AP Physics B is an algebra-trig-based course;
AP Physics C is a calculus-based course.
It would make sense to give college credit for an
algebra-trig-based physics course for a high score
on AP Physics B, and to give college credit for a
calculus-based physics course for a high score on
AP Physics C.
If a student who earned a high score on AP Physics B
matriculates in a major that requires a calculus-based
physics course, I would treat it the same way as I
would for a student who took the algebra-trig-based
physics course in college and then changed majors to
one that requires a calculus-based course.
Daniel Crowe
Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics
Ardmore Regional Center
dcrowe@sotc.org
-----Original Message-----
From: STRatliff@NWC.EDU [mailto:STRatliff@NWC.EDU]
Sent: Wednesday, October 29, 2003 3:17 PM
To: PHYS-L@lists.nau.edu
Subject: College Credit for AP Physics
Dear Phys-L list,
This question is regarding college credit for advanced placement physics.
Background
At my college we give credit for the first semester of calculus-based
physics (4 semester credits) if the student has a score of 4 on the
Physics B exam. If they have a score of 5, we give them 8 semester
credits of calculus-based physics. They also get credit for the first
semester of calculus-based physics (4 semester credits) if they get a 3 or
higher on the Physics-C Mechanics exam. Note: the first semester of
calculus-based physics is mechanics.
Question
Should anything be changed if we are looking for equivalence with
algebra-based physics? We also have two semester courses of that type. In
other words, should "algebra-based" or "calculus-based" physics make any
difference in the equivalency?
Thank you for your help.
Regards,
Steven Ratliff
Steven T. Ratliff
Professor of Physics
Northwestern College
3003 Snelling Ave. N.
St. Paul, MN 55113-1598
U. S. A.