Pass/Fail physics course

[Adrunner4]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

[CarlBrannen]

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]

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]

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

[grae313]

only

eat a dick

[negru]

what, and take away more jobs from women?

[vesperlynd]

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.

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.

[grae313]

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.