Anonymous
12/28/2025 14:44
Subject: Prerequisites for AP Physics
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:We were told conflicting things are different times at BCC, but when DD actually signed up for AP Physics C, the STEM coordinator said "Honors Physics is required"... and the only time to do it was that summer, since she had registered for AP Physics C for the following year - it was terribly boring and did not prepare her in the least! I've been quite annoyed at BCC for a bunch of confusing, conflicting and last-minute changes of schedules, one of which was canceling the AP Chem class at the last minute.
ALSO just FYI - I don't actually know of a great AP Physics C teacher in MCPS. The last one at BCC was terrible, and this year's is catastrophic. The one at Walter Johnson is apparently not great either, but perhaps slightly better.
Before registering your kid, inquire as to the caliber of the teacher, to see whether your kid actually wants to do it, and whether they will need a tutor. We had to hire a tutor. Teaching AP Physics C requires an advanced degree in physics, and the average Physics graduate has other options than to teach in MCPS... so the teachers hired by MCPS in that subject tend not be wonderful...
Me again. At BCC it's single period Mechanics.
Is this BCC document posted previously on this thread out of date? It says that it covers both:
“The first part of the course covers mechanics, which includes velocity, acceleration, and the
forces that cause acceleration. Non-constant forces are analyzed, as well as air resistance. Other
topics in mechanics include energy, momentum, gravitation, oscillatory motion, and rotational
motion.
“The second part of the course covers electricity & magnetism. Topics covered include electric
forces, electric fields, Gauss’s Law, magnetic forces, magnetic fields, induced currents, voltage,
current, series/parallel circuits, capacitors, dielectrics, resistors, transformers, and inductors.”
https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/siteassets/schools/high-schools/a-j/bcchs/uploadedfiles/departments/ib/ap20physics20c20-20course20description1.pdf
Anonymous
12/28/2025 14:33
Subject: Prerequisites for AP Physics
BCC parent here, whose DC took AP Physics C last year and had a very different experience than PP's kid (or PP's source for their info). My DC and all of their friends really liked the class and the teacher, despite finding it the most challenging class they took in HS. Everyone they knew in the class previously took H Physics, which was the assumed progression. I don't think my DC would have enjoyed the class without that prior Physics experience.
Anyone at BCC considering taking or not taking AP Physics based on this thread probably should just have their DC talk to students in the class this year, since views on the class clearly vary.
As for the difference between AP and IB physics, my sense was that IB physics is much less Calc-based than AP physics, which may or may not be preferred for any given kid. I think it's also a two-year class, and so the first year substitutes for H Physics. But like so many challenging topics, the particular teacher will make a huge difference, and so it's probably worth the kid talking specifically to their counselor about expectations as to who will be teaching each class next year.
Anyone at BCC considering taking or not taking AP Physics based on this thread probably should just have their DC talk to students in the class this year, since views on the class clearly vary.
As for the difference between AP and IB physics, my sense was that IB physics is much less Calc-based than AP physics, which may or may not be preferred for any given kid. I think it's also a two-year class, and so the first year substitutes for H Physics. But like so many challenging topics, the particular teacher will make a huge difference, and so it's probably worth the kid talking specifically to their counselor about expectations as to who will be teaching each class next year.
Anonymous
12/28/2025 14:15
Subject: Prerequisites for AP Physics
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:We were told conflicting things are different times at BCC, but when DD actually signed up for AP Physics C, the STEM coordinator said "Honors Physics is required"... and the only time to do it was that summer, since she had registered for AP Physics C for the following year - it was terribly boring and did not prepare her in the least! I've been quite annoyed at BCC for a bunch of confusing, conflicting and last-minute changes of schedules, one of which was canceling the AP Chem class at the last minute.
ALSO just FYI - I don't actually know of a great AP Physics C teacher in MCPS. The last one at BCC was terrible, and this year's is catastrophic. The one at Walter Johnson is apparently not great either, but perhaps slightly better.
Before registering your kid, inquire as to the caliber of the teacher, to see whether your kid actually wants to do it, and whether they will need a tutor. We had to hire a tutor. Teaching AP Physics C requires an advanced degree in physics, and the average Physics graduate has other options than to teach in MCPS... so the teachers hired by MCPS in that subject tend not be wonderful...
