Anybody in A.P. Physics in HS here? Or has a physics related job?

"Singhjr96" (singhjr96) 02/08/2014 at 00:09 • Filed to: None

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So I want to see if anybody else on here is also in a.p. physics in highschool, and what their curriculum is like. Most a.p. curriculums are pretty much the same, so if anybody is in a.p. physics we should see if our hw is the same. Also what jobs there are in the field out there for physics. Here's a car for your troubles.

thereisnospork > Singhjr96 02/08/2014 at 00:21

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The closest thing to a job in 'physics' short of a professorship is going to be mechanical engineering.

That said, lots of bs to phd physicists do quite well reinventing themselves for quantitative finance.

J_P_Cars10s > Singhjr96 02/08/2014 at 00:28

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I took AP Physics in 2011-2012. Got a 5 on the AP exam and am currently in my second year of Mechanical Engineering.

The curriculum is pretty similar to the first two semesters of college physics, but without any calculus. Since it's not calc-based, most colleges won't give you credit for it as part of an engineering/physics major, but it will still be a huge advantage to have seen the material before.

Engineering programs usually have crazy high placement rates and starting salaries.

Singhjr96 > thereisnospork 02/08/2014 at 00:30

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I've found and considered gravity research, particle physicist, material scientist, renewable energy, and mechanical engineer.

But yeah, still trying to figure out what to do after highschool, so yeah.

Singhjr96 > J_P_Cars10s 02/08/2014 at 00:34

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Which is one reason why I want to go into physics. 1. I like it 2. lots of mulla 3. I could turn that mulla into a super car. lol. But I'm taking physics b right now. There is an option for physics C which is calculus based which is an independent study course. But i'm taking calculus next year, so it would be in tandem with physics C if I do decide to take it. Would you recommend taking it? would they count it?

J_P_Cars10s > Singhjr96 02/08/2014 at 00:42

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I don't have experience with that. I took AP Calc at the same time as AP Phys (senior year). I'm pretty sure I took the Physics B exam. I haven't talked to anyone who took the C exam. Many people took AP Phys (if their school offered it), but didn't take the exam at the end of the year, since they wouldn't have gotten anything out of it.

FWIW, Last school year I was at UND, and they accepted my AP Phys credit as part of a physics minor, but not as part of my mech eng major. I basically would have gotten a physics minor by just finishing my major and taking no extra classes.

However, after transferring to SDSM&T (highly recommend this school!), that is no longer an option. It's a great school, and I encourage you to look into when that time comes. Tons of Jalops on campus and the Formula SAE team is a great group of people.

Jayhawk Jake > Singhjr96 02/08/2014 at 00:47

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First off, it's not all about money. If you're only in it for the paycheck, you're in for a world of hurt.

That being said, if you like physics and want a well paying job don't major in physics. Engineering is a safer bet. Some schools do offer an engineering physics degree, look into that

Singhjr96 > J_P_Cars10s 02/08/2014 at 00:49

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Explain more about the SAE team. Also SDSM&T? I live in Washington, and have had quite a few cousins who currently go to or have graduated from UW in the past 10 years. So I'm probably going to go there. Either that or look into their medical research program. Seattle has the biggest infectious research lab in the whole of US and I have a connection so I can do my research stuff there.

Singhjr96 > Jayhawk Jake 02/08/2014 at 00:51

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NO NO, I love physics don't get me wrong. The decent sized paycheck is just a added benefit. But i've realized that it would be better if I minored in physics. I'm just trying to figure out where to go from there.

Singhjr96 > Jayhawk Jake 02/08/2014 at 00:52

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Thanks for the tip though.

J_P_Cars10s > Jayhawk Jake 02/08/2014 at 00:54

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So true! I went into engineering with my high school mentality, expecting success ($$) in return for a mediocre work ethic. Only managed to fail one class in the process of learning that wasn't going to work anymore.

Singhjr96 > J_P_Cars10s 02/08/2014 at 00:57

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Wait so you're trying to tell me that I actually have to work? wait what are you trying to say^?

Singhjr96 > Singhjr96 02/08/2014 at 01:01

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I've also considering a career in psychology, so at this points it's looking like engineering, particle physics(which sounds really good), or psychiatrist.

J_P_Cars10s > Singhjr96 02/08/2014 at 01:01

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South Dakota School of Mines and Technology.

NBC news ranked it 5th nationally in return on investment. Average starting salary higher than Harvard. Also, one of the only schools where the average starting yearly salary is greater than the average cost of 4 years of school.

I'm not on the SAE team, so I can't tell you much about what they do. It seems pretty similar to any other SAE team.

Singhjr96 > Singhjr96 02/08/2014 at 01:07

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or infectious disease research.(or something similar)

Singhjr96 > J_P_Cars10s 02/08/2014 at 01:08

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That is really worth looking into if it's as good as you say it is. OHHHH SAE looks SOOOOOOOO GOOOD!

midengineer > Singhjr96 02/08/2014 at 01:13

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I've had an on/off relationship with the FSAE team at Wichita State. It is a huge commitment of time but highly worthwhile. Unfortunately I was not capable of working more hours and being able to participate in it this year. It is a great way to get hands-on experience and develop real-world engineering skills. From development stages to fabrication there is work for all kinds of different people but the most important thing to remember if you consider joining a team is that the work you put in = the return you get out of it.

thedevilinside > J_P_Cars10s 02/08/2014 at 01:49

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My AP Phys was calc based and I could've gotten college credit for it. I did really well in phys in college b/c of AP Phys

Enginerrrrrrrrr > Singhjr96 02/08/2014 at 02:40

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I went to college as a Mech-E, so I have a decent amount of college physics, my high school physics was crap. It's so much easier with calculus.

