<p>My S liked chem in HS, got a 5 on the AP exam, but he hasn’t taken chem at D. He thinks it is bogus to take the easier intro chem course, but the one he qualifies for because of his 5 is one of those notorious weeders. All they are doing is discouraging kids from exploring a subject that they might love. I’m not saying that they should offer “Physics for Poets” or “Rocks for Jocks,” but still…why should a kid who doesn’t intend to major in the subject and who doesn’t HAVE to take it because they are pre-med or whatever commit GPA suicide for one of these courses? Will they learn more because the curve is so ridiculous? No. </p>
<p>All of this sneering at humanities profs for not screwing kids to the wall grading-wise in intro courses is very short-sighted, IMHO.</p>