Member Avatar for ihatestarch

I wasn't sure where to post this, so excuse me if I picked the wrong forum. My major is computer science and I'm approaching my last year in college. I haven't taken my lab science sequence yet and I was advised to take physics.

Does it matter whether I take a calculus-based physics course or a trig-based physics course? I mean . . . does it matter to the employers or depend on if I want to go to grad school? I'd rather take trig-based as I hear it's less grueling.

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by Rashakil Fol

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— quick, practical guidance grounded in the replies here: pick the course that matches your math background and the CS path you actually want to follow.

As noted, many day-to-day CS roles (apps, backend, web) do not depend on a particular physics flavor. is also right that employers rarely inspect transcripts for that detail. Where the choice matters is for keeping academic options open and for fields that model the physical world. If you already have calculus under your belt, the calculus-based physics course is the safer choice because it opens doors for robotics, graphics/physics engines, simulation, control systems, and some interdisciplinary grad work. If you have no calculus yet and would struggle to keep up, an algebra/trig-based physics class plus solid math courses (Calculus I–II, multivariable or linear algebra as appropriate) is an acceptable route.

A few concrete points to use when deciding:

  • Check your department requirements and any grad programs you might want; some engineering minors or transfer rules explicitly require calculus-based physics.
  • Match course content to specialization: mechanics/dynamics-heavy tracks benefit from calculus-based material, while conceptual or electronics-lite CS tracks do not.
  • Consider workload and GPA. If a calculus-based class would force you to drop other critical CS/math courses, it may be wiser to take the algebra course now and take the math separately.
  • Labs differ: calc-based labs typically require model derivation and calculus in analysis; algebra-based labs emphasize concepts and measurements.

Actionable plan: confirm prerequisites, decide whether you plan to pursue robotics/graphics/EE/minors or grad research, then choose calc-based if you want to keep those options. Otherwise take the trig-based course and prioritize taking the core math sequence next. ’s enthusiasm for calculus is fair — it keeps more doors open — but practical timing and your existing math skills should drive the final choice.

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Member Avatar for mrnutty

No it dosen't matter. You are a computer scientist. But for your own good
I would advice you to take trig based physics. In computer graphics
programmer, you will use more trig and vectors than calculus. Its good if
you know calculus with addition. Anyways, its your choice, why not ask one of your computer science teacher?

Member Avatar for kalrajhi

Calculus<3

Member Avatar for Rashakil Fol

Why would employers care? It's not like they're going to ask you for your transcript.

Edited by Rashakil Fol because: n/a
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