I will be attending MIT this fall and I had a question for any current or former MIT student. I am trying to decide whether I should take 8.01 or 8.01L. I took AP Calculus AB in high school, but my high school did not offer AP Physics. I took the highest level my high school offered for physics which was physics honors and did well in the class, but it was all algebra based and not calculus based. I started looking through the 8.01 OCW problem sets and lecture notes so that I can review physics this summer, and it is going kind of rough. Based on this background, what would you recommend?
Despite first semester being pass/no grade, you may be better off with 8.01L unless you can motivate yourself to study this summer so that you’re ready for 8.01. The disadvantage is that you’ll have to spend IAP doing 8.01L, but that’s a small price to pay for the chance to ease into the material. You don’t want to start college feeling overwhelmed because your high school wasn’t as rigorous as it could have been.
If I remember correctly they recommend version of 8.01 based on a mandatory math placement test you take. Also you can switch to a longer version mid- semester. Saying that, 8.01 is a difficult subject even for those with two years of physics in HS.
The math diagnostic for physics placement is mentioned on this page:
http://web.mit.edu/physics/prospective/undergrad/firstyear.html
MIT will decide this for you.
The material covered in 8.01/8.01L is fairly similar to AP Physics C (Mechanics) so if your calculus background isn’t that strong, and you don’t mind using your IAP for the class, 8.01L might be a good choice. Note that they’re the same difficulty; 8.01L is a longer version.
I took 8.012 my first semester which was a difficult course for me despite a strong HS math and physics background (5 on BC and C - Mechanics). But at least it’s P/NR.
How difficult was 8.012? Were you struggling or just challenged? Was it worth it? Would you recommend it for kids with stats like yours?
@nw2this 8.012 was almost certainly a struggle for me, and is a fair bit harder than C - Mechanics. Passed it though. I would probably only recommend if you have a very strong background/interest in classical mechanics or are majoring in physics. Otherwise just stick with 8.01.
8.02 on the other hand wasn’t that bad despite barely any E/M background in HS.
@nw2this My son took 8.012, also had 5 on Physics and Calc APs. He passed, but said the class almost killed his love of physics. He is a MechE sophomore and TAd 8.02 this spring. Just think hard about why you want to take that class. My son wanted the challenge, and it definitely challenged him.