Physics 2 Advanced Vs. Physics 2: Physical Science & Technology

[skeletalclown]

Hi everyone, I'm currently doing my first year of the bachelor of science at UoM taking Calculus 1, Physics 1 Chemistry one and a breadth. THe reason I'm doing neither Physics 1 Advanced or Calculus 2/Linear algebra is my lack of VCE specialist maths. My careers adviser seemed to think it wasnt a prereq for anythign at uni, but, well, she was wrong.

Anyway, I guess I have two questions;

1. I'm planning to major in either mathematical physics or straight physics, but am currently enrolled for semester 2, in Physics 2: Physical Science & Technology which seems much more aimed towards engineering majors. The life sciences physics is obvioulsy not my thing, and it seems that the advnaced stream is what caters to my goals. Im doing regular Physics 1 this semester and 'd love some advice as to whether or not it would be necessary/even worth it to attempt to enrol in Physics 2 Advanced next semester, or whether a physics/mathematical physics major is still possible with just Physics 2: Physical Science & Technology.

2. The handbook entry for Physics 2 Advanced was a little confusing when it cmae to prerequisites. Obviously I won't have done Physics 1 Advanced, but the way I read it, the handbook seemed to say unscaled 35 in VCE physics was sufficient for the physics requirement and concurrent enrollment in Linear Algebra or Calculus 2 was sufficient for the maths requirement, is this correct? If I determine it's worth it to do Physics 2 Advanced, will my VCE Physics study score and a concurrent enrollment in Calculus 2 and/or Linear Algebra be sufficient to meet the requirements for physics 2 advanced?

3. While I'm here I might as well ask one more (slightly off topic), question. I'm currently tossing up between doing Linear algebra and Calculus 2 simultaneously in semester 2, and doing Calculus 1 and something else (breadth or Foundations of Computing most likely), and Linear Algebra over the summer semester, any thoughts or advice?

Thanks in advance guys!

[Stevensmay]

My reading of the handbook is need to have done Calculus 2, Linear Algebra or Specialist maths before undertaking the subject. It might be worth emailing [email protected] (Dr Roger Rassool) explaining your circumstances, they've been known to waive the prerequisites in the past.

With the summer subject it's up to you, no major difference either way. Downsides are having approximately 12 hours of class on a single subject per week. You also don't get a break between the summer semester and semester 1, often the exams run in the week before o-week or during o-week.

[notveryasian]

12 hours a week for a single subject? Even for summer sem(6 weeks) that's a bit too much...

I'm currently tossing up between doing Linear algebra and Calculus 2 simultaneously in semester 2, and doing Calculus 1 and something else (breadth or Foundations of Computing most likely), and Linear Algebra over the summer semester, any thoughts or advice?

Thanks in advance guys!

Aren't you doing Calculus 1 this semester? Why are you doing it next semester as well?

[skeletalclown]

Aren't you doing Calculus 1 this semester? Why are you doing it next semester as well?

Sorry, I meant Calculus 2.

[skeletalclown]

Thanks so much, it's good to know it's not only for future engineers. I emailed Roger about it and apparently the standard procedure is for people who get 75+ in physics 1 and enroll concurrently Linear Algebra and/or Calculus 2 to be allowed to take Physics 2 Advanced. Linear Algebra is sounding like a summer subject to me, the more I talk to different people, so I'll probably end up going with that, thank you all so much!