<p>What are the best AP classes for Mechanical Engineering, or Quality Engineering?
Is it necessary to take AP Calculus or Physics in highschool? Does it noticeably cushion freshman year college classes that much?</p>
<p>It is not necessary to take any AP courses to major in engineering at most schools, but it can be helpful if you take AP calculus and understand the material well. That can allow shortening a prerequisite sequence that can give you additional schedule flexibility.</p>
<p>AP physics C may cover one (or more rarely two) physics courses in college, though not at all colleges. AP physics B should be considered as a good high school physics course (engineering majors will not receive subject credit for it).</p>
<p>However, before skipping courses that are prerequisites for other courses when you enter college, check the college’s old final exams for the courses that you may skip. Use the old final exams to check your knowledge against the college’s expectations of what students learn in the course, in order to make an informed decision as to whether to skip or retake.</p>
<p>Other AP tests are sometimes given credit, but may not be important as prerequisites for other courses, so it is typically safe to skip the courses (so you can take an extra free elective in place of each course) if allowed:</p>
<p>AP chemistry (except chemical or biomedical engineering, in which case check the old final exams as described above)
AP English (apply to English composition requirement)
AP other humanities and social studies (apply to breadth requirements)</p>
<p>I think taking AP Calc and Physics and possibly even Chem in HS helps students better decide whether they will like the rigorous academics of Engineering. It’s good to know that before you make the final college choice.</p>
<p>Thanks!
What about buisness classes?
i.e. AP micro/ macro economics</p>
<p>Best AP classes for engineering? The math and sciences. </p>
<p>AP Chemistry
AP Physics B and C
AP Biology
AP Calculus AB and BC
AP Statistics
AP Computer Science</p>
<p>Are these necessary? No, but it doesn’t hurt to have a leg up on your foundation courses. Of your successful in them you can place out of courses. I have received over 36 credits towards my degree through AP credits alone.</p>
<p>EDIT: It wouldn’t hurt to take economics. </p>
<p>Take these classes if you’re interested in them. Taking all of these course is not a requirement.</p>
<p>I would say:
AP Physics B and C
AP Calculus BC
AP Chemistry
AP computer science
AP English Language</p>
<p>for an engineering major.</p>
<p>Why take AP CS?</p>
<p>AP CS A probably won’t be applicable as subject credit for most engineering majors (maybe for computer science or engineering), but some CS or programming experience (whether HS course work or self-education) will likely be helpful when you take the typical computing for engineering course (which typically uses MATLAB – you can preview it with GNU Octave).</p>
<p>It gives you a chance to learn programming and stuff.</p>
<p>Is it a requirement or prerequisite in college to take CS?
(For ME)
In my humble opinion, CS is not for me…
I would think physics and calculus and other sciences would be more important.</p>
<p>We are not suggesting specific classes for you. You asked what the best classes are for someone interested in engineering. These are the courses that we believe are the best. </p>
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<p>Mechanical engineering degree programs typically have a computing for engineering course using MATLAB, but not CS courses of the type that CS majors take. Such computing for engineering courses typically do not have high school or college CS prerequisites.</p>
<p>" In my humble opinion, CS is not for me." - Tell us more. I’d think most engineering schools would have you dabble at least a little in CS… it would be good to know what concerns you. You won’t need the prereq - my son had none and did well in Engineering… but it turns out he has a flair for programming. </p>
<p>MATLAB certainly helps make things more applicable to engineering than the Fortran/Basic than I took. So maybe I am not current on the topic.</p>
<p>Until you have a better handle on the answer to your other post about choice of major, it’s tough to give specific advice other than take all the math you can take (no statistics doesn’t count) and physics. You’ll hopefully test into a higher level of math and the physics will be useful for familiarity even if you repeat it. Otherwise you’ll be taking classes because you think you should (worse yet, classes random strangers on the Internet think you should) instead of classes you want.</p>
<p>For instance, my son who wants to study ME has NO interest in taking another Biology course. His AP Art History class is revered by students at his school, even those that typically don’t fancy art or history. </p>
<p>Take classes that serve a purpose and/or ones that you want to take for knowledge sake, not what you’re “supposed” to take.</p>
<p>Good luck. Enjoy the journey!</p>