I know that Py 205 is meant for engineering majors. I just heard that both courses are taught somewhat differently. Py205n is like multiple choice while py205m is like free response? Typically what are the big differences between these two physics, and why would you choose one over the other?

11/5/2008 5:08:33 PM

205M is a great course. Lots to learn in that. It is based off of 3 major concepts and everything works from those 3. Not much to it really. It can be tough though if you don't study. I would take M if I were you (being an engineer)...it helps with classes like dynamics and others down the road if you take M. Not really sure about N.

M is all pretty much free response. If you want a good teacher then Dr. Chabay is the best. Somewhat boring but she teaches it well and wrote the book. She knows what to teach and when. The tests are fair and you should have no problem.

11/5/2008 5:30:06 PM

I also enjoyed PY 205m

11/5/2008 5:41:01 PM

One is focused on the atomic scale, one is the macro scale I think. It might be M is for "Molecular" or "Macro" and N is for "Newtonian"

Its some subtle difference like that.

11/5/2008 7:30:39 PM

Basically M you learn a few general equations (only like 5 or 6 equations the whole semester which are all pretty similar) that you have to apply to different situations. More of a concept thing where as N is the standard this is the equation for this situation, this is the equation for that situation. Advisors usually say N is better for majors that deal with more concrete physics applications Mechanical/Civil ect and M is better for majors that use more abstract physical ideas like EE. Either way if you pass 205/208 you're going to learn exactly what you needed from 205/208 in more detail in higher level classes if it is necessary.

Basically in M theres like 30 ways to do any given problem since main principles work for in theory every situation. People say M is easier because there's less to remember and usually the questions on the test come directly from webassign, or problems in the book.

Or is it?

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11/5/2008 11:16:51 PM

M stands for matter and interaction.
N is traditional.

They started doing M as kind of an educational experiment around 5ish years ago, and it hasn't gone away. M integrates more modern physics, and is motivated to a certain extent by physics at an atomic scale. (which is kinda dumb, in my opinion, because you're supposed to be learning classical mechanics, not quantum mechanics).

N takes a more traditional approach, aka classical newtonian and derivation of principles from calculus. In other words, projectile motion, conservation of energy and momentum, etc. The ideas are just as abstract as M, they are just more classically motivated.

^If you are in EE, you should probably take the N sequence. I don't know if they've changed it, but one of the gripes I used to hear about 208M is that they don't teach you circuits, which you'll definitely want to see if you are in EE, CSC, etc.

11/6/2008 9:38:49 AM

^most people in EE already learn circuits by the time they're in 208

We went over SIMPLE circuits in 208m

11/6/2008 12:05:17 PM

Talk to your advisor about which one to take. For ChemE i'm recommended to take 205m/208m

i haven't gotten to 208 yet, but i got stuck in 205n since engineering had last registration and i placed out of CH 101 they went ahead and dropped me into 205n. I do not like 205n

11/6/2008 3:03:00 PM

yeah i'm in EE, but i changed so i'm a first year EE but done with all the other pre-engineering stuff and most of my other credits.

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11/6/2008 6:41:59 PM

Quote :

" If you want a good teacher then Dr. Chabay is the best. Somewhat boring but she teaches it well and wrote the book."

What happened to ole Bruce Sherwood, isn't his name still on the books? ( I see he's not teaching either class this semester either)

11/11/2008 6:01:23 PM

M is a lot easier, I would recommend taking it

12/19/2008 8:24:53 AM

^ i wouldn't really say that.

neither one of them is 'hard'. M is just more conceptual and there are less equations

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12/21/2008 12:45:21 AM