<p>wow. Many thanks x 10^8. That was awesome, tunanfish. The HUM sequence sounds awesome, but I don't know if I'd have room to take it. Looks amazing, though. I can't wait to start econ courses (although it's looking like I won't be able to until sophomore year) and polisci courses. It's going to be the sheez. Thanks again :)</p>
<p>That does look difficult, but having that cultural/historical base in an education would be priceless...</p>
<p>tunafish, what can you tell me about the science department? And any aspects of it (I heard the science building is way out yonder... far away)? How about teachers, classes, and stuff like that?</p>
<p>I am a molbio/chem/pre-med major so I could answer some questions about science. The science buildings are indeed very faraway. I used to be late all the time to class just because it took 10-15min to get there. But then I brought a bike over Fall Break and its all good now. The science department is strong. A new physics(?) building was just built with great facilities. There are also great profs and research opportunities. Molecular biology is one of the top 4 majors on campus. </p>
<p>Mol Bio or Evolution Bio Major:
First sequence- EEB211/MOL214. EEB 211 is evolutionary and ecological biology, parts are very interesting, parts are dull. I enjoy the class overall, fair tests, Gould is a good lecturer. I've heard really good things about MOL214 and I'm excited to take it. MOL 214 has an allstar cast of professors (3 in total i think). Originally I placed out of EEB211/MOL214 and took MOL215 which was molec bio with physics and engineering basis. I would advise not taking this, I immediately dropped out haha.
If you haven't placed out of Gen Chem you will need to take that first year too. </p>
<p>Chem Major: First Year you will need Gen Chem and Calculus. </p>
<p>Being a science major is difficult, it requires a pretty big course commitment. As you will be a AB candidate, you only take 4 courses a semester. However, you will have to take 2 or 3 sciecne courses at some point (probably soph or jr year). Not only this, but science courses have the normal 3 hours of lecture per week, as well as a 3 hour lab every week with writeups. This means lab is essentially like another course. I placed out of genchem and calc so all I took was EEB211/MOL214. That was probably a mistake since next year I will need to take Organic Chem, Molbio departmentals, and Physics. 9 hours of lab a week..sweet.</p>
<p>I don't know <em>too</em> much about the science departments, but here's what I do know:</p>
<p>Most upper-level science courses require you to have taken either Physics 103 or 105, I think. The way Physics works at Princeton, everyone who either plans to take 103 or 105 starts off in the same class, then after a couple of weeks the re is a break, where you can opt to go into 103 (easier) or 105 (harder). My roommate, who is quite good at math, is in 105 right now, finds it challenging but not impossible.</p>
<p>In the Chemistry department, there are a number of 200-level courses that are no joke, but the gateway to Chemistry is ultimately through Orgo, which separates the kids from the doctors. A guy whom I debate with (ask me about debate @ Princeton if you want) is taking it and finds it quite difficult; it's one of the hardest classes offered at Princeton.</p>
<p>In the two biology departments (EEB and MOL), there's an assortment of 200-level classes, which I know nothing about, so I'll keep my mouth shut.</p>
<p>In Computer Science, the course most people take as the intro to the department is COS 126, which is supposed to be fairly difficult. There are also COS 111 (real computer science for humanities majors) and COS 109 (a super-easy course known as E-Mail for Credit) for the less technically-inclined.</p>
<p>thank you for the cut-and-pastes and the insider tips tunanfish & touky7 - they are really helpful :)</p>
<p>PHY105, I have to say that this is one of the most difficult courses for freshman, on par with Organic Chemistry CHM301 or CHM301A. PHY105/106 sequence is much more theoretical than the PHY103/104 sequence and is often the first course of choice for physics majors. The material is covered much more in depth and everything, and i mean everything, is proved, from acceleration to central force motion. The problem sets in this course are difficult and often require 5 hours plus a night at a review session to complete. However this is one of the most rewarding courses you can take first year. The professors, Lyman Page and Joseph Horton Taylor are some of the best in the physics department. Note: Joe Taylor is a winner of the 1993 nobel prize in physics. The class is not impossible, but be prepared for a shock if you thought you were good at physics in high school. Doing well in this class means that you have hope as a future physics major. Note: the first topic in 106, the electromagnetism continuation of 105, is the proof of the existence of magnetism from the special relativitiy theory and classical mechanics. Definitely interesting stuff.</p>
<p>Question about the humanities sequences: Okay, so after really looking into this last night, I think I'd like to try the 216/217 and 218/219 humanistic studies sequence. However...is there an application process? If so, how many people usually compete for the 35 spots open? After having psyched myself out about the courses, I was a little disheartened to learn it might not be open to everyone. Any insight?</p>
<p>It's open to 35 people, but I don't think it's super-selective. Furthermore, people who don't feel they're cut out for it drop out after the first semester, so there's always that option. For now I would recommend mulling it over -- you won't even be able to apply until April or so.</p>
<p>Yeah, I know. I think I'll discuss it with my English teacher and former social studies teachers to get their opinions on it. Humanities subjects have always been my strongest, and I'm fascinated by the material the class covers, so...but yeah, like you said, it's not until April. We'll see. Thanks :)</p>
<p>Oh, and also I forgot to mention that you have to write an application essay, so, yes, you do have to apply.</p>
<p>Tunanfish - Could you please email me using the thing on my profile. I tried to email you to ask some questions about debate and some other things, but, it said you weren't receiving emails. I would really appreciate it. Thanks.</p>
<p>rdb9986 and touky7:</p>
<p>In terms of freshman math placement... what math classes did you guys take in high school, and what were your AP/SAT II scores?
