Algebra/Mathematics PreReqs

[jena2lsu]

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I have a question for those of you who have been admitted to medical school. I am great at science, but my math skills aren't that great. I would prefer to take Introduction to Basic Mathematics in college prior to taking College Algebra. It's somewhat of a beginning Algebra class. I can take College Algebra now, but I would rather take an introductory course and take the college algebra class the following semester. This would insur that I am prepared to make an excellent grade in College Algebra. Do you believe a medical school would look down on the fact that I took a Introductory Mathematics course? What's your opinion?

jena2lsu
🙂

 

[jochi1543]

Take whatever you need to do well. However, be aware that most medical schools want to see 1 semester of Calculus (a small # of them want a year of calc) and/or 1 semester of statistics, so it's good to plan these courses into your schedule.

 

[smeagol]

Do you believe a medical school would look down on the fact that I took a Introductory Mathematics course? What's your opinion?

jena2lsu
🙂

I haven't been admitted into med school but I think they would only look down on it if you did poorly. So do well, and you should be fine.

Don't fall into the trap of the self-fulfilling prophecy. If you tell yourself you're bad at math, your mind will think it's okay to do less than stellar in courses heavily based in mathematics, such as physics.

 

[DropkickMurphy]

be aware that most medical schools want to see 1 semester of Calculus (a small # of them want a year of calc) and/or 1 semester of statistics, so it's good to plan these courses into your schedule.

Actually the number that do require this is very small (thankfully, because calculus is utterly pointless in medicine).

 

[voirlesetoiles]

No, I don't think it will have any negative effect on how your application is viewed. A gradual transition is the best way to approach difficult courses. Your grades will probably show it. Regardless of your major/what classes you took... performing well is what's most important.

 

[LicensedPremed]

Don't you need to have at least trigonometry or precalculus level mathematical background in order to take College Physics (I am not sure about this because I took cal-based Physics)?

If you are worrying about introductory Algebra, I think you are quite in some trouble.

 

[maxflash04]

Don't you need to have at least trigonometry or precalculus level mathematical background in order to take College Physics (I am not sure about this because I took cal-based Physics)?

If you are worrying about introductory Algebra, I think you are quite in some trouble.

Physicis does have a math prerequisite and I believe it's Calculus.

Taking Introductory College Algebra isn't going to hurt you as long as you don't FAIL it! 😉

 

[HumidBeing]

Take whatever you feel you need in order to do well in your math series. Go into the courses intending to really LEARN the math well, not just to get a grade on tests and then forget it, because even though you say you're great at science now, you'll find that chemistry and physics are really math under different subject names. Having the math background will make all the difference in your ability to rock those courses.

The advantage of taking the intro course is that you will have a better background and probably improved performance in the rest of the courses. The disadvantage is that it is likely to delay your entry into chemistry and physics by a semester. In the long run, I think the prospect of GPA increase down the line due to having a more solid start would outweigh the disadvantage.

 

[emttim]

Don't you need to have at least trigonometry or precalculus level mathematical background in order to take College Physics (I am not sure about this because I took cal-based Physics)?

If you are worrying about introductory Algebra, I think you are quite in some trouble.

I find that observation quite amusing (and ignorant) since nobody uses math (unless they go into engineering or something similar), and as a result, they tend to forget a lot of it. I took basic algebra and then intermediate algebra before taking pre-calculus and statistics, A's in all of them, and I'm registered for calculus 1 this semester.

I guess I'm in trouble and should be shaking in fear because I had to refresh my memory, right?

To the OP, don't worry about it. If you need to take basic and/or intermediate algebra first, just get good grades in them, and try to take pre-calc before calc if you plan to take calc at all. Stats is also a good one because it's fairly easy, especially compared to pre-calc, and a lot of med schools who don't require calc specifically will require stats if they have a math requirement.

 

[Vera18]

Don't you need to have at least trigonometry or precalculus level mathematical background in order to take College Physics (I am not sure about this because I took cal-based Physics)?

If you are worrying about introductory Algebra, I think you are quite in some trouble.

my high school physics class was pre-calc based, so yeah

 

[Revilla]

Take whatever you need to do well. However, be aware that most medical schools want to see 1 semester of Calculus

That's not true. Only a dozen or so med schools require Calc I. Most don't care.

Physicis does have a math prerequisite and I believe it's Calculus.

That's not true either. You can take algebra-based Physics (which is the one med schools require) and that only has a Trig prerequisite.

OP, take whatever you need to in order to do well. I don't think med schools will care that you started with a remedial class as long as you work your way through the classes, learn, and do well.

 

[MedStudentWanna]

I hate when people post wrong information and act like they know what they're talking about.

For the last time, VERY FEW schools require Calc I and only three schools require Calc II. Unless the OP is applying to those schools, he or she doesn't have to take Calc at all.

 

[capn jazz]

For the last time, VERY FEW schools require Calc I and only three schools require Calc II.

What 3 schools are those?

 

[BlackSails]

I find that observation quite amusing (and ignorant) since nobody uses math

Except all scientists in every single field of science, including psych and other social science. People in finance. Accountants. Acutaries. Researchers in Rad Onc and Rads. People who run their own businesses. Snipers. Bankers. Mortgage firms. Computer programmers (perhaps you did not realize that computer science is a form of math?) Airline Pilots. Etc etc etc.

