Does course name matter?

[bobobear27]

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I'm thinking of taking physics this summer at a community college (can't afford university course), but I'm wondering which one I should take. I've read on this forum that it is not necessary to take calculus based physics, and that algebra based physics might actually be better for the MCAT. But these courses have two different titles, one is "College Physics"(algebra and trig based) and the other is "University Level Physics"(calc based). If I were to take Physics at my university it would only be calc based... so based on that and the titles should I take the "University Level Physics" to make it seem like I have opted for the more comparable/ rigorous course? Or do these names not even matter?

 

[WillburCobb]

...Or do these names not even matter?

Doesn't matter. IMHO calc based physics is maybe slightly more helpful for the MCAT (in terms of memorizing equations and maybe some conceptual stuff), but trig/algebra based physics is easier, prepares you for what you need for the MCAT, and is what many, many students take.

 

[NoDakDok]

Doesn't matter. IMHO calc based physics is maybe slightly more helpful for the MCAT (in terms of memorizing equations and maybe some conceptual stuff), but trig/algebra based physics is easier, prepares you for what you need for the MCAT, and is what many, many students take.

I wouldn't even say calc-based physics is more helpful for the MCAT. Several topics in my calc-based physics were not touched upon that were in the algebra based coursework, namely states of matter, their mechanics, and a couple others. Ended up actually being a disadvantage since I had to teach the relevant MCAT parts to myself (not a big deal), and the derivations learned in calc-based physics don't really give you a relevant deeper understanding to general physics, just a mathematical one beyond the material tested on the MCAT.

With that said, taking Physics at a Community College in the summer instead of your home university is more eyebrow raising to me than anything else. But as long as you do well in the course and on the MCAT, that's a pretty easy "I wanted to take a more MCAT-relevant course and my college did not offer anything but calc-based physics, which is well beyond the scope of the MCAT" sounds pretty legitimate to me.

 

[Mr Roboto]

CC courses rarely are difficult enough to prepare you for the MCAT. Prepare to do a lot of work on your own.

The name of the course doesn't matter at all, though, and calculus based physics isn't necessary nor helpful for the MCAT.

 

[WillburCobb]

I wouldn't even say calc-based physics is more helpful for the MCAT. Several topics in my calc-based physics were not touched upon that were in the algebra based coursework, namely states of matter, their mechanics, and a couple others. Ended up actually being a disadvantage since I had to teach the relevant MCAT parts to myself (not a big deal), and the derivations learned in calc-based physics don't really give you a relevant deeper understanding to general physics, just a mathematical one beyond the material tested on the MCAT.

With that said, taking Physics at a Community College in the summer instead of your home university is more eyebrow raising to me than anything else. But as long as you do well in the course and on the MCAT, that's a pretty easy "I wanted to take a more MCAT-relevant course and my college did not offer anything but calc-based physics, which is well beyond the scope of the MCAT" sounds pretty legitimate to me.

Well, in all fairness I took algebra/trig based physics, but took calc as well and used that to minimize the number of formulas I'd have to memorize; so kind of going out on an assumption. Also, I'm sure it's very school/prof dependent as well. I found that when I had a difficult time understanding concepts in physics if I did some independent learning from the calc perspective it usually clicked and made more sense, but that could just be me. On a side note, will we be classmates in Aug? I'm on my phone and too lazy to go over to the UND thread to check.

 

[edgerock24]

Calculus-based physics is unnecessary and essentially worthless for premeds. Take algebra-based. As others have stated, course name doesn't mean squat.

 

[listener23]

Takeing calc base physics is almost as pointless as adcoms having physics as a medschool requirement in the first place. Just take the pre-calc one and get the A.

 

[WillburCobb]

Takeing calc base physics is almost as pointless as adcoms having physics a medschool requirement in the first place.

 

[listener23]

 

[WillburCobb]

View attachment 180233

...which is why you can take algebra/trig based physics instead of calc based physics...

 

[CherryRedDracul]

View attachment 180233

In other words, brute-force memorization?

 

[NoDakDok]

Well, in all fairness I took algebra/trig based physics, but took calc as well and used that to minimize the number of formulas I'd have to memorize; so kind of going out on an assumption. Also, I'm sure it's very school/prof dependent as well. I found that when I had a difficult time understanding concepts in physics if I did some independent learning from the calc perspective it usually clicked and made more sense, but that could just be me. On a side note, will we be classmates in Aug? I'm on my phone and too lazy to go over to the UND thread to check.

I took AP Physics in high school, probably did half the coursework required for algebra-based at my college, and took calc-based physics for the requirement. Studying for the MCAT, I honestly thing just taking algebra-based physics would have been just as good if not advantageous. But that's completely anecdotal. I think it's definitely dependent on whether you are a "formula" or "concept" type of person, I'm definitely the latter.

As for UND, I'm waiting on financial aid/scholarship packages to be final before I withdraw from other programs.

Takeing calc base physics is almost as pointless as adcoms having physics as a medschool requirement in the first place. Just take the pre-calc one and get the A.

This is really ignorant. Physics isn't there just because it's difficult like Organic is. Understanding the basic concepts of Physics is essential to grasping the concepts of human physiology, and for that reason algebra-based physics will not be going anywhere anytime soon.

In other words, brute-force memorization?

Premeds in a nutshell. 😛

 

[bobobear27]

Thanks for the help, I think I will just take Physics at my university (which will unfortunately be calc based) to avoid needing to study extra hard for the MCAT physics/not being able to apply to certain schools who don't take cc credit

 

[NoDakDok]

Thanks for the help, I think I will just take Physics at my university (which will unfortunately be calc based) to avoid needing to study extra hard for the MCAT physics/not being able to apply to certain schools who don't take cc credit

I am assuming you've taken calculus before, which means Calc-based Physics likely won't be too much more difficult for you than the regular physics. Of course, that depends on far too many factors to say for sure.

I'm just posting to make sure you don't assume that because you took calc-based physics you will be fine for the MCAT. I took calc-based physics and there were significant gaps between MCAT material and Calc-based Physics material at my school. Make sure that you review the materials for physics and that you were taught, and understand thoroughly, the concepts the MCAT will be testing. Also, beyond the theory, make sure you understand the algebraic formulas and can apply them quickly. My MCAT physical sciences section was mostly identify the situation, apply the equation, do some quick mental math, and there's your answer. This is not the same thinking I used in my calc-based physics course.

Best of luck!

 

[xnfs93hy]

I'm thinking of taking physics this summer at a community college (can't afford university course), but I'm wondering which one I should take. I've read on this forum that it is not necessary to take calculus based physics, and that algebra based physics might actually be better for the MCAT. But these courses have two different titles, one is "College Physics"(algebra and trig based) and the other is "University Level Physics"(calc based). If I were to take Physics at my university it would only be calc based... so based on that and the titles should I take the "University Level Physics" to make it seem like I have opted for the more comparable/ rigorous course? Or do these names not even matter?

If you're not a hard science or engineering major, then I would opt for the algebra-based physics. It will prepare you just as well as a calc-based class for the MCAT. I had to take calculus-based Physics and it wasn't bad at all, but that's because it's part of my major (Biomedical Engineering).