Schools What Classes Should a First Year Physics/Math Student Consider?

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A first-year student at Northern Michigan University is seeking advice on course selection for their second semester, particularly in physics and mathematics, as they aim for a Ph.D. They express frustration over being unable to enroll in desired classes during their first semester due to limited availability. Suggestions from others emphasize the importance of consulting with an academic advisor and the physics department to navigate course enrollment issues, especially for foundational courses like calculus and introductory physics. Additionally, there is a focus on the necessity of registering for required courses early to avoid missing out. The student is also interested in graduate school preparation tips to enhance their chances of admission.
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As the title says, I'm a first year university student, currently attending Northern Michigan University. I'm really quite unsure about what classes I should take in my second semester and was wondering if anyone had some suggestions. I'm unsure what kind of physics/mathematics I want to get into, but I know I belong somewhere in the field of those two subjects. I'm aiming for a Ph.D in whatever field I choose.

During my first semester, I was sort of stuck with classes that I didn't really want because my Freshman Orientation was the last one of the summer and most of the classes I wanted to take were filled. I'm not taking any math or science courses right now, and it really bums me out. Those are the things I understand, things I can get a firm grasp on.

Any suggestions about courses, or even just general college advice, would be greatly appreciated. I look forward to meeting the people of PF and hopefully becoming a regular here.
 
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Talk to your undergraduate advisor. As a math or physics major, your first year is pretty much set in stone (calculus and calculus based physics then load up on GE nonsense).
 
Have you talked to anybody in the physics department about this? Practically everywhere, the physics major starts with introductory physics I and calculus I the first semester of freshman year. I'd be amazed to see a physics department let a prospective physics major get shut out of calculus and the introductory physics sequence for freshman year. There's usually a way to override enrollment limits, but it has to be done by the course instructor or someone in the department.
 
I talked to my Academic Adviser today and checked out my liberal studies evaluation, as well as the required courses for my B.S. Physics, with a double minor in Mathematics and Computer Science. I called and scheduled a meeting with the Head of the Physics department for tomorrow, so I hope I'll be able to get some more advice from him as well.

Are there any grad school prep tips I should know about and maybe certain things I should do to help me get into grad school?
 
"Are there any grad school prep tips I should know about and maybe certain things I should do to help me get into grad school? "

Register in your required courses before they are full.
 
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