DPT Physics Prerequisite

[GJ93]

I am a new poster but have been on the site for some time now! I understand that there is one or two other threads about this topic in the Pre-Physical Therapy topic but my question is slightly different.

After trying to understand whether or not the school's that I am interested in prefer calculus-based or algebra-based physics, I determined that most of them do not have a preference. However most admissions departments said that they look highly upon successful completion of calculus-based physics.

The only two school's that actually did have a strong preference was Northwestern (for calculus-based) and UNC Chapel Hill (for algebra-based).

My questions are:

1. What physics are you taking/have you taken, and why (specific recommendation from a specific program, etc.)?

2. If you are already a DPT student, which did you take and from your experience in your DPT program, which is more beneficial to take (or does it not matter)?

Thanks in advance everyone! 🙂

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[qtran]

I would take the Physics that a physics major would take at your undergrad, and not one that say a business major would take just to fulfill an graduation requirement. I hope that helps.

 

[GJ93]

I would take the Physics that a physics major would take at your undergrad, and not one that say a business major would take just to fulfill an graduation requirement. I hope that helps.

Both calculus-based and algebra-based physics are for physics majors. So that is where I am stuck with which one would be "better" or more beneficial for DPT Programs (either for being admitted or for what is actually used during the curriculum)

 

[hardcoretastic]

I'm taking the algebra based Physics currently and have already been accepted to my top school choice that I'm going to attend in the summer. For all the schools I was looking at it didn't matter. I've worked at an outpatient clinic for the past 6 years and I've never seen one of the therapist do a physics problem. I'm pretty sure the whole reason for the course as a pre-req is for the problem solving aspect of it. Also I guess so you know how to adjust certain modalities to get a certain reaction ie: ultrasound. Even then they seem to go with the pre set parameters most of the time. Other than that the PTs tell me its not something you really use in practice as far as the actual math equations and such. PT schools seem to like to know if you are able to take pieces of a puzzle and figure out how to put them together to see the whole picture. Physics I think (whether algebra based or calculus based) does that.

 

[GJ93]

I'm taking the algebra based Physics currently and have already been accepted to my top school choice that I'm going to attend in the summer. For all the schools I was looking at it didn't matter. I've worked at an outpatient clinic for the past 6 years and I've never seen one of the therapist do a physics problem. I'm pretty sure the whole reason for the course as a pre-req is for the problem solving aspect of it. Also I guess so you know how to adjust certain modalities to get a certain reaction ie: ultrasound. Even then they seem to go with the pre set parameters most of the time. Other than that the PTs tell me its not something you really use in practice as far as the actual math equations and such. PT schools seem to like to know if you are able to take pieces of a puzzle and figure out how to put them together to see the whole picture. Physics I think (whether algebra based or calculus based) does that.

Thank you! This helps a lot. I think that I will take algebra-based physics. It seems that understanding the concepts and learning how to problem solve in algebra-based will be more beneficial than the potential of struggling and not understanding in calculus-based.

 

[deepeetee]

I'm taking algebra based Physics as well and got into PT school this year. 🙂 The schools that I looked at did not say whether they preferred one over the other.

 

[okramango]

I agree that most schools are completely fine with the algebra/trig-based physics course. That's what I took, and my class was completely full of pre-PT and pre-med students. Just be careful to take the one for science majors and not the "introductory" course for general ed. I believe the calculus based course is mainly for engineering majors. Also, every PT I've spoken to has said that they do not use most of the specific material from the physics courses, besides some of the biomechanics.

 

[Sasky]

I took a calc-based physics because it was required as part of my degree plan.

I would say calc-based is no harder (if not easier) than algebra-based if you have a nice handle on calculus. You actually see how the formulas are derived instead of just memorizing them. But, if you are not proficient in calculus then take the algebra-based. You definitely don't want to spend your time trying to keep up with/reviewing the math instead of learning the physics concepts.

Another option is to talk to some of your peers about the professors that teach the different classes. Although I didn't have the option to choose, I took my physics from an excellent prof who made class fun and was a very approachable person when you had questions! Sometimes that can make all the difference.

 

[Litlwarrior08]

I took a calc-based physics because it was required as part of my degree plan.

I would say calc-based is no harder (if not easier) than algebra-based if you have a nice handle on calculus. You actually see how the formulas are derived instead of just memorizing them. But, if you are not proficient in calculus then take the algebra-based. You definitely don't want to spend your time trying to keep up with/reviewing the math instead of learning the physics concepts.

Another option is to talk to some of your peers about the professors that teach the different classes. Although I didn't have the option to choose, I took my physics from an excellent prof who made class fun and was a very approachable person when you had questions! Sometimes that can make all the difference.

DITTO for me, took the calc based bc it was required for my undergrad, I had also completed up to calc. level in math............some people prefer algebra to calc. skills. whatever your program requires and/or what you are comfortable w/ should be fine unless DPT is specific.

 

[GJ93]

I took a calc-based physics because it was required as part of my degree plan.

I would say calc-based is no harder (if not easier) than algebra-based if you have a nice handle on calculus. You actually see how the formulas are derived instead of just memorizing them. But, if you are not proficient in calculus then take the algebra-based. You definitely don't want to spend your time trying to keep up with/reviewing the math instead of learning the physics concepts.

Another option is to talk to some of your peers about the professors that teach the different classes. Although I didn't have the option to choose, I took my physics from an excellent prof who made class fun and was a very approachable person when you had questions! Sometimes that can make all the difference.

DITTO for me, took the calc based bc it was required for my undergrad, I had also completed up to calc. level in math............some people prefer algebra to calc. skills. whatever your program requires and/or what you are comfortable w/ should be fine unless DPT is specific.

Thank you both! I actually just had course registration sign-ups yesterday and decided on taking calculus-based physics. I am confident in my calculus having taken Single and Multi-Variable calculus, so I believe this may be the better option for me 👍