Hi, I’m about to become a first-year life sciences student. I’m a little interested in physics, and particularly interested in certain options it opens in life sciences (Biochem, Molecular Genetics, Immunology).
However, it’s hard not to be mildly concerned that last year, only 47% and 39% of students of PHY131 and PHY132 respectively would retake the course if given the chance. (By contrast, 86% and 77% PHY151 and PHY152 of 2011 would retake those courses).
So, should I take the presumably easier introductory courses? Or the foundational courses which apparently were far more engaging, on the theory that it’s easier to work hard if the course hasn’t made you hate the subject?
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Hey hey
I say just take the basic introductory ones.
Useful as the anti calendar may be, there’s nothing like… well, the actual calendar. Basically consider what the calendar already tells you about PHY151H and PHY152H respectively:
A first university physics course primarily for students not intending to pursue a Specialist or Major program in Physical or Mathematical Sciences
The second university physics course primarily for students not intending to pursue a Specialist or Major program in Physical or Mathematical Sciences.
Evidently, those are for students who, well golly jee, actually intend to go forth with some sort of future in physics.
So if you just need some first year physics to satisfy some requirements, 131 and 132 are perfectly fine.
Think of it like this: the people who took 151 and 152 and gave is that higher retake rate? They probably actually liked physics. They WANTED to be there. Whereas the sorry bastards that gave 131 and 132 such low ratings? People that simply had to take it. Point being, take the results of the anti-calendar with a grain of salt.
Cheers!
aska
