For example, Introduction to Physics, College Algebra, Pre-Calculus, etc. Courses ending with 101 or similar, for students who have no/ minimal background in a particular subject.
(On a side note, I’ve noticed that Princeton offers Physics 101, but I’m not sure)
Harvard offers Math Ma/Mb, which is a yearlong combined precalculus/Calc I course. I believe the other Ivies offer similar. Math 101 at Harvard is a course on topology and sets, emphasizing the writing of proofs. Generally intro classes are numbered under 100.
Some Ivy League schools do offer a precalculus course, but not lower level math courses.
You can look in the course catalogs to see what remedial courses are offered.
It is unlikely that a student needing lots of remedial courses will be admitted to super-selective schools in the first place.
Harvard seems to offer four levels of introductory physics: Physical Sciences 2 (geared towards concentrators in the life sciences), Physical Sciences 12a (for engineers), Physics 15a (for physics, chem/physics and astro concentrators) and Physics 16 (honors version, for those who scored a 5 on the AP Physics C exam).
Even PS 2, the least quant-y of these courses, has Math 1b (Calc II) as a prerequisite.
http://www.registrar.fas.harvard.edu/courses-exams/courses-instruction/physics
https://www.physics.harvard.edu/academics/undergrad/FAQsIntro
Not really,maybe sorta. The course label is specific to an institution so I would not expect ‘101’ at one place to be the same as another. I know, for instance at Brown, if you didn’t have AP Chem you are not qualified to enter the intro Chem class. So you would have to take a nocredit class online first.
College Alg, no-- you would not be admitted if you needed remedial math. If you had weak algebra and trigonometry you would take Math 50/60: Analytic geometry and trig. If you had no Calc but your alg and trig was firm then you take math 90 which is Calc I. Or if you had calc in HS you can take Math 100 which is Intro Calc 2 or Math 170 which is advanced placement calc 2. Or if you are strong you take third semester calc 180, 200 or 350. There are placement tests if you wish. And you can review here
http://www.math.brown.edu/~dkatz/trigbootcamp/
If you have had math 90 or 100 but no physics you can take physics 30 for nonmajors.
http://www.brown.edu/academics/chemistry/undergraduate/guide-chemistry-placement-introductory-courses indicates that Brown allows any one of the following to enroll in its CHEM0330 (entry-level) course:
- High enough score on Brown's chemistry placement exam -- presumably for those who had a good high school chemistry course, but did not take the AP test or did not score high enough on the AP test.
- AP chemistry test score of 4 or 5.
- Completion of CHEM0100.
^ While Chem 100 at Brown is offered as a non-credit summer web course, it is also offered during the school year as a traditional for-credit course, although it can only be taken S/NC.
That was helpful, thanks everyone!
In another post, you mention that you hope to be an engineering major but have received scant HS preparation. If so, you should focus on getting a solid foundation in math, chem and physics which you’ve not yet rec’d and toss away the idea of applying to “ivies”. That’s not a reasonable course for you if indeed, you wish to pursue engineering.
@T26E4 I am actually studying for the SAT II in those subjects, but I was not sure if schools will take it as adequate preparation.