Physics 1 & Physics 2

Parents Forum Class of 20xx Community
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Will taking Physics 1 & Physics 2 help with AP Physics Mech(planning on doing this as a junior). Would it be feasible for a sophomore to take Physics 1 & Physics 2 along with AP Bio, AP Calc AB and AP world history in the sophomore year. Please can you share your opinions :grinning:

Thanks in advance!

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I think it depends on the teacher, so maybe find out what reputation that class has.

At our school it was an extremely well taught class and the HW was somewhat self paced which allowed for flexibility. Kids did well in the class even though it was not “easy.” The same class this year is also taught by someone everyone considers a great teacher but the workload is huge and the grading system somewhat high stakes and stressful. Kids in that section are drowning, in the other one they are doing just fine.

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AP physics 1 includes mechanics. It is intended to be a non-calculus-based course that would be at the level of high school honors or college physics-for-biology-majors.

AP physics C uses calculus, although somewhat less than at some colleges where the math prerequisites require being at a higher level in the calculus sequence. In colleges, such courses sometimes specify high school physics as a prerequisite.

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Thanks you!
She in interested in engineering. So we are focussing on physics, bio & computer science. Do you think focussing on these subjects will show a strong preference in colleges.

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Without context for the rest of the schedule (including such things as English and foreign language) over four years of high school, it is difficult to comment.

Also, attributes of the high school may be relevant:

  • How are physics courses offered? E.g. are physics 1 and 2 a one year sequence? physics C mechanics and E&M?
  • Is calculus BC offered? as a course to be taken after calculus AB, or a course to be taken after precalculus?
  • What is the typical progression of science courses at the school?

A fairly typical expectation in high school is to have biology, chemistry, and physics; they do not necessarily have to be AP level, although a student with strong interest in them may take AP level courses.

The minimum expectation for college frosh starting engineering is to have completed precalculus and high school physics and chemistry in high school, but obviously more advanced course work can be helpful.

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For a student interested in engineering, I’d prioritize chemistry over biology.

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Thank you for responding :grinning:
She does not want to take chem, the dept at her school sucks! Many of her seniors have advised against that, unfortunately!

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Thank you for such a detailed answer!
Freshman year:

Integrated 2B,
3A,
3B,
Precalc-1
Hons English 1-2
Spanish 3-4-5
ENS-1-2-3

Sophomore(upcoming academic year)

  1. Spanish 6
    AP calc AB seminar(seminar=year long course)
    AP Bio seminar
    AP World History
    Hons Humanities
    PE 1-2
    Choir -1

Please can you share your thots on this selection. Greatly appreciate it!

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Physics 1 is a solid first Physics course and serves as fine preparation for Physics C: E&M.

I’d also recommend Chem over Biology, but local conditions certainly affect that choice.

D22 had AP World, AP Calc BC, Honors Physics, and a DE Programming course as a Sophomore, so a very talented student can handle the courseload. Teachers/counselor would better know if your Sophomore fits this profile. Though I wouldn’t take two Science courses at the same time, as a general rule.

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Colleges will expect to see a year of bio, chem, and physics and then at least one of them at the AP level.

As an engineer, your student will need to take chemistry in college. She will need some foundation for that in HS.

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What are Integrated 2A, 3A, 3B and ENS, and does the school have three terms per academic year?

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Agree that she needs chem–she should not skip it entirely. What science did she have in 9th?

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Thank you for your guidance :grinning: !
She did Bio-Chem1-Chem2.

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Physics 1 is not a AP level course. Just Physics 1. Her grades would probably suggest she can handle it but as a parent I am a bit worried. What about taking Choir as an elective? Do you think it is homework free elective, please can you share your knowledge about it.

Thanks in advance :grinning: !

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Freshman year:
Biology-1-chem-1,chem-2
Integrated 2B,
3A,
3B,
Precalc-1
Hons English 1-2
Spanish 3-4-5
ENS-1-2-3

Sophomore(upcoming academic year)

  1. Spanish 6
    AP calc AB seminar(seminar=year long course)
    AP Bio seminar
    AP World History
    Hons Humanities
    PE 1-2
    Choir -1
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Did she not take AP bio as a sophomore?

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Integrated Math = Algebra+ Trig
Their school has a trimester system Each trimester they are allowed to take 5 subjs.

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If physics is regular high school physics, then a student with strong math skills (including one already in calculus) should be expected to be able to handle it.

For most engineering majors, biology is the least important science. Biomedical and biological / agricultural engineering would be the obvious exceptions. Physics is usually the most important science.

What is ENS-1-2-3?

Also, is there supposed to be an English course in sophomore year?

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19

Ok, thanks, now this makes sense! I just did not understand the curriculum. So the question is taking the first year of HS physics(called physics 1&2 there, not an AP), along with APBio and AB calc and the rest–that should be no problem! Check with the school to make sure others do two sciences in a year, but that is commonplace here, especially since only one is an AP. Two AP sciences depending on what they are can get kids overloaded, from what I have seen. Choir depends on the school–fine arts classes at our school often have papers and repertory tests and other assignments --not overly hard but definitely not nothing.

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ENS is PE all 3 trimesters.
True Biology is least important. Physics is the most imp and also one of the most challenging APs ;-/