<p>I have a few questions about AEP which I intend to major in.</p>
<li><p>First, is placing out of MATH 192 (MV) and going straight to DiffEQ worth it if I can? I’m doing everything in the syllabus comprehensively this year and I wouldn’t think it was a problem if I can pass the department exam. This question has been asked a few times other places but no definitive answer has been given.</p></li>
<li><p>My physics class isn’t technically an AP class at my high school, just “Honors” physics. However, the first 1/2 of the year prepares you well enough for the Physics C Mechanics section. I’m planning on taking it but is it good to take 116 anyway? If I choose to place out of 112, I assume I’d take 217 concurrently with 216 (1 credit on relativity covered in 116 but not 112)? Which is the best course of action?</p></li>
<li><p>What are some common minors for AEP majors? I haven’t really thought about it much but there is a lot of flexibility and I’m wondering what you or people you know are minoring (or double majoring, if that) in.</p></li>
<li><p>Regarding the intro courses (ENGRI 110 and 102)…is it possible or worth it to take both? Lasers is “recommended” but both seem like interesting topics to study. Especially if I’m retaking multivariable calculus and/or Physics 116 it seems like I could do both and not be strained too much.</p></li>
<li><p>Looking at some of the engineering site I noticed that the AEP major requires a B- in all major courses whereas all other majors and minors are somewhere in the C-/C/C+ range. How hard does AEP get? To people do well in the first 2 years of math and physics and then have to leave the major because they get a C? Basically, I’m rambling but wondering how hard it is to maintain that B-. I mean I’ve never gotten less than an A- for the year in any math/science ever in HS…but that is still really daunting…</p></li>
</ol>
<p>I can’t believe I got in less than a week ago and I’ve already been thinking about course selection…lol.</p>
<p>Thanks for any input. Anybody else wanting to ask anything about AEP should use this board too…as there seem to be more than a handfull of people on CC that were accepted ED to AEP.</p>
<p>Before addressing your questions, it's helpful to know that AEP is a cumulative major. By that I mean that it really builds on everything you learn starting from your freshman year, so it's important to have a very strong foundation in the fundamentals. I would not recommend placing out of every possible course because it never hurts to reinforce what you already know, and you might actually learn a couple new things in the process.</p>
<p>Place out of 192 if you feel that you really know the material well. Not to knock on your school or anything, but if they don't offer an AP version of math or physics then I have some doubts about the depth at which you learned the material. Cornell will do everything your high school does except at a higher and more rigorous level. Also, keep in mind you will use MV calc constantly throughout physics, so it is ESSENTIAL that you know it inside and out. If you ace the placement exam and feel confident that you really know your stuff, then go ahead and place out but keep in mind what I previously said. As for Mechanics, if you haven't had AP then don't place out of 116. It's a difficult class and it will give you a flavor of what AEP is like and whether or not you can survive in it.</p>
<p>AEP majors are not required to get a minor. You are supposed to "concentrate" in something that you and your advisor agree to. The real purpose is to make sure you take higher-level technical courses in your senior year. Examples of areas that my classmates specialized in include electrical engineering, computer science, ORIE, biomed engr, astrophysics, etc etc. Some of those people actually double-majored (a lot of work!) in their respective areas, but most didn't. Many of my classmates didn't have a well-defined set of interests, which is perfectly fine as well.</p>
<p>I took ENGRI 102 when it was offered the very first time. I sure hope a lot has changed since then because that was easily one of the worst classes I ever took. I don't know if it was the professor who taught it or whether the material went over everyone's heads, but I learned nothing whatsoever and ended up not going to class for the second half of the semester. I showed up for the final and somehow passed the class with a B-. I've heard Lasers is a very good class and the guy that teaches it is fantastic.</p>
<p>Most importantly, I advise that you RELAX! Enjoy your senior year and don't slack off too much next semester. I understand you are very excited, but you have a little under a year before you have to worry about any of this.</p>
<p>hmmm thanks. I took BC calc with all the seniors last year and am doing independent study MV calc with the department head this year and getting an A on all of his tests so I'm probably gonna try and get out of 192. My school offers a ****load of APs just for no apparent reasons doesn't offer AP Physics. Our class this year is 2/3 mechanics and 1/3 e&m and the first year anybody takes physics at my school (all seniors). Apparently the honors physics teacher thinks its better to do that than have a real AP class but most people that take Physics C score a 5 on the mechanics section (about 10 people per 60-70 students in honors actually try the AP). That and what you've said has me leaning towards taking 116 anyway though. Thanks for the response.</p>