Harvard Medical School require comfortableness in linear algebra?????

[Raid KH]

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Hello,
So I have been reading through Harvard Admission requirements for class applying in 2016, and it seems like that they want students to know linear Algebra and Differential and Equation. 😱


6. Additional requirements for the HST Program In addition to all the above requirements, the HST curriculum requires that students be comfortable with upper-level mathematics (through differential equations and linear algebra), biochemistry, and molecular biology. This is usually demonstrated through upper level course work, but other approaches may satisfy these requirements. In addition, one year of calculus-based physics in college is required.

http://hms.harvard.edu/content/requirements-admission

What do you guys think?? any comments?

 

[Arbor Vitae]

Hello,
So I been reading through Harvard Admission requirements for class applying in 2016, and it seems like that they want students to know linear Algebra and Differential and Equation. 😱


6. Additional requirements for the HST Program In addition to all the above requirements, the HST curriculum requires that students be comfortable with upper-level mathematics (through differential equations and linear algebra), biochemistry, and molecular biology. This is usually demonstrated through upper level course work, but other approaches may satisfy these requirements. In addition, one year of calculus-based physics in college is required.

http://hms.harvard.edu/content/requirements-admission

What do you guys think?? any comments?

Good thing I got an A in linear algebra and differential equations.

 

[dmf2682]

Why would anyone want to go to Harvard? I hear they have students teach you as opposed to professors.

 

[DietSexy5000]

Only for HST. If you read around on their site, the HST program is specifically for people with a background in physical sciences and research. They teach the medical school curriculum differently through that program to emphasize the quantitative aspects of the material. I spoke with a current 3rd year there and he explained that there is certainly math involved in the curriculum but is not going to be rote like a linear algebra/differential equations class. He mentioned that you definitely need a background in college math (i.e. calculus beyond single variable, differential equations, probability and basic linear algebra).

If this scares you, simply apply to the New Pathways one. It's the traditional medical curriculum.

 

[circulus vitios]

I've taken linear algebra and two semesters of differential equations. When would you ever need that math for medical research?

 

[UrshumMurshum]

Linear algebra is pretty basic stuff if you can do arithmetic you can do linear algebra.

Differential equations might be a little unfair to require out of premeds. Especially if you get a professor who teaches it legitimately, I recall my exams were 4 hours long in that class. It's something you need to know advanced calculus to be able to even have a chance.

 

[red doctober]

I've taken linear algebra and two semesters of differential equations. When would you ever need that math for medical research?

For most wet-lab stuff, math is hardly ever used, but for even elementary computing (where biomedical research is heading) differential equations and linear algebra is used. I think that Harvard recognizes the fact that research within the next couple decades is going to be increasingly done using computer modeling and data mining and those who won't know the basics are going to have to either learn them or be outcompeted by those who do.

 

[sinombre]

They also require a basic understanding of grammar. Really though, are you surprised that the HST program requires that applicants are comfortable with upper-level mathematics?

For future reference, "I been" should be "I have been."

 

[Arbor Vitae]

I took linear algebra and differential equations with a Chinese prof who had a super heavy accent. I had no idea what the heck I was doing but some how I was using the formulas correctly and got an A.

 

[BigBlueBear]

They also require a basic understanding of grammar. Really though, are you surprised that the HST program requires that applicants are comfortable with upper-level mathematics?

For future reference, "I been" should be "I have been."

Somebody is grumpy today 😛

 

[Raid KH]

They also require a basic understanding of grammar. Really though, are you surprised that the HST program requires that applicants are comfortable with upper-level mathematics?

For future reference, "I been" should be "I have been."

Fixed it.
It's my second Language.

 

[Narmerguy]

Linear algebra and DiffEq, as applied to medicine, will probably be nothing like how it is used in a math class. They just said that you need to be "comfortable" with it, not know it. They'll likely teach you any specific usage that you need, in the same way that most medical/biology classes teach you the limited uses of statistics that you need (and you have to be comfortable with probability theory, etc).

