Which Science Courses Should I Take? Physics Major, Last Year.

  • Thread starter Thread starter Dynamics101
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Class
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around course selection for a final-year physics major, specifically debating whether to take calculus 3 during the next semester at their home institution or during the summer at a community college, alongside considerations for taking a computer science course or a Theory of Probability course. The scope includes academic planning and advice on course load management.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions how the original poster reached their final year without completing the full calculus sequence, suggesting that calculus 3 should be prioritized if they plan to take upper-level E&M courses.
  • Another participant advises against taking scientific courses during the summer unless the session is lengthy, recommending instead to study independently without formal enrollment.
  • Clarification is sought regarding what constitutes "scientific" courses, with one participant defining it to include computer science, calculus, and other natural or physical sciences, as well as engineering and mathematics courses.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing opinions on the appropriateness of taking scientific courses during the summer, with no consensus reached on the best course of action for the original poster.

Contextual Notes

There are assumptions about the length of summer sessions and the impact of course load on future academic plans that remain unresolved.

Dynamics101
Messages
28
Reaction score
4
Physics major. Last year. Should I
A. Take calculus three during he next semester AT MY home institution and take computer science during this summer at a community college.
Or
B. Take calculus 3 this summer and take Theory of probability next semester at my home institution.

Let hear some opinions and advice.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
One might wonder how you managed to get into the final year of a physics degree without taking a complete sequence of calculus. Maybe I'm not understanding something. Anyway your situation is what it is. I would aim to get the calculus 3 course done as soon as you can if you're intending on taking an upper year E&M course.

That's assuming you have time over the summer to do such a thing. Generally I think it's best in most cases for students to be working full time over the summer if they can. It builds up real world skills and give you some life experience that can be really helpful once school is over.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Dynamics101
Dynamics101 said:
Physics major. Last year. Should I
A. Take calculus three during he next semester AT MY home institution and take computer science during this summer at a community college.
Or
B. Take calculus 3 this summer and take Theory of probability next semester at my home institution.

Let hear some opinions and advice.
Take no scientific courses during the summer, unless your summer session is 18 weeks in length. Choose something to study without enrolling in it during the summer.
 
symbolipoint said:
Take no scientific courses during the summer, unless your summer session is 18 weeks in length. Choose something to study without enrolling in it during the summer.
When you say scientific do you mean the computer science or he calculus?
 
Dynamics101 said:
When you say scientific do you mean the computer science or he calculus?
I mean SCIENTIFIC, including any real natural or physical science courses, engineering courses, computer science, Mathematics courses.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 40 ·
2
Replies
40
Views
7K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
4K
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
2K
  • · Replies 22 ·
Replies
22
Views
7K
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
7K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K