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/sci/ - Science & Math

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1244707 No.1244707 [Reply] [Original]

I just switched from a History and Philosophy double major to a Pure Math and Physics double major. I don't have a strong math background, in fact, its pretty weak. But liberal arts no longer pose any challenge to me. I want to be challenged, so in the middle of my sophomore year, I'm switching. I'm taking algebra this upcoming semester and a low level physics course. I love reading about physics. Any advice for a newbie? I would really appreciate it.

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>> No.1244711

your fucked

>> No.1244710

Do you like money? Try engineering.

>> No.1244713

Bullshit. No uni would let you onto a maths or physics course without a decent background in maths or physics

>> No.1244717

I'm not fucked, I'm not a retard I just have never been interested in math and physics up until lately. I can learn it.

>> No.1244719

If you are used to, or at least willing to get used to, messing up 90% of the time, making countless mistakes and going through the pain of having people ace the course with no effort while you can barely survive, go for it because other than that, it feels good man

>> No.1244721

are you a specter/quantum-clone of me-that-could-have-been? considered switching philosophy/history to physics/maths, but it's too late now, ah well

as for reading, try some of these (/sci/ recommends feynman, of course)

http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/wiki/Recommended_Physics_Reading

>> No.1244724
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1244724

>>1244707

There's a big difference between reading popular science books and actually doing real mathematics and physics.

I'd find an entry level maths book and work through it as far as you can. I'd also contact your college and see if they have any recommended material for students to study before taking the courses.

Good luck with it though you made the right choice.

>> No.1244727

I'm fine with that. Others can ace whatever they want, i have no interest in them. I like a challenge, so I think I will like it.

>> No.1244730

As a math major, I don't really consider majoring in it hard at all. That said, I had a better background than you coming into college. I have some friends that are majoring in physics, though, and they tell me it's ridiculous. Still, physics includes a ton of math, so information you learn for one major will be useful for the other.

>> No.1244731

Thank you guys, I appreciate it. Hopefully I am making the right choice.
>>1244713
They let me in because I have always been a top notch honors course student in other fields. I explained that I would like to try this one, and they allowed me to.

>> No.1244755

>>1244730
I was figuring that they would play together hand-in-hand, so I figured that by the time I got done with a physics degree I wouldn't be far from a math degree, so I might as well do it too. I'm a little scared because I'm not used to being the dumbest one in the class, but I suppose that's something i'm just going to have to pony up and do.

>> No.1244771
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1244771

>>1244707
If you see a bunch of engineers walking towards you at night, RUN!

Its called rape son. Engineers love a young males ass!

>> No.1244779
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1244779

>>1244710
>engineering

He said he wants a challenge. Engineering isnt much harder then History or Philosophy. TAKE YOUR FAIL OUTTA MY /SCI/!

>> No.1244791

Seriously, I don't fucking get it. What is the entire scientist/engineer debate all about? They are both needed.

>> No.1244835

academicearth dot org and wikipedia - look no further

>> No.1244885

Hey, I did well in college physics, heres some legitimate advice:

1) Write down every term or word you don't know in lectures and wiki/google it. Even if its simple.

2) Have some friends in the class to help with problem sheets, better marks, better understanding.

3) Work hard and put the time into labs, they're the toughest part to do well in.

4) Be able to do as many past exam papers as you can find before going into an exam

5) Don't read the maths, do the maths.

6) Quantum mechanics is essentially a mathematical formalism, don't try and pop science understand it, just do the fucking maths.

>> No.1244890

>>1244791
btw noko doesnt have a capital

>> No.1244892

STGSDGTGSDG!@!@R@#QTG#G

>> No.1244914

Thank you very much, I'll remember those tips. I'm excited for it.

>> No.1244954

>>1244914

Enjoy it. Maths is a perfect garden where you are God and can define the rules. Play with it, feel good when you figure it out, be amazed by integers - they're fucking nuts.

In physics relinquish you're control of the garden and try natures rules. They are almost irrationally arbitrary so just learn them and marvel at the little shaking balls of probability density.

>> No.1244978

>>1244954
Those are a few of the reasons why I want to do Math and Physics. I want to tinker with Nature and Math, and learn and play with them. I think it's a beautiful thing, and I want to play too.

>> No.1244984

Why do you need to double major man
Gheeze

>> No.1245024

>>1244984
Because one major doesn't hold my complete interest. If I get bored with one for a day, I can simply go do the work for the other majors courses, and come back and finish the work later when i am interested again. And no, I do not have ADHD