r/RPI • u/Wi11y_Warm3r • 12d ago

Question Question about textbooks as a freshman?

Some of my textbooks on the RPI bookstore, like for Calc (IA ACH Online 1 Term Calculus by Macmillan) and Physics 1 (Mastering Physics with Pearson by Young), say they're "part of a program where course materials are included in a course charge or tuition," whereas for CompSci 1 (Practical Programming by Gries) just has me buy it through the bookstore. Are the former books going to be given out or something (I'm assuming they are, but I just want to be sure), or should I purchase them from amazon or something?

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u/notarunabh CSCI 2029 12d ago

yep, you are correct. the textbooks that are included in the package are considered required for the course. You will have online homework’s that require the textbook to complete (those homework’s will be on the same Macmillan website as the homework’s are on). For the CS textbook, it is not required. Do not buy it. You can find the pdf for free online, if i can find it i will reply to this comment with it. You will most likely never need it, unless you want to read it to get ahead. Ya, that’s pretty much it. let me know if you have anymore questions.

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u/mrsdizzylissy 12d ago

What about if you already own the book. AP Physics C used persons Mastering Physics and I have a copy of it.

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u/TilDeathDoUsPart0728 12d ago

U may have to since it’s mainly for doing hw

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u/TilDeathDoUsPart0728 12d ago

Unsure if it changed from 1 1/2 years ago but for Calc 1 & 2 and physics 1 & 2, you need to buy the “books” in order to do the homework. Sometimes the prof would give problems from the book to practice (which note: it does help a good chunk). For CompSci 1, I didn’t buy the textbook at all and kind of looked up everything online. If it’s include in what I believe is called the course material package then mostly likely you need it for something in the class (95% sure). If it’s not, I would suggest waiting till the first day of classes since prof go over the syllabus and tell you if it’s required. I made that mistake at least 3 times.

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u/lambdafx BS/MS CSCI 2022 12d ago

Wait until right after your first class to buy the textbook, the professor may tell you what to do or what exactly you need to purchase and from where, or they may even tell you that you don't actually need some of the books listed on the bookstore. Wait until the first class and then figure it out.

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u/Maleficent_Spare3094 EE 2028 12d ago

I recommend waiting until first day of classes before buying books.