High School science question -AP Chem or Physics

[h0ck3ydo0od]

Hi, I am a sophmore right now. I want to study Biology in college. I've taken Biology freshmen. I am going to take Honors Chem for my sophmore year. I plan on taking AP Biology in 12th grade. So that leaves Junior year...Should I take AP Chem or should I just take regular Physics? Which would be more helpful if I want to study Bio in college? Thanks.

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[SRK85]

AP chem would be a better choice chemistry and biology are both life sciences and relate with each other more. Plus for a bio major you have to take chemistry 1 at most colleges.

 

[drjewel]

You're going to be in for quite a shock if you have no physics prior to college, so I would definitely recommend taking physics. And hey, if you really like science and want to get into a good school, then it might be a good idea to double up senior year... you could always take both AP bio and AP chem. Science majors have often taken two or three AP sciences prior to college, so it would put you on a level playing field.

And by the way, this is not the best place to get advice... don't come back here until you're like a junior in college or something... 🙄

 

[MinnyGophers]

Regular physics will be useless in college... at least it was for me. College physics is nothing like high school physics.
I would take AP chem if I were you, but then again, I'm a chem major 😉

 

[Slackenerny]

I really enjoyed taking AP Chem in high school. It helped with college a lot - Going in with a strong background in moles, acids, electrons, and basic chem equations makes the rest of college chemistry much easier. I also took regular physics (took both classes during my senior year of HS) and now teach both at high school.

It's difficult for me to recommend one over the other since both are good foundations to work from. I'd say that it would probably be to your greatest benefit to take every subject once and get a feel for the material. AP chem will help you more with your bio major but probably more with your upper level biochem coursework...the stuff you take as a junior and senior (bio people feel free to agree/disagree with me here). I also found chem really helpful for learning good lab technique.

I can't sell physics short though because of my obvious bias 🙂....Learning how to work with equations in HS helped a lot too, which is why I recommend you take one physics and one chem so you get a little of everything.

Oh, and don't be too serious about your studies - It's high school after all. Make sure you have lots of fun!!!! Best wishes in your future studies!

 

[.surgical.]

Take both!!!

If you have to choose, I reccommend the Chem

 

[SRK85]

You're going to be in for quite a shock if you have no physics prior to college, so I would definitely recommend taking physics. And hey, if you really like science and want to get into a good school, then it might be a good idea to double up senior year... you could always take both AP bio and AP chem. Science majors have often taken two or three AP sciences prior to college, so it would put you on a level playing field.

And by the way, this is not the best place to get advice... don't come back here until you're like a junior in college or something... 🙄

Really at my high school the recomended science prepartion was physical sceince/bio honors freshmen year, bio/chem sophmore year, chem/bio2 junior year, and Bio2 or science elective senior year. You don't need physics for most colleges they usually require 3 years of science. That and my bio teacher back in HS always told us physics sucks and not a great science.

But then again im only a sophmore in college so you should listen to other people higher then me.

 

[TarHeelBorn]

The best advice I can offer you is: close your browser window and forget this site exists until you're a sophomore or junior in college. Early exposure to SDN can't possibly be healthy.

 

[SRK85]

The best advice I can offer you is: close your browser window and forget this site exists until you're a sophomore or junior in college. Early exposure to SDN can't possibly be healthy.

Yea your right. Don't stress it kid your only in high school relax, have fun, and do well in school.

 

[CTtarheel]

TAKE CHEM. Save physics for college, b/c some schools (namely your top 20 schools) won't take AP courses for prereqs unless you use them to place into upper level classes. You'll take more chem classes (organic and biochem), but you probably won't want to take more physics. Plus the AP chem exam is a joke, you should make a 5 in your sleep.

 

[RDood]

TAKE CHEM. Save physics for college, b/c some schools (namely your top 20 schools) won't take AP courses for prereqs unless you use them to place into upper level classes. You'll take more chem classes (organic and biochem), but you probably won't want to take more physics. Plus the AP chem exam is a joke, you should make a 5 in your sleep.

Right. He's talking about taking normal physics. I would have SOME exposure (high school or otherwise) to physics before you take it in college. I found that A.P. classes are somewhat overrated in college, as I came in with a bunch of credits ( I technically just graduated last year after my 3rd year) but still have to take some courses for my major anyways. Plus, many schools (like U of M where I'm at) charge you more for tuition the minute you enter an upper bracket by credits. Take my opinion for what you will, but I didn't take A.P. Chem, and took an Honors series of chemistry from the Gen Chem onwards at my school, and am now a pretty succesfull Chem major, so things can turn out no matter what A.P. Classes you take. You've got to relax about med school right now, and heck, worry about getting into a good undergrad first.

 

[Vox Animo]

I say take neither. I did not have one ap credit to my name in highschool, and i'm in medical school. My senior year, no science, no math, all fun. If you take those classes now, thats just more time inbetween them and when you take the mcat. It will end up meaning more review.

TAKE REGULAR PHYSICS!!!

 

[Mets86]

I actually have to disagree with taking chem AP. I know for sure that all med schools will require you to take chem again to fulfill the premed req or at least upper level chem classes (I experienced this already). I believe though that AP Physics can be used for the Physics requirement. I would call a few schools though to check. If I am right, take AP Physics.

 

[.surgical.]

I actually have to disagree with taking chem AP. I know for sure that all med schools will require you to take chem again to fulfill the premed req or at least upper level chem classes (I experienced this already). I believe though that AP Physics can be used for the Physics requirement. I would call a few schools though to check. If I am right, take AP Physics.

I'm not suggesting using the AP credit in college, as that is a terrible idea. I just feel that Chem will much better prepare you for the math and science your gonna have in college. I took 2 years of chem in high school, being exposed to inorganic and organic, and it was a lifesaver when I took college chem (of which you are required 2 years of as a pre-med). The physics is gonna be there too (I took physics in HS as well). If you can't take both, I still strongly reccommend the chemistry route, it will just make your life easier later.

As for those trying to scare you away from SDN, for shame!!! I wish I had found SDN earlier, it would have made life a little simpler.