Is the IB physics at BCC better than AP physics C?
IB physics in general is much better than Physics C. Physics C is mostly a math class that glosses over and skips a huge amount of physics.
Thanks! My impression was that Physics C went deeper into a smaller number of topics and IB covered more topics in less depth. Is that correct? This is based on the chart on page 2 of this BCC document: https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/siteassets/schools/high-schools/a-j/bcchs/uploadedfiles/departments/ib/ap20physics20c20-20course20description1.pdf
Anonymous
12/28/2025 13:37
Subject: Prerequisites for AP Physics
Blair does
Anonymous
12/28/2025 13:25
Subject: Prerequisites for AP Physics
Any other data points? So far, there are comments from BCC and RM parents. The question is does your kids HS require an intro physics class such as H. Physics or AP Physics 1 before they can take AP Physics C (Mech or E/M)?
Anonymous
12/28/2025 11:12
Subject: Prerequisites for AP Physics
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:We were told conflicting things are different times at BCC, but when DD actually signed up for AP Physics C, the STEM coordinator said "Honors Physics is required"... and the only time to do it was that summer, since she had registered for AP Physics C for the following year - it was terribly boring and did not prepare her in the least! I've been quite annoyed at BCC for a bunch of confusing, conflicting and last-minute changes of schedules, one of which was canceling the AP Chem class at the last minute.
ALSO just FYI - I don't actually know of a great AP Physics C teacher in MCPS. The last one at BCC was terrible, and this year's is catastrophic. The one at Walter Johnson is apparently not great either, but perhaps slightly better.
Before registering your kid, inquire as to the caliber of the teacher, to see whether your kid actually wants to do it, and whether they will need a tutor. We had to hire a tutor. Teaching AP Physics C requires an advanced degree in physics, and the average Physics graduate has other options than to teach in MCPS... so the teachers hired by MCPS in that subject tend not be wonderful...
Is the IB physics at BCC better than AP physics C?
IB physics in general is much better than Physics C. Physics C is mostly a math class that glosses over and skips a huge amount of physics.
Anonymous
12/28/2025 10:39
Subject: Prerequisites for AP Physics
Anonymous wrote:We were told conflicting things are different times at BCC, but when DD actually signed up for AP Physics C, the STEM coordinator said "Honors Physics is required"... and the only time to do it was that summer, since she had registered for AP Physics C for the following year - it was terribly boring and did not prepare her in the least! I've been quite annoyed at BCC for a bunch of confusing, conflicting and last-minute changes of schedules, one of which was canceling the AP Chem class at the last minute.
ALSO just FYI - I don't actually know of a great AP Physics C teacher in MCPS. The last one at BCC was terrible, and this year's is catastrophic. The one at Walter Johnson is apparently not great either, but perhaps slightly better.
Before registering your kid, inquire as to the caliber of the teacher, to see whether your kid actually wants to do it, and whether they will need a tutor. We had to hire a tutor. Teaching AP Physics C requires an advanced degree in physics, and the average Physics graduate has other options than to teach in MCPS... so the teachers hired by MCPS in that subject tend not be wonderful...
Is the IB physics at BCC better than AP physics C?
Anonymous
12/27/2025 18:42
Subject: Prerequisites for AP Physics
Schools don't always offer every course listed in their bulletin.
There are many IB schools and most have at least one AP science course, but a few do not.
There are many IB schools and most have at least one AP science course, but a few do not.
Anonymous
12/27/2025 15:32
Subject: Prerequisites for AP Physics
Anonymous wrote:This year's course catalog says Einstein has AP Bio Double Period, AP Chem, and AP Env Sci, and IB Physics SL (2 years)
https://coursebulletin.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/SchoolCourseCatalogs/School/04789/SC
And springbrook lists AP Bio Double Period, AP Chem Double Period, and "AP Physics C A" (with a strange course code and mangled description)
https://coursebulletin.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/SchoolCourseCatalogs/School/04798/SC
Were those phantom courses?
