Hi! I am a junior currently taking AP physics C in high school. I am thinking about taking intro to quantum physics in my senior year in Boise State University(small university in Idaho State). I am qualified to take the course. However, i’m kind of worried that some high end colleges(Ivy leagues,top 20 schools, but not that i can get into easily) won’t take the credit i earned in that university. I’m also worried that i won’t really learn much if i take quantum physics in my high school senior year. I need some professionals who majored physics please!!!
P.S. Do i have to be enrolled to high end colleges as an undergraduate to be successful as a theoretical physicist? Does it really matter? Because some people say that it doesn’t matter to go to good school as an undergraduate. They say what graduate school i go is what really matters… (confused)
I’m confused. Quantum mechanics…even an -intro- to quantum mechanics is a 400 level course. AP physics C does not get you even close to having the prerequisite knowledge to take a course on quantum mechanics. AP Physics C is basically the equivalent of the first semester of the introductory physics sequence. Prior to taking an actual course in quantum mechanics, a student would take three semesters of introductory physics, which includes a semester of classical mechanics, a semester of electricity and magnetism, and then a semester that covers thermodynamics, waves, oscillations, optics, and a little bit of quantum, atomic, nuclear, and subatomic physics. After that, typical prerequisites include upper level courses in both classical mechanics and electricity and magnetism. In addition to that, knowledge of differential equations and especially linear algebra is crucial to quantum mechanics. Are you sure that taking such a course is even an option?
Some colleges have 3 levels of quantum mechanics classes, an intro one to get you used to the ideas, an intermediate level one that expands on the basic class and one for grad students. According to Boise State University’s catalog IMBZcandle will meet the prerequisites as long as multivariable calculus is taken concurrently. You don’t really need that much background to learn about problems like the [particle in a box](Schrodinger equation) or [harmonic oscillator](Quantum Harmonic Oscillator) that’ll probably be covered in such a class.
The course you will be taking is probably what other schools call Modern Physics, a Sophomore level course. Go ahead and take it. If Boise State gives you an official transcript, then it is transferable credit. You will learn about simple quantum problems as @aldfig0 points out. This is not the quantum mechanics that @comfortablycurt is referring to, which is a much more formal course that students take in their Junior or Senior year. I know because I teach the full year Quantum Theory class at my university, Illinois Tech.
As for your other question, that is whether you can be a theoretical physicist if you don’t go to a “high end” college I am continually mystified by this kind of question. The physics curriculum at the undergraduate level is pretty standard all over the United States. If you take the courses and do well in them you have an excellent chance to get into a strong graduate program. You just need to take the most rigorous program available at your school and you should be fine.
Yes, that’s likely the case. It’s probably more like the equivalent of Physics III, or Modern Physics. Typically covering thermodynamics, waves and oscillations, optics, some atomic and nuclear physics, with a touch of quantum physics and particle physics. A course on electricity and magnetism (Physics II) is typically a prerequisite for that course. I don’t believe AP Physics C covers that. I’m not too familiar with the AP subjects though.
Yes, that’s likely the case. It’s probably more like the equivalent of Physics III, or Modern Physics. Typically covering thermodynamics, waves and oscillations, optics, some atomic and nuclear physics, with a touch of quantum physics and particle physics. A course on electricity and magnetism (Physics II) is typically a prerequisite for that course. I don’t believe AP Physics C covers that. I’m not too familiar with the AP subjects though.
@comfortablycurt
There are two AP physics C exams:
- Mechanics
- Electricity and Magnetism
It is pretty obvious that the first will usually get physics 1 credit and the second will usually get second semester credit. Most schools offer a full year physics C course which is very similar to how the course would progress in university.
In short this person would probably have met the prereqs for the course.
(whoops, didn’t notice the double post)
Ah, I see. I thought AP Physics C just covered classical mechanics. If both of these topics are covered, then one will have the prerequisite requirements met for Physics III (in most cases).