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<p>Yes, this is a very good idea, although it may be difficult to do if the student is not ahead of the normal sequence in math. Fortunately, if the student aces calculus BC and then finds that he knows the college’s freshman calculus course material well (by checking the old final exams), he can take multivariable calculus in the first semester concurrently with the physics mechanics course, followed by the physics course with E&M second semester.</p>
<p>For example, here is Berkeley’s normal sequence for entering physics majors without having taken calculus before (or not knowing or remembering enough to start ahead):</p>
<p>semester 1: Math 1A (calculus 1)
semester 2: Math 1B (calculus 2), Physics 7A (mechanics, wave motion)
semester 3: Math 53 (multivariable calculus), Physics 7B (heat, E&M)
semester 4: Math 54 (linear algebra, differential equations), Physics 7C (modern physics)</p>
<p>But a student who knows the Math 1A-1B material well can do:</p>
<p>semester 1: Math 53, Physics 7A
semester 2: Math 54, Physics 7B
semester 3: advanced math*, Physics 7C
*optional, but some courses are recommended for physics majors</p>
<p>(Of course, all of the above sample schedules should add other courses like breadth courses, English composition, etc. to make full schedules.)</p>
<p>Note that Berkeley offers honors versions of Physics 7A, 7B, and 7C, and Math 1B, 53, and 54.</p>