Calc Requirement

[tiger93]

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How necessary is taking calculus (outside of school specific calculus requirements for admission) for later on down the road? I took a non calculus course to fulfill my math requirement and already have statistics credit from AP stat. Outside of the schools that require a semester of calc and don't accept AP credits, how necessary is a strong background in calculus for acceptance to medical school and success once accepted?

Thanks

 

[NickNaylor]

Not at all required.

 

[PMPMD]

How necessary is taking calculus (outside of school specific calculus requirements for admission) for later on down the road? I took a non calculus course to fulfill my math requirement and already have statistics credit from AP stat. Outside of the schools that require a semester of calc and don't accept AP credits, how necessary is a strong background in calculus for acceptance to medical school and success once accepted?

Thanks

Outside of maybe radiology/rad onc, there is no need for calculus/advanced math in the practice of medicine. Stats is a much more useful course.

 

[zwitterion34]

Outside of maybe radiology/rad onc, there is no need for calculus/advanced math in the practice of medicine. Stats is a much more useful course.

Just out of curiosity why is calculus/advanced math needed for radiology?

 

[PMPMD]

Just out of curiosity why is calculus/advanced math needed for radiology?

I'm not 100% positive that it is, but I do know they have to know physics (which is typically calculus-based).

 

[Political]

I'm not 100% positive that it is, but I do know they have to know physics (which is typically calculus-based).

I highly doubt its calc based physics

 

[PMPMD]

I highly doubt its calc based physics

Yeah probably correct. My point was more that the other fields definitely do not use calculus.

 

[zwitterion34]

Does anyone know why physics is important for radiology?

 

[Donald Juan]

Does anyone know why physics is important for radiology?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radiology

 

[PMPMD]

Does anyone know why physics is important for radiology?

From the ABR:

The new Core Examination will be offered after 36 months of residency, will be image rich and computer based, and will examine in 18 subspecialty and modality categories. Each of these categories must be passed in order to pass the Core Examination. What categories will be included in the Core Examination? The 18 categories are: breast, cardiac, gastrointestinal, interventional, musculoskeletal, neuroradiology, nuclear, pediatric, reproductive/endocrinology, thoracic, urinary, vascular, computed tomography, magnetic resonance, radiography/fluoroscopy, ultrasound, physics, and safety.

 

[zwitterion34]

From the ABR:

Thanks for your attempt to help but I'm still clueless what tasks require physics to perform as a radiologist.

 

[JESSFALLING]

Does anyone know why physics is important for radiology?

Many believe that understanding the theoretical framework of the field is important. And, understanding theory becomes more relevant when research is involved.

 

[zwitterion34]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radiology

The wikipedia article also explains how physics will appear on the exams. And that third year will cover both physics and clinical aspects of radiology. How is physics pertinent to the field of radiology?

 

[zwitterion34]

Many believe that understanding the theoretical framework of the field is important. And, understanding theory becomes more relevant when research is involved.

What aspect of physics is important for radiology? Is it collisions?

 

[Praefectus]

Knowing the Doppler effect would help with diagnosing mitral regurgitation, but that's all I could really think of off the top of my head.

 

[PMPMD]

What aspect of physics is important for radiology? Is it collisions?

Physics 2 stuff and beyond. EM radiation, scattering, absorption. Don't get me started on MRI physics - that stuff is way over my head.

 

[JESSFALLING]

What aspect of physics is important for radiology? Is it collisions?

E&M, optics, and the basics of nuclear decay and quantum would be helpful. From a computational viewpoint, techniques like monte carlo simulations are used by the software to calculate proper dosages which minimize tissue damage. This is an area of ongoing collaborative research between physicians and industry. A physics (or chemistry) background would better prepare someone to interface in this environment than say, art history 😀.

Edit: On a deep, theoretical level, one can predict light-matter interactions most accurately within the QED framework, but this is beyond the scope of most practicing physicians.

 

[zwitterion34]

E&M, optics, and the basics of nuclear decay would be helpful, I think. From a computational viewpoint, techniques like monte carlo simulations are used by the software to calculate proper dosages which minimize tissue damage. This is an area of ongoing collaborative research between physicians and industry. A physics (or chemistry) background would better prepare someone to interface in this environment than say, art history 😀.

Thanks! 👍👍

 

[tiger93]

After something came up to remind me of this question, I wanted to clarify it one more time....for the schools that do not "require" a calculus course, is it implied that students should still take a calculus course? Basically what I'm asking: if a school does not have any calculus requirements, will they still look down upon you for not taking it/favor students who took a calc. course or is it of no importance?

thank you again

 

[Josh7]

I guess I have a similar question but I don't feel like it is worth creating a thread over. My question is if it will look bad for me to take all of my gen Ed requirements online at a community college over the summer. I have a super busy course load between my pre reqs and EE courses so I'd rather not waste the time during a semester on general education requirements.

 

[ShenanigansMD]

Does anyone know why physics is important for radiology?

Lol