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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I think it is strange to go through high school and not take a basic course of bio, Chem, and physics. But people seem to be forgoing physics more and more. My kids’ school requires physics. And I’m happy about it. It’s the most fundamental of all sciences. An educated citizen should know a little bit about it. [/quote]

My honors high school physics course was badly done and boring.  I retained nothing from it.  I was exposed to physics but a lot more content stuck from Earth Science, Biology, and Chemistry.  In college, for my science distribution requirements, I chose a Genetics elective for science majors and Chemistry and Public Policy (easy class but great teacher and fascinating course material....sort of like studying global warming wouid be today).

I have 2 male PhD physicists in my immediate family, btw.  We have a gender split on this interest.

My senior only had the minimum Physics required (1 out of 4 semesters of 9th grade "expose to all sciences" survey course).  He took AP Environmental Science.  Was going to take AP Bio but due to schedule changes could not get that and is taking AP Stats and AP Calc AB.

I would recommend Physics for pre-med, science, Comp Sci, and Engineering majors.  I doubt it matters for many others. At the high school level, it seems mainly to be a check-the-box class for the quantitatively adept to continue demonstrating their A-getting capabilities.  (Mini-weed-out class for straight-A students).[/quote]

Wow. Way to insult kids who take a single year of what is the most fundamental of all sciences. Maybe they just want a well rounded education in all the basic sciences. Jeez. [/quote]

PP. Didn't insult anyone. "Matters" here is in the OP's context of "Will it hurt my DD's chances for admission if she doesn't take physics".  Don't worry, the entire discipline of physics will not be harmed by my perception of whether it's useful or fun to take in high school.  My husband enjoyed it in college. And I have physicists in my family...so I'm very, very used to hearing about how wonderful it is.

It's impossible to study everything in high school.  I prefer curriculums to have a wide range of electives.  I would rather have had organic chemistry than physics senior year but I thought taking physics was the right thing to do because it was the default senior science class at my school.  I reject that kind of unquestioning attitude now.  I would have been better off reading a book or watching a science docuseries about physics, even though I got As.

This kind of protective reaction towards physics is exactly what the OP is worried about.  That her child will be disadvantaged in the admissions process or not be able to live a normal UMC life because DC was not exposed to high school physics.

Physics thanks you for your defense of its importance!   :lol: [/quote]

I believe what you said is that most of the kids at your kids’ school in physics were taking it because they want to show everyone they can generate As. But I submit they just MIGHT be taking it because it is a fundamental pillar of science. That is all. [/quote]

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