Pass/Fail physics course

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Adrunner4
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Joined: Fri Jul 22, 2011 1:16 am

Pass/Fail physics course

Post by Adrunner4 » Sat Feb 04, 2012 1:52 pm

Hey I'm currently a third year physics major and seriously considering applying to masters programs next year. At the moment I am enrolled in the second part to my mathematical methods course. Unfortunately, the professor ordinarily gives out mostly C grades and only a handful of Bs. If I took this course pass fail, would that look terrible on my application? Its not a required course and I'm only taking it because I want to learn contour integration and fourier transforms.

Thanks doods

bfollinprm
Posts: 1203
Joined: Sat Nov 07, 2009 11:44 am

Re: Pass/Fail physics course

Post by bfollinprm » Sat Feb 04, 2012 3:06 pm

No, taking a course pass-fail can't hurt your application. If it isn't required for your major, it shows initiative and desire to sign up.

That said, an A (or even B+) in the course would look better, but the risk/reward calculation is yours to make.

CarlBrannen
Posts: 381
Joined: Mon May 24, 2010 11:34 pm

Re: Pass/Fail physics course

Post by CarlBrannen » Sat Feb 04, 2012 8:18 pm

Definitely go with the pass/fail.

Why should a department be seriously interested in a person who's got the smarts to figure out which professors are gonna be vicious but then doesn't take appropriate measures?

asdfuogh
Posts: 78
Joined: Sun Nov 13, 2011 11:21 pm

Re: Pass/Fail physics course

Post by asdfuogh » Mon Feb 06, 2012 4:04 pm

Do they really think like that? I mean, if I was looking, I'd think that a pass/fail is cowardly or as if you care more about grades than learning.. Although, yes, I wish I did pass/fail for some classes.

bfollinprm
Posts: 1203
Joined: Sat Nov 07, 2009 11:44 am

Re: Pass/Fail physics course

Post by bfollinprm » Mon Feb 06, 2012 6:18 pm

The person who cares more about grades than learning doesn't take the course at all, in order to avoid controversy.

CarlBrannen
Posts: 381
Joined: Mon May 24, 2010 11:34 pm

Re: Pass/Fail physics course

Post by CarlBrannen » Mon Feb 06, 2012 7:05 pm

As a practical matter, it's going to be impossible (for the department you're applying to) to find out whether it was even possible to take the class for a grade. So when they see your "P", they will be forced to assume that the class was taught that way for all the students.

vesperlynd
Posts: 194
Joined: Thu Aug 06, 2009 9:28 am

Re: Pass/Fail physics course

Post by vesperlynd » Mon Feb 06, 2012 7:08 pm

I audited a required course for my major (astro), and every grad school I applied to admitted me. They don't really care as much as you all think.

Take it pass/fail.

negru
Posts: 307
Joined: Wed Oct 13, 2010 3:49 pm

Re: Pass/Fail physics course

Post by negru » Tue Feb 07, 2012 4:20 pm

I think we've already established that happened only because you're a woman.

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grae313
Posts: 2296
Joined: Tue May 29, 2007 8:46 pm

Re: Pass/Fail physics course

Post by grae313 » Tue Feb 07, 2012 8:51 pm

negru wrote:only
eat a dick

negru
Posts: 307
Joined: Wed Oct 13, 2010 3:49 pm

Re: Pass/Fail physics course

Post by negru » Tue Feb 07, 2012 9:13 pm

what, and take away more jobs from women?

vesperlynd
Posts: 194
Joined: Thu Aug 06, 2009 9:28 am

Re: Pass/Fail physics course

Post by vesperlynd » Tue Feb 07, 2012 10:44 pm

negru wrote:I think we've already established that happened only because you're a woman.
Well, well. Someone must be jealous that I'm a Bond girl and he's not. :D

BTW, I wasn't trying to brag by any means. I'm just trying to prove Carl's point and offer reassurance: take it pass/fail or audit it and take it for credit next year.

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grae313
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Joined: Tue May 29, 2007 8:46 pm

Re: Pass/Fail physics course

Post by grae313 » Tue Feb 07, 2012 11:21 pm

negru wrote:what, and take away more jobs from women?
Since when are you for affirmative action? Since you're most qualified for the job, it should be yours.



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