Re: [Phys-l] Students create a new approach to AP Physics

["LaMontagne, Bob" <RLAMONT@providence.edu>]

I'm curious how other colleges handle AP Physics. Here at Providence
College (RI) we don't accept AP Physics for the major or for the core
requirement of two science classes. We only accept AP credit if a
student is a Bio major and receives a 5 on the AP exam.

I often wonder how High Schools can imply that taking an AP course means
that the course doesn't need to be taken in college. Isn't that really
up to the individual colleges? 

Does anyone on the list have experience with the percentages here?

Bob at PC

> -----Original Message-----
> From: phys-l-bounces@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu [mailto:phys-l-
> bounces@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu] On Behalf Of Bwillard1912@aol.com
> Sent: Sunday, February 11, 2007 9:19 PM
> To: phys-l@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu
> Subject: [Phys-l] Students create a new approach to AP Physics
>
>
> Greetings colleagues,
> I am new to this listserv, and would like to comment on an interesting
> scenario which took place recently.  In a moderately sized AP Physics
B
> Course, my
> students announced to me  they were not interested in receiving
Advanced
> Placement Credit in Physics, for  college.
> This amazed me, because I felt the major purpose of an AP class was to
> complete a comprehensive study of Physics concepts sufficient enough
to
> exempt
> classes at the college level.
> The students enlightened me to the logic that many of their
> contemporaries
> are now adopting.  The students TAKE the AP classes to obtain a higher
> HIGH
> SCHOOL  GPA, thus increasing odds for higher scholarships and
acceptance
> to the
> top  colleges of their choices.  In the  process, they obtain
significant
> knowledge of Physics, enough to have a  more-than-average chance to
pass
> the AP
> Exam.
> They do not want to exempt out of the first year Physics course;
instead,
> they WANT to take it, thinking it will be an easy 'A' because of what
they
> learned in the High School Class.  They take the College level class,
and
> make an
> 'A' in it because of the  knowledge they've obtained in the HS course;
> they
> have an easier load during the  first year at college, and the 'A'
> affecting
> the COLLEGE GPA.
> When the AP Exams of my students were returned to me, those students
who
> followed this course of action had attempted no problems in their exam
> booklets.
> Their logic is impressive; they have designed a system to benefit them
in
> both worlds... high school and college.  The AP Physics results from
my
> school
> were significantly lowered because  of this action plan.
> Bill Willard
> NBCT
> Seneca,  SC
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