I am currently signed up for taking AP Physics C and AP Calculus AB for this upcoming year (my senior year). I actually plan on majoring in physics in college so I’m good with taking these classes. However, I am concerned.
My junior year I took pre-calculus. I would’ve taken AP Calc AB but because of how my school works I was predestined from 6th grade to literally never be able to take AP Calc AB until senior year (I realized too late I could take it online, but still) sighs Anyways, I did really well in pre-calculus and am looking forward to doing AB this next year.
I also took a CCP (college level) Physics (algebra based) junior year- BUT it was only for one semester because my school dropped the class after the first semester because literally everyone except me planned to drop out (long, ridiculous story for another time lol)
I also did really well in that physics course albeit, it was only one semester.
So, I signed up for AP Physics C (only other physics class offered) and as I’ve mentioned, I will be taking Calc AB concurrently. This kind of concerns me because although that is listed as okay to do, everyone that I know of that will be in my Physics C class has already taken AB and will be doing it concurrently with BC.
I guess what I am asking is whether any of you have experience doing AB and physics C concurrently (like how you did, suggestions, etc) or if you think I will be at a big disadvantage.
I really want to do well in this class. I want to love physics and I did enjoy the material in the college physics course I did although it was hard. I think I have the determination to do well, but I’d hate for my GPA to drop tremendously because of this.
The College Board says that students may be in calculus concurrently with AP physics C mechanics.
However, if most students have taken calculus AB already, that is more similar to the typical situation in college, where calculus-based physics with mechanics commonly lists calculus 1 as a prerequisite. If the teacher assumes that all students are in this situation, s/he may assume more calculus knowledge than you will have.
Physics C is calc based so you are at a big disadvantage compared to your classmates. I would get an AP Physics C study guide and make a determination from there. Or start self teaching yourself Calc AB over the summer.
I agree. This is really a question for the physics teacher at your school. In theory, you should be OK since the CB suggests that the 2 courses can be taken concurrently, but none of us know how your school is structuring the curriculum.
Every student in our local high school who takes Physics C takes it concurrently with Calculus AB, due to the course progression in the high school. You will be fine!
Theoretically the AP Physics C class is supposed to be taught so that it coincides with Calc AB, ie if and when integration is needed for example, it should have been exposed in Calc AB already. So for the most part you should be fine. The AP curriculum is pretty standardized.
At my daughter’s school AP Physics C was concurrent with AB calc. (BC wasn’t offered). My daughter’s experience was that the physics teacher reviewed some of the math if need be. She actually found it very helpful to take both at the same time because the physics teacher gave them a lot of short cut and checks that the calc teacher did not. She felt it made both classes easier.
Thanks for all the help! I really appreciate it! My Physics C teacher seems really knowledgeable and I know she’s really nice so I think that she will be able to take into account the situation and be there if I need extra help (as well as my calc teacher).
Based on your guys responses, it can be done concurrently (dependant on my school’s curriculum) but I will have to work a little harder than everyone else.Therefore, I think I might try to teach myself at least some basic calculus this summer, so maybe I won’t be clueless
@momofsenior1 That actually seems like what my experience could be like. There’s usually only a small group of kids taking physics c (Huddled in a corner, yelling in frustration every day lol) so they all get close, with each other as well as the teachers. I can see how maybe it’d help with each of the two classes taking together. Thanks for the insight!
