What courses are you taking next semester?

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The discussion centers around students sharing their spring semester schedules, showcasing a wide range of courses primarily in physics, mathematics, and engineering. Many participants express admiration for each other's ambitious course loads, with some taking advanced classes like Quantum Mechanics, Differential Equations, and various specialized physics topics. There is a notable contrast in attitudes towards course loads, with some students opting for heavier schedules to challenge themselves academically, while others prefer a lighter load to balance work, study, and personal life. The conversation touches on the importance of learning deeply versus simply completing courses, with some arguing that a moderate course load allows for better understanding and retention of material. Additionally, there is a discussion about the pressures of graduating quickly versus taking the time to fully engage with the educational experience. Overall, the thread highlights the diverse academic paths and philosophies of students in rigorous STEM fields.
  • #61
wisvuze said:
What is calculus IV? I thought it only typically went up to III


Yeah but I don't live in the US.. At my uni the math courses are proof-intensive from the beggining, so the calculus sequence is a bit longer... Calculus IV is just multivariate integral calculus : )
 
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  • #62
1) Heat and Mass Transfer
2) Partial Differential Equations
3) Mechatronics II (I guess it's similar to the term Electromechanics...gears, motors, robotics, etc.)
4) Design Methodology (a precursor to our required Senior Design courses)
5) Manufacturing Laboratory (should have done this earlier, but I couldn't squeeze it in my schedule).

Reading all these other posts kinda makes me jealous; I considered becoming a physics major for a very long time.
 
  • #63
I'm pretty envious of all the fun/interesting courses quite a few of you folks get to take. Dwarfs my meager upcoming semester courses. (Freshman-2nd semester of Matsci)

Calc II
Phyics I
Chemistry I

15 credits, I work 16 hours a week or I would be taking a larger course load.
 
  • #64
1. Physics 2
2. Dynamics
3. Thermodynamics
4. Strength of materials


I am pretty excited! My first semester of majority all engineering classes!
 
  • #65
1. Calc. III
2. ODE's
3. Linear Algebra I
4. Probability and Statistics
5. Electricity and Magnetism
6. Modern Physics

+ either swimming or piano lessons
 
  • #66
1. Intro to Philosophy
2. Multivariate Calculus
3. Discrete Math
4. Unix Workshop
5. Electricity and Magnetism + Lab
 
  • #67
Abstract algebra
Combinatorial theory
Lots of research (not in math...)
 
  • #68
Winter Quarter:
E&M II (Magnetostatics & Electrodynamics)
Abstract Algebra I
Quantum Mechanics I (Graduate)
Intermediate Lab — Photons
Kant
Research

Spring (probably):
E&M III (Radiation, Relativity)
Quantum Mechanics II (Grad)
Abstract Algebra II
Intermediate Lab — Nucleons
Thesis
 
  • #69
Thermodynamics
Dynamics
Engineering Computation
Differential Equations (AGAIN.. ugh)
Mechanics of Materials.

Really looking forward to this one. It's my first infamously crazy "engineering semester" where I have to take a bunch of difficult classes. But I'm damn good at physics and I did good in the thermodynamics portions of chem II, so I think I'll rock this semester's socks off.
 
  • #70
Combustion 1
Aerodynamics
Turbomachinery
Robotic Manipulators: Kin, Dyn and Control
Mechanical Engineering 4th Year Project
Cybernetics and Society
Introduction to General Relativity

Graduating semester; determined to cram as much as possible into my brain.
 
  • #71
Calc based Physics II
Calculus II
Intro to Philosophy
College Survival Skills -- bullsh** class
Creative Writing
Intro to Statistics & Probability

chapstic said:
I'm pretty envious of all the fun/interesting courses quite a few of you folks get to take. Dwarfs my meager upcoming semester courses. (Freshman-2nd semester of Matsci)

Calc II
Phyics I
Chemistry I

15 credits, I work 16 hours a week or I would be taking a larger course load.

How are those 3 classes 15 credits?


capandbells said:
Winter Quarter:
E&M II (Magnetostatics & Electrodynamics)
Abstract Algebra I
Quantum Mechanics I (Graduate)
Intermediate Lab — Photons
Kant
Research

Spring (probably):
E&M III (Radiation, Relativity)
Quantum Mechanics II (Grad)
Abstract Algebra II
Intermediate Lab — Nucleons
Thesis

What is Kant?
 
  • #72
1. Ordinary Differential Equations
2. Advanced Calculus
3. Circuit Analysis
4. Intro to Computer Engineering
5. Engineering Economy
6. Communications in Engineering
 
  • #73
Calculus 2.
Gen. Physics 1
Gen. Chemistry
English

All of you guys have insane workloads... How are you guys still alive?
 
