- #1
TomServo
- 281
- 9
I've noticed that there are certain topics that physics departments don't seem to teach at the undergrad level, except maybe smaller introductory elective courses here and there. It seems like the emphasis is entirely on making E&M and Quantum specialists at the expense of certain other areas. I'm curious as to why this is the case for the following topics:
General relativity
Anything to do with fluid dynamics (it seems completely possible, judging by the curricula I've looked at, that one could get a BS in physics without ever learning about why things float)
Heat transfer (yes, one thermo class is required at most institutions, but this seems almost like an afterthought)
In short, it seems like mechanical and aerospace engineers study a heck of a lot of physics that physics majors themselves gloss over. Why is this? Or am I completely wrong?
General relativity
Anything to do with fluid dynamics (it seems completely possible, judging by the curricula I've looked at, that one could get a BS in physics without ever learning about why things float)
Heat transfer (yes, one thermo class is required at most institutions, but this seems almost like an afterthought)
In short, it seems like mechanical and aerospace engineers study a heck of a lot of physics that physics majors themselves gloss over. Why is this? Or am I completely wrong?