<p>I'm a high school senior from Nevada and I aspire to become a Civil Engineer. My magnet school only offers AP Physics B which is algebra based and I know that engineers do Calculus based physics in college yet my teacher claims taking AP Physics B will still leave me more comfortable in my future college physics classes. Does Algebra based physics prepare you for calc based physics? Is it even helpful at all? Any opinion or input is welcome, thanks!</p>
<p>Taking an algebra based physics class will prepare you more for physics in the future than no physics.</p>
<p>It does prepare you for physics because it teaches you physics. Take it.</p>
<p>AP physics B is probably a better high school physics course than most high school physics courses. So take it in preparation for college physics, which typically recommends high school physics as a prerequisite.</p>
<p>If B is your only option, than take it. Otherwise, C is more helpful, if available.</p>
<p>BTW, the college board is splitting AP Physics B into two full-year courses, calling them AP Physics I and II. In the future you would need to take both of them to get full exposure to all topics.</p>
<p>Like others have said, some physics is better than none. Calculus based physics makes more sense than what you do in physics B, but you will still gain a pretty solid understanding in general.</p>
<p>Actually, Physics B is a very nice course for pre-engineering because it does teach you problem solving and you can see if you like it.</p>
<p>Thanks Guys! Also to clarify! I’m already in AP Physics B. I was just wondering if all this extra work my senior year is worth it. aerokid1491, what do you mean calc based physics makes more sense?</p>
<p>The only plausible reason I can come up with currently is the derivation of equations. With the knowledge of calculus, you can derive the equations and understand where they came from and why. Without the knowledge of calculus, you’re just given equations. </p>
<p>During the time I took AP Physics, I didn’t think it was worth it. Now, that I am taking a physics course in college, I see that it was worth it. The rigor was more similar to a college course. Regular/Honors physics would’ve been inadequate.</p>
<p>Calculus is the way mathematics can be used to describe the world around us. If you are taking algebra-based physics, you won’t have that tool at your disposal for approaching physics problems and will just have to take some things on faith until you learn calculus.</p>
<p>Algebra-based physics is still useful, though, if it’s your only option. In introduces you to how to think physically and how to approach problems, even if you are somewhat hampered by the lack of calculus.</p>
<p>I read posts that say Calc based Physics is a whole other dimension of math and science where alegbra based physics wouldn’t really help nor prepare you for the rigor of it all. I dropped out of my AP Calculus AB class too for transfer to AP Statistics since my amazing precalc teacher unexpectedly left my school and we were left with a replacement teacher for AP Calc…</p>
<p>Like I said, it will introduce you to physics problems and the way to methodically approach them, but you are right, it certainly won’t be anywhere near as rigorous or complete as it would if based on calculus.</p>
<p>Also, to be honest, I think you made a mistake switching out of AP Calculus. Is it too late to get back in?</p>
<p>Oh, please. It’s physics. </p>
<p>The rigor is at times exaggerated. My AP Physics class was rigorous and extensive. It got me into an accelerated physics class in my university. Sure there were things I didn’t learn from algebra based physics that I had to learn properly (Moment of inertia comes to mind), but I did just as any other student would do. I learned it.</p>
<p>There is a “whole other dimension” but you’re not getting into that in calculus-based physics I. Algebra-based physics will do just fine.</p>
<p>Thanks niquii77, what you said tops it all off if you ask me. Boneh3ad, yes it is too late too switch back, the replacement teacher was terrible for the week I had the class, I just plan in starting off in Precalc in college and working my way up to Calculus I (wherever I end up), it wasn’t worth wrecking my senior year of high school to stick with that class. I also have plans to study calculus myself starting this month on my own pace, I have the textbooks and everything already…</p>