<p>I'm trying to ease into the difficulty of Penn and I have a choice between Chem 101 and Phys 101. What is the consensus on which is the harder course and recommended more for freshmen?</p>
<p>I have a choice between Topp and Sweeney (Phys) as well</p>
<p>I can’t really say which is the harder course since that depends on your particular strengths/weaknesses. I have take neither course so I can’t give the specifics but I do know that the physics curve tends to be better. For example, Chem 101 was curved to a B-/C+ whereas my physics 150 class (also an intro class like 101, except it is calc-based and considered “physics for engineers”) was curved to around a B+. I can’t imagine physics 101 having a significantly different curve. It seems like most freshmen take chem over physics but you should decide what’s right for you since in the end, you’ll have to take both anyways if you decide to continue pre-med. Also, I haven’t heard anything about Sweeney but I have heard that Topp isn’t the best lecturer but he is a very nice and reasonable person who genuinely cares about his students. For example, I know someone who had a conflict on a midterm date (and most profs seem pretty unforgiving about that) but he easily allowed the student to take a make-up sometime else.</p>
<p>You should be fine taking either freshman year. I do hear that Phys 101 is graded more harshly than Phys 150, but if you are comfortable with math or have taken AP Physics B it shouldn’t be a problem.
Professor Sweeney is actually new to the Physics faculty so I haven’t heard anything about her. I think I hear mixed things about Topp, but I might be confusing him with another chemistry professor.</p>