Calculus-based physics?

[Furai]

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I'm planning on taking the mcats in april, and almost everyone i have spoken to recommended taking non-calc-based physics. the primary reasons given were: 1) the physics covered in the ps part of the mcat doesn't have any cal-based problems, and 2) med schools do not care too about much what type of physics you have taken, as long as you have taken 2 semesters worth.

I was just wondering:
- If no. 2 above holds true for md-phd admissions as well. I've heard that harvard recommends calc-based physics; are there any other schools that specify this?
- Will adcoms frown if a student had taken non-calc based physics when he/she had the chance to taken calc-based stuff?
- And finally, from your own experience, did taking calc-based physics confer any specific advantage, either for your mcat, during med-school, or during your subsequent research career (provided your research is/was grounded more in cell biology/development/biochem)?

Thanks for the input.

 

[Neuronix]

- If no. 2 above holds true for md-phd admissions as well. I've heard that harvard recommends calc-based physics; are there any other schools that specify this?
- Will adcoms frown if a student had taken non-calc based physics when he/she had the chance to taken calc-based stuff?

You're giving adcoms too much credit. They don't pay attention in such close detail to your college transcript to know that one physics course means calc-based versus another physics course. It's a non-issue.

- And finally, from your own experience, did taking calc-based physics confer any specific advantage, either for your mcat, during med-school, or during your subsequent research career (provided your research is/was grounded more in cell biology/development/biochem)?

No, and it won't. Even if you went into something Physics related, if you have the calc background, taking non-calc based Physics is not such a huge handicap it wouldn't let you move forward to more advanced Physics classes. It's a non-issue. If everyone tells you the calc-based version is a PITA at your undergrad, take the non-calc and move on.

 

[gbwillner]

- And finally, from your own experience, did taking calc-based physics confer any specific advantage, either for your mcat, during med-school, or during your subsequent research career (provided your research is/was grounded more in cell biology/development/biochem)?

Thanks for the input.

From my experience it certainly did. This is because I suck at memorizing random crap like physics equations. Using calculus based-physics I could always derive the equation I needed, thus memorizing less crap. Also, you simply have a better understanding of the physics (and that comes in handy), and the class may simply be more interesting overall.

I never went by what others said about UG classes being difficult. I found that I always did better on those classes anyway, probably because they were more interesting.

But to answer the second part of your question, no, physics will have little relevance to your biomedical career (with special exemptions for engineering and such).

 

[Coolios]

I actually called Harvard HST about this and they told me that it isn't an automatic disqualifier, so just apply anyway and see what happens. All it takes to apply to HST over New Pathways is a click of a radio button and one extra essay, so why not...

 

[Dionaea]

I agree with Neuronix. I sat on an MSTP admissions committee for 6 years and never once looked into this on an application. Also, I never heard anyone on the MD side or the MSTP side ever bring up the issue. My advice is to take physics with calc if it is useful for your research interests (i.e., biophysics, bioengineering, etc.) and/or you really enjoy it. Otherwise, I would not stress about it. Good luck!

 

[GWD]

This thread makes my head hurt 😕

 

[RapplixGmed]

I am arguing from a position of a engineering and physics double major so take what I say with a grain of salt.

I would argue that you can't *REALLY* understand physics at all without calculus. Having taken noncalc (high school) and calc based versions, noncalc, you just learn how to use funny looking equations, in calc, you get to understand how things actually work.

Simple example: in mechanics, the delta X, velocity, and acceleration equations are just derivatives or integrals of each other. It seems quite obvious in retrospect but it was a *lightbulb* moment for me when I found out back in the day.

Even Newton couldn't understand physics without developing calculus. How can we?

In second semester physics, it seems like you build up to the derivation and use of Maxwell's equations. These equations make absolutely no sense without an understanding of (vector) calculus. Without calc, the farthest you can get is Coulomb's and Bio-Savart's laws, which deprives you of the elegance of using Gauss's and Ampere's laws.

However, I don't think anybody who matters in admissions will care if you do or don't take it and the mcat doesnt' require anything above a high school level understanding of physics.

 

[GWD]

Oh my my

ew whee whee

mind = boggled

thank God