How much physics do you actually use in Medical School?

[racheldnbr]

I was wondering how much physics is actually used during medical school? Do you need to be really good at it? I'm about done with Gen. Physics I and I have a hard time with the math involved (never been good at upper level math). I plan to take Conceptual Physics for term II as the places I'm looking at applying to don't care "how you get there" just have the credits (so I was told)...

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[Praefectus]

For med school it isn't really used. However, when you're actually practicing it depends on your field. For example, radiologists utilize topics such as magnetism and particle physics.

 

[Slack3r]

A lot of pressure physics in pulmonary and cardio, some electricity in cardio, optics in vision, obviously. It's used more than you'd think, but not nearly as in depth as undergrad.

 

[CodeRedDew]

For med school it isn't really used. However, when you're actually practicing it depends on your field. For example, radiologists utilize topics such as magnetism and particle physics.

I would assume that only a conceptual understanding of these topics would be sufficient right? For one, you don't take any classes on physics after I/II, assuming that you're not a physics major. Secondly, I don't see why a radiologist would need to know any type of equations that are pertinent to magnetism.

This is all based on speculation, so correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[lobo.solo]

Not a whole lot. I just finished the year required and let me tell you I loved it. My comprehension of the world is greater because of physics

 

[Charles_Carmichael]

I used concepts from physics and chemistry quite frequently, especially in physiology. Cardiovascular = fluid dynamics, pressure, circuits. Pulmonary = pressure, some acid/base. Renal = lots of acid/base. Neuro = concepts from E&M, such as potential gradients, etc.

You'd be surprised how much easier your life will be when going through some of these topics if you have a solid understanding of the major concepts from your pre-req physics and chemistry classes. Do you have to remember every single equation/detail from the pre-reqs? No. The conceptual understanding is much more important, IMHO.

A lot of pressure physics in pulmonary and cardio, some electricity in cardio, optics in vision, obviously. It's used more than you'd think, but not nearly as in depth as undergrad.

+1

 

[Verum]

You use the concepts and apply them wisely.

 

[linebacker57]

I would assume that only a conceptual understanding of these topics would be sufficient right? For one, you don't take any classes on physics after I/II, assuming that you're not a physics major. Secondly, I don't see why a radiologist would need to know any type of equations that are pertinent to magnetism.

This is all based on speculation, so correct me if I'm wrong.

Several key concepts of radiology utilize magnetism and nuclear physics, the most important being the MRI. Particle and nuclear physics are utilized in nuclear medicine, as well as interventional radiology, and rad oncs.

 

[CodeRedDew]

Several key concepts of radiology utilize magnetism and nuclear physics, the most important being the MRI. Particle and nuclear physics are utilized in nuclear medicine, as well as interventional radiology, and rad oncs.

I understand that, which is why I said that knowing the
material from your physics course conceptually is helpful; however, knowing that the magnetic force = qvB|sin0| isn't probably all that helpful as a radiologist. So I do agree that understanding/learning the concepts are important; equations, not so much.

 

[thesauce]

I understand that, which is why I said that knowing the
material from your physics course conceptually is helpful; however, knowing that the magnetic force = qvB|sin0| isn't probably all that helpful as a radiologist. So I do agree that understanding/learning the concepts are important; equations, not so much.

Quite a lot of calculations on the radiology and radonc physics boards, unfortunately

 

[thesauce]

I was wondering how much physics is actually used during medical school? Do you need to be really good at it? I'm about done with Gen. Physics I and I have a hard time with the math involved (never been good at upper level math). I plan to take Conceptual Physics for term II as the places I'm looking at applying to don't care "how you get there" just have the credits (so I was told)...

Like algebra and basic calculus?

 

[xXIDaShizIXx]

Like algebra and basic calculus?

Hey a lot of us are allergic to calculus.

 

[racheldnbr]

Thanks for the feedback! I'm relieved to know that concepts are good and I dont have to memorize everything!

 

[kpcrew]

you have to memorize a lot of stuff for the mcat

 

[Law2Doc]

Quite a lot of calculations on the radiology and radonc physics boards, unfortunately

Yeah, both those fields residnts are formally tested in physics in some format, I believe. So having some background from college would be helpful.

For renal and cardiac physiology, as well as vascular surgery, knowing the physics of the "plumbing" can help you localize/fix problems as well.

 

[RocketSurgeon]

I used concepts from physics and chemistry quite frequently, especially in physiology. Cardiovascular = fluid dynamics, pressure, circuits. Pulmonary = pressure, some acid/base. Renal = lots of acid/base. Neuro = concepts from E&M, such as potential gradients, etc.

You'd be surprised how much easier your life will be when going through some of these topics if you have a solid understanding of the major concepts from your pre-req physics and chemistry classes. Do you have to remember every single equation/detail from the pre-reqs? No. The conceptual understanding is much more important, IMHO.



+1

If you took engineering physics at a good school. The depth of material you cover in Physics 1 and 2 exceeds anything you would need in med school (renal or neuro) we covered Lagrangian mechanics. Instead you need basic mathematical competence and good reasoning skill. For specialties like radiology the physics you require would probably be more on the level of a upper level elective/grad school physics/electrical engineering (signal processing, transforms, laplacians etc)

 

[CodeRedDew]

If you took engineering physics at a good school. The depth of material you cover in Physics 1 and 2 exceeds anything you would need in med school (renal or neuro) we covered Lagrangian mechanics. Instead you need basic mathematical competence and good reasoning skill. For specialties like radiology the physics you require would probably be more on the level of a upper level elective/grad school physics/electrical engineering (signal processing, transforms, laplacians etc)

So my question is, if you wanted to go into a field such as radiology/rad onc, but haven't taken a physics course past physics II, when would you take this "upper level physics elective"?

 

[thesauce]

So my question is, if you wanted to go into a field such as radiology/rad onc, but haven't taken a physics course past physics II, when would you take this "upper level physics elective"?

They'll teach you what you need to know in residency

 

[RocketSurgeon]

You would usually learn some of it during your electives but mostly during residency. I know at hopkins most residents have to attend weekly lectures. You start from the very basics.

http://www.aapm.org/education/documents/Curriculum.pdf

 

[thesauce]

Which electives are you referring to?

 

[CodeRedDew]

Ah, I see. Makes sense now, thanks!

 

[CarlATHF]

I use string theory and nuclear fusion physics in daily practice. Hopefully the LHC results will allow me to further understand drug mechanisms of action.

 

[dgsilvervid]

I use string theory and nuclear fusion physics in daily practice. Hopefully the LHC results will allow me to further understand drug mechanisms of action.

+1 Bahaha

 

[Praefectus]

I use string theory and nuclear fusion physics in daily practice. Hopefully the LHC results will allow me to further understand drug mechanisms of action.

Sssshhhhh, don't let the gunners know. You'll ruin it for the rest of us!

 

[calvnandhobbs68]

I use string theory and nuclear fusion physics in daily practice. Hopefully the LHC results will allow me to further understand drug mechanisms of action.

Yeah we covered string theory pretty thoroughly this year. Pretty sure we go over nuclear fusion and rocket propulsion in the fall so we cover it before step I.