Calculus

[Livestrong51085]

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So in searching the site, I found plenty of threads talking about calculus vs non-calculus based PHYSICS, but nothing really about whether or not it's good to just have calculus, in general.

So I have absolutely no history of calculus at all. I have one year of undergrad math-

1) College Algebra II (NO trigonomety): A
2) Introductory Statistics: A-

Do I need to take calculus? From what I've seen from researching schools, it doesn't say specifically calculus, although a few said it would be "helpful" (aka, you better have calculus or you're not getting in).

If calculus is a good idea, do I need to take at least up to Calc II, or is just one calc class good enough? Thanks in advance!

 

[Aromatic Amine]

I think you should take only calc 1.

there is no need for calc 2, unless you are a beast at math and can pad your science gpa.

most med schools don't REQUIRE a math past calc 1.

 

[Jorriss]

Calc II wouldn't hurt though. You go over a lot more integration which is helpful for physics along with a few other tricks.

If you have time, if you're taking Calc II, go for Calc III, thats when it gets really fun.

But, in terms of the minimum necessary, only calc I I believe.

 

[chman]

How did you take college algebra without trig? I'm just curious.

But my advice is, unless you need it for your major, don't do it. You already have a year of math, that's all you need. Some schools require it, but not many. Take stats instead.

Unless you like it of course. I am taking it just because I want a solid math base.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

How did you take college algebra without trig? I'm just curious.

But my advice is, unless you need it for your major, don't do it. You already have a year of math, that's all you need. Some schools require it, but not many. Take stats instead.

Unless you like it of course. I am taking it just because I want a solid math base.

yah.. in all reality you just need a year of math..
if your school offers 2 different forms of stat..
that'll be enough lol

 

[tremulousNeedle]

Each school is different, but chances are if your application is strong enough to get an interview WITH a semester of calculus, it is probably strong enough to get an interview withOUT it.

Some schools probably require a certain amount for admission, so do your research. If the school doesn't list it as a prerequisite, then you probably don't need to worry about it.

I interview undergrad applicants for my medical school and I have seen what they get from AMCAS (med school application service). It is a list of all the courses an applicant has taken in no particular order. Most admissions committees probably don't take the time to look to see if you have taken calculus unless they are specifically curious (it can also be searched via computer, but again you have to actively search the application if you are curious about how much calculus someone has taken).

One thing to consider though: Having a strong calculus background will definitely be helpful if you are interested in being a radiologist. In addition to specialty competency exams, radiology residents also need to take exams regarding physics and mathematics concepts. I don't know the details of these exams, but I hear they are pretty hard, so a good understanding of physics and math would definitely help a budding radiologist.

Hope this helps. Good luck.

 

[Livestrong51085]

yah.. in all reality you just need a year of math..
if your school offers 2 different forms of stat..
that'll be enough lol

So are you saying I should take another statistics course, or is the intro one I have good enough?

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

if your school offers another stat class not another intro btw..
like maybe stat (insert specialized form)
i think stat is honestly easy easy and you dont need calc really..

btw you've got 2 semesters of college math
so either way your good.

 

[chman]

So are you saying I should take another statistics course, or is the intro one I have good enough?

Dude, if you have a year of algebra, and a semester of stats, that is plenty. But you can always take more if you want, you just don't need to.

 

[Aromatic Amine]

another option is to take calc at a community college, and transfer the credits..if you are worried about not getting an A.

 

[Livestrong51085]

Dude, if you have a year of algebra, and a semester of stats, that is plenty. But you can always take more if you want, you just don't need to.

Don't have a year of algebra, just a semester of algebra II and a semester of intro to stat, so a year total.

 

[tremulousNeedle]

I know this isn't the main purpose of this thread, but in case interested readers come upon it and want more information:

In America, all general radiologists need to take fairly difficult physics exams, so a strong math and physics background can only help you.

 

[chman]

another option is to take calc at a community college, and transfer the credits..if you are worried about not getting an A.

