<p>From what I got at Blue Devil Days, at Duke, you need 34 credits to graduate and it is assumed that you will get 2 credits from AP, meaning that you only have to take 4 classes a semester while at Duke. What happens if you don't get those AP credits? Do you have to take 5 classes one semester or what? I got a 5 on Calc BC, but I'm thinking I don't want to use the credit and retake the intro calc class, so what happens in that case?</p>
<p>you need to either take summer courses or overload two semesters. </p>
<p>BTW: the general consensus is that retaking any kind of math course for which you have AP credit is not a good idea at Duke as it is very risky.</p>
<p>What do you mean by risky?</p>
<p>Risky as in you could have made a 5 on the AP and get a B- or C or anything less than an A. Math 32 isn’t known as the most failed class at Duke for nothing.</p>
<p>Another question: I’m verrrrry worried for my AP Physics C exam tomorrow. If I don’t get the 4/5’s required to place out of the 2 introductory courses, is there any other way I can place out of them? Could I use my high school grades or SATII scores to place up? I’m talking placement, not credit.</p>
<p>No, you can’t use high school grades or SATII scores. You could take a sequence of intro physics courses at your local uni this summer though if you want to. </p>
<p>If it’s any comfort, AP Physics C E&M has practically the best curve of all the AP tests. It’s like 50%-60% or something for a 5. No need to panic although I did remember it was the most stressful ones for me. Best of luck.</p>
<p>So, if I do use my Calc BC 5 to place out of math 32, do you think the next higher course in the sequence will be easier? I took BC my sophomore year and I am afraid I might be too rusty on the concepts to jump into the next level.</p>
<p>the next course in the sequence would be math 103 (102 for econ majors) which is multivariable calc. It’s a challenging course and probably has a fail rate just below that of math 32. But it is a little bit easier. Look at it this way, if you take math 32, you’ll probably still have to take math 103 next (if you are an engineering or math major/minor) which means you just made yourself take two of the hardest math courses at Duke for no reason. </p>
<p>Also, I can tell you that if you can do u-substitution and integration by parts, you are set. Those two concepts plus basic derivatives/integrals are all you need (really).</p>
<p>Thanks for all your help SBR! I’m planning on being pre-med with a bio major most likely. Would you recommend that I take Math 103 first semester or should I wait a semester to adjust if it’s that hard?</p>
<p>If you are premed bio major, there’s really no rush to take math unless it’s a prereq for something (I’m not all that familiar with bio department course requirements). So you should take it when you feel comfortable enough to take it. If that means you need a semester to adjust to college and get a feel for college courses then so be it. </p>
<p>Also, I’m not sure if this is still the case, but I don’t actually think a math course beyond math 32 is required for Bio majors. In fact, I think you can probably get away with taking a stats course instead if you have credit for math 32. Again, I’m not in trinity so you might want to look into this to be sure.</p>
<p>How often do people take more classes than the minimum needed to graduate? I’m assuming people trying to finish multiple majors/minors do it. And also, how often do people overload with 5 classes each semester?</p>