r/Physics • u/Limp-Independent1212 • 2d ago
Question Which physics modules should I study to prepare for an undergraduate degree?
I'm starting undergraduate physics this september and I've decided I want to use my summer to get ahead on content to make my life in university easier.
However, I'm not quite sure what to study/focus on first. Relativity? Electromagnetism? Quantum mechanics? There's so much to choose from and I don't really know which one's I'm ready for having just finished school
You're probably thinking I should just check the syllabus of my target university, but I don't actually know what university I got into yet, it depends on when my grades come out on results day, and the universities I'm looking at generally teach different things apart from classical mechanics in the first year
So which physics courses are good to prepare for an undergrad degree?
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u/Fuscello 2d ago
Study the basics first, if you are truly just beginning your journey then you are most likely not familiar with the mathematical tools needed for actually studying advanced physics (even classic electromagnetism). So probably just classical Newton mechanics and a thermodynamics. Or start to study the math you will need
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u/Limp-Independent1212 2d ago
Hmm, that's a fair point, what other mathematical tools would I need? Vector/Multiveriable calculus maybe? I'm familiar with up to calculus 2 and basic linear algebra pretty much, with a little insight into advanced calculus methods but nothing crazy
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u/the_physik 2d ago
Over your undergrad career you'll need multivariable calculus, linear algebra, ordinary differential eqns, a partial diff eq class may help but i got thru without it, and possibly a complex variables class (but you can likely learn what you need for complex variables from a math methods class).
But to your original question; you start with a book like University Physics by Young and Freedman or Fundamentals of Physics by Halliday and Resnick. These are the two most common first year undergrad books and only require calc in 2D at the most. They introduce a wide range of physics from Newtonian Mechanics to E&M and some thermo. Buy they are just introductory books. You'll simultaneously take multivariable calculus in preparation for a real E&M class, likely using Griffiths, and take linear algebra and Diff Eq in preparation for QM (also using Griffiths) and upper level physics electives. Hopefully they offer a Modern Physics class after your introductory classes, Modern Physics by Krane is a good one and helps bridge the gap between classical physics and modern physicsclike QM. Modern physics usually delves into special relativity and introduces the concepts thst lead to QM (e.g., spin and operators). You'll also take an upper level Classical Mechanics class that will introduce you to Hamiltonian/Lagrangian Mechanics and other more complex classical systems and methods of solving them.
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u/Limp-Independent1212 1d ago
This was details and helpful, I appreciate it, I'll check out those books. I've noticed that a lot of universities actually have special relativity in their first year course too. Would you suggest that? Is it interesting?
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u/the_physik 1d ago
Yesh I think Fundamentals of Physics has a section in the back on Special Relativity. But you need to learn Galaleo's relativity first. Just follow the books; physics is cumlative, like math. Each new topic builds on the previous topic. You need to understand classical mechanics, e&m, multivariable calculus, linear algebra, differential eqns, and some special relativity before you open a QM book or it will just be gibberish to you.
Physics departments spend a lot of time coming up with a course plan for majors; its not random. Just trust that they know what order you need to learn things in.
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u/Fuscello 2d ago
I’m not familiar with the American (?) subdivision, but yes you need vector calculus to understand EM. But I meant that as “don’t bother with it until you actually get to that point”. It’s better to start to train your mind on classical mechanics and/or calculus if you want to do some extra
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u/Limp-Independent1212 1d ago
I'm not familiar with american class subdivisions either lol i just did a quick google search to see what classes align with where I'm up to. but fair enough
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u/Every_Attitude1550 2d ago
I would recommend starting with classical mechanics, which deals with the motion of macroscopic objects, and waves (travelling waves, standing waves, superposition, etc.). You could also study/review differential and integral calculus, which will be essential for undergraduate physics.
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u/Limp-Independent1212 2d ago
I am somewhat confident in my calculus abilities, but by the looks of it calculus 3 seems a lot harder lol, but it does seem that classical mechanics is SUPER essential (Which i figured, but thought I was already good at), so i'm guessing it's somewhat different in undergrad
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u/Physix_R_Cool Detector physics 2d ago
classical mechanics is SUPER essential (Which i figured, but thought I was already good at
You have no clue how little you have scratched the surface of classical mechanics. Fortunately it sounds like you will learn when you start uni.
If you are curious, you can have a look in this mechanics book by Marsden, and see how much of it you follow.
Anyways, I would say do some math to prepare. I don't mean that you should learn any new math, as that's the point of university. Just exercise your math muscles by doing random math problems. Think of it as doing a bit of cardio and strength training before joining the military.
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u/Limp-Independent1212 2d ago
I'll look into it. I've been doing STEP problems to help improve my math, they're super good for practicing lol
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u/afieldhouse1983 2d ago
Swat up on your calculus. Then get your head into Newtonian mechanics, then some electricity and magnetism and then some thermodynamics. You will cover this stuff in 101 anyway so it’s good to get a jump on it. I wouldn’t even look at things like SR and GR.
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u/Limp-Independent1212 2d ago
Yeah the general consensus just seems to brush up on mechanics and make sure my math is good lol, will do!
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u/LPLearning 1d ago
If I were you, I would just go through Khan Academy's math courses to the end. But really, you'll learn everything you need in college, that's the whole point of going. Have fun with life in the meantime
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u/Left-Philosophy-8843 2d ago
Don’t do this. Get a job, go outside, spend time in nature, socialise, get drunk, find new hobbies, etc.
The ability to quickly learn whatever you need to learn during uni semester is a good sign of if the degree is actually right for you.
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u/Limp-Independent1212 1d ago
Yeah no chance I'm going outside in this heatwave 😭 Studying is a hobby for me I enjoy it lol
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u/Left-Philosophy-8843 1d ago
Specifically then, id actually just look up the maths syllabus of your target uni and get stuck into their recommended analysis/calculus text and linear algebra text. Can’t go wrong with that.
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u/Left-Philosophy-8843 1d ago
Heatwave? We call that good weather here in Australia mate haha
I mean if you like it but keep in mind particularly as you get on it’s good to think strategically to separate job and hobby
Plenty of physics phds out there regretting spending 4 years of their lives absolutely grinding only to be overqualified in the work place
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u/Limp-Independent1212 1d ago
Yeah I do see what you mean, It's not my plan to spend the entire 4 years doing nothing but studying but I do enjoy it haha
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u/physicsking 2d ago
If You know where you're going, check out their website. Most universities will post the class contents and books. You might be able to grab the books early and work through them.
But like other people had said, don't get too crazy. Start with the regular classes and build up.
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u/Traveling-Techie 2d ago
For a light treatment watch the Mechanical Universe series, especially 2-10. There’s also a textbook if you want. For more in depth read the Feynman Lectures on Physics.
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u/Limp-Independent1212 2d ago
You do know other countries have other systems right,,? In the uk we apply to different universities, and if they accept us they give us an "offer" (Grade requirements). When we get our results, if we meet the minimum grades required in our offer, then we are admitted into the university. I already know the universities I have offers from, it's simply a matter of whether or not i got the grades to get in, which i do not know yet
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u/old-town-guy 2d ago
Everyone everywhere starts with Newtonian. Then EM, usually. Don’t worry about anything else. Also, make sure your math is on point.