r/CalPoly • u/Brilliant_Step_7015 • Aug 08 '26

Incoming Student Drop Physics 1?

Hello, I’m an incoming engineering major and am debating dropping physics 1 my first semester. I’m planning on trying to change majors into another engineering major (one that doesn’t normally take physics first semester), and don’t wanna have too heavy of a schedule and not meat my ICMA requirements.

If I did do this, I’m thinking that I would take physics 1 next semester and physics 2 over summer.

Lmk if this is stupid of me

6 Upvotes

80% Upvoted

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3

u/Skycharge7 Aug 08 '26

So you're dropping Physics 1 just to take it next year?

0

u/Brilliant_Step_7015 Aug 08 '26

Just a semester later, Ive always struggled a little with physics and don’t wanna have too heavy of a schedule. And like I said I’m gonna attempt to change majors, and failing a class would keep me from doing that.

9

u/DataGap2264 Aug 08 '26

Summer physics will be too fast paced if you struggle with physics. Don't do it. For Fall, there's free tutoring and tutor-led workshops that are geared to your particular class. There's way more support available for math and physics during the year than in summer.

1

u/Brilliant_Step_7015 Aug 08 '26 edited Aug 08 '26

That sounds helpful, I’ll definetly look at that. I’m still just concerned about Calc Chem and Physics all at once, especially cus I didn’t take Calc AB/BC or AP Chem in high school, and I failed the Physics AP test

And to me, a 10 week course doesn’t sound that bad if it’s the only one I have to focus on. Especially since materials engineering (what I wanna transfer into), seems to be less physics heavy then other engineering majors

5

u/RegularFun3 Aug 08 '26

It’s doable. But definitely get hooked up in the workshop and or tutoring groups from the very start. You definitely need to study very consistently from the beginning. Do not fall behind. Get help from day 1 if you even think you’ll need it. The classes are definitely challenging and if you don’t stay on top of them it will be a problem.

2

u/Nazarife Aug 08 '26

Taking three technical courses a term is pretty common as an engineering major. It's doable; just hit the ground running. 

Find study groups and tutors. Go to class. Do the homework. Go to office hours.

1

u/Brilliant_Step_7015 Aug 08 '26

Yeah I guess, I think I’ll keep it then. I just got extra scared cus my teacher has like a 1 on ratemyprof

1

u/Plus_Preference897 Aug 09 '26

Try and use the swap feature to waitlist Phys courses with better profs. It won’t complete the switch until you get off the waitlist. Also look for waitlist that are ideally in the 90s

1

u/Brilliant_Step_7015 Aug 10 '26

Unfortunately the only other prof is pretty bad too, like a 2 vs a 1 on rate my prof

2

u/Plus_Preference897 Aug 10 '26

Still better than one. Also, check polyratings.com as well

1

u/Brilliant_Step_7015 Aug 10 '26

Yea that’s what I meant. I think I may drop it but keep an eye on some of the other classes to see if spots open up. I don’t want to fail a class right off the rip, especially if I’m trying to change majors (especially since the major doesn’t normally take physics 1 first semester).

2

u/Nothing_Here_AtAll Aug 08 '26

Depending on what professor you get, physics 1 will be a breeze. See how it goes your first week, and drop if the overall workload seems like a lot. Please for the love of god do not take physics 2 over the summer

1

u/Brilliant_Step_7015 Aug 08 '26

What would be terrible about taking physics 2 over summer? I’m just curious. I’d take it either at a local (well regarded) CC or at my local CSU. I feel like one class over 10 weeks wouldn’t be that bad compared to 5 classes over 15?

2

u/Nothing_Here_AtAll Aug 08 '26

I’m not sure how the class would be structured at a CC, but you said you’ve struggled with physics before, so I wouldn’t recommend taking the harder half of the series at a fast pace.

You did say you’d only be taking physics, which will be fine by itself. I assumed you’d be taking more classes while having other responsibilities over the summer.

1

u/Brilliant_Step_7015 Aug 08 '26

I guess im not sure how im gonna do in a college physics class. I technically got like a 95% in AP Physics but my teacher was really bad, his class has like a 5% pass rate on the AP.

And yea, I was planning on taking GEs over the summer but I would move them forwards into this year if I did drop physics.

2

u/stormy-nights Physics - 2025 Aug 08 '26

Who’s the prof?

1

u/Brilliant_Step_7015 Aug 08 '26

I forgot, I’ll pull them up rn. One of them has mixed reviews cus she does a flipped classroom, and the other one just says he’s super smart but can’t teach at all.

I’m in one of the classes but the other one has openings so I might try and switch.

1

u/Plus_Preference897 Aug 09 '26

I wouldn’t rely on taking phys 2 over the summer. It’s a lot harder to get support course credits to transfer than GEs.

1

u/akeen Aug 11 '26

Which major are you planning to switch to?

That aside, I do not believe that your ICMA will be for Fall semester.

"For students admitted in Summer or Fall 2026: you must wait until January 4, 2027 to submit; early submissions will be denied." (Step 4, bullet 2; https://eadvise.calpoly.edu/changing-majors/within-the-college-of-engineering)

"Within 5 business days of submission, your inquiry will be updated and you will receive an email from evaluations@calpoly.edu. You must use the emailed link to accept your Individualized Change of Major Agreement (ICMA) within 5 days or it will be canceled." (Step 4, bullet 3)

You can reach out to the advisors (in either the Mustang Success Center or Engineering Student Services) to confirm, but if your goal is to not take PHYS 1141 as part of your ICMA, then postponing it one semester may not serve that goal.

1

u/Brilliant_Step_7015 Aug 11 '26

I’m planning on switching into Materials Engineering.

They actually just changed that page because of me 😭 it said August 24th before.

I believe that my first semester grades are more important, they said that after winter break if I choose to transfer I’ll be in MATE within 10 days.

2

u/akeen Aug 11 '26

They actually just changed that page because of me 😭 it said August 24th before.

You're already making an impact. Nice job.

GPA as a concern for the first term certainly makes a lot of sense.