<p>My son only had a semester of high school trig so he didn't score high enough on the math placement test to go straight into calculus I. Now this will put him taking calculus I and physics his second semester. Is calculus a pre req of physics? Will it make it more difficult for him? I may note that he has not taken high school physics either, as it was not offered. Small schools do have their disadvantages. Thanks for any feedback.</p>
<p>Concerned mom</p>
<p>It kind of seems like an obvious answer, but calculus is a prerequisite of calculus-based physics I. Therefore, it depends on which physics class he is taking (calculus based or non-calc based). For engineering track physics (which I assume is what you are talking about), then it will certainly be calculus-based. </p>
<p>Because of your son's lack of preparation in calculus, I would not recommend taking physics I before taking calculus. Physics will be difficult without a good understanding of basic calculus.</p>
<p>I agree, at most schools, calc 1 is a prerequisite to physics 1. I don't recommend taking both in the same semester, especially since he has no experience with physics in high school. If you can, have him take physics 1 that summer after his second semester.</p>
<p>There are exceptions to this rule. There are some schools were you only have to be taking calc 1 during the same semester as calc based Physics. I go to one of those schools, but I'm glad that I have calc 1 & 2 out of the way...</p>
<p>That is what I was afraid of...thank you for all the quick answers. He is frustrated that after being top of his class, taking the most rigorous classes that our school offered and never making an A- he is finding that he is not prepared for freshman engineering classes. We will have to check into the cost of summer school, he has great scholarships that cover all tuition and some others that help with the cost of room and board. Either that or he will just have to take Calc I second semester and Physics his sophomore year, he just doesn't want to feel "behind" all the time. Thanks again!</p>
<p>It will make physics much more understandable if he takes calculus.</p>
<p>Maybe a school closer will offer it during the summer and he can take physics right after calc I. Hopefully!</p>
<p>Don't let him get discouraged, it's types like that engineering programs are going to weed out. </p>
<p>I would suggest that he definitly get a solid Calc basis before going into an engineering track physics class. Knowing what I know now this is what I would do; take Calc first semester and hold off on the Physics and take something that would be more fun or easier, and that would allow him to be more social and ease into the college life. I would make sure that Physics is offered in summer school, take it off track, and catch back up at the beginning of next year. </p>
<p>I took both O. Chem and Calculus off track and faired much better than my peers who took them on track. I dropped O. Chem when I learned that the russian professor I had, whom no one could understand, was also the head of the department and spent more time in the lab than in front of the classroom. He failed 40% of those who remained. Instead of that guy, I got a really nice, younger Australian professor who made everything easy to get, had tons of office hours, and remembered my name.</p>
<p>As for the off-track math I took, I was on that track because I failed the second quarter. In the end it worked out, as when I caught up with all my peers I had to ask the professor to teach fluid dynamics and not what a dot product meant, since that was suppose to have been taught in linear algebra... not fluids!</p>