Physics 7A vs. Physics 2A For Civil Engineering Major!

pactum_factum
Thu, 18 Sep 2008 13:56:40 +0000

I recently got this in my e-mail, but I ignored it. Then I got one again yesterday and yeah is Physics 2A really a better choice? I am enrolled in 7A right now(and the Lab). But I also only have 13 units because I didn’t want to just dive in my first quarter of my first year. If I do change to Physics 2A, then I will only have 12 units. Should I add a easy if so? Or should I just forget about Physics 2A and stick with my original schedule? Thanks!

THE EMAIL:

Greetings from Engineering!

I wanted to let you know about an opportunity available to you this
Fall concerning Physics. When you took the Placement Exams, you were
given the option of taking Physics 2 or 7A. Physics 2 was specifically
designed for engineering majors to assist with the problem solving skills
needed for success in future Physics and Engineering courses. Unlike
Physics 7A, it meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays for a 9:30-10:50 lecture
(NOT 8:00 am!!!) and there’s a 20 person tutorial on Wednesdays that
lasts for an hour and fifty minutes…NO LABS!!! Successful completion
of Physics 2 makes you eligible to go directly into Physics 7C as long
as you have already completed Math 2A or its equivalent. Initially,
this was an opportunity available only to Electrical Engineering majors
but Physics has asked that we open it to Computer Engineering majors as
well. Did I mention class size? The maximum enrollment in Physics 2 is
40. As a point of comparison, the maximum enrollment in Physics 7A is
about 350 with a 40 person discussion section. As you can see, the
other advantage to Physics 2 is the small class size.

It is up to you whether you take Physics 2 or Physics 7A. However, the number
one challenge identified by previous students is in the development of problem solving
skills. The focus of Physics 2 is on problem solving skills. Thus, Physics 2 will
be a
better foundation course for most students. Other advantages of the course are the
smaller size,
the 9:30 AM start time, and the more individualized class structure.

If this class fits in your schedule, please consider making the switch. It does not
cost you any
extra time and should prepare you for Physics 7C and all subsequent
Physics courses.

Please go into the Schedule of Classes to determine if there
is still room in the course and if you can make this fit into your schedule.
*
Do not make any changes to your schedule until you have insured that these 2
conditions have been met!*

I would encourage you to call the Undergraduate Student Affairs Office at
949-824-4334 if you have questions or
would like more information about the feasibility of making this change.