Advanced Placement Program

Overview

In general, a score of 4 or 5 on the College Board Advanced Placement Program Examinations, taken prior to matriculation in college, is the basis for recording AP courses on your permanent Duke record as well as the basis for consideration of placement in advanced courses.

It is important that you have the testing agency send the AP test scores as soon as possible to the Office of the University Registrar, but no later than the first day of classes of the fall semester (sooner is preferable).

In Trinity College, students may be granted up to TWO elective course credits toward the degree requirements of 34 course credits; up to six additional credits may be awarded for accelerated graduation.

This limitation on the number of AP credits does not currently apply to students in the School of Engineering.

Specific Policies

Specific Policies of the Department of Physics are given in this section.

Physics-B exam

Neither credit nor advanced placement is given for a score below 5 on the Advanced Placement (AP) '"Physics-B" exam. Exceptional Trinity College students presenting a score of 5 on the AP "Physics-B" exam may be placed out of PHY 41 and PHY 53 with consultation of the physics Director of Undergraduate Studies, although no credit will be granted for these courses. This option is not available to students in the School of Engineering.

Physics-C exam

For a score of 4 or 5 on the AP "Physics-C" exam, the policy is as follows:
  • A score of 4 or 5 on the "Physics-C" Mechanics exam earns credit for PHY 61; a score of 4 or 5 on the "Physics-C" electricity and Magnetism exam earns credit for PHY 62.

Transcripts

What will automatically appear on your transcript with AP credit?

On the basis of the AP exam alone, you will have one entry for each AP exam:
  • PHY 61 AP (For the Mechanics Exam)
  • PHY 62 AP (For the Electricity and Magnetism Exam)


NOTE:  These are AP course credits only.  They do not count toward safisfying the curriculumm   requirements of Area of Knowledge and Modes of Inquiry.
 

What will appear on your transcript should you take introductory physics at Duke?

If you decide to take the PHY 61L and/or PHY 62L courses, then the corresponding AP course credit will be dropped from your transcript.

If you decide to the take PHY 41L/53L and/or PHY 42L/54L, then the AP course credits on your transcript will be replaced as:

  • PHY 61 AP will be replaced by either PHY 41L or PHY 53L
  • PHY 62 AP will be replaced by either PHY 42L or PHY 54L


Some suggestions for Trinity College students who have AP course credit:

The three introductory physics course sequences currently offered are designed for particular groups of students according to their academic concentration (see table below).   While a student may take any of the introductory courses for which he/she meets the prerequisite requirements, it is recommended that students take the course sequence that best matches their academic concentration.

Sequence
 Academic Concentration
PHY 41L/42L
 Physics and Math Majors
PHY 53L/54L
 Science Majors and Premeds
PHY 61L/62L/63L
 Engineers

Trinity College students with AP course credit for PHY 61 and/or 62 must decide on the next course to take to complete their major requirements.  Some guidance is given below.

Academic Concentration AP Course Credit
 Recommended Course
Physics and Math Majors PHY 61 and/or 62
 PHY 41L and PHY 42L
Sciences Majors and Premeds PHY 61 and 62
 PHY 63L or PHY 54L
Sciences Majors and Premeds PHY 61 only
 PHY 54L
 Sciences Majors and Premeds PHY 62 only
 PHY 53L

Premeds  and Biological Science majors should consult with their DUS before registering for PHY 63L.

Prospective Physics Majors

Students considering a major in physics are strongly encouraged to take the PHY 41L and PHY 42L  courses independent of their AP course credits. Consult the Director of Undergraduate Studies.