Picking engineering classes... HELP!

Colleges and Universities A-Z Cornell University
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<p>I started looking at the classes that I need to sign up for as a student in CoE, and I'm confused about the science stuff.</p>

<p>This is the AP credit table for engineering: Cornell</a> Engineering : Advanced Placement Credit Table</p>

<p>Then on the instructions pdf (<a href="http://www.engineering.cornell.edu/student-services/academic-advising/upload/Course-Selection-Instructions-First-Year-Students-FINAL.pdf%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.engineering.cornell.edu/student-services/academic-advising/upload/Course-Selection-Instructions-First-Year-Students-FINAL.pdf&lt;/a> in case you want to look at it), it says:</p>

<p>PHYS 1112: Mechanics (Prerequisite = MATH 1910)
PHYS 2213: Heat/Electromagnetism (Prerequisites = PHYS 1112 and MATH 1920)</p>

<p>The AP Credit table states that I can get credit for Physics 1112 by getting a 4 or 5 on mechanics portion of C; 5 on B with successful completion of a high school level calculus class. Physics 2213 requires a 5 on electricity and magnetism portion of C. Fair enough. I took the AP exams for all of these courses, and I do not know if I made the required score on them, but for the sake of my questions, I'm pretending that I did.</p>

<p>The thing is, I do not even have AP Calculus BC credit (which sucks), so there is no way I can get the Math 1910 out of the way (unless I take CASE, but I'm going to assume that I will fail it so I can prepare for the worst). Can I still take the AP credit for PHYS 1112 and PHYS 2213, supposing I made 5's? And for the PHYS 2213, can I still take AP credit for it if I don't have Phys 1112 and Math 1920 under my belt?</p>

<p>Next question I have is the Chemistry 2090 thing. I am going for chemical engineering, and I made a 5 on AP Chem, so should I enroll in CHEM 2150? The instructions pdf didn't even mention this or anything about taking AP Chemistry credit... or did I miss it? I'm not sure.</p>

<p>My last question is, does anyone have an PDF of an old Math 1910 Final Exam? They used to have it posted on the website, but I was unable to open it.</p>

<p>Sorry for this longggg and possibly confusing post, but I really need some advice/help/answers! THANKS!!!</p>

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<p>Physics AP credit - yes, you can take the credit, even if you don’t have the required math courses completed. The only possible “downside” to this is that you’ll be short of classes to take until you finish the math sequence (most core major requirements have math/physics classes as prereqs), so it might be a good idea to get liberal studies out of the way. I recommend Networks (CS 2850) for first semester, if it fits.</p>

<p>For Chem, I didn’t take 2150, but I recommend it, since CHEM 2090 was pretty easy if you’re comfortable with chemistry (like you really know what’s going on). It’s probably best you take this at least, since you may want to have some college-level chemistry experience before you jump into pchem and orgo and stuff.</p>

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<p>Most ChemEs I know were in Chem 2150, and we all benefited from it.</p>

<p>You don’t start the physics sequence until 2nd semester anyways, so you will find out if you got the required AP scores to place out before you need to register for any physics classes. Just make sure to get Math/Chem/Comp Sci/Intro to Engineering/Liberal Studies/Engineering Distributions done.</p>

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<p>Everyone who didn’t, wishes they could’ve AP’d 1910. I remember the first prelim we got back had an average of 34 and the highest grade was 88… because that student couldn’t even finish it. </p>

<p>I don’t have a copy of the final exam but… all the pre-calc stuff like limits and basic integration are treated as background knowledge. (the CAS kids get to “learn” this as their Calc1.) Our professors started with things like average value theorum and approximations and moved quickly towards integration techniques and power series. </p>

<p>If you can get out of mechanics and the heat/electromag, do it. Mostly irrelevant to ChemE’s IMO. And the math requirements don’t matter if you accept your AP credits. Those higher math prequisites were used in 2213 to illustrate some of the more abstract derivations, nothing more.</p>

<p>Chem 2090 was a bit of a joke IMO but that depends on your HS teachers. Take 2150 if you want a challenge. I hear it can get pretty tough.</p>

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<p>^Hahaha… I remember the story of the math prelim.</p>

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<p>So, is it better to jump into 1920? </p>

<p>I got a 5 on BC, but thought it would be good to refresh myself in calc 2 since series weren’t exactly my forte.</p>

<p>And taylor’s. I was never good at those. haha</p>

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<p>Just skip to 1920. Series are useless.</p>

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<p>^ Might need to know a little bit about it if you need to take stats.</p>

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<p>stats is useless.</p>

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<p>If you need to learn about series again, use wikipedia.</p>

<p>Skip 1910, do it.</p>

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<p>skip 1910, if you need to use series again just read up on them online</p>

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<p>I’m going for chemical engineering but already have the AP Chemistry credit. Should I take Chem 2150 (which I believe I can skip because of my AP Chemistry credit) or go on and take the next level of Chemistry?</p>

<p>Cornell’s website says, “Students who obtain AP credit for CHEM 2090 and are thinking of majoring in Chemical Engineering or Materials Science and Engineering should consider enrolling in CHEM 2150. Those who are offered AP credit for CHEM 2090 and then elect to take CHEM 2150 will also receive academic credit for CHEM 2090. You may want to discuss this option with your faculty advisor.”</p>

<p>I want to follow what Cornell says, but I would also like to see what other people suggest. Maybe some people will have personal experiences. Is it advisable to skip Chem 2150? If I do skip it (which is possible I think), what would I be taking? Chem 2080? or CHEM 3890?</p>

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<p>I want to know the answer to ldftalk’s question as well. Im a premed/ECE major in COE and I can also get credit for AP Chem. I know for my ECE major it doesnt matter what I do about chem, but for the premed should I take Chem 2150 or 2090 or should I opt to take the AP credit and go for another chem class to fullfill the chem requirement of premed.</p>

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<p>Also, when picking those math courses, what exactly is a sub-course and do I have to pick one? It forgot where I saw this, but it kind of appeared below the main course.</p>

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<p>If your Chem e just take Chem 2150/2160. Chem 2080
is in the spring and you cant take Chem 3890 without
Chem 2080 or 2160. I have a question for you guys why
do you ask random people online about what classes you
should take? You should pick classes using your instincts and
based on all the information you can gather instead of waiting
for people to tell you what to do. And if you are still not sure then
you can ask your advisor in the fall; that is their job. I mean I’m not
even a chem e major and I’m just picking these classes based on my
instinct. How is that better than you just picking something without
asking random people?</p>

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<p>Thanks copyxmkii for that information at the beginning of your post.</p>

<p>To answer your question(s): First of all, I do not think “instinct” should play a role in the picking of academic courses. There are requirements, and depending on the case, using AP credit is a better choice than taking the actual class (and vice versa). I do as much research as I can prior to posting a question on here, and I typically ask about things I am very confused about or cannot find the answer to from a reputable source (my advisor is currently unavailable, and I have to start pre-enrolling soon). Secondly, I do not blindly follow everyone’s advice on here as you suggest because I know that not all information is accurate/relevant to my situation. That is why I usually do additional research on the information provided. Lastly, I do not think I am simply “asking random people online”. Most people on the College Confidential forums are here to help others, and I have ever met someone who would purposely provide false information. I have gotten very helpful responses from people who have encountered some of the same situations I am currently experiencing or who share similar dilemmas. This is such a great website!</p>