I dropped the intro to computer science class last semester because of a schedule conflict (had to deal with a graduation requirement) and didn’t really want to. Yesterday, the teacher approached me and offered to personally recruit me to the AP CS Principles class, even with only a semester of the prerequisite. I’m a prospective STEM student, so doing some advanced computer science would be nice. Additionally, taking Principles as a junior would let me test in CS SL as a senior, as opposed to biology. My dilemma is that the hour this course is offered in conflicts with college classes I planned to take next year.
Next Fall, I planned to double up on Physics II (electrostatics) and Classical Mechanics (Lagrangians n stuff). And the following Spring I was going to take Abstract Algebra I, with the intention of continuing in that pursuit senior year. Specifically, Algebra II and Algebraic Topology I/II. If I miss out on these courses, I’ll still have plenty of math and physics completed. Additionally, this would be a fair bit more reasonable/realistic. Do you think I should accept his offer?
For clarity, this is my Junior year with CS as far as STEM goes:
Fall - AP CS, Electrostatics, Intro to PDEs, Intro to Proofs, HL Chem
Spring - AP CS, Modern Physics, Real Analysis, Complex Analysis, HL Chem
And without it:
Fall - Electrostatics, Classical Mechanics, Intro to PDEs, Intro to Proofs, HL Chem
Spring - Modern Physics, Real Analysis, Complex Analysis, Intro to Abstract Algebra, HL Chem.
In my opinion if your school is offering AP CS Principles TAKE IT! I would say do not miss out on the opportunity because AP CS Principles has a part in which you will solve a real world problem using the programming language that your teacher will teach you. That experience simulates what real-world jobs look like. You will analyze data, organize data and do a lot of fun stuff which is close to what computer science graduates do in their job. Don’t miss out on this opportunity. You will get a comprehensive understanding of computer science.
In many colleges, real analysis is one of the more difficult upper level math courses, and may not be recommended as one’s first upper level math course.
@ Bright Sun, do you think it’d be worth the trade off, though? I know that programming experience is useful in academia but considering what’s at stake, i’m not sure what to prioritize. I’ll be doing some programming either way (using LaTex for math/physics research)
Which other courses will you be taking (ie., English, Social Science, Foreign Language)?
AP CS Principles would be a good complement since it’d present you with the major areas of CS as a broad field (v. the more traditional “CS=Programming” approach).
The problem isn’t AP CSP: this schedule as presented is very unbalanced. I understand you’re dual enrolled, but you should really include a Dual Enrollment course for each area.
@MYOS1634 next year (junior year) i’ll be taking the first year of HL English and HL European History, as well as IB Spanish 3. I’m taking Spanish all four years. additionally, i’ll take TOK (which is sort of a bastardized epistemology class) next Spring, and I do a lot of debate/forensics stuff.
As to your last point about dual enrolling in every area, I may be somewhat confused as to what you mean, but the reason I’m dual enrolled is because I’ve exhausted what my school can provide in those areas.
Finally on the matter of balancing, due to the nature of dual enrollment, I have study hall on the days I don’t go to class. If I don’t take CS I’ll have two class periods of study hall - one every day of the week and the other only three days a week (because Classical Mechanics is MW for that time). If I take CS, I’ll only have the first study hall.
OK, if you’re in IB, you’re fine - I was worried you might be 100% Dual Enrolled and only taking the classes you listed.
So, your schedule would be AP CSP, English HL, European History HL, IB Spanish 3 + Math = difficult but very good. Well-balanced.
I assume you know what you can handle wrt math.
@MYOS1634 I think I’m going to major in either physics or math in college. do you think opting out of Classical Mechanics and Abstract Algebra is worth it? additionally, do you think the world where I don’t take CS is feasible?
Both will be okay. You’re clearly very advanced in math, which (with the IB rigor) is what colleges will see.
It gives you some leeway. Based on everything you’re taking, AP CSP would be a great complement, making youbuze your logic in different ways than math and applying your skills to a real world problem.
No one expects high school students to have more than calculus 1 so the math you’re taking shows your ability, everything else shows breadth and intellectual curiosity. AP CSP would test your ability to put these qualities to use.
OP, I’m not sure if you’re biting off more than you can chew. The Lagrangian formulation of classical mechanics is a graduate level course at most colleges. Modern physics generally means relativity and quantum mechanics. Are you ready for these courses? Abstract algebra (groups, rings, fields, etc.), real analysis and complex analysis are all upperclassmen level courses in colleges, generally speaking. For someone who hasn’t yet taken proof-based courses, they’ll be challenging, to say the least. No AP course (much less the easy AP CS Principles course) can remotely compare to these courses in terms of difficulties.
@1NJParent I’m not quite sure what you’re asking. Classical Mechanics is an undergraduate course usually taken sophomore year at the college i’m enrolled at. besides completing the prerequisites (which I’ll have done), what else can i do to “be ready” for it? Similarly, while it is true that real/complex is generally for upperclassmen, for me it’s just the next step in my CTY enrollment. As i would like to have four years of math, I don’t have much choice but to move into upperclassmen territory, as i’ll have taken everything else up to that point.
Having said that, I understand where you’re coming from. It’s a daunting list, and while some courses (modern physics & analysis) are simply natural progressions, others aren’t. so, what do you consider a ‘chewable’ course load, in this context?
@blueyellow The Newtonian formulation of classical mechanics is a freshman undergraduate course. However, you specifically refer to, in your opening post, the Lagrangian formulation, which is generally a graduate level, or at least a upper level, course even for physics majors. CTY courses, BTW, are insufficient preparation for some of those courses I mentioned. Are you a math or physics Olympian? Are you going to take these courses online or at a local university? If local university, which one?
Lagangians are in the Junior Level Classical mechanics course in most physics programs. Certainly in ours at Illinois Tech. It could also be at the Sophomore level if a student has already complete Differential Equations.
@1NJParent i think your concerns are cleared up by @xraymancs comment. However, for brevity, I’ll paraphrase the course description. It covers: motion of systems of particles, the harmonic oscillator, central forces, rotating coordinate systems, and Langrangian/Hamiltonian formulations.
the prerequisites are Multivariate Calculus and Physics II; however, the latter requirement is more informal (as the intro courses are often weeder classes) and doubling up is not uncommon. With that said, I am not currently an Olympian. in fact, the Olympiads are completely unheard of around where I live; and at best the rich kids do mathcounts in middle school and occasionally try for AIME. that was not my situation.
The majority of the courses mentioned above are facilitated by local university. the only ones that aren’t are through CTY: Intro to Proofs, Real Analysis, and Complex Analysis. Finally, I don’t understand what you mean by “the CTY courses are insufficient preparation”. to what are you referring?
@blueyellow The Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formulations of classical mechanics are usually only taught after 2-years worth of college physics, and are for physics and a few related majors. Check out the book by Goldstein “Classical Mechanics”, which is standard classic on that subject, to see if it’s appropriate for you.
@blueyellow
It is worth the trade off. You want to major in physics or mathematics and if you take computer science it will be a great idea if you take APCSP along with what you want to major in. You will probably be a more versatile applicant when you apply to college.
OP: It is more important to do well in whatever class you take rather than take the most advanced courses you are allowed to take. DE grades are in your GPA forever…so choose wisely.
Some time we see students here on CC that take super advanced classes but then do not do well in them because they are not prepared. You might be prepared…but there should be no rush to take junior level college courses in HS