Is it bad not to take calculus

[DocFSUGrl]

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Most schools don't necessarily require calculus or anatomy but they do often say it is recommended. I'm a psych major and I'm taking all my pre med courses now like bio and orgo but I can't squeeze anatomy or calculus into my four year academic plan. Am I screwed for med school admissions or does it not matter that I don't them?

 

[allantois]

no school in FL specifically requires calculus, although it is generally a good idea to take some form of it (e.g. Life Science Calc)

*FIU used to but they stopped this year

 

[SnakeOilForSale]

I'm incredibly biased because I believe a solid foundation in math is really good for developing problem solving skills and critical thinking, so I always suggest people take it. But yeah, you don't need to if you don't want to unless you want to apply to a school that specifically requires it. Most schools require 1-2 semesters of math, but you can take stats instead if you want.

 

[efle]

You can also probably take a very manageable online calc class through a community college or some such if you're that worried

 

[altblue]

http://www.dartmouth.edu/~nss/nav/pages/advice/MedSchlMathReq08rev.pdf

I think you'd miss out on a few, but the vast majority don't require it. 🙂

edit: http://weusemath.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Math_Req_for_Medical_School.pdf
New-ish version from 2013

 

[efle]

Also note that nearly all medical schools accept AP Calc

 

[intangible]

no school in FL specifically requires calculus, although it is generally a good idea to take some form of it (e.g. Life Science Calc)

*FIU used to but they stopped this year

FIU does not particularly require calculus for admission for exceptional applicants who complete higher level math, but they have an unofficial requirement of Calculus I + