I’m currently a freshman in high school and have already chosen my classes I want to take for my sophomore year. However, I have until next week to change out any classes. Currently, I’m enrolled in AP Chemistry, AP World History, AP Computer Science, English II (Normal English class everyone takes the sophomore year in my school), Algebra II, College Precalculus, and Spanish III for my sophomore year. I’m a little unsure about this class selection though. I want to major in Computer Science in college so I’m taking AP Computer Science. I have no doubt that I can do good in this class because I already understand the Java language and have been programming all sorts of things for years now. What I’m unsure about however is the math side of the course. Is a lot of it too advanced for my current math understanding without Algebra II? At my school Algebra II is a co-requisite for the class, however, since I’m taking it alongside the computer science course will that suffice? I have already taken Algebra I too and got a 99 on the 2017 regents. Also, is AP Chemistry worth it to take for what I want to major in? I have read a little up on it and some people have said that for a computer science major AP Chemistry is irrelevant and that AP Physics would be more relevant. Some people at my school have told me that you need Calculus for AP Physics though so I’m unsure if I should take AP Chemistry now and wait to take AP Physics? I’m taking regular Chemistry now and had a 98 the first 2 quarters and just finished the 3rd quarter with a 97.
You don’t need Calculus for AP Physics 1 and 2, but you do for AP Physics C. Physics 1/2 only require concurrent enrollment in or completion of Algebra 2.
Also, why are you taking Algebra 2 and college Pre-Calculus at the same time? Pre-Calculus assumes completion of Algebra 2, so this sounds like a bad idea.
My school only offers AP Physics C though so if I wanted to take it I would need calculus then. Do you think I should stay enrolled in AP Chemistry keeping in mind that I am going to major in computer science and then take AP Physics after I complete Calculus, or should I take regular physics and then take AP Physics C?
At my school most people double up on math, taking both Precalculus and Algebra II. Both of the classes overlap in areas so they say it’s a good idea to take it with Algebra II.
WHy AP Chem? that is a very tough course even if you already have Chem. I would suggest Honors Chemistry and AP Computer science. Take Physics next year and then an AP version of a science.
OP states that s/he is currently in reg chem.
That said, I would suggest taking physics next year (assuming you already have biology) before you start trying to tackle an AP science.
as usual, I agree with @skieurope
Do you think only have taken Geometry and Algebra I but going into Algebra II + pre-calc next year would be enough to be able to do good in physics? Since I’m in honors chem right now do you think it would be more beneficial to take physics next year, ap chem the year after and then ap physics my senior year since I would have completed AP Calc AB by then or to take ap chem next year since I’m in chem this year and then do physics and then ap physics my senior year?
Does your school offer regular or honors physics that’d be the logical class to take.
Is your school on block scheduling?
Why are you taking Alg2 and PreCalc at the same time? I imagine that would be pretty hard to do, considering PreCalc builds off of Alg2.