Reason: I took AP Calc BC last year from a sadistic and demoralizing teacher, and am now in Multivariable Calculus & Differential Equations, which (at my school) covers some interesting material but is in no way a preparation for college math... we do very little work, and no rigorous proofs. Basically, it seems like I've taken a lot of math, but I've never had any real training in mathematical thought and methods of proof, so whatever I've done so far is basically the result of being a hardworking citizen of the land of plug-and-chug. I am looking to pursue a math major and wondering what I should try to place into freshman year. (For reference, I got an 800 on the IIC, and 4/5 BC/AB subscore on the AP.)
How much do they expect you to know in Multivariable and Number Theory? How much did you guys know before starting math at Princeton? And how much help do you get if your math preparation was lacking?</p>
<p>rdb9986:</p>
<p>How's Advanced Mechanics? Is completion of AP Physics C a prerequisite or a redundancy?</p>
<p>To place into the highest math classes, MAT214 and MAT215, which are prospective math major classes with rigorous proof learning, you need pretty high scores. This is from the math department:
Students who have a very strong mathematics aptitude and achieve a 5 on the AB or BC Advanced Placement Examination and 760 or better on the SAT (mathematics aptitude) test, qualify for placement into Mathematics 215 or 214. </p>
<p>I took 214 (number theory) and immediately knew I didnt want to be a math major anymore lol. No multivar or linear algebra is required for the math major sequence, which is 214-217-218 I believe. 217 is then Honors Linear Algebra (aka linear algebra with heavy emphasis on proofs, taught by the famous John Conway). 218 is called Analysis is Several Variables i think, and is again multi with heavy proofs. So even if you've taken multi I think Princeton will have you take their version w/ heavy proofs.</p>
<p>I can add that my roommate is in MAT 214. He's a prospective math major and spends nearly every Sunday night up all evening working on his problem set for the course; at the same time, he really enjoys the stuff they're going over in the course. Caveat emptor.</p>
<p>A large majority of the students in physics 105 took AP physics C, although it is not strictly a prerequisite. Taking Physics 105 with AP major, physics 105/106 is a nice way to fulfill the science requirement. I took physics physics C is not a redundancy, I would not recommend placing into a higher physics class unless you have significantly more math experience than AP physics. If you are a math 105 after getting 5 on both part of ap physics c, and it was a challenging class that required a lot of time and thought, but was very rewarding.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone! One more question: would I still be able to pursue a math major and take advanced courses in the department if I didn't place right away into 214 or 215?</p>
<p>I have another question as a prospective math major: I did majorally accelerated math in middle school, and so as a result I just finished taking Calc 4 at the University of Minnesota. So, I've done Differential Equations, Linear Algebra, and Multivariable Calculus. Has anyone else already taken these classes and then had to take them again at Princeton? Just because it definitely wasn't proof worthy, so I'll be retaking them - but I'm just wondering if I'm going to be bored out of my mind or not. </p>
<p>Also, funny story: when I visited last March, Professor Gunning got me into the Honors Linear Algebra to watch, since that's what I was taking at the moment, and Professor Conway absolutely terrified me - and it wasn't until I got back home that I realised he was famous and all that jazz.</p>
<p>I do not think that 214-217-218 would be repetative for someone with those courses, proof based courses are very different from more applied classes.</p>
<p>prettyfish as in prettyfish from LJ? <em>waves</em> I'm jack_jackrules, btw, hehe. That's awesome that you're so advanced in your math studies. I bow to those who can do what I can't :)</p>