Come By When You Have Time
"The average score is meaningless," Yang Ding Tian said nonchalantly. "I care more about my GPA ranking."
"So what's your ranking?" Shen Qi asked.
"We're ranked in the top three of our class, though there have been occasional fluctuations; we even dropped to fourth for a short period," Yang Ding Tian said calmly, without appearing particularly arrogant. "Our average score for foundational courses, core courses, experiments, and elective courses is in the nineties. Of course, I've had my off days; I only got 88 in 'Mathematical Physics Methods'."
"Come on, let's have a toast." Shen Qi raised his glass and clinked glasses with Yang Ding Tian. This second-year student from the Department of Physics was qualified to sit at the same table and drink with him.
The types of courses Yang Ding Tian mentioned are also ones that Shen Qi needs to take.
The foundational courses in physics include Linear Algebra, Advanced Mathematics, and General Physics (mechanics, thermodynamics, optics, electromagnetism, and Atomic Physics).
Core courses include Mathematical Physics Methods, the Four Great Mechanics, Solid State Physics, and Computational Physics.
The experiments include General Physics experiments and Modern Physics Experiment, Shen Qi needs to obtain at least 6 experimental credits.
There are dozens of elective courses to choose from, and Shen Qi needs to earn at least 18 elective credits.
The above courses combined total nearly 100 credits. Taking into account the special seminar system of the School of Physics, Shen Qi just needs to complete 100 credits to obtain a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics from Yenching University.
If you are a student enrolled in the School of Physics, you need more than 128 credits to obtain your degree, including credits for general courses such as Marxist Philosophy, Ideological and Moral Cultivation, and College English.
"Tell me about yourself, Shen Qi. Tell me your story," Yang Ding Tian said.
"I'm ashamed to say that, excluding Linear Algebra, I only took one serious math major exam: Analytic Geometry," Shen Qi said. He had taken more physics major exams than his major exams, and had just finished two.
"You got your Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics in your first year, so you must have passed your thesis defense. It doesn't matter anymore, whether you take exams or not doesn't matter."
"Hey bro, come visit the math department sometime. We're all from the School of Science, we're family."
Shen Qi and Yang Ding Tian exchanged drinks and contact information, finishing three bottles of beer each before saying goodbye.
June was particularly busy. In addition to the Linear Algebra and optics exams that had already been completed, Shen Qi also had to take exams in Advanced Mathematics, mechanics, thermodynamics, electromagnetism, Atomic Physics, and CET-4.
Writing papers every day can also lead to fatigue; inspiration will eventually run out.
During the intense exam period, Shen Qi entered a practice-focused mode. He rediscovered himself, relaxed both mentally and physically, and new inspirations began to emerge.
Sommerfeld once wrote to his student Heisenberg, advising him. "You must diligently do problems and exercises; only in this way will you discover your weaknesses."
Yang Zhenning recalled his university life, saying, "The teaching atmosphere at Southwest Associated University was very rigorous. The teachers were well-prepared, and the students did a lot of exercises."
After Shen Qi finished his exams in Advanced Mathematics and mechanics, his scores in Linear Algebra and optics were released.
Linear Algebra 100 points, Optics 100 points as well.
Besides practicing physics problems, Shen Qi has recently been reading a lot of professional physics literature.
Numerical comparison of several stabilization Finite Element Algorithm for the Navier-Stokes equations, the explosiveness of smooth solutions to compressible magnetohydrodynamic equations, new differential formulas for Hermite Polynomials and their applications in Quantum Optics... Thanks to his strong mathematical background (level 8), Shen Qi made good progress in self-studying these closely intersecting sub-topics of mathematics and physics.
There are also doubts and questions, such as the yielding behavior of Amorphous Alloy based on Percolation Theory and the study of transient structural changes in thin films using 1D Atomic Chain Model. Shen Qi encountered some obstacles in understanding these topics and needs real data and guidance from experts.
In short, the closer a branch of physics is to mathematics, the more mathematics is used; it is not just a tool, but also plays a framework role, which Shen Qi handles with ease.
In branches that require extensive physical experiments, mathematics is merely a tool rather than the most important core element. In such fields, it is difficult for Shen Qi to master the core technologies simply by understanding them theoretically.
As a student in the School of Mathematical Sciences, Shen Qi couldn't possibly persuade the bigwigs in the School of Physics to lend him their High Energy Collider for a few months to collect experimental data.
The photoelectric effect and Electro-optic Modulation of Photoelectric Effect of Crystals, the Michelson Interferometry for measuring the Gas Refractive Index, the Zero Resistance Phenomenon of High-Temperature Superconductor... Undergraduates can only do a few basic experiments in Modern Physics up to the limit.
Shen Qi was well aware of his strengths and weaknesses; his strength lay in theoretical knowledge, while his weakness was in advanced experimental capabilities.
The former relies on talent and hard work, while the latter requires burning money, burning a lot of money, year after year.
Almost all undergraduate physics exams are theoretical.
The final exam scores for Advanced Mathematics and Mechanics are out, and Shen Qi got two more 100s.
Shen Qi sensed that someone was deliberately making things difficult for the hardworking students of Yenching University, even though he didn't know who had set the electromagnetism exam.
The physical implications of Maxwell's equations can be represented by a set of Differential Equation for scalar and vector potentials, with the function ψ depending on x, y, and z. The 3D wave equation must consider the changes in all three coordinates.
In free space, each component of the scalar potential φ and the vector potential A satisfies the same mathematical equation. Writing out the three terms of the Laplace operator, each component of the magnetic field B satisfies the 3D wave equation.
This is the center of the electromagnetic field—electricity and magnetism—a beautiful structure built by Maxwell, perhaps one of the greatest achievements in physics.
Within a month, Shen Qi took several final exams for freshmen and sophomores in the Department of Physics, and got full marks in all the courses except electromagnetism.
"I got 95 in Electromagnetism, ugh, it dragged down my GPA."
Shen Qi achieved a perfect score of 100 in all six courses: Linear Algebra, Optics, Advanced Mathematics, Mechanics, Thermodynamics, and Atomic Physics, successfully earning the corresponding credits.
I only got 95 points in electromagnetism.
For students like Shen Qi who are pursuing a second degree in physics, the physics department has certain requirements regarding their GPA ranking.
Compared to other physics students enrolled in the physics department, Shen Qi's GPA ranking cannot be in the bottom 30%; otherwise, the physics department will not issue him a bachelor's degree in physics.
The scores for the CET-4 CET-4) will be available in August. Shen Qi has already taken the CET-4 exam, marking the end of his freshman year.
At the end of June, Shen Qi arrived at the Physics Building, at the Degree Evaluation Committee.
"Teacher Yu, I didn't fail any of the seven exams that have already finished, and my average score is 99.3. I want to know where this score ranks in the physics major? I can't find the ranking list on the Yanda intranet. This ranking is very important to me. If I'm in the bottom 30%, all my previous efforts will be wasted." Shen Qi asked the staff member in charge of degree management.
"99.3? Shen Qi, are you here to cause trouble?" Teacher Yu immediately checked the data on the computer. Of the seven courses Shen Qi took, six were full marks and one was 95.
"Teacher Yu, please tell me directly. I'm mentally prepared and not afraid of setbacks," Shen Qi asked.
Teacher Yu wasn't unfamiliar with gifted students; geniuses were not uncommon at Peking University. However, a student like Shen Qi couldn't be simply categorized as a genius, mediocre, or stupid. "Shen Qi, you've only taken seven exams so far, so I can't calculate your ranking. Come back to me after you've taken seven more. If you can still maintain an average score of 99.3 then, you'll be number one."