I’m currently taking Calc II over the summer and I’ve already fallen behind on the homework. I just find it so tedious and I’m already taking Physics at the same time which has consumed most of my attention since that’s my major. I doubt I’ll get an A in the class because I typically get Bs in classes like these and I don’t want to risk getting a 4 unit B or C. I’m also in CCC so I have to worry about whether or not taking a P in a major class will affect my chances of transferring. I plan on applying this upcoming fall to schools. I briefly considered withdrawing but I can’t do that because this class is a prereq to my next physics class and I’ve already delayed taking physics due to not passing Calc I the first time I took it. I know I need to suck it up and just pass this class but would a P look bad on my transcripts? I don’t have any other college-transferable P/NP courses on it. (i once took two math refreshers 2 years ago for P/NP, one that I passed and the other I did not. but these courses aren’t college transferable so I dont think they’ll show up or at least count on official transfer transcripts).
If this is a class for your major no
does math count as a major course though? on assist, it’s one of the requirements but since my major is physics, does that mean that only physics courses are considered major courses?
I believe calc would be a major course for a physics major
so would a B be better than a P?
Okay so I don’t know how it works at other schools, but at my school Calc 2 doesn’t count as a major course for physics (or math, for that matter). However, it is viewed as a prereq to a lot of other classes and it’s expected that if you aren’t coming in with AP credit, you will take those courses.
To make a long story short, you might be able to technically pass/fail the course as a physics major, BUT it would probably be a terrible move from the perspective of transferring. It doesn’t send a good signal to universities if you’re pass/failing a major prereq and getting B’s in your major’s intro courses. Just my $0.02
It’s not a big deal to get a B in Calculus II, especially if higher-level math classes are required and you get As in them. There are even successful math majors who get some Bs in lower-level classes and mostly As later.
i also got a B in Calc I @halcyonheather
i think i can get As in physics, it’s just the math classes where i may struggle @micmatt513
so this would be a definite NO to schools like stanford, UCSD, and UCLA right? i thought that perhaps since im taking it during the summer i could get off with a P/NP class
You should really check with your counselor as to the rules about P/NP and transferring.
In general though I don’t think the schools you’re aiming for will look kindly on P/NP calculus for an intended physics major.
At least for the university I go to (UCSB), you can’t take lower division prereq courses as a P/NP because it still counts as a major-specific course. I have a close friend that’s currently studying Physics in the same school and she has never taken her math courses as P/NP. She hasn’t always gotten solid As, either, so I’m sure a B in a calc class will be fine on your record as long as the rest of your grades are good. I would really try to bring it up if possible, though. Don’t lose hope!
As a student at a community college intending to transfer as a physics major, it is rather unlikely that four year schools to which the student may transfer to will accept a math (or physics) course taken passed / not-passed.
For example:
http://web2.assist.org/web-assist/report.do?agreement=aa&reportPath=REPORT_2&reportScript=Rep2.pl&event=19&dir=1&sia=BERKELEY&ria=UCM&ia=BERKELEY&oia=UCM&aay=15-16&ay=16-17&dora=PHYSCS : “All course work must be completed with a letter grade of “C” or better.”
@ucbalumnus i see… thank you for the clarification! [i was looking for those words somewhere on assist but i forgot to check it for cal lol]
@InamoratiAnon that’s one of my top choices! do you mind if i message you to ask more about the school? and i see… i guess a B isn’t so bad… i just already have several Bs from chemistry and some other Bs here and there 
@otoribashi Of course! I’ve done quite a lot of research myself about UCSB programs and have a lot of STEM major friends (personally, I’m humanities/social science with an interest in math/econ), so I should able to help you out
A B grade is not going to completely destroy your chances of transfer admission to a UC. See http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/infocenter/transfers-major for transfer GPA ranges by campus and major.
However, math is heavily used in physics, so concentrate on doing well at math if you intend to major in physics.