<p>No formal prereq, but again, the 5/7/8 course sequence is designed for students considering a Physics or science major. It’s a “discuss with the Physics chair at the open house and decide with your academic advisor” deal.</p>
<p>As near as I can figure, the 3/4 sequence is two semesters of intro Physics that includes Special Relativity, Time/Space, and so forth.</p>
<p>The 5/7/8 sequence, the Special Relativity piece of the puzzle gets a full semester treatment in 5, so 7/8 can be a more in-depth treatment of the other topics in Intro Physics - mechanics, etc.</p>
<p>Basically 5/7/8 spends three semesters covering the ground that 3/4 covers in two – hence it’s a more intensive sequence suitable for Physics majors.</p>