  • #74
JustAnotherGu said:
Calculus 2.
Gen. Physics 1
Gen. Chemistry
English

All of you guys have insane workloads... How are you guys still alive?

Buddy, just so's you knows, I had that same schedule sans English, and while it didn't eat me alive, it was a little painful. You're going to find out how we live very quick :smile:
 
  • #75
Angry Citizen said:
Buddy, just so's you knows, I had that same schedule sans English, and while it didn't eat me alive, it was a little painful. You're going to find out how we live very quick :smile:

I was a bit nervous about how this semester would be when I signed up for it, but I was talking about the schedules that the rest of you guys are posting.

Mine looks like a piece of cake compared to what the rest of you are posting.
 
  • #77
Dual-enrolled in two graduate programs:

1) Algebra I (first graduate abstract algebra course, 1st half of Dummit and Foote)
2) General Topology (first graduate topology course)
3) ODE's (taking this late because I never did in undergrad)
4) Applied Piano I
5) Music Ensembles and Studio

I'm also teaching one undergraduate music class, have an hour long solo piano recital at the end of the semester, a graduate assistant position in the music building (accompanying other students, about 20 hours per week), and a possible assistance in a research project with my algebra professor.

I thought I had a hard schedule, but it looks like everyone's is pretty rough! (or fun, depending on how you look at it)
 
  • #78
Sophomore

1. Algorithms
2. Analysis
3. Programming Languages
4. Women and Gender Studies
 
  • #79
  • #80
OK, I just want to say something here.

I see that many of you guys are taking 5 or 6 classes at a time and mind you, these are not easy classes.

I myself am double majoring in both mathematics and physics. Yes, I love both subjects and I find them to be fascinating and rewarding, but also ...difficult.

But here is my question:

How the heck do you guys do it?! I'm serious!

I only take about 3 hard classes per semester.

Last semester, fall 2011, I took:

Electrodynamics
Thermodynamics
Complex Analysis

That semester was very very stressful, especially the last few months and final exams.
I'm also a serious and good student who actually studies on the weekends and turns in ALL my homework. But seriously, I had a really hard time near the end, I got major burnt out and still had to push through it, even being burnt out and it was NOT easy!

Also, I'm the type of person who really uses cramster and solutions manuals. Without the solution manual for Electrodynamics, I don't think I would even be able to do the problems. Seriously, I can't even do those problems on my own, its way too freaking hard. And if anybody doesn't think its too hard, please post a detailed solution and explanation from problem number 8.12 or 9.4, David Griffiths, 3rd edition. Please cause I'd like to see it.

Now, I know some people, like my friend who is just trying to finish as fast as possible. So he's taking tons of classes and just getting by, by the skin of his teeth. I too could just take a bunch of classes, but the problem is, that I actually want to learn the material. There is no way a person can take 5 or 6 highly advanced classes or grad classes and actually know what they are doing. There is no time to read the book, there is no time to do the problems, there is no time to understand anything.

For this spring semester 2012 I'm taking:

Classical Mechanics
Quantum Mechanics
Modern Physics Research Seminar
Piano

I could pile on my Independent Research class but my professor said I could take that in the summer. So I'm doing that to lighten my load.

If I were not working, yes I would take 4 classes per semester but I'm trying to pay for some of my bills by working part time. And at my school, for the physics classes, we don't have a Teacher Assistant or helper lab for assistance with our homework...no, we are on our own because its a small school.

I just don't see how some do it.
 
  • #81
Fellowroot said:
<snip>

For this spring semester 2012 I'm taking:

Classical Mechanics
Quantum Mechanics
Modern Physics Research Seminar
Piano

I could pile on my Independent Research class but my professor said I could take that in the summer. So I'm doing that to lighten my load.

If I were not working, yes I would take 4 classes per semester but I'm trying to pay for some of my bills by working part time. And at my school, for the physics classes, we don't have a Teacher Assistant or helper lab for assistance with our homework...no, we are on our own because its a small school.

I just don't see how some do it.

I don't see it either, Fellowroot. I'm constantly amazed by some of the schedules posted here! Like you, I worked through college, too. So maybe you and I have a different perspective.

Your schedule, btw, looks like it will be plenty :smile:.
 
  • #82
Nano-Passion said:
Calc based Physics II
Calculus II
Intro to Philosophy
College Survival Skills -- bullsh** class
Creative Writing
Intro to Statistics & Probability

I think you can opt out of the college survival skills class, but I don't know how your university is. At mine we could. I'm thinking you are pretty good with time management, so you could probably take a fun elective instead of that.
 
