shoboemom

In my daughter's high school IB program, she has to choose a science for her junior and senior years; policy is that they are required to take the same science for both of those years. My understanding is that they have to take both years in order to be fully prepared for the senior IB test in that subject.
So she has taken PRE-IB bio and PRE-IB Chem (There is no pre-IB physics), and next year has to choose her track. She is definitely interested in physics, but not sure about a career in it (and isn't interested in mechanical physics), and she has strong interests in biology (neurosciences, genetics, etc...not medicine).
She is leaning toward choosing bio, but is reluctant to miss out on any exposure to physics.
Will having no physics courses in HS be detrimental to her as far as getting into, and being successful in, college?

SusieAnne

As far as the physics programs that I have looked in to, they all begin with the assumption that you have had no physics exposure. The only thing she needs to make sure to have is a good calculus base, which she should get in IB Maths. While an earlier physics might make college physics easier, there is no expectation that she has had it. Especially since she won't be using IB credit to get out of her Physics 100s classes, she should be fine.

Cens10

Hi, I'm a high school senior - soon to be pre-med undergrad, and I haven't even taken physics (which I will have to do in college for med school). I don't think not having physics will be that big of a loss, it's much better to take a class you're interested in.

ucbalumnus

A few reasons why taking physics would be advantageous:

a. Selective college admissions committees like to see a course in each of the three major sciences (biology, chemistry, and physics).

b. College physics courses for physics majors may list high school physics as a prerequisite. While it is certainly possible to take such a course starting without high school physics, it may be more difficult than if the student has had high school physics.

c. Without "sampling" physics in high school, how does she know how well she likes the subject?