Calculus

[bbas]

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How important is it to take calculus? I have the option of either taking Calculus or a math course intended for social science majors (i'm a social science major) next semester. I would prefer not to take calculus, because I really do not like math that much. I know that only a few schools require Calculus, but would I be at a disadvantage by not taking it?

 

[OrganicMLover]

Hey ... med schools like calc courses. I was told by the director of admissions at UW-Madison that they like upper level math classes and that if I could do calc based physics I should do it because they consider it a premium class. In fact, take all the hardest classes you can.

 

[g3pro]

Hey ... med schools like calc courses. I was told by the director of admissions at UW-Madison that they like upper level math classes and that if I could do calc based physics I should do it because they consider it a premium class. In fact, take all the hardest classes you can.

Shut the f*** up, troll.

Mods, can we get a ban on this tool?

 

[Pontifex Maximus]

Personally, I'd take Calc I. Calc 2 is not necessary.

 

[logos]

Well...as far as med school goes, you should probably just take calc I, a number of schools require it, and you might want to apply to those schools. But heck, if you dont mind it, i'd say take more than that....I wish I had....its good for you.

In the end, calc or easy math, adcoms probably wont notice much so long as you do well in the class.

 

[willthatsall]

I would take calc. It's not really THAT hard of a class, and it will keep your options open. I wish I had taken calc II back when I was a freshman, because now I am going to take it as a 5th year senior, 4 years after calc I because some school require it.

 

[Medikit]

I would take calc. It's not really THAT hard of a class, and it will keep your options open. I wish I had taken calc II back when I was a freshman, because now I am going to take it as a 5th year senior, 4 years after calc I because some school require it.

It's really not that bad going back. I took Calc I in Fall 2000 and Calc II in Spring 2003. A small review should suffice. Calc I had a ton of proofs and now that you've done them you just get to use what they proved which is pretty simple. I did have a headache during the first month, but it might have just been from the teacher's bad handwriting.

 

[LVDoc]

As a person who hated pre-calculus, I can tell you I absolutely loved calculus for some reason still unknown to me.

It's really not that bad. I think Calc I should be required of all undergraduates, but I am sure many other people reading this will not agree with me. I do think, however, that it may raise some eyebrows in your application, since as far as I can tell, the majority of applicants have taken it.

Let me put it another way, try not to exclude yourself from any possibilities before you even apply. On the other hand, if you are concerned that you will struggle with Calculus, and as a result, perform at a less than expected rate, don't take it.

 

[fpr85]

Shut the f*** up, troll.

Mods, can we get a ban on this tool?

The anger!

 

[g3pro]

The anger!

There were way too many times that he was giving terrible advice to everyone on the forum. It's disingenuous. 🙁

 

[LTbulldogs]

Dont take it...Only 23 Schools require it...

 

[ShyRem]

Do you like math? If so, you may enjoy calculus. If not, take a hard look at the schools you want to apply to. Do they require it? does your degree require it? (chemistry requires at least three semesters of it, bio degree math requirements vary by school)

I liked calculus (heck, I'm a math major). I took the calc-based physics because i wanted to, not because anyone told me to. The bottom lines are the questions above. Anyone else's opinion doesn't really matter.

 

[Soleilpie]

As a person who hated pre-calculus, I can tell you I absolutely loved calculus for some reason still unknown to me.

It's really not that bad. I think Calc I should be required of all undergraduates, but I am sure many other people reading this will not agree with me. I do think, however, that it may raise some eyebrows in your application, since as far as I can tell, the majority of applicants have taken it.

Let me put it another way, try not to exclude yourself from any possibilities before you even apply. On the other hand, if you are concerned that you will struggle with Calculus, and as a result, perform at a less than expected rate, don't take it.

I absolutely hated precalc but LOVE LOVE LOVE calculus. Your success rate in calculus will depend upon the effort you give it and how well your instructor can explain the concepts of calculus. I happen to have the most awesome calculus instructor right now. If it wasn't for her, I'd probably be doing mediocre in that class right now.

 

[logos]

I absolutely hated precalc but LOVE LOVE LOVE calculus. Your success rate in calculus will depend upon the effort you give it and how well your instructor can explain the concepts of calculus. I happen to have the most awesome calculus instructor right now. If it wasn't for her, I'd probably be doing mediocre in that class right now.

Yep...precalc seems pretty useless to me, should just go algebra --->calc.

Calc is really pretty basic math, and its powerfull, very cool.

 

[swifteagle43]

Rule Of Thumb:

If you are a bio major take:
Statistics
Calculus I

If you are Chemistry/Physics Major Take:
Calc I
Calc II
Calc II
....you will need it for pchem....dirty son of a bitch pchem....

If you are a Non-Science Major Take:
Calc I
Calc II
since you are not comming from a science strong base you got to show that you do the work


My two cents 🙂

 

[AxlxA]

I was always told to take 1 year worth of calculus, ie: 2 semesters or 3 quarters.

Personally i skipped out of both calculus using AP MATH BC test... decided to take some upper level math to let med school know i rock math to its core!!!!

Took 1) multi variable calculus, really hard
2) Linear alg & differential equations, kinda hard
3) Intro to analysis: THEORY OF CALCULUS, absolutely the hardest math class EVER!!!! made me drop out of a math double major!