<p>To current Cornellians in engineering, are intro classes for Calculus/Physics worth taking at Cornell when a student has AP credit and can place out? I hear intro classes are graded ridiculously hard in order to weed students out, is that true? I have lots of AP credit and am trying to decide on whether or not to take it so I can pass out of these classes. Any advice/ experience with intro classes would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.</p>
<p>I'm not an Engineer but I know a lot about Engineering since many of my friends are in that school.
It's worth it to place out of Math 191 (first-semester engineering calculus) but you definitely want to take 192 (I've <em>never</em> heard of a first-semester engineer taking a higher math than 192; all my friends with Calc AP credit, AB or BC, started off with 192).
As for Physics, most of the engineers I know did opt to place out of physics. I think it's worth it to have an extra space in your schedule for a fun elective, especially during your first year. If the physics you plan on taking here/have to take here uses calculus, though, and you've never been in a physics course that uses calculus, it might be a good idea so you aren't lost in higher-level physics classes, if you plan on taking them.
Intro classes aren't graded ridiculously hardly. Most of them are curved. You'll have to put in a lot of work, but your grades will reflect your effort.</p>
<p>Umm, if you took courses at a college for multivariable or calc 3, then you cna get credit for it. I definitely know quite a few kids who had already taken multi, and one girl who placed out of it all. I personally already took it, but I would advise most kids to take multi, just because it's a pretty important part of engineering and you definitely use what you learn in it in many other classes.</p>
<p>Take the AP credit for sure. I took AP credit for Phys 112/213, Math 191 and 4/6 of my liberals (2 have to be 200-level or above) and don't regret it one bit. Got to take an ENGRD (could have done 2 or even 3 but whats the rush) this semester when everyone else is in intro physics, and expect to easily graduate a semester early.</p>
<p>So if you feel comfortable with your knowledge of Calc I/II and Physics, there's no reason to retake them.</p>