- #1
frontsteps
- 3
- 0
Hi all,
So far, I have taken two, non-calc based intro level Physics classes (101 and 102). I really enjoyed the material covered in both classes. For once, I actually enjoyed working through problem sets and I found myself researching topics outside of the classroom. I am seriously considering changing my major over to Physics.
However, I am a little worried about changing over, simply because I do not have the strongest foundation in math. I have taken Geometry, Trig, and Calc, but I found that I had to reteach myself many of the things I learned in Trig and Geometry for Physics 101/102. I know that understanding calc (and math in general) is extremely important for upper level physics classes.
I was just wondering if you guys think that changing my major to Physics simply because I really enjoyed two intro level courses is actually a logical decision. The two non-calc based intro classes I took probably don't represent upper level Physics classes all that well, do they? Not sure if this is even answerable - but how different is calc based general physics from non-calc based physics? Can I actually do well in the upper level courses (optics, thermal, etc...) with weak(ish) math skills? If it helps, I am willing to learn what I need to in math in order to strengthen those skills. But is it worth it?
So far, I have taken two, non-calc based intro level Physics classes (101 and 102). I really enjoyed the material covered in both classes. For once, I actually enjoyed working through problem sets and I found myself researching topics outside of the classroom. I am seriously considering changing my major over to Physics.
However, I am a little worried about changing over, simply because I do not have the strongest foundation in math. I have taken Geometry, Trig, and Calc, but I found that I had to reteach myself many of the things I learned in Trig and Geometry for Physics 101/102. I know that understanding calc (and math in general) is extremely important for upper level physics classes.
I was just wondering if you guys think that changing my major to Physics simply because I really enjoyed two intro level courses is actually a logical decision. The two non-calc based intro classes I took probably don't represent upper level Physics classes all that well, do they? Not sure if this is even answerable - but how different is calc based general physics from non-calc based physics? Can I actually do well in the upper level courses (optics, thermal, etc...) with weak(ish) math skills? If it helps, I am willing to learn what I need to in math in order to strengthen those skills. But is it worth it?