AP Chemistry or AP Biology?

Topher673

5-Year Member
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Jan 19, 2016
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My son is a Junior, and he is having a rough time choosing between AP Chemistry and AP Biology next school year. He plans to take one this year and one next year. He is not sure what kind of degree he wishes to pursue, but he is very into Engineering.
 
Take AP Chem, and Physics if offered. Every cadet takes 2 semesters of Chem Plebe year & 2 semesters of Physics Yearling year.
 
Take AP Chem, and Physics if offered. Every cadet takes 2 semesters of Chem Plebe year & 2 semesters of Physics Yearling year.
I cannot speak for any other graduating classes, but this is not true for the class of 2020. The class of 2020 is required to take 1 course of chemistry, 1 course of physics, and either 1 course of biology, a 2nd course of physics, or a 2nd course of chemistry.

In other words, a cadet can choose one of these 3 paths:

Physics 1, chemistry 1, and chemistry 2

Physics 1, chemistry 1, and physics 2

or

Physics 1, chemistry 1, and biology 1

OP: Chemistry would be a better choice than biology in my opinion, and as ca2midwestmom said, tell your son to take physics as well if he can.

-1337BeachedWhale1337
 
Thank you, he will be taking AP Physics 2 in addition to one of the two.
 
^Those would be some of the curriculum differences between the 2017/2018 cadets and 2019/2020 cadets I mentioned in another post. Thanks for clarifying BeachedWhale.
 
Every engineering curriculum that I know of requires at least 1 semester of chemistry. Bio is either a science elective but not typically required except for some specific engineering majors like bio engineering. Take chemistry.
 
For Class of 2019 & beyond (until it gets changed again). Some cadets will test out of a math or language class, but will take another class in it's place; or be placed in a prep (ie "rock") class (like math or swimming if they need more instruction). There are also Honors/Advanced classes (at least in History). If you search on USMA.edu under Academics/Curriculum you can find the "Red Book" for class of 2017 which gives way more info than parents need. ;)

For all semesters cadets will take 17-22+ credit hours, which includes the PE and Military Science classes. That's on top of their duties, drill/parades, required events (ie sitting on the Q/desk duty in the barracks for 8+ hrs) and chosen sport or club events. They will be busy and above all need to know how to manage their time and study efficiently, while sleep deprived.

Compare this to State U, 12-15 credit hrs/semester, weekends free. I have one at State U/sr yr and one at community college (my oldest) now. Cadets need to be self-motivated to succeed.

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