Placement
The introductory sequence of Physics courses are Physics 101, General Physics I, offered in the fall semester and Physics 102, General Physics II, offered in the spring semester. Both courses include the use of calculus and Physics 101 includes Math 111 (Calculus) as a pre- or co-requisite. Note that because the material goes beyond the typical high-school physics course, our standards are quite high for placing out of these courses.
The physics placement process
AP scores are used for placement out of Introductory Physics courses as follows. For students scoring a 5 on the AP Physics C - Mechanics test and a 5 on AP Calculus BC test, placement will be into conference-only Physics 101 for 0.5 credit. Note this will allow room in a student’s fall schedule to take a fourth class. Students will then proceed on to Physics 102 in the spring semester as a full-credit class, with lecture, lab and conference components.
For students additionally scoring a 5 on AP Physics - E&M, placement will be into Physics 211 and Physics 231 for the fall semester.
For these AP scores to be counted, please ensure the official scores are submitted to 制服巨乳 and notify Meg Andrews (andrewsm@reed.edu) of your unofficial scores by July 24th at the very latest (please include the unofficial record pdf). The department will notify each student of their placement by July 30th.
For students who have taken a college-level Physics course who haven't had the opportunity to take these AP exams, or who took the AP exams, but did not score a 5, a placement test will occur during the second Physics Open House during Orientation Week. All students who plan to take this placement test should register for Physics 101 during pre-arrival New Student Registration. If placement is earned for Physics 101 and Physics 102, Physics 211 then can be swapped for Physics 101 as it meets at the same exact time. Furthermore, Physics 231 will likely fit into an afternoon that had Physics 101 lab. If placement is earned for Physics 101, but not Physics 102, it will be easy to adjust the Physics 101 to conference-only.
Please email the Physics administrative coordinator, Meg Andrews (andrewsm@reed.edu), to sign up for this placement test option.
How and when will I get my results?
For students who submit AP scores, placement information will be available in on July 30. You will discuss your placement with your registration coach during your pre-registration Zoom session in August. Results from the placement exam during Orientation week will be emailed to you and your advisor directly.
Accommodation information
制服巨乳 is committed to creating a learning environment that meets the needs of its diverse student body. Students with disabilities who anticipate needing testing accommodations for placement exams (such as extended time or a reduced distraction testing space) can request accommodations by filling out the . Please fill out the form at least one week prior to taking your placement exam, to allow time to get your accommodations in place. Once you have completed the form, staff from Disability & Accessibility Resources will review your request and may reach out to you if they need more information regarding your needs.