<p>Hi, I’m doing Bioengineering and plan on taking PHYS 0174, the basic physics for engineering and science. However, I never took a single physics course in high school. Does the course require previous knowledge of physics or are the basics covered? I’m really anxious about this and would really appreciate if someone who has taken the course or knows something about ti could answer my question pleaseee.</p>
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<p>You already answered your own question. It’s the basic entry level physics for students preparing to become engineers. They will cover everything from the ground up, BUT it will be calculus based (i.e. you will derive your equations) so it won’t be a cakewalk either.</p>
<p>-I was in the EXACT same scenario as you last fall. </p>
<p>YES, you are going to have to work harder than the rest of your class at both Physics I and II. However, do not fret it. You will put in a lot more time than others, but will grow accustomed to mandatory study skills before everyone else. </p>
<p>It is going to suck, but just stay with it man. I got a C in Physics I and a B+ in Physics II. You will enjoy Physics II.</p>
<p>(Sophomore Bioengineer)</p>
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<p>I was the other way around (loved/did great on Physics I/Mechanics, HATED/did OK on Physics II/Electricity&Magnetism). To each his own!</p>
<p>thank you guys for the helpful replies.
leftoverman, your description of your experience was very insightful. I think if I work hard enough, devoting a lot of time, I should be able to obtain a B or C in the least. Lots of long nights aheadd.</p>
<p>op, one of the smartest things I ever did was to get the physics I textbook the summer before the class and spend about 6 weeks reading and going over examples/problems/etc. from the first 6 chapters of the book. It put me into a much better shape for the first half of the semester, and I did a lot better than I would have otherwise.</p>
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<p>Get to know your professor, talk to him/her during office hour. Start on your homework early (1-2 days after assigned) and go through all of it, marking problems you have issues with. Go to your professor/grader/TA at least 2 days before it’s due to go over the difficult problems.</p>
<p>Study for tests more than a day in advance (and spread out your studying over a few days).</p>
<p>Making sure you spend some time on everything every day is much better than focusing on each HW/project the day before it’s due. It helps you learn how to time manage and juggle different projects.</p>
<p>sylvan: where did you acquire the class textbook? I think I’ll do the same thing you did! </p>
<p>AwesomeOpossum: that is very sound advice and I will implement it. I see that a strong work ethic is key.</p>
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<p>You can check the book center online for when the booklist goes up ([The</a> Book Center: University of Pittsburgh](<a href=“http://www.pitt.edu/~bookctr/textbooks/textbooklist/textbooklist.htm]The”>http://www.pitt.edu/~bookctr/textbooks/textbooklist/textbooklist.htm)) or after you sign up for your class, email your professor and ask what the textbook is so you can buy it before the booklist comes out. (Make sure you get the right edition!)</p>