Credit for College Board Advanced Placement (AP)

Overview

The Duke webpage Credit: AP, IPC, and PCM summarizes what course credit can be received for students who took an an AP exam or an international standardized exam. Since all introductory physics courses at Duke are calculus based, no credit is given for an algebra-based physics course, even if a student got a 5 on the AP Physics B exam (which corresponds to an algebra-based physics course). A score of 4 or 5 on the Physics C exam for Mechanics or for Electricy and Magnetism will lead to credit equivalent to the Duke courses Physics 61 and Physics 62 respectively.

It is important that you have the College Board testing agency send your AP test scores to the Office of the University Registrar no later than the first day of classes of the fall semester, with sooner being preferable.

Note that Trinity College students may be granted up to two elective course credits toward the degree requirements of 34 course credits, and 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.

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 and do not count toward safisfying the curriculum requirements of Area of Knowledge and Modes of Inquiry.
 

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

If you decide to take the PHY 61L 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

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 or 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 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 even if they have AP physics course credit. These students should also meet with the Director of Undergraduate Studies as early as possible to get advice about physics course placement and other courses that are useful for a physics major to take.