<p>Or is AP Physics C + AP Physics B = first -year physics?</p>
<p>Lots of schools (one example that comes to mind is Princeton) don’t even accept AP Physics B credit. Which means it isn’t equivalent to anything. I believe AP Physics C = first-year physics.</p>
<p>Physics B is too broad to be accepted by many colleges. However, Physics C covers in depth what most colleges teach, excluding a few topics.</p>
<p>AP physics C, like most APs, is kinda equivalent to a first-year course (but doesn’t really go as much in depth). </p>
<p>Physics B is equivalent to nothing. Seriously, community college physics courses around here are more advanced than physics B.</p>
<p>^I haven’t looked too far, but at least some high profile schools (e.g., Cornell) accept 5’s on the AP Physics B test as equivalent to two semesters of physics for non-physics/engineering majors (e.g., pre-med), which is hardly “nothing”. It depends on what you want to do.</p>
<p>Really? From my (admittedly non-thorough) research, I haven’t seen any schools that accepted physics B for any course equivalency. Weird.</p>
<p>Physics B and Physics C are considered first year physics class. It depends on your math level in college. Physics is usually split up into two semester classes. Physics B college classes are usually for people doing biological/social science. Physics C are for people specializing in physical science and engineering. You can only take the Physics C college classes if you have taken first semester calculus or have taken both first semester calculus and first semester of algebra-based calculus.</p>
<p>Schools that offer a non-calculus based physics sequence recognize the Physics B course. Schools with only a calc based physics sequence only recognize Physics C. I’m generalizing, but this rule covers most colleges.</p>