Algebra vs Calculus based Physics

[NukeAge]

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I am conflicted over taking either algebra based or calculus based physics. Has anyone here taken both who can give me a comparison? I could be a BA in Biology with the algebra based or BS in Biology with the calculus based. Are there any suggestions?

 

[dr. deez]

take the easiest physics class. med schools only care that you fulfill your premed requirements! the key is to get a really high gpa... regardless of wheather or not your major is theater arts or rocket science. good luck.

 

[rbassdo]

Originally posted by dr. deez
take the easiest physics class. med schools only care that you fulfill your premed requirements! the key is to get a really high gpa... regardless of wheather or not your major is theater arts or rocket science. good luck.

I whole-heartedly agree!

 

[lola]

unless you really want the BS rather than the BA or have a strong interest in physics, you might as well take the algebra based physics. i opted for algebra based and am glad i did since i don't particularly care for physics. most who were in calc based were physics majors or people with a strong desire to learn physics.

 

[All-Star14]

You get a choice??? 😱

 

[indianboy]

Take the friggin calc-based physics for the love of buddha. Its not exactly a skull **** - you'll manage unless you're a troglydyte.

Hope that Helps

P 'autoerotica' ShankOut

 

[DrMom]

Originally posted by dr. deez
take the easiest physics class. med schools only care that you fulfill your premed requirements! the key is to get a really high gpa... regardless of wheather or not your major is theater arts or rocket science. good luck.

I agree, if you have a choice you should go for the easier one.

 

[Adcadet]

Originally posted by indianboy
Take the friggin calc-based physics for the love of buddha. Its not exactly a skull **** - you'll manage unless you're a troglydyte.

Hope that Helps

P 'autoerotica' ShankOut

Not sure where this guy is coming from. I had the choice of calc-based and non-calcu based. I chose non-calc based (algebra). I could see in a few places where my year of calc helped me see what was going on underneath the equations, but other than that, I didn't feel I missed much. I guess to really know the stuff you should be able to derive all the equations yourself. But if you're like most people who want to be doctors (as opposed to physicists), save you time and energy for memorizing the TCA cycle or something more useful to medicine.

My physics instructor supposedly writes MCAT physics questions, and he thinks the algebra-based series is just fine for premeds.

 

[UCLA2000]

Originally posted by rbassdo
I whole-heartedly agree!

As do I...I'm just really jealous that you don't have to take calc based 🙁

 

[kreno]

NO! I disagree!

I took algebra, non-calc-based physics and regretted it!

Physics was actually MORE difficult for me, someone who likes to understand WHY equations are what they are, because the derivations and calc-related stuff wasn't explained!

And although you certainly don't need to know "calculus" for the MCAT, you *CERTAINLY* need to have working knowledge of physics equations and UNDERSTAND what they mean and why because the MCAT tests so many conceptual questions!


That said, you may have to put in some extra-time in the course, but it will pay off when it comes time to do the MCAT.


LIke I said, I took non-calc based physics, but my roommate took calc based and I always used his notes to clarify the somewhat mysterious equestions we were just supposed to kinda memorize.

Ended up with a 13 on phycis on the mcat too! 🙂

kreno

 

[Dr Chooch]

The only way I would suggest taking calculus-based physics is if one of the programs you are planning on applying to requires it (i.e. Harvard HST). But if not, I wouldn't take it if I were you, unless you will feel empty inside without having calculus. It's really not necessary, I felt completely fine with my crappy, watered-down, damn-easy algebra-based class. 😀

 

[STi555]

Originally posted by kreno
NO! I disagree!

I took algebra, non-calc-based physics and regretted it!

Physics was actually MORE difficult for me, someone who likes to understand WHY equations are what they are, because the derivations and calc-related stuff wasn't explained!

And although you certainly don't need to know "calculus" for the MCAT, you *CERTAINLY* need to have working knowledge of physics equations and UNDERSTAND what they mean and why because the MCAT tests so many conceptual questions!


That said, you may have to put in some extra-time in the course, but it will pay off when it comes time to do the MCAT.


LIke I said, I took non-calc based physics, but my roommate took calc based and I always used his notes to clarify the somewhat mysterious equestions we were just supposed to kinda memorize.

Ended up with a 13 on phycis on the mcat too! 🙂

kreno

I agree. I took calc based physics (didn't have to). If you have taken calculus then you should take the calc based physics. You will probably have a better understanding of physics and that will help you on the MCAT. I think taking calculus based physics was easier because I understood where the formulas were coming from. In fact physical science was my highest section on the MCAT (14). Of course taking calc based physics doesn't mean you will automatically get a good score but I think it can help.