How much harder is Physics compared to Chemistry and Biology?

[Plue00]

Hey guys, I just had a question about the difficulty of physics. I'm about to enter my 4th semester of college and I've finished Bio 1/2 and chem 1 and I've done chem 2 in high school but will be retaking in college.

I took AP bio, AP chem and AP physics B in high school. I actually learned in bio and chem and I did well in the class. In physics, I learned absolutely nothing. My teacher was new and basically gave everyone a good grade in high school. He/we would often nap in class and no one passed the AP exam, lol.

Intro biology wasn't bad at all for me and chemistry is kind of fun, I guess. I will be taking orgo + labs over the summer and I know that will be difficult as I hear it's a completely different kind of class.

I was wondering how much harder physics (algebra based) is compared to chemistry and biology. Is it a lot harder or just a bit harder? Is college physics doable without prior knowledge? I'd probably read the first couple of chapters before class starts next fall.

I'd say I'm pretty good at math but definitely not like the ridiculously smart engineers.

Thanks for the help.

(sorry for any typos)

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[Josh7]

Hey guys, I just had a question about the difficulty of physics. I'm about to enter my 4th semester of college and I've finished Bio 1/2 and chem 1 and I've done chem 2 in high school but will be retaking in college.

I took AP bio, AP chem and AP physics B in high school. I actually learned in bio and chem and I did well in the class. In physics, I learned absolutely nothing. My teacher was new and basically gave everyone a good grade in high school. He/we would often nap in class and no one passed the AP exam, lol.

Intro biology wasn't bad at all for me and chemistry is kind of fun, I guess. I will be taking orgo + labs over the summer and I know that will be difficult as I hear it's a completely different kind of class.

I was wondering how much harder physics (algebra based) is compared to chemistry and biology. Is it a lot harder or just a bit harder? Is college physics doable without prior knowledge? I'd probably read the first couple of chapters before class starts next fall.

I'd say I'm pretty good at math but definitely not like the ridiculously smart engineers.

Thanks for the help.

(sorry for any typos)

I don't know about algebra based but for me physics was 2 or 3 times harder because most of the concepts don't come entirely intuitively like chemistry and biology.

 

[xXIDaShizIXx]

I don't know about algebra based but for me physics was 2 or 3 times harder most of the concepts don't come entirely intuitively like chemistry and biology.

This is SO true. Its a struggle if math isn't your thing, regardless if its algebra based. Make sure you have a good professor.

 

[487806]

Hey guys, I just had a question about the difficulty of physics. I'm about to enter my 4th semester of college and I've finished Bio 1/2 and chem 1 and I've done chem 2 in high school but will be retaking in college.

I took AP bio, AP chem and AP physics B in high school. I actually learned in bio and chem and I did well in the class. In physics, I learned absolutely nothing. My teacher was new and basically gave everyone a good grade in high school. He/we would often nap in class and no one passed the AP exam, lol.

Intro biology wasn't bad at all for me and chemistry is kind of fun, I guess. I will be taking orgo + labs over the summer and I know that will be difficult as I hear it's a completely different kind of class.

I was wondering how much harder physics (algebra based) is compared to chemistry and biology. Is it a lot harder or just a bit harder? Is college physics doable without prior knowledge? I'd probably read the first couple of chapters before class starts next fall.

I'd say I'm pretty good at math but definitely not like the ridiculously smart engineers.

Thanks for the help.

(sorry for any typos)

Since you're taking algebra-based physics, I would say it isn't hard as long as you focus on the concepts. Sure, it's more of a memorization process than calc-based physics (since you have to know all those kinematic equations etc.), but take the time to read through the concepts and make sure you do the practice problems to have the "feel for it". This is essentially the intro level to physics, so don't feel overwhelmed.

 

[notbobtrustme]

It basically boils down to how comfortable you are with math. Biology is considered the "easiest" because it's pretty much math-free; all you have to do is memorize and string concepts together. Chemistry and physics are much tougher in the sense that you need the math to string the concepts together. If you are comfortable with high-level mathematics, then physics and chemistry are made much easier.

 

[487806]

I don't know about algebra based but for me physics was 2 or 3 times harder because most of the concepts don't come entirely intuitively like chemistry and biology.

Same thing here. I haven't taken algebra-based physics also, but the concepts weren't that hard for me to analyze. The problem lies on how to disassemble a complicated question and analyze it step by step. That requires skill (and a lot of math)

It basically boils down to how comfortable you are with math. Biology is considered the "easiest" because it's pretty much math-free; all you have to do is memorize and string concepts together. Chemistry and physics are much tougher in the sense that you need the math to string the concepts together. If you are comfortable with high-level mathematics, then physics and chemistry are made much easier.

Ironically, most bio majors at my school who despise math do poorly in both physics and biology (much worse in biology). I wouldn't say biology is the easiest, but to each his own.