I think if you simply are comfortable with the idea of linear algebra (understanding that matrices don't behave like numbers, that you can perform various functions on rows/columns, etc etc) and Differential Equations you'll be fine. I don't think this should scare anyone. We learn this stuff for physics and to be honest, it's never used that rigorously when for practical applications (unless you're doing intense derivations which seems unlikely in medical school).

HST sounds awesome, I wish I could do it.

 

[RogueUnicorn]

I took linear algebra and differential equations with a Chinese prof who had a super heavy accent. I had no idea what the heck I was doing but some how I was using the formulas correctly and got an A.

this post served literally no purpose other than for you to say you got an A in a class.

 

[circulus vitios]

this post served literally no purpose other than for you to say you got an A in a class.

Not really. Many students have the same experience. Memorize equations, because the derivations are insanely complicated, and spit them out on an exam. Get an A.

 

[Richard Dawkins]

this post served literally no purpose other than for you to say you got an A in a class.

and the cycle continues...

 

[red doctober]

this post served literally no purpose other than for you to say you got an A in a class.

Don't forget that fact that the prof was hard to understand; that makes the A even that much more impressive.

 

[EnergyDrink]

If you can't do linear algebra you probably didn't score above a 6 in Physical Sciences.

 

[Jojokarade]

I read a medical student survey a couple years ago about important subjects. Over 75% thought having upper level math didn't really help at all in medical school. That is funny considering Harvard thinks it is so important.

 

[MaenadsDance]

As a matter of personal interest, I wish I had time to take upper-div math, but I'm not sure how many majors give students the time to satisfy major requirements AND distribution requirements for their university AND fit in a full Calc sequence and Statistics and Linear Algebra...

 

[MedPR]

Hello,
So I have been reading through Harvard Admission requirements for class applying in 2016, and it seems like that they want students to know linear Algebra and Differential and Equation. 😱


6. Additional requirements for the HST Program In addition to all the above requirements, the HST curriculum requires that students be comfortable with upper-level mathematics (through differential equations and linear algebra), biochemistry, and molecular biology. This is usually demonstrated through upper level course work, but other approaches may satisfy these requirements. In addition, one year of calculus-based physics in college is required.

http://hms.harvard.edu/content/requirements-admission

What do you guys think?? any comments?

Statistically it's unlikely that you'll even get in. Worry about it when you get an acceptance.

If you can't do linear algebra you probably didn't score above a 6 in Physical Sciences.

+1.

 

[Narmerguy]

If you can't do linear algebra you probably didn't score above a 6 in Physical Sciences.

I don't really agree with that, but would also add that most people would probably be concerned with the differential equations.

 

[Ansar]

I read a medical student survey a couple years ago about important subjects. Over 75% thought having upper level math didn't really help at all in medical school. That is funny considering Harvard thinks it is so important.

I don't think it is the content matter sometimes, it's more how due to math's very abstract nature, it can help you think very abstractly (as opposed to just memorizing things).

 

[Long Way to Go]

If you can't do linear algebra you probably didn't score above a 6 in Physical Sciences.

If you're talking about "solve a system of two linear equations with two unknowns", then sure. If you're talking about "take B, an m x n matrix, and find the basis for the null space of B", then you're getting into a different story. Plenty of people can understand basic chemistry/physics and still have a hard time comprehending what that even means.

 

[Nandrolone]

If you're talking about "solve a system of two linear equations with two unknowns", then sure. If you're talking about "take B, an m x n matrix, and find the basis for the null space of B", then you're getting into a different story. Plenty of people can understand basic chemistry/physics and still have a hard time comprehending what that even means.

Math major, "God tier major", checking in.

 

[typicalindian]

If you're talking about "solve a system of two linear equations with two unknowns", then sure. If you're talking about "take B, an m x n matrix, and find the basis for the null space of B", then you're getting into a different story. Plenty of people can understand basic chemistry/physics and still have a hard time comprehending what that even means.

