Physics with Calc for HS senior planning on Physics major?

[ucbalumnus]

If he takes physics courses at a college, he should take the courses for physics majors. Some colleges may have honors physics courses as well.

However, even in that case, he should be aware that different schools’ physics departments may cover topics in different orders, so that physics courses may not be direct matches to those at another school.

AP physics C is not as math intensive as college physics for physics majors, since multivariable calculus tends to be used in the E&M part of the latter.

@Ynotgo

Once he starts his undergrad degree, he will be somewhat limited in what courses he can fit in. However, for physics research, it is useful to have more “tools in the toolbox” such as circuit design, mechanical design, programming, plumbing, machining etc. (He’s had exposure to a lot of these already.) Husband says it’s better to take classes now where he can develop such skills or learn about other fields that my be involved interdisciplinarily with physics.

However, courses in some of those other related subjects (e.g. engineering, geology) may have physics prerequisites.