Junior Year: Bio or Physics??

Pre-College Issues High School Life
1

Hi,
It’s time for me to pick courses for next year, and as a current sophomore, I’m debating about how my overall high school science course load looks:

9
Honors Biology

10
Honors Chemistry

11
AP Biology OR AP Physics B

12
AP Chemistry OR AP Physics C

I’m really interested in cognitive science. Therefore, I’m unsure whether or not I should take AP Physics or AP Biology junior year. This would also impact whether I take AP Physics C as a senior or AP Chem. On the other hand, I enjoy math, and was considering taking physics since I would be taking AP Calc BC as a senior, and know that the kinds of concepts covered in physics are frequently used in my school’s Calc class.

2

AP Physics B doesn’t exist anymore.

3

Physics as a class itself is better, but only if you take the time to do it right and don’t just plug things into equations. Chemistry and Biology are easier to learn later on (on your own if you need to), but physics is a mindset (and I’m saying this as someone who enjoyed biology more than physics).

I would do physics, but is there any possibility of taking both? I rearranged my schedule to hell and back to fit all my science classes in (even switching my junior and senior year English classes, among other things). That would be the optimal solution.

4

Can you take more than one science class a year? If so you could take most of all the courses you want. Otherwise I would suggest at least one year each of physics, biology, and chemistry. Chemistry seems to be important for most (all?) STEM majors so I would suggest AP Chem and you can choose whatever you feel like doing for the other year.

5

I would also suggest that you try to take AP Biology, AP Chemistry, and AP Physics. I’m sure there might be a way you could do this. You could also take one over the summer if for some reason you cannot work it into your schedule at school. Several sites offer all 3 of those APs and they include/require the labs as well.

6

Thanks for your help! Although my school doesn’t allow us to double up on science classes, I’ll probably try and take something online/over the summer to maximize my options.

7

@linearcurve751 best of luck to you! Be proud of yourself for taking the initiative to continue taking more science classes. It will help you in the long run!