Importance of Calculus and Calc-based Physics

[magnumxlv]

---

Members don't see this ad.

a

 

[Law2Doc]

I was wondering how essential it is to medical school admissions to have taken Calculus at the university level and Calc-based Physics. I don't think any medical schools require Calc-based Physics as opposed to Algebra-based, and only some schools have a math requirement.

I recieved AP credit for Calc AB and Statistics from my undergraduate institution, and I prefer not to take anymore math. The only school I'm interested in applying to with a math req where I'm not sure AP credit satisfies it is UMDNJ-RW, which requires a semester of college math, and I've sent an email asking them for clarification (If anyone knows off the top of their head that'd be great).

I don't know if I could pull off higher than a B or B+ in Calculus II and Calc-Physics, whereas I know I can ace Algebra-based Physics. Encouragement to just try my hardest with Calc isn't needed. I easily understand the general concepts behind it, but I just can't do well on the kind of questions that are asked on a test.

Would taking the easier courses put me at a big disadvantage or is the trade-off in grades worth it? Thanks for any help.

You need to do the requirements of the schools you are interestd in. Some require up to a year of calculus. Others require a year of college "math" and would count non-calculus math courses. So for those schools that don't require calculus, it is not important. Similarly if the schools don't require calculus based physics it is not required. If your GPA and MCAT are solid, schools won't really care if you've gone beyond their prescribed prereqs. They would rather see an A in a non-calc physics than a B in a calc based physics any day.

 

[baylormed]

I think it depends on the school, you should ask your advisor just to make sure.
I was told that some schools in my home state (Texas) are now requiring Calculus 2, instead of the usual substitutes like statistics. Many people were bummed because they chose the "easier" statistic classes, and now they have to go and take Cal 2. Other schools also require Biochemistry.
I'm sure physics will be okay whichever one you choose, as long as it is physics.

 

[Non-TradTulsa]

A few schools require up to two semesters of Calculus. I survived Calc I & II, but I still took trig-based physics. Calc-based physics is pretty much reserved for engineers and, in my opinion, there's no reason to torture yourself as a pre-med with it - I've never heard of anyone getting a leg-up in med school admissions with it. Better to spend the extra time on chemistry and biology, which will give you a leg-up.

 

[akinf]

Take math because it's cool, plus it helps with mental processes for problem solving in other courses, especially organic chemistry.

 

[dbhvt]

Penny #1
In my experience as a student and a tutor, trig-physics is full of competitive pre-meds and taught by profs that hate them. calc-physics is full of laid back engineers and taught by profs that a. like them, b. have to be good to them or else the engineering department will take all of their students away and leave the physics department high and dry. Of course this may vary depending on the school... but I wouldn't be surprised if it holds true as a general principle.

Penny #2
Newton invented calculus. Physics makes more sense if you use calculus (not to mention calc makes more sense if you use physics). If you have taken calc, take calc based physics.

Edit:
Penny #3
If you really are positive you can't cut the mustard in calc-physics for some reason, and are positive you can in trig-physics, it is my OPINION that med schools will like an A in trig-physics more than a B in calc-physics. Though I'm skeptical that this would be true (you couldn't get an A in calc-physics, but you could in trg-physics).