AP Chemistry was not listed in the Google form students used to register for classes. The only options were IB science courses available to 11th and 12th graders.
Anonymous
12/27/2025 12:18
Subject: Prerequisites for AP Physics
Can you say more about AP Physics being a disaster at BCC this year
Anonymous
12/27/2025 12:16
Subject: Prerequisites for AP Physics
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Different Poster.
Teaching AP Physics C does NOT requires any degree in physics.
Don't be daft. I don't care what the rule says - the point is that you CANNOT competently teach AP Physics if you haven't had at least an undergrad education in physics. And even if you have the knowledge, imparting said knowledge in a classroom setting is another thing entirely for content that is so alien to so many students, even ones that want to do engineering or who are good at math. So not only do you need an excellent grasp of the material and beyond (because you can't really understand a college introductory course in physics well enough to teach it if you haven't gone beyond that yourself), but you also need teaching skills. Combine the two criteria and it explains why most AP Physics C teachers in high school are crap.
Tutors, on the other hand, can be excellent. I've met some graduates of MIT and other rigorous universities who tutor high school physics, AP Physics and undergrad physics on the side. They make good money.
Stop being daft.
You don't need a physics degree to teach first year physics. Many, my colleges have undergrad TAs.
Physics teachers spend years studying high school / AP physics itself, repeating year after year. They don't need to go beyond it in formal education.
[Science] Education degrees are not [Science] degrees. They are focused on education (duh!) and basic science.
Whatever the case, it seems extremely challenging for schools to find good AP Physics teachers.
Anonymous
12/26/2025 22:51
Subject: Prerequisites for AP Physics
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Different Poster.
Teaching AP Physics C does NOT requires any degree in physics.
Don't be daft. I don't care what the rule says - the point is that you CANNOT competently teach AP Physics if you haven't had at least an undergrad education in physics. And even if you have the knowledge, imparting said knowledge in a classroom setting is another thing entirely for content that is so alien to so many students, even ones that want to do engineering or who are good at math. So not only do you need an excellent grasp of the material and beyond (because you can't really understand a college introductory course in physics well enough to teach it if you haven't gone beyond that yourself), but you also need teaching skills. Combine the two criteria and it explains why most AP Physics C teachers in high school are crap.
Tutors, on the other hand, can be excellent. I've met some graduates of MIT and other rigorous universities who tutor high school physics, AP Physics and undergrad physics on the side. They make good money.
Stop being daft.
You don't need a physics degree to teach first year physics. Many, my colleges have undergrad TAs.
Physics teachers spend years studying high school / AP physics itself, repeating year after year. They don't need to go beyond it in formal education.
[Science] Education degrees are not [Science] degrees. They are focused on education (duh!) and basic science.
Anonymous
12/26/2025 21:42
Subject: Prerequisites for AP Physics
Wheaton HS has two excellent AP physics C teachers.
FWIW I think one of them is actually an MIT graduate.
FWIW I think one of them is actually an MIT graduate.
Anonymous
12/26/2025 18:47
Subject: Prerequisites for AP Physics
Anonymous wrote:Different Poster.
Teaching AP Physics C does NOT requires any degree in physics.
Don't be daft. I don't care what the rule says - the point is that you CANNOT competently teach AP Physics if you haven't had at least an undergrad education in physics. And even if you have the knowledge, imparting said knowledge in a classroom setting is another thing entirely for content that is so alien to so many students, even ones that want to do engineering or who are good at math. So not only do you need an excellent grasp of the material and beyond (because you can't really understand a college introductory course in physics well enough to teach it if you haven't gone beyond that yourself), but you also need teaching skills. Combine the two criteria and it explains why most AP Physics C teachers in high school are crap.
Tutors, on the other hand, can be excellent. I've met some graduates of MIT and other rigorous universities who tutor high school physics, AP Physics and undergrad physics on the side. They make good money.
Anonymous
12/26/2025 18:25
Subject: Prerequisites for AP Physics
Different Poster.
Teaching AP Physics C does NOT requires any degree in physics.
Teaching AP Physics C does NOT requires any degree in physics.