Are you sure you want to take this course?

Having taught this course a number of times, I believe I can give you some very direct advice on whether 2213 might be a better fit for you. In the list below, if even one item is descriptive of you, I strongly recommend you switch to 2213.

I prefer working on homework in a group, and feel uncomfortable working alone.

I do not have geometry formulas at my fingertips, like the surface area of a sphere, and rely on wikipedia for such things.

When doing calculations I rely heavily on my laptop, for algebra, calculus, etc.

I prefer lectures and reading with many worked examples and expect homework assignments to be closely based on them.

2217 appeals to me because it is the prestige option and will look more impressive on my transcript.

Since surely many of you have conceded to one or more of these statement, I will now explain why you should be excited about switching to 2213.

First, 2213 is one of the most carefully crafted courses offered by the physics department. Enormous resources have gone into creating all those lectures notes, in-lecture questions, co-op exercises, practice exams, etc. to make the transfer of knowledge as painless as possible. By taking 2213, you will certainly be getting the best return on your tuition dollar! Try that argument in case your parents react with shock on learning that 2213 is not "honors". The content of 2213 is in no way "dumbed down" relative to 2217. You will get the same four Maxwell equations, in the abstract and as experienced in phenomena, both natural and man-made.

For the half-dozen of you still considering 2217 I should explain why this course exists at all. Here's the shortest argument I've been able to come up. Whereas 2213 does an expert job with the "what" and "how" of the subject, only 2217 makes an attempt at the "why". For most career paths (e.g. Steve Jobs, Elon Musk), the "why" of the Maxwell equations is completely irrelevant. On the other hand, this is a university and filling you in on even the "why" is part of the job. It turns out the "why" (i.e. why not something else) is bound up in the theory of special relativity, a fundamentally different way of thinking about the world.

In 2213 you will develop good intuition about electric (E) and magnetic (B) fields, and gain an appreciation (especially when it comes to electromagnetic waves) for how these work in concert. In 2217 we take a more fundamental approach. For example, we consider situations in which there is only E and then ask how to interpret those phenomena in a moving frame of reference. If we posit the forces in the moving frame are explained by another field, we find it is exactly what Maxwell (without the benefit of special relativity) called B!

I hope these remarks have been useful and look forward to seeing the small fringe group curious about the "whys" of physics.