<p>I'm an incoming CIT students. I had 5s in AP Calculus AB and Chemistry last year, and will take AP Physics C (Mechanics) and Stats this year. If I get 5s in the latter two, what should I do with them: take the credits and start with the next level of courses? According to CIT:</p>
<p>AP Calculus AB score 5 is good course credit for 21-120 Differential and Integral Calculus
AP Chemistry 5, 09-105 Modern Chemistry I and 09-106 Modern Chemistry II
AP Physics C 5, 33-106 Physics for Engineering Students I
AP Stats 5, 36-201 Statistical Reasoning</p>
<p>I would like to know If CMU courses above are very different from the corresponding HS AP courses? Is there much benefit to retake CMU courses or it's just not necessary? Maybe it's better to take next level courses to save some time for other interest? Instead of '21-120 Differential and Integral Calculus', I could start with '21-122 Integration, Differential Equations and Approximation' in the first semester. Does CMU requires placement tests for the above mentioned courses before I can take the credits and when? It's been a year since I last studied AP Calculus and AP Chemistry. </p>
<p>I'd like to plan my course work this summer. Any advice would be appreciated.</p>
<p>I would not retake the classes if you got a 5 and can get credit. You have to take a Diff Eq class so why not take that. Depending on what engineering area you’re studying, you may be done with Chemistry.</p>
<p>In the general the intro classes are bigger lecture hall type classes so I don’t see a benefiit - if you want a refresh - turn to Khan Academy instead.</p>
<p>I personally took all the credit I could get, so I came in with 103 units of AP credits. My roommate on the other hand retook classes. Her GPA was higher first semester and she had a WAY easier schedule freshman year, but I freed up the room to study abroad and graduate early. It really depends what you want to focus on… Academically, I haven’t felt like I missed anything. If you personally feel comfortable with the material, I’d say take the credit and use that class block to take another awesome class! CMU offers so many awesome classes, so take advantage of it as much as you can! On the other hand, a class like physics is fundamental to every future engineering class, so if you don’t feel like you have a good understanding of the material, retake the class - it’ll save you a lot of stress later!
The classes at CMU, as far as I’ve heard and experienced, test more understanding than typical APs. I personally had really great teachers in high school though, so I don’t think I missed out at all. Retaking a class doesn’t guarantee you an easy A either. The CMU classes are hard, no doubt. It’s a rigorous school, so you can expect most classes to be at least a little bit of a challenge.
As far as placement tests, they offer placement tests in calculus (only for calc 1 and 2), computer science (for introductory cs only), world languages, and bio (if you get a 5 on the AP you can take an exam for additional credit). If you have the AP credit though, you are guaranteed credit for calc 1, the placement test would only be necessary if you wanted to try to get out of calc 2 or didn’t get a 5 on the AP. At least that’s what it was last year (I think)… I mean I only took the bio placement test and I got credit for calc and everything.
If I didn’t answer all of your questions, feel free to ask! Also, if you’re part of the class of 2017 facebook page, you can ask some of the upperclassmen there for advice!</p>
<p>Thank you both very much for your suggestions. I will review calculus and physics in the summer, and take higher level courses in the fall. In general, do you recommend for double majors/major-minor sort of things from outside of CIT? I dont know which one is more important, breadth or depth in engineering.</p>