If you are going to do (or have a serious go at) any physics based degree , Maths 1 wont even go anywhere near giving you the mathematical background to handle the theoretical / mathematical aspects of 2nd year or higher level undergrad physics topics , and training in vector calculus is not sufficient.
Nor do the lecturers and tutors giving these topics have time to spoon feed students who don't have the requisit knowledge or to teach students maths they call on or use .
Majority of physics majors I've met were double majors (physics / maths) or came from engineering or maths backgrounds.
You need a least 2 years of linear algebra, analysis and calculus , and probably a good grounding in electromagetism too.
I've done undergrad physics and it's not easy math , the easiest was the year 2 topic in quantum mechanics ( failure rate 70% at my university when I did it ).
No way of avoiding it .... physics is a very hard and difficult science to learn at university level.
Last edited by Ian Robinson; 12-09-2009 at 07:18 PM.
