I am currently a junior and I’m thinking about my classes for next year. I am hoping to possibly end up in some sort of career in engineering/physics.
I am planning on taking one of the ap physics courses next year and I need some guidance. Since I am currently taking precalc I am only allowed to take ap physics 1. I will likely have the opportunity to take a summer Calc class (which is essentially the beginning of the ap Calc courses) and if I take it I will be able to take ap physics c. Should I spend my summer on calc to do ap physics c? In addition to whatever I decide in terms of physics I will take ap Calc ab or bc next year.
If you’re looking to apply to an engineering school then yes, definitely take AP Physics C if you’re able to. The top engineering schools will look for that in your coursework along with calculus.
AP Physics 1 is considered less rigorous than C.
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You can try the “C” but I don’t know if a summer calculus course will be sufficient math prep to ensure you do well in the class. Maybe someone with more experience can weigh in? There is no use in loading up on very difficult courses if you can’t do well in them - at our HS this is a the most difficult course - friend of DS22 (super smart kid) got a 32 on one of the exams (and these are kids taking AP Calc B/C concurrently). Not looking to dissuade you - just want to make sure you will have the proper math background to be successful in the class.
More than enough.
Physics C only requires calc as a corequisite, although the HS is free to set it as a prereq. Regardless, the level of calc needed, particularly for mechanics, is pretty basic.
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My D’s HS allowed for students to concurrently enroll in AP Calc and Physics C. That totally worked in terms of the math needed for physics C.
My D is an engineering student and hands down AP Physics C was the most useful course she took in HS in terms of preparation for college courses.
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Take the summer course if it is needed to get into Physics C next year. Our school teaches APCalc AB and AP calc BC as separate years(AB is a mandatory prereq, so BC only covers second semester college calc). Kids in Calc AB are allowed to take Phys C concurrently, but they have some extra summer work on calculus–not tons. D21 asked to have the extra work despite finishing AB, because it was Covid Spring 2020 and they didn’t quite finish AB curriculum(and math isn’t her favorite). It was an introduction to basic calculus, so a review for her. The course is much harder for the concurrent-ABCalc group, but the teacher dives deep into complex problems beyond the text and has a very high 4/5 rate on the exam , so it works. Both of mine took Phys C concurrently with BC(so after AB calc) and found/finding it hard but doable, not difficult to pass the AP/get credit.
Definitely try to get in AP Physics C!
Be aware that physics in college (for physics or engineering majors) is likely to be more math-intensive than AP physics C. The typical sequence is:
- Calculus 1
- Calculus 2 + Physics 1 (with mechanics)
- Calculus 3 + Physics 2 (with E&M)
Of course, if you start in a math course more advanced than calculus 1 (e.g. you had a high enough AP calculus score), then you can start the physics sequence in the first semester instead of waiting until the second semester.
Typically, you only really need the math prerequisites plus high school physics for the college physics courses. If the high school physics is AP level, that may be a little more helpful.
Physics C only requires Calculus to be taken at the same time, not in advance.
Physics 1 as a Junior and Calculus plus Physics C as a Senior is fine.
I would avoid a Summer course in a course as fundamental as Calculus, unless you know it’s a rigorous, complete course from a competent instructor. Summer courses are often rushed and incomplete, and that could greatly impact you in the future.
(Fwiw, Purdue PHYS172 Modern Mechanics (Engineering Freshman Physics) only has a Calc I co-requisite.)