Calculus

[Travisgee]

I see that pre req math for many pharm schools is only to calculus. However, is another level of calculus needed to pass the PCAT, or is Cal I sufficient?

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[inquirer89]

Cal I is good enough.

 

[goinkhead]

i found calculus 2 (integration) somewhat useful. but i wouldnt worry if youve never taken the course

 

[alenadoma]

I think there is some integration on the PCAT if I remember correctly, but we started that in Calc I. I think that should suffice.

 

[BacardiGirl]

Dumb question, even though I know Calc is a prereq at all schools and for the PCAT, but how much of it is used/needed in RL once in the profession?? 😳

 

[fenixtnlfan]

You might need if you go into something like pharmcoeconomics or pharmacokinetics. Though I doubt Calc 1 would suffice you wanted to go into those anyways! You don't need it in say community or hospital practice.

 

[PharmD321]

I see that pre req math for many pharm schools is only to calculus. However, is another level of calculus needed to pass the PCAT, or is Cal I sufficient?

I noticed that my school only requires calculus 1 (only 3 credit hour for math requirement and obviously it will be enough to prepare for the PCAT), but my advisor wouldn't recommend me taking calc until I finish College Algebra next semester (spring) and Pre-Calc summer school and then I can take calc 1 next fall! Those 3 math class will bring me about 9 credit hours instead. Do you guys think it is necessary for me to take all 3 math classes??

 

[apteryx]

You can't do well in calculus unless you know how to manipulate an algebraic expression into what you want. So you definitely need college algebra, and I don't know how you will be able to get around taking pre-calc (I honestly don't see the relevancy of pre-calc to calc except for trig identities, which you can learn yourself.) Didn't you take math classes in high school that would allow you to at least bypass college algebra?

 

[fenixtnlfan]

You definitely need a good handle on algebra, not just for calculus even. You could probably get away with not taking pre-calc. However, I think most schools require it as a pre-req for calculus so you can't get out of it unless you test out of it.

 

[inquirer89]

My school offers precalI (basic algebra) and precalII (trig). I was able to skip precalI, but I am sooo glad I took trig before taking calculus. I am taking calculus now, and so far it seems easier than trig, which took me a while to understand.

So you might be able to get away with algebra, but you need to know trig.

 

[JerryPharmD]

Dumb question, even though I know Calc is a prereq at all schools and for the PCAT, but how much of it is used/needed in RL once in the profession?? 😳

Kinetics can be calc based or algebra based. The calc based is easier because there is less algebra substitution. We did algebra based. I cannot recall using any calc thus far and only 3 weeks of classes left. 🙂

In real life for dosing, they have programs that do all the math. You can always check it though by hand.

 

[Voxls1]

I noticed that my school only requires calculus 1 (only 3 credit hour for math requirement and obviously it will be enough to prepare for the PCAT), but my advisor wouldn't recommend me taking calc until I finish College Algebra next semester (spring) and Pre-Calc summer school and then I can take calc 1 next fall! Those 3 math class will bring me about 9 credit hours instead. Do you guys think it is necessary for me to take all 3 math classes??

Yes because a lot of classes (at my university at least) require you to have certain pre-reqs. At my school...you cant take cal 1 until you have completed college algebra.

 

[Travisgee]

Thats right. One must complete that math sequence before moving on to the next level. I suppose you could ask to take an appropriate apptitude test if one were offered. If you did that then you could be eligible to jump to the next level.
These sequences are put into place for a reason. They aren't arbituary, in that respect, its to your benefit to follow the sequence in order to perform well in upper division work.

 

[PharmD321]

Thats right. One must complete that math sequence before moving on to the next level. I suppose you could ask to take an appropriate apptitude test if one were offered. If you did that then you could be eligible to jump to the next level.
These sequences are put into place for a reason. They aren't arbituary, in that respect, its to your benefit to follow the sequence in order to perform well in upper division work.

Obviously I agree with everyone here and my advisor so I will take college algebra next semester and pre calc is not required in my university but I am going to take it anyways in summer next year and take calc 1 in fall.