 

[Josh7]

Same thing here. I haven't taken algebra-based physics also, but the concepts weren't that hard for me to analyze. The problem lies on how to disassemble a complicated question and analyze it step by step. That requires skill (and a lot of math)

Yep, the problems are much more in depth in physics and there is so much more room for complicated applications (which I seldom can figure out how to do on tests 😡)

 

[TheShaker]

I felt premed level physics was much easier than biology but that's just because I had a really good professor and I'm more comfortable with quantitative reasoning.

Mechanical physics was easier than my other science classes because it is intuitive if you've lived on a gravity based planet with moving objects 🙂p) but the stuff with circuits and waves were much harder to understand for me.

 

[487806]

Yep, the problems are much more in depth in physics and there is so much more room for complicated applications (which I seldom can figure out how to do on tests 😡)

E&M is generally harder than mechanics (although mechanics can be made hard with complicated pulley systems with varying rotational inertias ). Finding a suitable surface to draw in order to find the E field wasn't pretty (and finding B fields the complicated way.... ) Algebra-based physics don't cover this level of intensity, so OP is safe.

 

[TriagePreMed]

From Hardest to easiest for me:

1. Gen. Chem
2. Physics
3. O. Chem
4. Biology

 

[Plue00]

A bunch of rocket scientists and physical sciences majors saying physics is hard.

I guess I'm screwed haha.

Well, I can usually understand things if I do enough practice. I've noticed that with some people, no matter how much they practice, they still can't grasp the concepts. Hope that's not me.

 

[487806]

A bunch of rocket scientists and physical sciences majors saying physics is hard.

I guess I'm screwed haha.

Well, I can usually understand things if I do enough practice. I've noticed that with some people, no matter how much they practice, they still can't grasp the concepts. Hope that's not me.

Don't worry. You're fine. Just feel confident and determined that you will ace the problems one by one. The problems won't be too challenging (and will mostly test on your ability to use the formulas accordingly). I'm not sure if it applies in your case, but professors allow the students to use formula sheets (at least one page) in the test. It's a good idea if you're struggling which formula to use. The hardest problems may require you to use two or more formulas, but focus on the easier problems to gain practice and confidence. Good luck

 

[heartsavior]

Intro biology wasn't bad at all for me and chemistry is kind of fun, I guess. I will be taking orgo + labs over the summer and I know that will be difficult as I hear it's a completely different kind of class.

It is preferred that you take prerequisites at a rigorous level during the regular semester. These continuing education classes tend to be taught by TA's who frankly don't even know what rigorous means.

 

[Josh7]

It is preferred that you take prerequisites at a rigorous level during the regular semester. These continuing education classes tend to be taught by TA's who frankly don't even know what rigorous means.

Not true.

 

[487806]

It is preferred that you take prerequisites at a rigorous level during the regular semester. These continuing education classes tend to be taught by TA's who frankly don't even know what rigorous means.

There's nothing wrong in taking classes over the summer, so OP is good.

 

[KnuxNole]

It is preferred that you take prerequisites at a rigorous level during the regular semester. These continuing education classes tend to be taught by TA's who frankly don't even know what rigorous means.

....uh summer classes are just as valid as fall/spring classes. "continuing education" makes it seem like an insult 🙄

 

[heartsavior]

There's nothing wrong in taking classes over the summer, so OP is good.

I don't see any info on aamc, but under the admission FAQ of several medical school websites it is explicitly stated. UMMS for example http://www.umassmed.edu/som/admissions/faq.aspx?linkidentifier=id&itemid=95788

 

[Stumpyman]

I don't see any info on aamc, but under the admission FAQ of several medical school websites it is explicitly stated. UMMS for example http://www.umassmed.edu/som/admissions/faq.aspx?linkidentifier=id&itemid=95788

That's one school-- a school that's particularly known to be one of the against CC's-- and most schools don't follow that guideline. Even LizzyM has stated that it's a myth for summer classes to be "not-as-good" as Fall/Spring classes.

 

[487806]

I don't see any info on aamc, but under the admission FAQ of several medical school websites it is explicitly stated. UMMS for example http://www.umassmed.edu/som/admissions/faq.aspx?linkidentifier=id&itemid=95788

It says, as you mentioned, "it's preferred" (i.e. recommended, so not required). As someone stated, it's only one school (for reasons stated in the below quote). School policies differ. Some schools recommend computer science but won't reject you for not taking it. Same thing applies here.

That's one school-- a school that's particularly known to be one of the against CC's-- and most schools don't follow that guideline. Even LizzyM has stated that it's a myth for summer classes to be "not-as-good" as Fall/Spring classes.

👍

Also, someone , so let's bring the thread back to the original intention = difficulty of physics.

