Science- No Physics?

[Connections]

Doing some more planning for the next couple of years. 

 

Does this sequence make sense:

Biology 9th

Chemistry 10th

AP Biology 11th

AP Environmental Science 12th

 

AP Biology is being selected due to interest. As of right now, AP Environmental Science is on the list for 12th because it looks like it may fulfill a Gen. Ed requirement. This, of course, may change due to an ultimate college acceptance and decision. This is a temporary plan. 

 

If DS wants to take AP Environmental Science in 12th should he also take a regular Physics class that year? Would it look OK to take Physics after taking an AP science the previous year? Should he do an AP Physics class if he takes Physics in 12th? 

 

Is it OK to skip Physics? 

 

Thank you in advance! 

[Shellydon]

In my state, if you were applying to a state university, skipping Physics would either (1) automatically cause a denial letter if the SAT scores were not at least 1300 (2) if SAT scores were high enough, student/parent would have to fill out a letter stating why the class was skipped. 

 

You need to look at the schools that your student will most likely apply to and see what their requirements are.

[EKS]

I would do physics in ninth, chemistry in tenth, AP Bio in eleventh, and AP ES in twelfth.

[Connections]

I would do physics in ninth, chemistry in tenth, AP Bio in eleventh, and AP ES in twelfth.

 

Wish we could... but I should have said he already is in 9th and finishing up Biology! 

 

(I guess I should have planned this earlier!) 

[AngieW in Texas]

Generally, schools do expect to see biology, chemistry, and physics or at least biology and integrated physics and chemistry.

 

Maybe you can do integrated physics and chemistry instead of just chemistry or do both chemistry and physics in 10th if he wants to do both of the AP courses you have listed.

 

My kids have had all kinds of arrangements for science. All of them were accepted to the schools to which they applied.

 

oldest 

9th - biology

10th - chemistry

11th - physics

12th - one semester each of chemistry for nonscience majors and physics for nonscience majors at the cc

 

middle

9th - biology

10th - physics with AP Physics B test

11th - honors chemistry

12th - chemistry I and II for science majors at cc

 

youngest

9th - conceptual physics

10th - conceptual chemistry

11th - life on earth (only biology course at the cc she could take because of math requirements for others)

12th - geology at cc

[Kareni]

Is it OK to skip Physics? 

 

 

My daughter did the following sciences while in high school.

 

At home:

 

9th: Physical Science

10th: Chemistry (Lab)

 

At the community college:

 

11th: G 101: Earth's Dynamic Interior (Lab)

11th: G 102 Earth's Dynamic Surface (Lab)

11th: G 146: Rocks and Minerals (Lab)

12th: ENVS 181: Terrestrial Science (Lab)

 

We allowed her to study the sciences that interested her at the community college in 11th and 12th grades (namely Geology and Environmental Science) rather than mandating that she study the more traditional Biology in which she had no interest.

 

You'll note that she did not take a Physics class either.

 

My daughter applied to ten colleges and was accepted by eight and wait listed by a ninth.  She ended up attending a fairly selective liberal arts college.  None of those ten colleges specifically required Biology, Chemistry, and Physics though all required at least two or three years of science.

 

If you have an idea of any of the colleges or universities to which your son might apply, I'd recommend seeing what sciences they require.

 

Regards,

Kareni

[foxbridgeacademy]

Colleges in my state (including the Science focused University) only require 1 of your lab sciences be a "Physical" Science.  They don't mean "Physical Science" instead they want Chemistry or Physics and if push comes to shove would rather you take Chem over Physics.  DS has Physical Science and will do Chemistry next year, he will likely skip Physics altogether.  I've looked at the admissions here and in a couple of potential states Univ. and see no issues.

Edited January 20, 2016 by foxbridgeacademy

[Connections]

It sounds like this might be a good approach:

 

Biology 9th (finishing soon)

Chemistry 10th

AP Biology 11th 

 

Then, depending on the schools he ends up applying to either double up on science in 12th with 

AP Environmental Science

AP Physics (not sure which)

 

Or, just one of the above for 12th depending on the schools requirements and the rest of his workload. 

 

Am I missing anything with this approach? Even schools that require Physics would not require it before senior year, would they? And you apply in senior year and can indicate classes in progress, right?

 

Any additional opinions are welcome!

 

Thank you!

[Kareni]

Your plan sounds good to me.

 

Even schools that require Physics would not require it before senior year, would they? And you apply in senior year and can indicate classes in progress, right?

 

No, they would not.  And, yes.

 

Regards,

Kareni

[MerryAtHope]

I read that only 20% of students take physics, and I'm sure more than 20% of students go to college. I'd look at the requirements of schools in your state or schools you think you'd consider. I didn't see physics specified by any schools we considered (state schools and some private schools--nothing elite--some specified bio or chem or both, some specified number of sciences that needed to be labs etc...). 

[Mom22ns]

You need to check with colleges that he might be applying to, but neither of my kids took Physics. 

[JumpedIntoTheDeepEndFirst]

I think it depends on which schools and which majors--my dd has not taken physics and that hasn't proven an obstacle to admissions so far.  She has taken 4 years of science, including both lab and AP science.  

 

However, she isn't applying to an engineering program or a BS program.  How much you need physics really depends on the school and program.