Advice Needed: Taking Physics at My University

[jesuslovesu]

Hey guys I seem to be in a bit of a predicament and I’m wondering if you can give me some advice. I’m currently in an intro-calculus based physics course (E&M). I still need to take the mechanics portion of the class during the upcoming fall semester. The problem is that the professor at my university teaching this class really sucks. For example, he totally skipped the Gauss’s Law and Maxwell Equations chapters. In fact, we never use any calculus in the class at all. He never derives anything and most of his lectures are spent on topics only vaguely related to the chapter (3 days on electron spin for magnetism spdf).

I had a very good physics professor in high school, but I feel like so far in my university class I haven’t reinforced much of anything I learned in high school. I do a bunch of problems in my book and usually can get them, but I’m worried that once I transfer to a (hopefully) better university that I’m going to be behind because of the lack of rigor and the complete ignoring of calculus problems. I intend to watch all of the MIT E&M lectures by Prof. Lewin during the summer, to hopefully increase my understanding.

Anyway, my question is should I continue and take the first semester of this physics class, or should I wait until I can hopefully get a better professor? Will I be behind because of the ignoring of the calculus-based problems? Am I expecting too much or is this the way it is at most universities? (I plan on majoring in EE)

I would definitely wait until I get to a different university, but it would be significantly cheaper to take it where I am right now...

 

[arunma]

Is this professor's refusal to cover calculus-based calculations your only major problem with him? When I took calculus-based physics 1 (with a really good professor), I did about three homework problems involving calculus the entire semester, and I never had an exam problem that required calculus. I took the same professor second semester, and he covered a lot of E&M problems involving calculus. My point is that freshman mechanics doesn't really require that much calculus. So if this professor is otherwise a good teacher (i.e. he explains material well, grades well, etc.), then it wouldn't hurt to take him for freshman mechanics.

On a sidenote, it is a bit worrisome that you didn't cover any calculus-based E&M problems. This is actually a very important issue in the study of E&M. Electromagnetic theory can't be done without calculus, so if you ever take an advanced E&M course, you might be in trouble. But that's unrelated to your mechanics question...

 

[piercas]

I would advise you to carefully consider your options and make a decision that will benefit your academic and career goals in the long run. While it may be tempting to take the physics class at your current university because it is cheaper, it is important to remember that the quality of education and the skills you acquire are crucial for your future success.

Based on your description, it seems that the professor at your current university is not providing a strong foundation in calculus-based physics, which is essential for your future studies in electrical engineering. Skipping important topics and not using calculus in the class can put you at a disadvantage when you transfer to a different university or when you start your career. It is important to have a solid understanding of fundamental concepts in physics, especially for a major in EE.

I would recommend waiting until you can take the mechanics portion of the class with a better professor. This will not only ensure that you have a better understanding of the material, but it will also save you from having to relearn or catch up on important concepts in the future. Additionally, taking the class at a different university may also expose you to different teaching styles and perspectives, which can be beneficial for your overall education.

In the meantime, I would suggest supplementing your learning by watching the MIT E&M lectures by Prof. Lewin. This will help you reinforce your understanding of the material and prepare you for the upcoming semester. Ultimately, it is important to prioritize your education and choose the option that will best serve your academic and career goals.