 

[Plue00]

It says, as you mentioned, "it's preferred" (i.e. recommended, so not required). As someone stated, it's only one school (for reasons stated in the below quote). School policies differ. Some schools recommend computer science but won't reject you for not taking it. Same thing applies here.



👍

Also, someone , so let's bring the thread back to the original intention = difficulty of physics.

Thank you haha. Do you guys or anyone else have any insight about physics and how you prepared/studied?

 

[Dadcore]

In terms of grades:
Physics is definitely easier at my institution since most students who plan to apply to medical school take the "watered-down" version for biological science and architecture majors. No offense to the architecture majors out there but they help soften the curve a bit.
For chemistry/biology classes most people who take them are more hardcore, either planning to go to graduate school or medical school, so the curve ends up being more vicious.

From an objective viewpoint:
Physics is definitely harder to master but once you get good at it, it tends to be quite a plug-and-chug once you recognize the particular "situation" in the problem. In other words, you gain an intuitive sense.
For biology and chemistry there really is no sort of intuitive sense and answers to questions will depend more on confidence.

Someone also said this before - it's possible to be "naturally" good at physics but for chemistry/biology the people that put in the most time studying usually come out on top.

 

[Aerus]

I'm taking Physics now. It's pretty simple if you approach it with the right mindset.

Far too many of my classmates either memorize the problems/equations or just study the lecture notes. I find those methods to be okay, but it's much better to actually spend your time practicing on focusing on the bigger picture.

Physics (General Physics, at least) is all about the wide scope of things. If you understand the bigger picture, you increase your chances of success. What are all the forces acting on the system? Anything non-conservative about the system? What kind of work is being done? What is the current? Voltage differences through each loop? What vectors need to be considered?

Once you have a good idea what the big picture is, you can then start getting more specific and seeing what information you're given and what equation you need to use.

 

[phunky]

Depends on the person. I think premed Physics is way easier that either of the others, because I'm a math major taking algebra based physics =P. There aren't really any difficult concepts at that level, just knowing how to manipulate equations.

 

[lobo.solo]

Easy is subjective for each person. If you are not math challenged physics is moderately-easy.

 

[saveourpens]

For me physics was by far the easiest and one of the most interesting prereqs along with organic chem. it's a lot of applying concepts to new situations, which I liked.

 

[Praefectus]

If you can nail the concepts and do a bunch of practice problems, it'll be extremely easy. My one disclaimer is that I'm a numbers guy, so it might be tough if you hate math.

 

[circulus vitios]

First semester physics is easy. I'm not sure how second semester algebra based physics is. I took calc based for both semesters, and second semester was definitely harder because we used a lot more integral calculus for electrostatics. It still wasn't unbearably hard because our exams were curved.

 

[Schadenfreude]

I was in a similar situation to OP except that I didn't take any physics classes whatsoever in high school. My freshman year of college I decided to take a year of calc-based introductory physics. I was definitely a bit scared since I didn't have any background knowledge but I ended up doing well in both classes. In my case, I found the assigned book problems to be incredibly difficult, but the exams tended to either be easier or were fairly hard but curved.

I think you will be okay OP. Just put a lot of effort into reading and/or asking questions. Looking back, I still find physics harder than chem and bio mainly because it requires a more problem-solving mindset rather than a strict memorize and regurgitate mindset that bio and parts of chem require.

 

[GadRads]

I preferred physics because it was less dependent on memorization and was more based on math and concepts. It depends on you.

 

[Girly X]

Physics I is not bad at all. I thought Gen Chem II was harder. Get the book "3000 Solved Problems in Physics" and practice, practice, practice.

Physics II is tricky when you get into electromagnetism, optics and some of the wave concepts. Doing tons of practice problems will help, somewhat. Spend more time on really understanding the concepts on an intuitive level, avoid mindless plugging and chugging into formulas and do more "thinking" for Physics II.

As others have said, liking math (and being good at it) may make a huge difference. Bio is definitely easier for most people.

 

[AsianPersuasion]

After having completed almost all of the pre reqs, my pick would be gen chem being the the toughest. Than again, I didn't take physics calc-base...

 

[dechristine]

I think it really depends on the person. I took AP Physics C in high school and it seemed like half of the people in my class were really good at it and half of the people (me) found physics challenging. If you're one of those people who like math because it makes sense, it's logical, and you like problem solving, you will probably find physics easy. If you're like me and better at memorizing than thinking logically, then you will probably find physics more challenging.

Like others have said, physics, especially algebra-based physics, is more about the concepts than math. If you focus on the concepts and how to solve different "types" of problems, then you'll be fine. Keep calm and think logically. I also think it really depends on the professor you have... I a lot of friends I know hated physics because they disliked their teachers, but I loved my physics teacher in high school and now I'm majoring in physics