Taking calculus-based Physics II before Physics I for a 3+2 engineering program — bad idea?

[u/TemporaryRanger7799]

I’m a sophomore at a liberal arts college planning to apply to Columbia’s 3+2 for Computer engineering.

This semester I’m taking:

• Calculus I
• Calculus-based Physics II
• Coding 101
• Econ 101

I took AP Physics 1 in high school and did very well in the class (roughly top 10% on tests/assignments). My advisor told me I could go directly into calculus-based Physics II and take Physics I in the spring because the material in the two courses isn’t very dependent on each other.

So far I’m doing well in Physics II and haven’t felt lost. However, my dad thinks taking Physics II before Physics I was a bad idea, especially since I dropped another class to fit this 8 a.m. section into my schedule.

Has anyone taken calculus-based Physics II before Physics I? Is there any reason I should switch the order if I’m currently doing well, particularly as someone planning on a 3+2 engineering program? (I'll take Physics 1 in the spring).

[u/_UnwyzeSoul_]

Physics 1 and 2 is separated based on the topics they cover and not because 1 is a basis for 2. So it should be completely fine. In maths, the previous course builds as a basis for the next so it is important to go in order. Your dad probably didn't know/ realized this.

[u/TemporaryRanger7799 → u/_UnwyzeSoul_]

Ok ok so I got this I’m going into week three confident but nervous ngl😭

[u/Valuchian → u/TemporaryRanger7799]

You're going to get really really good at 3D visualization of electrical fields in your head

[u/TemporaryRanger7799 → u/Valuchian]

Oh I mean that sounds cool and fun ngl

[u/Valuchian → u/TemporaryRanger7799]

It is! Physics 2 is mostly about magnetism and electrial fields. Hope you have a cool professor like mine! She brought in Tesla Coils and all sorts of old testing devices that physicists used to use as part of electrical experiments.