 |
|
|
Undergraduate Physics at Yale: Frequently Asked Questions
Introductory Physics
 |
 |
 |
 |
Questions about Introductory Physics at Yale
- Is there a placement exam?
- What are the introductory lecture and lab sequences?
- Which track should a prospective Physics major try?
- Do I have to take the lab courses at the same time?
- Do I need to take Chemistry if I major in Physics?
- I am unable to take Physics as a freshman (e.g., Directed Studies, etc.)...can I still become a Physics major?
- I had a really strong Physics course in high school, but my math background is much weaker...what should I do?
- I'm still not sure which course is right for me...any help?
Answers:
- Is there a placement exam?
- What are the introductory lecture and lab sequences?
- Which track should a prospective Physics major try?
- Do I have to take the lab courses at the same time?
- Do I need to take Chemistry if I major in Physics?
- I am unable to take Physics as a freshman (e.g., Directed Studies, etc.)...can I still become a Physics major?
- I had a really strong Physics course in high school, but my math background is much weaker...what should I do?
- I'm still not sure which course is right for me...any help?
No. We point students towards specific courses,
based upon the student's math background (more
than AP Physics scores, etc.). If anything, we
prefer people to be AHEAD in math rather than
in physics...that way they can concentrate on
the concepts, rather than volume integrals. Finding
the right level (not too hard, not too easy)
of intro math and physics gives you the best
chance of getting the most out of your courses
all the way through!
Top
There are 5 lecture tracks available:
1-Physics 110 (an overview of Physics for non-science majors) - offered in spring semester only 2-Physics 150/151 (satisfies med school requirements) 3-Physics 180/181 (calculus-based, closest to AP Physics) 4-Physics 200/201/300 (calculus-based, beyond AP Physics) 5-Physics 260/261 (calculus & more, signficantly beyond AP)
There are 2 lab sequences:
P165/166Lb (goes w/1-3 above), and P205/206Lb (goes w/3-5 above).Top
Students should start take the intro physics sequence that matches the level that of their math and physics background, keeping in mind the requirements of their potential major(s).
Most of the Physics majors take Physics 200 (~55%). A slightly smaller number take Physics 260 (~40%). The rest start out in Physics 180, fall in love with physics (it happens!) and then keep going (P181, P300...).
If your math background allows you to take either Math 225 or Math 230 when you first arrive, then you should probably try Physics 260. If you feel Math 120 is a better fit, then you should probably try Physics 200. If Math 115 is right for you, then you should probably start with Physics 180.
It is always possible to start at one level (of
either physics or math), and move up (a rare, but
possible occurence) or down (more common) during
the semester. Math&Phys
Top
No. The lab courses are "stand-alone", so you can take them either ahead of, along with, or after the lecture course.
For the Physics major, you have until the end of
your sophomore year to complete P205 and P206.
Top
No, there is no Chemistry requirement. However,
some Physics majors choose to take Chemistry courses,
either because of intellectual curiousity or to
fufill their requirements for med school.
Top
Yes, definitely. You should take Math in both
semesters of your Freshman year. This will get
you nicely "ahead" of the Physics courses, which
you will start to take in your Sophomore year. Math&Phys
Top
A student's math background seems to be the best indicator of the "optimal" intro physics track for prospective majors. In this case, you should select the Math course (and matching Physics) that is the best match for your high school Math preparation.
If you find yourself on the fence, then you should
pro-actively investigate the various options (comparing
the texts, the syllabi, the problem sets, and the
lectures). Be honest in your self-assessment... finding
the right level (not too hard, and not too easy)
will help you to get the most out of your courses
all the way through. Math&Phys
Top
Physics 150/151
Physics 150/151 is an introductory physics course for
students with little or no preparation in calculus
or physics. Those with such preparation are advised
to enroll in Physics 180 or 200. It is not, however,
a ``physics appreciation'' course; it is a physics
participation course with problem solving being a
very important component. While the material covered
is the same as in the higher level courses, no calculus
preparation is assumed and vector algebra beyond
component resolution is kept to a minimum. The population
of the course consists mainly of pre-medical and
biological science students. Most take the laboratory
course Physics 165/166 concurrently. Physics 150/151
in conjunction with a laboratory course satisfies
pre-med requirements. Physics 110 does not.
Physics 180/181
Most students in Physics 180 are current or prospective
biology, chemistry, MB&B majors taking the course
to satisfy prerequisites for courses such as Neurobiology,
to satisfy major requirements (note that Physics
150/151 is not acceptable for the MB&B major), and
as part of premedical requirements and preparation
for the MCATs. Others include engineering majors
and social science and humanities majors who have
a special interest in physics. Some students, who
are thinking about majoring in physics or applied
physics, should take Physics 180 if their preparation
is not strong enough to start with Physics 200. Physics
200 is oriented more towards prospective physics
majors and towards students who are interested in
a more mathematical approach to the topics of classical
physics. Another difference is that 180-181 covers
the same topics in two semesters that the sequence
200, 201 and 300 covers in three. Naturally, 180-181
is more"superficial" but this allows a wider range
of subjects to be included.Typical preparation consists
of a good high school physics course and prior knowledge
of calculus on the level of Math 115, though the
backgrounds of students in the class range from no
prior physics and Math 115 taken concurrently to
a strong A.P. physics course and Math 120 taken in
a previous semester. If you've not had Math 115,
you should be taking it concurrently. About 80% of
the students in Physics 180 take Physics 165/166,
the 2 semester lab course designed to accompany this
course. If you're a prospective physics major, you
will take Physics 300 after Physics 180 and then
you should also take Physics 205/206 lab instead
of Physics 165/166. One scheduling difference between
the 2 lab sequences is that P205 is offered both
spring and fall (and P206 too) whereas P165 is only
offered in the fall and P166 only in the spring.
Physics 200/201
Most of the students in Physics 200/201 are either
physical science majors (Physics, Astronomy, Geology,
Engineering, etc.) or those biological science majors
and premeds who are looking for a more mathematical
and somewhat deeper introduction to physics than
is provided in Physics 150/151 and Physics 180/181.
Physics 200 assumes that students have completed
calculus at the level of Math 115 and are currently
enrolled in Math 120. Previous exposure to physics
is helpful, but is not required. Physics 200a/201b
students wishing to take a related lab course will
typically enroll in Physics 205Lb (beginning in the
Spring term) and then Physics 206La in the following
Fall. This is the recommended sequence. Students
may also enroll in Physics 165La/166Lb. Students
with very strong preparation in Physics, AND currently
enrolled in Math 230, may also want to consider taking
the more intense/advanced Physics 260 sequence. Enrollment
in the P260 course requires the permission of the
instructor.
Top
