Why don't 200-level physics courses use calculus?

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Poop-Loops
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No Calculus??

I'm taking 200 level courses in physics right now, and I noticed that there is absolutely no calculus involved in the teaching. The book we use has it, but the instructor doesn't use it. Aside from a B x dl or E x dA here and there, there's nothing. Is that normal?

PL
 

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What is the name of the course?
 
I'm guessing Electricity & Magnetism.

It is normal for undergraduate level, since there are shortcuts so that you don't need flux integrals and all the complicated math reduces to simple algebra
 
Yeah, it's 202 E & M right now.

That's a relief. I've been screwed before by teachers who thought I didn't need this or that, only to need it in the next class. =/

PL

EDIT: Besides, the course is hard enough as it is. :)
 
Keep in mind that the term "200-level" course really holds no meaning for most of us since every university has a completely different course numbering scheme. What's more useful is the name of the course, maybe a brief description from the catalog, and the name of the textbook(s) you're using.
 
Oh, I didn't know that. I thought it went by years, first year 100, 2nd 200, etc. (although this is my first year in college, I took HS physics).

We use Giancolli (sp?) 3rd edition physics book.

PL

EDIT: The title is "Physics for Scientists and Engineers"
 
Last edited:
Poop-Loops said:
Oh, I didn't know that. I thought it went by years, first year 100, 2nd 200, etc. (although this is my first year in college, I took HS physics).

We use Giancolli (sp?) 3rd edition physics book.

PL

EDIT: The title is "Physics for Scientists and Engineers"

There are multiple books with that title, mine is by Knight.

My university uses 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, etc.