My daughter (Industrial Engineering) did something similar with a Finance class. It was a required class, but at UF, it’s very rigorous, so taking it at a local community college was a “strategy” done by other ISEs and was allowed by the College of Engineering. The College of Business, however, wouldn’t allow its finance majors to take the class at a CC, which is why you should always check with your college.
Short answer:
It’s very difficult to get an engineering internship as a freshman or sophomore, if you can get one, great, take it and don’t worry about Physics.
Otherwise, as the others have said, make sure UT-Austin will accept the transfer class (it seems they do). Also, Physics has two parts, the class and the lab, and it’s the lab that can be time consuming and requires you to spend a few hours each week in the lab.
Longer Version
Review the course flow chart. This is the recommended order the required classes should be taken. You’ll note that some classes are only taught in the fall or spring, make sure you get into those classes! Also, don’t forget to take your chemistry assessment, it’s required for CH 301.
Environmental Engineering Flow Chart.pdf | Powered by Box
As you can see, the recommend Physic 303K Year 1 spring, and Physics 303L Year 2 Fall; that would explain why folks take the first Physics after Freshman year and the second after sophomore year (Physics 2 isn’t a requirement for any classes the Spring of Sophomore year, so it’s fine delaying it to the following summer). Physics 2 is a co-requirement for EVE 310, so make sure that doesn’t cause you any issues when you take EVE 310.
Another strategy is lowering your course load. Not sure what the policy is at UT, but if you have AP credits and can bypass the Biology and/or Calc class you may want to do so. Especially the first Calc class, since then you can move up the 2nd Calc class to the fall and reduce your course load in the Spring.
Like I said, engineering internships are hard to get the summers before your freshman and sophomore year, if you can get one, great, that should be your priority.
However, if you’re working another (non-internship) job (or doing something on campus, like getting involved in research), you’ll have more flexibility to take Physics over the summer.
Good Luck!