I don't know why you would assume that getting an A in calc would be any easier at a cc. Calc is calc no matter where you take it. Further, cc's are required to match the curriculum of universities so their courses will transfer.

Not to mention that it looks kind of weird to take one class at a cc when you are already enrolled at a university.

 

[Charles_Carmichael]

Unless it's Rad-onc, I don't see absolutely ANY calculus calcing by Radiologists. Either they are performing and interpreting ultrasounds, teaching people how to interpret x-rays and ultrasounds, doing a few manual procedures or being requested by doctors to interpret a CAT scan or ultrasound to confirm a suspected diagnosis.

You're expected to know some physics in creating x-rays and how ultrasounds work, but the work mainly surrounds interpreting images all day.

As far as I know, you don't need prior calculus knowledge for radonc. You don't need any prior medical physics knowledge either. All the physics you need for boards, you will be taught during residency. I'd assume it's the same for radiology.

Having a strong background in calculus/physics might just make radonc and radiology more attractive specialties to you than others, but you shouldn't need that background to match into either of them or to do well in them (since they'll teach you everything you need to know in residency).

 

[Charles_Carmichael]

By the way, don't be afraid to take calculus. It's not that hard; it just requires you to think more than most biology courses do. You should get some trig background before calc though; I remember using trig quite a bit in some sections of Calc I through III. In my opinion, it starts getting harder at DiffEq and beyond.

There are very few med schools that require a full year of calculus, but I think there's a decent number that want at least a semester of it. I actually had a lot of fun in calc and since it was so conceptual, spent less time with it than my bio courses. Hope this helps.

 

[Zona Pellucida]

Take Pre-Calc. Calc I. End.

 

[Geekchick921]

I used to have a link of medical schools with a math requirement and what it was. I'll have to see if I can find it again; I think it was in my old computer which died suddenly.

Most schools don't have a math requirement at all. Many that do only require one semester, and not necessarily calculus. Some require 2 semesters of math, and sometimes they say one of them should be calc. VERY few schools require two semesters of calculus (I know Hopkins is one of them). So you're probably good to go.

Here ya go! It's a few years old but it's probably still valid info.
http://www.cse.emory.edu/sciencenet/additional_math_reqs.pdf

Edit: I don't know if anyone else mentioned it, but you won't be test on any calc-based physics on the MCAT. Only algebra-based, so don't worry about it in that respect, if you were.

 

[tremulousNeedle]

To Kaushik: Of course residencies cannot demand that you have a certain level of undergraduate education; the system simply doesn't work that way.

The point I was trying to make is that pursuing these studies would be easier with exposure prior to medical school, so the first time you see it isn't during your residency. With regards to a residency program teaching you what you need to know, that is variable; some programs will hold lectures similar to undergrad coursework, while others will expect you to learn the information through self study (prior knowledge is especially important in this setting). This is similar to the fact that med school biochemistry is much easier if you have taken undergrad biochem or anatomy is easier if you have taken anatomy during undergrad.

In general, medical school stops being like undergrad at the midway point. From third year on through residency, learning is nothing like it is in undergrad or grad school; others are less responsible for providing you the information and you are more responsible for getting the information yourself (this is coming from someone who is currently going through this process).

 

[riverjib]

No calculus? Really? I thought that calc II is sometimes (but not always) required, but calc II was at the very least a plus.

So in searching the site, I found plenty of threads talking about calculus vs non-calculus based PHYSICS, but nothing really about whether or not it's good to just have calculus, in general.

So I have absolutely no history of calculus at all. I have one year of undergrad math-

1) College Algebra II (NO trigonomety): A
2) Introductory Statistics: A-

Do I need to take calculus? From what I've seen from researching schools, it doesn't say specifically calculus, although a few said it would be "helpful" (aka, you better have calculus or you're not getting in).

If calculus is a good idea, do I need to take at least up to Calc II, or is just one calc class good enough? Thanks in advance!