Subject Selection with aim to major in PHYSICS: FIRST YEAR

[TheAntiSocialist]

I have been wondering what kind of subjects I should take with an aim to major in Physics (Doing Bachelor of Science, I guess that is kind of obvious). I have picked Physics 1 (not advanced, because I didn't do specialist maths) and Calculus 1 (it seemed necessary according to what I have researched). I have checked the pre-reqs and I think would have no problems with enrolling in these subjects.

Anyone have any idea as to what other things I should be looking at? If my lacking specialist maths poses a major problem, please comment so that I reconsider aiming for a Physics major and should be looking at something else in Science.

And another question: Any possible breadths that could be useful in terms of what I am aiming for?

[scribble]

not having done specialist math is fine.
sem1:
physics1
calc1
science elective (maybe chem or earth sciences if youre interested in chemical physics or geophysics)
breadth

sem2:
physics2
calc2
linear algebra
breadth

you can then go onto doing various areas of physics.mathematical physics in the future.

[TheAntiSocialist]

I'm doing Physics 1 (I did spesh, but from what I've read and heard it's not worth doing Physics Advanced unless you got like a 50 on VCE Physics), Calculus 2, Introductory Microeconomics and Finance 1.

Spesh really isn't necessary, not sure where you got that idea from lol. You could easily be on the same level of maths as me this time next year if you take Calculus 2 in Semester 2 and Linear Algebra over the summer semester.

Are you really sure you want to major in just Physics? A lot can happen in 3 years; do you remember much about this time 3 years ago? (You were starting year 10.)

I would take a business subject, or something completely different to Physics to open up all your options, instead of limiting yourself to just physics. Maybe IT? How about another science such as Biology? Or maybe you like film, why not a film breadth subject? Maybe even something obscure such as Mapping Environments?

Thanks for the advice - I have thought about doing Chem or Bio (except I didn't do Chem in VCE, partly because I was stupid when I was picking subjects for Year 11, and did not anticipate that Science would be where I was heading)

[scribble]

you can always take chem fun(!)damentals in sem1

[TheAntiSocialist]

physics2

Which Physics 2? There is Advanced which I don't think I can get into without Calculus 2 or Linear Algebra (Which I can only do after Calculus 1 in SEM 1)

[scribble]

phyc10004

[Aurelian]

Which Physics 2? There is Advanced which I don't think I can get into without Calculus 2 or Linear Algebra (Which I can only do after Calculus 1 in SEM 1)

If you do well in Physics 1 and have done Calc 1, you can move straight into Physics 2: Advanced without having done Calc 2/Lin Alg if you email the subject coordinator. I'd definitely recommend doing this if you intend to major in physics =)

[lzxnl]

Calc 1 IS specialist maths. All third year physics subjects require Vector Calculus and Real Analysis (or AM but that's not an option for you here). Both of these second year maths subjects require Calculus 2 and Linear Algebra, and Calculus 2 requires Calculus 1. Thus, you really do need calc 1.

May I ask why you're majoring in physics? In all honestly, a physics major is pretty useless unless you're just studying it for fun and intend to continue on to graduate study. If you don't like the sound of getting a physics PhD and being left without a job, I suggest majoring in something that will prepare you for the Master of Engineering. If you don't care about the poor job prospects and have a love for physics, then go for it! You can always do the Master of Engineering (for most disciplines) after your physics major anyway; it will just take an extra year.

Yeah, that's a concern for me too. That's why I'm doing a chemical physics major, a diploma in maths and the med prerequisite subjects to keep my options as wide as possible.