quarkify

This question is directed toward current Columbia College and/or SEAS students regarding the Dept. of Physics placement exam. I will be sitting for the exam in September and am currently studying physics in preparation. I have only completed AP Physics B, but I would like to take Accelerated Physics at CU. Is anyone familiar with the exam? Does it resemble an AP exam?

Thank you!

derf956

That academic planning guide we received says, "In order to place into this advanced course [PHYS C2801: Accelerated physics], you must either take a placement test during Orientation or have scored a 4 or 5 on both the AP Physics and AP Calculus tests."

I've taken AP Physics B and AP Calc AB, but would getting a 4 or 5 on both of those be enough to enter Accelerated Physics? If not, I'll be studying just like you, quarkify!

Skraylor

Do a search for 2801. There are a bunch of really good posts talking about the classes merits and pitfalls. (To summarize them tho: unless you are going to be a phys major, it's not worth taking)

derf956

Yeah, I'm probably going to be a phys major.

quarkify

@derf956 - I think that the department would like students to take the placement test anyway. Although you ultimately will decide which level to take, the placement tests are good indicators of where you 'should' be. But from what I have learned, 2801 basically covers all of physics from mechanics through quantum and general relativity in two semesters. (Anyway, yay for physics!)

@Skraylor-I couldn't find anything on the search and the CULPA discussion seemed dated. Would you suggest any other sources? I have spoken with a professor who formerly taught 2801.

Skraylor

I searched the columbia board here for "phys 2801" and got 5 threads. Only one of them has a great discussion of it tho:
What's the Hardest class you've taken at Columbia?
Look at post #13 by Afrikaan.

Also mentioned briefly in this thread: Help! How many classes one should taken?

Arakeshm

I took the exam last fall. The questions were similar to the AP Physics C mechanics test, so if you can get your hands on one of those, it would be helpful. It wasn't particularly long, 3 or 4 open ended questions.

As for the course, it's really tough as you have probably gathered. It covers mechanics, SPECIAL relativity (We'd need a good deal more math to satisfactorily cover GR), E&M, and a small bit of quantum; it was certainly not a semester's worth, given our ridiculous time constraints. I'm not a physics major, but I personally found the class to be beneficial in retrospect, albeit hell during the term.

Jooter

To confirm, we don't need the exam if we simply want to take the harder, but not accelerated physics right?

Arakeshm

That is correct. Unlike chemistry, you don't need the placement exam to register for the middle track, 1600.

mikenthemaddog66

2800 physics is the kinda class you get a B- in when you could have gotten 3 A in 1401,2,and 3.

Dumb.

kiwiskimo

If I had only taken physics B in High Schooll, but got a 5 on the exam, can I jump in to C2801?

In addition, if I want to major in chemical engineering, do I Really need 2801, or is the 1601 good enough

Skraylor

1400 is fine. I dont think 1600 or 2800 prepare you any more than 1400 does....none of them really deal with thermo or do anything with ODE's (to my knowledge about 2800 at least..)


Seriously, take this from a soon-to-be chem.e. senior: take 1400 and get a's. you will enjoy that boost to your gpa more than anything else. Take some harder math classes or something (linear algebra, statistics are 2 good ones)

Jooter

Will the 1400 track be enough for someone who's thinking of majoring in Electrical or Computer engineering?