1.Do we need to take Physics C after Physics 1 AP and Physics 2 inorder to build a string HS resume for college CS applications?
Not necessary. But if you like physics, go for it.
I would not recommend taking AP physics because it is not calculus based and wonât help for STEM majors. Better to take hons Physics and AP Calc AB/BC. Then dual enroll for college physics that is calc based.
So, are colleges mainly looking for strong calculus based courses for CS.
AP Physics C is calc-based.
If available, taking AP Physics 1 (or honors physics) one year and AP Physics C a following year is strong preparation. But by no means is this the only option.
AP Physics 2 is not needed, unless the HS combines with AP Physics 1 as a year-round sequence.
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The top CS schools care more about your math background than your CS background when admitting you into their CS program. For e.g., CMU really likes you have to have done discrete math or number theory vs AP Stat (considered light) if they are evaluating you for an SCS slot. AP Calc BC is generally taken for granted for most good CS program admissions.
Absolutely.
Most CS programs will ask for 1 year of calculus based Physics. So, wasting two AP slots for Physics and then another for Physics C in HS makes little sense.
Top CS programs look for early and profound engagement in CS, often independent of HS classes.
An engineering-based CS major will require calculus-based physics in college. High school physics is typically a recommended prerequisite (in addition to calculus). AP physics 1 and 2 may be considered like an honors high school physics in this context. AP physics C is sometimes (but often not) allowed to fulfill the physics requirement in college.
A non-engineering-based CS major may not require any physics in college (though there may be science general education requirements). However, taking the usual college prep sciences (a year each of biology, chemistry, and physics, plus an advanced course of your choice if aiming for more selective colleges) is typically a good idea generally for college prep.
Either way, take a year of physics in high school. But there will be diminishing returns for taking additional physics in high school beyond that.
â and if your small school doesnât have any of these advanced options â thoughts?
Any advantage for IB Vs AP?
Our high school is an IB school and offers
IB math analysis and IB math application.
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At my sonâs college, kids with IB Physics had difficulty in having it accepted. In that case you may have to take a placement exam. Often placement exams can be much tougher than simply going through the appropriate AP in high school. I suspect it will differ from college to college.
Often, to get a BS in CS, you may need a year of Physics or a year of Chemistry in college. You wonât need them if you are happy with a BA in CS.
To offer another perspective on how much offerings vary across high schoolsâŠ
My childrenâs HS offered âRegularâ Physics, âHonorsâ Physics, and both AP-C Physics classes, but did not offer AP 1 or 2. Advanced math/science students could enroll in AP Physics C as Juniors, concurrent with BC Calc enrollment. That cohort then moved on to the second AP C class Sr year and many also took MV Calc, but that was not an AP class.
Meanwhile, other students could enroll in either the âRegularâ or âHonorsâ Physics Jr year, and then progress to the first AP C class Sr year, or drop physics and elect a different science for Sr year. Some Jrs also elected to enroll in AP Chem Jr year.
My sonâs college math major requires two fairly advanced Physics courses, including quantum mechanics.
Students are assessed in the context of what is offered at their school. If AP isnât offered, itâs not offered.
At least one year of physics, at some level is a must.
If you have AP offered and are doing CS through a COE, AP Physics C can be a big help, not necessarily in placing out of college physics but preparing you better.
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IB is generally considered more work. While AP courses are targeted to common frosh level US university courses, IB courses may differ somewhat in content.
For IB math, choose the A&A versions over the A&I versions for a student going into a math-heavy major in college. HL obviously covers more advanced material than SL, and is more likely to get subject credit and advanced placement in college (check collegesâ web sites for how much subject credit and advanced placement each IB and AP exam and score may give).
Here is an example of what the UCB math department gives / recommends:
https://math.berkeley.edu/courses/choosing/high-school-exam-credits
(Math 1A, 1B = single variable calculus; Math 10A, 10B = calculus, statistics, and mathematical methods for biology and medicine; Math 16A, 16B = calculus for business majors)
| Exam | Score | Subject credit |
|---|---|---|
| AP calculus AB | 3, 4, 5 | Math 1A |
| AP calculus BC | 3, 4 | Math 1A |
| AP calculus BC | 5 | Math 1A and 1B |
| IB math A&A SL | any | none |
| IB math A&A HL | 5, 6 | Math 1A |
| IB math A&A HL | 7 | Math 1A and 1B |
| IB math A&I SL | any | none |
| IB math A&I HL | 5 | Math 16A |
| IB math A&I HL | 6, 7 | Math 10A or 16A |
Doing AP C Mech, AP C E&M, and AP Chem in high school with 5s could clean up much of your first year curriculum in college. So my son tells me. His advisor in college was mildly upset that my son completely skipped taking Physics. There are always other interesting things to do with your time.
My son took only AP Physics C in HS with no prior physics class. First semester was Mechanics and second E&M. Scored 5 on both in 2020 on the abbreviated AP test.
This was good enough to fulfill the physics requirement for CS at Stanford.
If the student has enough study time and inclination, in our experience, taking the algebra based AP Physics 1 is not required. However, Apc mechanics and e&m in one year is tough. Since 2021, our high school now offers a full year APC mechanics as an alternative
What is being lost here is the fact that OP is asking about the best path to securing a CS major at a competitive school and not how to get out of taking intro level college calc-based Physics.
How strong is OPâs child in physics? AP Physics C is an option but I donât know how many standard âstrongâ HS kids have the ability to do this as a junior and/or senior. Not every kid goes to Stanford, MIT or CalTech. Most do not and end up just fine.
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The bigger thing being lost is that OP is a HS freshman. Miles to go.
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You donât need to take AP Physics C. But if you do (especially if the course includes E&M), it helps demonstrate to the colleges (which ever major you end up applying to) your ability to handle a more challenging subject.
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