How many years of Calculus?

[xnfs93hy]

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Hey. I am a high school student and plan on attending a community college for a year before moving on to a four year school. I was just curious about how mant years of Calc you need. I know most only require Calc I. Some need two.

My question is really this:

If you are not a math person, will just taking Calc I be good enough? Also, since I may go to a CC for a year, would it be OK to take Calc I there and never take it again in college or is that a bad idea?

How many years should you be taking? Do most people just take I?

Lastly, I have heard that you can go from Algebra II to Calc I but that makes it much harder to get an A because you never learn trig and pre calc. I haven't learned trig and pre calc and cannot take it senior year. Should I just try and self study it? What do need to know exactly, to get an A in Calc I.

 

[HolyGrail]

Some places don't even require Calcuseless, stats might be more important.

You'll be fine taking many of your pre-reqs at a CC, as long as you continue strong performances at your larger institution. I'm not going to get out the Donkey-beating icon, but this has been gone over multiple times.

 

[Transmogrifier]

My memory is fuzzy on this but I don't think I would have wanted to do calculus withouth college algebra/trig/pre-calc. Calculus is only a requirement at some schools and some will take any math class (e.g. stats).

 

[MilkmanAl]

Haven't we beaten this subject to death over in hSDN already, Jeff?

 

[Bacchus]

My program required me to take up to Calc III. Its variable by undergrad and also variable my medical institution.

 

[xnfs93hy]

I see.

Would taking Calculus IV be a good idea if I am not a math person? Do most medical schools not care? I just don't want to take more Calc than I need.

Should I wait a year until I transfer to take Calc I/possibly II b/c it is a medical school req. OR should I take Calc I one semes. then II then transfer then take III?

 

[flip26]

AFAIK, only Harvard Med requires 2 semesters of calculus.

Then there are only a handful of med schools that require 1 semester, usually if you also take a stats class.

Most med schools have a minimal math requirement that can be satisfied with courses like College Algebra and Stats. Some require 2 semesters math, some one, and a few have no specific req.

If you are not a "math" person, stay away from majors that require extra math (like engineering).

 

[ksmi117]

I see.

Would taking Calculus IV be a good idea if I am not a math person? Do most medical schools not care? I just don't want to take more Calc than I need.

Should I wait a year until I transfer to take Calc I/possibly II b/c it is a medical school req. OR should I take Calc I one semes. then II then transfer then take III?

Calc IV doesn't exist (at least at my school), so I wouldn't recommend taking it. 😛 Med schools aren't going to require something that all schools don't have. (Unless of course, we're talking quarter system here... then maybe Calc IV is like my Calc III). As far as the CC thing, I'd say take trig/pre-calc at your CC, and the Calcs after you transfer. If you know math will be difficult, don't take anymore than absolutely necessary. There's no point in risking the GPA. Also, there's no point in making it harder by skipping trig. Take your time and be smart about it.

 

[Bacchus]

Yeah, after Calc III here you get into linear algebra, discrete math, etc.

 

[xnfs93hy]

Calc IV doesn't exist (at least at my school), so I wouldn't recommend taking it. 😛 Med schools aren't going to require something that all schools don't have. (Unless of course, we're talking quarter system here... then maybe Calc IV is like my Calc III). As far as the CC thing, I'd say take trig/pre-calc at your CC, and the Calcs after you transfer. If you know math will be difficult, don't take anymore than absolutely necessary. There's no point in risking the GPA. Also, there's no point in making it harder by skipping trig. Take your time and be smart about it.

Does it look good to medical schools if you take Calc III, IV, and V? Or does it just not matter?

For instance, lets say all I needed to take was up to Calc II. Would it look better to medical schools that I took an extra year (or two) of Calculus? I'm guessing that the answer is no. Most med schools only require Calc I and II. Which isn't too bad, but it seems to me that many people take much more than that, when it is not necessary. Would I be at a disadvantage if I only took what was required? Then stopped?

For example. In undergrad admissions, many good schools want to see you take four years of everything, and they want honors. Is it the same with medical school admissions? That is really what my question boils down to.

 

[flip26]

Does it look good to medical schools if you take Calc III, IV, and V? Or does it just not matter?

For instance, lets say all I needed to take was up to Calc II. Would it look better to medical schools that I took an extra year (or two) of Calculus? I'm guessing that the answer is no. Most med schools only require Calc I and II. Which isn't too bad, but it seems to me that many people take much more than that, when it is not necessary. Would I be at a disadvantage if I only took what was required? Then stopped?

For example. In undergrad admissions, many good schools want to see you take four years of everything, and they want honors. Is it the same with medical school admissions? That is really what my question boils down to.

What is it about Calc and med schools that you don't understand?

No, you don't need to take far more Calc than even Harvard Med School requires.

On the other hand, if you are a math genius and can make As in your sleep, take all the math you can because it will boost your BCPM...

 

[ksmi117]

Does it look good to medical schools if you take Calc III, IV, and V? Or does it just not matter?

For instance, lets say all I needed to take was up to Calc II. Would it look better to medical schools that I took an extra year (or two) of Calculus? I'm guessing that the answer is no. Most med schools only require Calc I and II. Which isn't too bad, but it seems to me that many people take much more than that, when it is not necessary. Would I be at a disadvantage if I only took what was required? Then stopped?

For example. In undergrad admissions, many good schools want to see you take four years of everything, and they want honors. Is it the same with medical school admissions? That is really what my question boils down to.

Ok like I said, Calc beyond III (Multivariable) doesn't exist. After that you get into Linear Algebra, Differential Equations, Advanced Calc (Adv. Calc =/= Calc IV and V).

Undergrads may like honors, but med schools don't really care about people taking that stuff. Your GPA is what matters. DO NOT take classes that will put your GPA in danger. Period. It won't look good no matter how hard the class is or how much you are going above and beyond.

What is it about Calc and med schools that you don't understand?

No, you don't need to take far more Calc than even Harvard Med School requires.

On the other hand, if you are a math genius and can make As in your sleep, take all the math you can because it will boost your BCPM...

👍 The reason I'm a Math major. Well that and I like it. 😀