I’m currently a sophomore deciding what junior classes to take. The science classes I’ve already taken are:
Freshman Year - Honors Biology
Sophomore Year - Honors Chemistry
I want to major in either psychology or neuroscience, and I would love to take all the science APs offered at my school (AP Bio, AP Chem, AP Physics 1, and APES) if I had room in my schedule.
Currently, I am planning on doubling in AP Physics 1 and APES during senior year. Even though APES is notorious for being an ‘easy science AP’, I am very passionate about environmentalism and find it extremely interesting. I also really want to do AP Physics 1 sometime during my high school career as I have not taken a physics class before, and I’ve also heard stellar things about the teacher at our school.
My current dilemma is whether I should do AP Bio or AP Chem next year (my junior year). I cannot double science, as there is not enough room in my schedule (being limited to only 6 classes). I would have to choose one class and not be able to do the other. Should I take the Chemistry Subject Test this year after Honors Chemistry (our final is a practice SAT Subject Test anyways) and then take AP Biology next year? Or just stick with chemistry and not do AP Biology at all? Which class is more relevant to neuroscience and psychology?
Thank you so much!
Take Physics 1 next year. Who knows, you might really like physics, and want to take Physics C as a senior.
When my kid was thinking about bio vs chem, the deciding factor for her was that a 5 on AP Chem was considered equivalent to Intro Chem at the colleges she was interested in, whereas a 5 on AP Bio generally was not.
I would AP Bio as a junior. That is slightly more relevant to Neuroscience.
Most colleges are extremely stingy with science AP credits. Generally only Physics C gets any credit, although you might be able to place out with decent scores on your tests.
Eh. I’d go chem. I think it will give you a more helpful background longterm. A lot of the stuff in bio (e.g. ecosystems) isn’t the most relevant to neuroscience. Anything that is relevant your college will teach you. Chem is important. You will probably do a good amount of chemistry as part of a neuro degree. The more chem you have done the more comfortable you will be with your chem classes in college.
I think that either Bio or Chem would align well with your interests/intended majors. Both would be good prep for the corresponding Subject Test. I see no reason to take a Subject Test now - no one requires 2 sciences and you’ll be better prepared next year.
I don’t see any reason to take Physics 1 - it doesn’t align with your interests and Physics C is typically required for AP credit, and often only with a 5 (and I recommend taking college Physics anyway - it’s often different and harder).
I do, depending on the colleges that the OP is targeting; many want to see bio/chem/physics…
As for AP bio vs.AP chem, it’s really six of one, half-dozen of the other, since you will end up taking more advanced courses in college anyway. If truly torn, take the one with the better teacher and gets the higher percentage of 5’s on the exam(hopefully, they are the same).
You need physics at some point. Personally I wouldn’t worry about APES so you could get in both AP bio and AP chem.
I don’t think it matters if you take bio or chem next year. Just put off physics for senior year.
Both AP Chem or AP Bio require a lot of studying. I would lean toward AP Chemistry, but maybe go with the one that seems most interesting to you. If APES isn’t required for graduation, considering dropping that and taking both of the others.
I would use criteria such as which class you find more interesting, whichever has the better teacher etc. The classes will be considered on par with one another for college admission and both can be helpful in neuroscience/psychology.
Look at some colleges of interest and see what is required for science for Psychology or neuroscience.
Neuroscience will probably need bio and chem. As @happy1 says, you can take either so pick based on what fits in your schedule/better teacher/more interesting
I’d take a detailed look at the curriculum of AP Bio and AP Chem before deciding. Which of the honors level classes did you like more? They will both be pretty time intensive courses. AP Chem will have more math than some kids expect, but it might be a more versatile class to have taken in the end.
I’m assuming (because you didn’t mention it) that AP Physics 1 is all your school offers and that AP Physics C is not an option (it wasn’t at my kid’s high school, either - it was AP Physics 1 or no physics at all.) A lot of selective colleges do like to see at least basic level coverage of the “big three” bio, chemistry, and physics. If AP Physics 1 is the only physics offered at your HS, I think it’s better to take that than none at all, so I don’t agree with people who say only AP Physics C is worth taking. I do agree that you should pick one between AP Bio and AP Chem for next year, and save Physics for senior. You almost definitely do not want to try to take 2 lab sciences in one year.
I’m currently in AP Biology, and there is a fair amount of content relating to neuroscience, but a lot of that stuff is being removed, cell communication and the nervous system included.
I’m not sure if that changes your preference. Good luck with making a decision.