Should I take Physics C instead of physics B? I took AP biology this year and it will be my first time taking physics next year. Do colleges like it when students skip previous classes?
<p>Physics C is for future math, physics, and engineering majors (and sometimes biology and chemistry), while Physics B is for pre-med students and also satisfies general science requirements. That said, Physics C is a very difficult class and may be too much for a first physics class.</p>
<p>B covers a broader ranger of material while C builds specifically on mechanics and E&M. Also I believe although preferred, B assumes no previous experience of physics (I think you need some knowledge of calculus though), while C does.</p>
<p>Physics B assumes no knowledge of calculus, only algebra and trigonometry. Both AP classes assume that you've taken one year of physics, but it would be a lot harder to take Physics C as a first class.</p>
<p>Well I took both with no previous experience, but don't know if the course itself assumes the same.</p>
<p>here's what i know...
i'm taking B right now.. (the AP exam is next monday~!!)</p>
<p>i finished pre-cal last year and am taking AP calc AB right now...
... hardly used it....</p>
<p>but the thing is...
some colleges don't take the AP physics B as college credit....
... from the top of my head, UPenn doesn't...
...
.. and probably many other skools... you might wanna look into that...
...</p>
<p>C is tougher and therefore more appealing to colleges.</p>
<p>Physics C is hard, especially if you have absolutely no background in physics. If most or all other people taking the course at your school will have taken some physics before it, chances are the class will go right over your head because the teacher won't be teaching the rest of the class the basics all over again just for you.</p>
<p>If you've taken Calculus, Physics C Mechanics should be pretty strightforward, even without an intro physics class. C Electricity and Magnetism is just slightly more "obscure" to most people. If you're good at taking concepts quickly, Physics C should be pretty easy.</p>
<p>The AP exam itself has a humongous curve.</p>
<p>I'm currently enrolled in Physics B. Next year, I'll be in either CalcAB or CalcBC. (Our school makes us take an entrance test and then bases the scores to determine if we get into AB or BC). So, if I don't get into BC, and end up taking AB, will I have the math knowledge to concurrently be enrolled in Physics C?</p>
<p>Oh yeah, I'm in AB this year and according to the practice tests will either get a four or a five. The calculus needed is fairly basic concepts. In general, Physics B is a lot more broad than physics C.</p>
<p>"This course provides a systematic introduction to the main principles of physics and emphasizes the development of conceptual understanding and problem-solving ability using algebra and trigonometry, but rarely calculus." </p>
<p>--The College Board regarding AP Physics B</p>
<p>So your advice would be to take AP Physics C and skip B if I can handle it. I basically want to impress the colleges. Will it matter much? How much will AP Physics C instead of B affect my application if I took the most rigorous courses up to my senior year?</p>
<p>well i enrolled in a physics B class ( my school doesnt have physics C) and decided mid year that I wanted to take the physics C exam. I only signed up for mechanics and am planning to take EM next year. The physics C mechanics isnt much harder than the physics B stuff. Alot of the basic concepts are already covered in the physics B curriculum. THe only thing extra is rotational mechanics..and you have to understand some of the formuals with calculus. If you have a calculus background, C mechanics should be pretty easy. I don't know about EM...I've never taken it.</p>
<p>Only take C if you have a good grasp of Calculus.</p>