How important is Calculus 2 in Physics 2?

[jeremmed77]

I may be taking a biology/calculus based physics course that recommends you take calc 2 before you take the class. However, I was told by a friend that calc two, besides the integral portion at the begining, is not very useful in physics 2. Does anyone have any opinions on this?


In case you are interested, here is the link to the course(1202W):
http://webapps-prd.oit.umn.edu/courses/courses.jsp?campus=UMNTC&designator=PHYS


Add: I forgot to mention that I called the physics department and for some reason they had no idea whether calc two is used in the course or not! Thanks in advance.

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[Lil Mick]

It might help you understand some of the theories/formulas better, but it isn't necessary.

 

[circulus vitios]

There wasn't much calculus in physics 2. Derivatives, definitive integrals, some basic techniques like u-substitution, limits for limiting conditions, and a very superficial treatment of line integrals (which were explained in class.)

 

[BOOYA18]

first, dont call the "department" you are probably talkin to a secretary who has no idea what theyre talkin about when it comes to the class. second, maybe email a professor to get their opinion. they probably know how the class is run. also, it depends on the curriculum, some schools have calc integrated deeply into their physics, others dont. but like the previous poster said, its absolutely not paramount, but could be helpful (i never took a college level calc course and did very well in physics 2)

 

[jeremmed77]

first, dont call the "department" you are probably talkin to a secretary who has no idea what theyre talkin about when it comes to the class. \)

Funny you mentioned that. She called me back and she said she has never even taken a physics course! I tried to get an email from a professor from her, but she wouldn't give me one. I'll try to find an email online or something.

 

[circulus vitios]

Funny you mentioned that. She called me back and she said she has never even taken a physics course! I tried to get an email from a professor from her, but she wouldn't give me one. I'll try to find an email online or something.

Find out who teaches the course and go to their faculty page.

 

[hope_to_match]

I may be taking a biology/calculus based physics course that recommends you take calc 2 before you take the class. However, I was told by a friend that calc two, besides the integral portion at the begining, is not very useful in physics 2. Does anyone have any opinions on this?


In case you are interested, here is the link to the course(1202W):
http://webapps-prd.oit.umn.edu/courses/courses.jsp?campus=UMNTC&designator=PHYS


Add: I forgot to mention that I called the physics department and for some reason they had no idea whether calc two is used in the course or not! Thanks in advance.

Not necessary. Do you have the syllabus of the class you are planing to take? Or general idea of the topics? In my school when I took physics 2, I felt calculus two was not necessary at all.

 

[NickNaylor]

The calculus necessary in physics is pretty straightforward. Someone that hasn't taken calculus could probably do fine simply by memorizing the integrals/derivatives.

 

[cautiousvampire]

Depends if you take Calculus based physics. It is not required for med school, so unless you really want to make physics that much harder, I wouldn't recommend it. I'm would imagine that there is no calc-based physics on the mcat.