealous--our intro to solid state class is 5000 (grad) level -- (although i plan on taking it anyway if it's offered during the right semester... :devil: )
 
Hey, I am Andreas from Germany. I am currently 35 years old and I want to relearn math and physics. This is not one of these regular questions when it comes to this matter. So... I am very realistic about it. I know that there are severe contraints when it comes to selfstudy compared to a regular school and/or university (structure, peers, teachers, learning groups, tests, access to papers and so on) . I will never get a job in this field and I will never be taken serious by "real"...
Yesterday, 9/5/2025, when I was surfing, I found an article The Schwarzschild solution contains three problems, which can be easily solved - Journal of King Saud University - Science ABUNDANCE ESTIMATION IN AN ARID ENVIRONMENT https://jksus.org/the-schwarzschild-solution-contains-three-problems-which-can-be-easily-solved/ that has the derivation of a line element as a corrected version of the Schwarzschild solution to Einstein’s field equation. This article's date received is 2022-11-15...
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