If you are bad at math, you are bad at science.

 

[MedStudentWanna]

What 3 schools are those?

Johns Hopkins, Harvard, and Washington University.

If you are bad at math, you are bad at science.

Tell that to all the med school students who never got up to Calculus. I personally know of one girl who graduated with a 3.6/3.8 GPA (AMCAS vs. AACOMAS). All A's except C's in math (and even one F). She got a 35 MCAT. She got to med school and is in her fourth year now. Being "bad" at math didn't seem to indicate she was bad at science in her case so maybe you should avoid making sweeping statements like the above.

 

[capn jazz]

Johns Hopkins, Harvard, and Washington University.

Well, after putting myself through the end of calculus, I damn well better apply to those 3.

 

[BlackSails]

Tell that to all the med school students who never got up to Calculus. I personally know of one girl who graduated with a 3.6/3.8 GPA (AMCAS vs. AACOMAS). All A's except C's in math (and even one F). She got a 35 MCAT. She got to med school and is in her fourth year now. Being "bad" at math didn't seem to indicate she was bad at science in her case so maybe you should avoid making sweeping statements like the above.

1) There are extremes in every data distribution.
2) She has done nothing to indicate competance at science. Good MCAT score? The science on the MCAT is basic overviews of intro classes + orgo.
3) Being in med school says nothing about being good or bad at science. It means you got into med school.
4) Anecdotes are are not data, they are stories.

 

[MedStudentWanna]

1) There are extremes in every data distribution.
2) She has done nothing to indicate competance at science. Good MCAT score? The science on the MCAT is basic overviews of intro classes + orgo.
3) Being in med school says nothing about being good or bad at science. It means you got into med school.
4) Anecdotes are are not data, they are stories.

Actually, it means that she passed years one and two with flying colors (lots of honors), passed Step One of the USMLE (but don't let that pesky "overview of basic sciences" mean anything) and is close to graduating with an MD. If that doesn't mean she's good at science, what does? Surely you're not suggesting that there are doctors out there who aren't good at science just because they didn't bother to take 21 math credits while in college.

Oh, and I'm certain that you will now entertain us with a source (numbers please) for your wild assertion that people who "are bad at math, are bad at science."

 

[doinmybest5840]

Don't you have to take algebra to graduate from high school? I think I took algebra in like 8th or 9th grade.

Regardless, if you think you'll do better with the intro course first, by all means, take it. Better to do well over two semesters than poorly in one.

 

[emttim]

Except all scientists in every single field of science, including psych and other social science. People in finance. Accountants. Acutaries. Researchers in Rad Onc and Rads. People who run their own businesses. Snipers. Bankers. Mortgage firms. Computer programmers (perhaps you did not realize that computer science is a form of math?) Airline Pilots. Etc etc etc.

If you are bad at math, you are bad at science.

Right, because you're clearly the ranking expert on all of those fields, aren't you? It's garbage like this which makes me feel embarrassed sometimes to admit I'm pre-med because I'm lumped into the same category with idiots such as this person.

Not just to the OP but to anyone wondering about intro classes, remedial, etc....take whatever you need to in order to get a good foundation for the "heavier" classes, don't listen to these oxygen thieves who say "omg you're bad, end of story, you'll never get accepted".

Oh yeah, and if you're bad at math, no you're not bad at science simply because some ***** said so. I personally hate math and am not the greatest at it but I love science and kick ass at it.

 

[jochi1543]

Johns Hopkins, Harvard, and Washington University.

Duke also does.

 

[BlackSails]

Right, because you're clearly the ranking expert on all of those fields, aren't you?

No, but one need not be a leading expert in a field to tell you that those fields use math. Which one of those do you disagree with?

It's garbage like this which makes me feel embarrassed sometimes to admit I'm pre-med because I'm lumped into the same category with idiots such as this person.

😍

Oh yeah, and if you're bad at math, no you're not bad at science simply because some ***** said so. I personally hate math and am not
the greatest at it but I love science and kick ass at it.

Ok, lets do some science. Multiallele polyploid population genetics perhaps? Maybe enzyme kinetics?

 

[capn jazz]

While there is basic science during medical school, doctors study medicine. Scientists get PhDs, not MDs.

 

[njbmd]

I have a question for those of you who have been admitted to medical school. I am great at science, but my math skills aren't that great. I would prefer to take Introduction to Basic Mathematics in college prior to taking College Algebra. It's somewhat of a beginning Algebra class. I can take College Algebra now, but I would rather take an introductory course and take the college algebra class the following semester. This would insur that I am prepared to make an excellent grade in College Algebra. Do you believe a medical school would look down on the fact that I took a Introductory Mathematics course? What's your opinion?

jena2lsu
🙂

Specific course selections outside of the pre-req courses are largely up to you and your tastes. These courses, provided you do well, have little bearing on your admission or non-admission to medical school.

The short answer to your question is to take whatever math courses you feel you need to successfully complete your pre-reqs and major course of study. Be sure that you do very well in your coursework (no grade less than B+). Take what you need and do well.

 

[foreverLaur]

Actually the number that do require this is very small (thankfully, because calculus is utterly pointless in medicine).

calculus itself is utterly pointless in life... no one uses calculus. but the benefits you get from taking calculus are huge. they just aren't obvious.