Is Physics required?

[rref33]

Hello,

Does anyone know if UChicago requires Physics from incoming freshman candidates? I plan to go into Economics, and I have four sciences (Biology, Honors/AP Chem, introductory freshman level course of Chem&Physics mixed) without Physics already; my school also doesn’t require Physics as a graduation requirement.

Thanks!

[kaukauna]

^^ See link to core requirements below. Physics would be part of the two course physical sciences sequence. It seems pretty clear to me that the physical sciences sequence could be satisfied by some combination of chemistry and / or geosciences. I’d advise you to not take my word, however. Read it over for yourself.

http://collegecatalog.uchicago.edu/thecollege/thecurriculum/

[JHS]

Questions like this are almost always answered clearly on a college’s website. Here is the page where the University of Chicago addresses it. https://collegeadmissions.uchicago.edu/apply/preparing-for-college

Recommended Curriculum
When making curriculum choices, always seek out courses that will enrich and challenge you, rather than thinking about how they will look to a college application reader—every college reads applications differently, so it’s difficult to predict what will look “good” to every college.

High School
When we read applications, our first concern is whether a student has prepared himself or herself to do the work in the College. Though no specific secondary school courses are prescribed, a standard college preparatory program is recommended:

4 years of English
3–4 years of math
3–4 years of laboratory sciences
3 or more years of social sciences
Study of a foreign language

Take them at their word. They don’t “require” anything. If you have three or four lab science classes, you are following their recommended path.

There’s a couple of caveats I would note on that. First, high schools differ a lot on this, but at my kids’ high school someone who took only one AP science course (and only one honors course, in the same science) would not come close to being thought of as someone who had selected a challenging curriculum or who was a top student. That would be reflected in his or her class rank and recommendations, and would be obvious in any comparison of transcripts with those of more ambitious students.

Second, at the University of Chicago, economics = math. Just how much math can vary from student to student, but at Chicago you’re not going to get far in economics without good math skills or at least a commitment to learn a lot of math and to improve your skills substantially. Now, again high schools differ, but in my experience people who are strong, engaged math students in high school tend to take physics because it’s easy for them and it dovetails well with their math classes. If you haven’t taken physics because you are not confident and engaged about math, you may want to think harder about pursuing economics at Chicago.

[jarrett211]

Well, to answer your question. I just got into UChicago EA and I only took Introductory Physics as well, but maybe that’s because I am a prospective philosophy major lol. Regardless, I did it, so it’s possible.

[puzzled123]

5 on AP Chem will clear you of the core req. You can also take chem instead of physics to fulfill that req, if you don’t have a 5 on ap chem.

[tawsch]

You can take another physical science sequence like natural hazards instead of physics, but I highly recommend taking a physics sequence because the professors (if you pick the right section) are awesome. I’ve loved all my physics professors so far; they’ve all been excellent lecturers with fair exams (you have to read the instructor evals before picking your section though, or else you could end up with someone not so great).