Calc vs Trig Based Physics

[Leonidas93]

So I've read on some threads that calc based physics is much more advantageous for students who can handle it. I just completed the trig based physics 1 and got an A with ease. I also got an A in Calc 2 with little difficulty. So I guess my question is would it be worth it to take calc based physics 1 next instead of trig based physics 2? Would it help me on the MCAT in ANY way and would it look good to medical schools even if i initially took the trig route? Thanks.

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[Buttafuoco]

I took calc based physics in college just because it was required for my major. I think I had to use calculus like 10 times or less in the classes ever and I heard algebra classes were a joke, but the classes I took weren't exactly hard either. However, the effing labs were brutal and that's no joke. I'm talking 5-8 hours to write up a lab report almost every week compared to the ones the other people took where they had specially prepared lab books they just had to fill things in.

I do think it was valuable though because it gave me a better understanding of error propagation, technical writing, and computer based analysis, but I doubt that's going to be a net positive for most people when time is so tight during semesters.

 

[TwinsFan]

Calc based can definitely help you understand the concepts better because it is more in depth, can show the mathematical basis for physical phenomenons, and typically has harder tests/hw/lab work to go with it.

 

[miguelito88]

I finished trig/algebra-based physics a few months ago and for what you need in medicine, there's really no point in delving into calc-based physics. Unless you're an engineering major and require calc-based phys, save yourself the brutality and take something more beneficial, like biochem or molecular bio.

 

[Cristobal16]

I finished trig/algebra-based physics a few months ago and for what you need in medicine, there's really no point in delving into calc-based physics. Unless you're an engineering major and require calc-based phys, save yourself the brutality and take something more beneficial, like biochem or molecular bio.

Agreed - for what you need in medicine, you probably don't need calc-based physics. However, for the MCAT, it can be very beneficial as you go into more detail and (I would argue) become more familiar with the concepts on a basic level, rather than just memorizing the formulas.

 

[Leonidas93]

Thanks for the replies.