UT Austin Physics Credit Testing: What You Need to Know?

[GNRtau]

Hello,

I have used this website a lot in the past year(and it's helped a lot, helped me to really self study physics/engineering/math stuff and helped me with choices in major), but this will be my first actual post...

I am an incoming freshman at UT Austin and I was wondering if anyone here has taken the UT Austin test for credit in physics(both mech and E/M)? If so, what can you tell me about it? Is it a lot like the AP Physics C Exam? Also, if you have credit for PHY 301(physics physics), would that also count for PHY 303K(engineering physics) and vice versa? I am having a tough time choosing between majors and can only choose one with Physics C credit, and I don't want to have to retake stuff I know already...

 

[GNRtau]

Bump...

 

[vicgenty]

I will be a 2nd Physics major at UT in the fall and had a similar issue. I had gotten 5s on both the Mechanics and E&M AP test and chose to retake the classes at the recommendation of a physics advisor/professor. Turns out it was a good idea for me. We covered a few more important topics than what was covered by the AP test so it was completely worth it. I also formed a study group of Physics majors, and learned material that will be helpful later on in more advanced physics courses. A's also help your GPA out instead of claiming credit . On the flip side I do know physics majors who have claimed credit for both classes and moved on and they are doing just fine, which may depend on their study habits, and other criterion. I would certainly consider talking it again. But maybe not if you choose Engineering!

I'm fairly sure you can claim credit for PHY 303K and the one after that (Engineering Physics II?) and vise versa with PHY 301+Lab and Phy316+Lab. Don't take my word for it, I haven't seen the credit petition page in about a year. You can email any of the undergraduate physics advisors, they work during the summer. I would head over to http://www.ph.utexas.edu/people-staff.php" and find some one to email there.

But most importantly I want to stress: do not make you decision solely on claiming credit for these two classes. Engineering and Physics are different departments, different opportunities, and different classes. Don't make you decision on a measly 6-8 credits.

 

[aspiring_one]

http://www.ph.utexas.edu/undergrad/freshman-sophomore.php

 

[GNRtau]

Thanks guys! I self-studied the courses in limited time(didn't even know Physics C existed until late in the game-crappy school system but that is beside the point), so maybe I should take the courses. On the other hand, I went over stuff that wasn't covered in the courses(but is in the courses, from what I can see of the lecture notes I have managed to get online), the books I used were pretty good, and I am continuing to go over it over the summer, so maybe I should pass out of the courses. Maybe I'll talk to an advisor and see how it goes... but on the other hand I hear that you register for courses right after the talk, so I going to try to get it as straigtened out as I can now.