Anywho, I have a few physics friends who have gotten engineering jobs in all different fields: doing laser stuff, working with nanotubes, and my school especially had a lot of stuff with solar panels in our physics dept.

If you do physics you have the ability to go into some new technology research, which 1: is fucking cool, and 2: will get you moolah for that car.

Good luck memorizing equations for now. If you can get your teacher to show you how to use calculus, it will click a lot easier.

KillerRaccoon - Group J's Sébastien Loeb > Singhjr96 02/08/2014 at 02:56

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I'm a senior physics major at a college with a strong program. Straight out of college, there are no real opportunities in the physics field, unless you want a pretty shitty tech job. If you want to go just straight up physics, you're definitely looking at a PHD. From there, there are myriad opportunities. However, as long as you have reasonable grades, it is easy to get into grad school for almost anything, so it very much keeps options open. Engineering, biology, philosophy (really, one of our phil profs took that route. Teaches stuff like the philosophy of space and time. Awesome, and insane, dude), etc. Additionally, a lot of employers know how useful the problem-solving skills of a physics major are. I know a fair amount of people who just got jobs in various business consultation firms. A well-educated physics major will be able to do analytical jobs better than pretty much anyone else, often even better than someone who studied for that exact job. A good college career-guidance office that connects you with alumni is pretty essential to get that kind of gig, though.

As for which courses to take in high school, take whatever floats your boat. Your physics experience will only serve to tell you a little about whether or not you're well suited for it, and won't give you any real edge in college. Most people at my school (including myself) who could have skipped the major's first class due to AP chose not to because the treatment of the material is much more... shallow in high school. Mostly simple algebra and memorization and copy-pastaing equations instead of real analysis (side note: if you hate calculus, you'll loathe physics). If you really dig memorization and the copy-pastaing of equations, chemistry is probably more of your boat. Admissions might like to see Physics C a little bit, though. Who knows. I didn't take it, and I doubt it would hurt your admission chances if you took something else, though.

Also, moolah*

Singhjr96 > Enginerrrrrrrrr 02/08/2014 at 03:23

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I'm in pre-calc, and taking A.P. calc next year. But I will try to get him to show me how to use calc. But honestly, pre-calc is helpful. especially in kinematics/projectile motion and harmonic motion. That would be cool to go into a new field like that. what was it? like 75% of future jobs haven't even been created/named yet.

Singhjr96 > KillerRaccoon - Group J's Sébastien Loeb 02/08/2014 at 03:29

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Well one thanks for the long ass reply. lol. But I honestly hated chemistry in terms of how difficult it was for me. I'm having a lot easier time in physics. I love the idea of going deeper into space and time. That's what got me into physics in the first place, and also why I am considering particle physics. I like philosophy but our school only offers one class of it which I hope to take senior year(next year).

Enginerrrrrrrrr > Singhjr96 02/08/2014 at 03:51

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Ok cool, I was already in Calc BC by the time I did physics... I didn't really plan high school out...

That's good that you are already relating your math to the subject, it will help you out.

Good luck!

Singhjr96 > Enginerrrrrrrrr 02/08/2014 at 04:18

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I think the curriculum could do better if it did relate it more to math. would be helpful. But here's the thing that sucks. I got lucky and I got to take physics the right way. So what they are doing is taking ap physics and making what we normally would do now from one semester into a whole year. so that means there are two years of ap physics. ap physics 1 and ap physics 2. that means if you want to take physics c, you will need to commit yourself to physics for three year. how that will work with the required chemistry class sophomore year and bio freshman year? i have no idea because it doesn't. So i'm guessing physics c will be discontinued very soon. But heres the thing, you think they would go over the material that is being taught more in depth....NOPE. pretty much just the same shallowness, but more time consuming. so you're taking an already limited not as in depth class and making it more likely students will not take it the second year. They will just spend more time doing labs as far as i've heard. sorry about the grammar.

Singhjr96 > Singhjr96 02/08/2014 at 04:20

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They are doing this for the curriculum starting in 2015. Even my teacher agrees with this standpoint. bad idea if you ask me. don't know why but this is just making the class more time consuming, still not as in-depth as it needs to be, and spread out over two years, and nowhere where it needs to to be considered an ap class or a college level class. I got lucky and got to cram everything into one year, and I prefer it this way.

Enginerrrrrrrrr > Singhjr96 02/08/2014 at 06:04

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Huh, that's weird. I know Physics is more difficult, but it's not like everyone in highschool is required to take it (at least when I went back in the day). This sounds like they are just trying to raise scores instead of focusing on making sure the needed information is taught.

Looks like you are getting your first taste at how the real-world is run... welcome ;)

Singhjr96 > Enginerrrrrrrrr 02/08/2014 at 09:39

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Well hey, at least I got lucky. This way I can take ap physics c or ap bio.

Ad Astra > Singhjr96 02/08/2014 at 11:26

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I have a B.S. in physics. I work as a systems engineer for a DoD contractor.

Singhjr96 > Ad Astra 02/08/2014 at 18:37

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That sounds like fun. How does systems engineering differ from mechanical engineering? Is it more computer based?

Ad Astra > Singhjr96 02/08/2014 at 21:26

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The mechanical engineers that I work with deal with specifics more so than I do as a systems engineer (we are all completely computer based). A mechanical engineer analyzes the results a given test, whereas a systems engineer configures the test environment. I deal a lot with hardware-software interfaces.

Singhjr96 > Ad Astra 02/09/2014 at 00:35

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That's what I figured. Not really my cup of tea. I like computers, know more than the average person for sure, but I don't think I could sit in front of a computer and do that for a life's earning. No thank you. I'm a bit more of a hands on person.