He was joking.

 

[Arbor Vitae]

this post served literally no purpose other than for you to say you got an A in a class.

My bad. I was really tempted to use the deal with it .gif right now but the good lord took the keyboard.

Edit: I was also trying to get across that concepts were so abstract to me, except I was solid with calculus, so even though I had no idea what was going on, I could do the math correctly. I didn;t really get what or why I was doing it. Like if somebody asked me to explain what did I do with linear algebra and differential equations I wouldn't know what to say. I just did the math like a human calculator essentially, kind of like p chem.

 

[MedPR]

he was joking.

+2

 

[PreMedOrDead]

1) This was the HST program
2) They just want to see you have some math background so you can handle that specific program
3) Harvard likes physically/conceptually oriented students, not biological
4) If you can't figure this out, you probably shouldn't apply there
5) I didn't read the thread, so if this was already answered, f u

 

[deleted393595]

Hello,
So I have been reading through Harvard Admission requirements for class applying in 2016, and it seems like that they want students to know linear Algebra and Differential and Equation. 😱


6. Additional requirements for the HST Program In addition to all the above requirements, the HST curriculum requires that students be comfortable with upper-level mathematics (through differential equations and linear algebra), biochemistry, and molecular biology. This is usually demonstrated through upper level course work, but other approaches may satisfy these requirements. In addition, one year of calculus-based physics in college is required.

http://hms.harvard.edu/content/requirements-admission

What do you guys think?? any comments?

Linear Algebra? Sounds like a piece of cake. It's only y=mx+b, right? 😀

 

[911 Turbo]

Linear Algebra? Sounds like a piece of cake. It's only y=mx+b, right? 😀

In a way, yes

 

[calvnandhobbs68]

Hello,
So I have been reading through Harvard Admission requirements for class applying in 2016, and it seems like that they want students to know linear Algebra and Differential and Equation. 😱


6. Additional requirements for the HST Program In addition to all the above requirements, the HST curriculum requires that students be comfortable with upper-level mathematics (through differential equations and linear algebra), biochemistry, and molecular biology. This is usually demonstrated through upper level course work, but other approaches may satisfy these requirements. In addition, one year of calculus-based physics in college is required.

http://hms.harvard.edu/content/requirements-admission

What do you guys think?? any comments?

Don't worry OP they just mean you have to be able to draw a straight line.

 

[PreMedOrDead]

Don't worry OP they just mean you have to be able to draw a straight line.

 

[DietSexy5000]

For most wet-lab stuff, math is hardly ever used, but for even elementary computing (where biomedical research is heading) differential equations and linear algebra is used. I think that Harvard recognizes the fact that research within the next couple decades is going to be increasingly done using computer modeling and data mining and those who won't know the basics are going to have to either learn them or be outcompeted by those who do.

Exactly. Linear algebra more or less is how computer sift through data so they assume people looking for a quantitative, research oriented medical degree will eventually go on to develop their own algorithms to suit their research. Linear algebra will do wonders for them.

I read a medical student survey a couple years ago about important subjects. Over 75% thought having upper level math didn't really help at all in medical school. That is funny considering Harvard thinks it is so important.

Differential equations is at the core of any type of modelling. Based on how HST intends to teach medicine, they likely rely on DEs to discuss anything from the electrical properties of neurons to fluid flow in vessels to mechanical forces on muscles/bones. DEs are the part of upper level math that is applicable to practically any field in any industry. It is definitely definitely applicable to medicine but it's likely that very few MD utilize this approach when teaching medicine. That's why HST exists; it's for people who want to learn medicine with mathematical tools.

 

[Lafakads]

If I had a higher MCAT score I would love to do the HST program. Engineer here so DiffyQ and Linear Algebra, and Calc were all sGPA boosters for me lol.

I just shat the bed on the MCAT 🙁