<p>I'm attending Berkeley's L&S college in the fall and I was wondering about the differences between 7A-7C and 7HA-C</p>
<p>Do most physics majors take the honors series?
What are the most significant differences?
Assuming the honors series is harder, is there an easier grading curve to make up for it?
Will taking the honors series give me any sort of advantage in the future?
What are some class size differences between regular vs honors?
Are professors better in the H series?
Do the H series prepare me better for upper div physics classes?</p>
<p>If you've gone through one of these tracks, I'd love to hear your experiences. </p>
<p>To give you guys some background of myself, I intend on majoring in a physical science (chem/physics) or math. I've always been very comfortable with math and physics.</p>
<p>I’m speaking as a guy in the 7 series who knows a few people in the honors series.</p>
<p>Physics majors do tend to take the honors series, although I know some physics majors who are in the 7 series. Likewise, I know some non-physics majors in the honors series. Now, I don’t know about the differences. Obviously, the honors series is harder. I know that H7B requires knowledge of vector calculus (Math 53), and that H7A has some multivariable calc (math 53). </p>
<p>I’m not sure about the grading curves or advantages. However, one advantage for someone in the honors series in the present day is that they don’t have to deal with MasteringPhysics, a way for us in the 7 series to do our homework on the computer. It… sucks.</p>
<p>The honors classes have smaller class sizes, for sure. Now, professors… not necessarily better. I’ve got a friend who is in H7B, and he has expressed complaint about the current professor (whereas my 7B professor is a very effective lecturer). However, it can vary. I heard that the professor for H7B last semester was amazing.</p>
<p>If you’re going to major in chem, you may have to take the Chem 4 series. If so, that’s not really a good combination with the H series, I think…</p>
<p>Also, same questions about Math 53/54 H vs Math 53/54.</p>
<p>The H7 series has a higher grade distribution than the normal 7 series, but it is probably due to self-selection bias. I don’t think it matters in the end because whether you take the H7 series or the 7 series, you will end up in the same place when you take physics 105 and 110. But if you did IPho or something and are really confident about your abilities in physics, go for it. I can also tell you that the books used by the H7 series are generally considered better than the ones used by the 7 series. The ones used by the H7 series are the kinds of books you can use to build your physics library instead of selling them back to the store at the end of the semester.</p>
<p>I also want to find out how the physics track works. I got a 5 on both AP Physics C exams, and I don’t know how that factors in to which classes. I wouldn’t mind if I had to start with H7A, but I would prefer not to retake things (Unless they think we need to retake it at a higher level of course).</p>
<p>If anyone knows if you start at 7B or if there is another track or however that works, that would be great.</p>
<p>With my luck it won’t do any good and I will have to take everything over again (Calc BC, Physics C, Multivariable Calc, Linear Algebra, Differential Equations) although I probably should take LA and DE again at a much higher level.</p>
<p>I advise you to restrain your urge to take as many honors classes as possible. You aren’t in high school anymore, and you don’t need to be in honors classes to be challenged.</p>
<p>AP physics is a bit like AP calculus. It might give you a leg up, but it still a long way from the kind of physics you see in a regular 7A-B class.</p>