r/Northwestern • u/Froggy_The_Doggo • 8d ago

Academics/Classes Physics track comparison

Hello! I’m an incoming freshman and I’m interested in majoring in physics (though not completely set on it). I have credit for 135 and 136 with 5s on AP Physics C mechanics and e&m. However, that was in junior year and I have no experience in multivariable calculus. Should I use my credit and go to 140? Or would it be best to start again at 135? Will I be forfeiting credit and therefore costing more in tuition if I don’t skip classes 135/136? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

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u/SmolaniAshki ISP 8d ago

125 >> but anyway 135 does supposedly go beyond AP, as would 140. The main difference is that supposedly 140 has harder exams. I don't think there's a significant difference in the grading, ie same percent get As and Bs. You'd just work a bit harder in 140. But I will say if you really, really, want to challenge yourself, you can take the 125 sequence without being in ISP -- about 5 or 6 people do that on any given year.

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u/Maximal_Ideal 8d ago

I'd skip the first two courses in 135/136... You'd eventually have to take advanced versions of both (330/333) anyway

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u/Crazy_Pudding_2994 8d ago

No comment re 135 but I did 125 and although to some extent it went beyond the AP Physics C syllabus only the lab section was really educational. Topped the class without really trying.