  • #83
@Fellowroot


I echo your sentiment. Some of those schedules are ridiculous and allow for *nothing else* to be done during the semester, unless each person who posted one is an absolute genius who only needs to study half the time the rest of us do. That's not to mention getting adequate sleep, exercise, and at least a *minor* social life. I prefer not to skimp on health for getting done faster. Plus, I get to put more of my deliberate mind into a few classes a semester instead of having five or six of them where I can only do the minimal amount of work.
 
  • #84
Mmm_Pasta said:
I think you can opt out of the college survival skills class, but I don't know how your university is. At mine we could. I'm thinking you are pretty good with time management, so you could probably take a fun elective instead of that.

Actually, I contend there is much room for improvement in the time management department. :wink: I never practiced time management till I attended college, prior to that, procrastination was my main asset. =D Regardless, I'm the complete opposite of someone who procrastinates now, but I think I can work a bit better on managing my time. There is always more to get done.

I'm just taking a greater course-load because calculus and physics is starting to become relatively easy, it just clicked with me at one point. Creative writing and Intro to probability & statistics don't count to my major but I just want to take it for fun and knowledge. I don't completely care about my GPA as much as I used to, which is why I opted to take these extra two classes. I would contend that it is a much better goal to focus on getting as much out of college instead of focusing completely on GPA. At any rate, I'm going to focus most on my major-related classes so it probably wouldn't affect my applications.

Pertaining to the college survival skills class, I attempted to opt out of it previously but with little success. It is a requirement if your graduating with an associates. I don't mind either, the class is there to help not hurt.
 
  • #85
kings7 said:
@Fellowroot


I echo your sentiment. Some of those schedules are ridiculous and allow for *nothing else* to be done during the semester, unless each person who posted one is an absolute genius who only needs to study half the time the rest of us do. That's not to mention getting adequate sleep, exercise, and at least a *minor* social life. I prefer not to skimp on health for getting done faster. Plus, I get to put more of my deliberate mind into a few classes a semester instead of having five or six of them where I can only do the minimal amount of work.

I don't understand what is the whole rush anyhow. Which is better?

To graduate very fast/on time ..but attain a lower GPA/academic performance than one's potential promises, learn less, be full with stress, and spend less time enjoying your college experience.

OR

To spend an extra semester or two.. but reach your GPA/performance potential, learn more, less stress, and spend more time enjoying your college experience.

The college experience is probably some of the best time of your life both intellectually and socially. Why rush?
 
  • #86
eXorikos said:
The semester is nearing its end. Show us your spring schedules!

Scanning Probe Microscopy
Nuclear Solid State Physics
Exotic Nuclei B
Theory of Nucleosynthesis
Theoretical Nuclear physics
Social and Historical Aspects of Physics
Master Thesis: Preparation

I'm considering changing the SPM and NSP for a big course on medical imaging and analysis.
 
  • #87
Nano-Passion said:
I don't understand what is the whole rush anyhow. Which is better?

To graduate very fast/on time ..but attain a lower GPA/academic performance than one's potential promises, learn less, be full with stress, and spend less time enjoying your college experience.

OR

To spend an extra semester or two.. but reach your GPA/performance potential, learn more, less stress, and spend more time enjoying your college experience.

The college experience is probably some of the best time of your life both intellectually and socially. Why rush?

Very true. Plus, with the economy this bad, who wants to rush to get out there anyway? That's a half joke.
 
  • #88
Nano-Passion said:
I don't understand what is the whole rush anyhow. Which is better?

To graduate very fast/on time ..but attain a lower GPA/academic performance than one's potential promises, learn less, be full with stress, and spend less time enjoying your college experience.

OR

To spend an extra semester or two.. but reach your GPA/performance potential, learn more, less stress, and spend more time enjoying your college experience.

The college experience is probably some of the best time of your life both intellectually and socially. Why rush?

The social aspect of the "college experience" is complete BS. It took me my whole first year as an undergrad to realize that, so I decided that from this year onwards I'd much rather focus my energies on my studies instead of going about wasting my efforts trying to form meaningless relationships. Let's see how many people from your undergrad years you keep in regular contact with 5-10 years after you graduate.
 
  • #89
Nano-Passion said:
So then the class is all about learning of Kant's philosophies?
Specifically, it's about his epistemology. We're reading the Critique of Pure Reason
 
  • #90
I'm a second semester freshmen

first-year writing seminar
elements of linear algebra i
differential equations
complex variables i
intro physics laboratory i
electric, magnetism, & fluids
guided studies in physics with focus in maxwell equations.

All of the math classes are only a quarter.
 

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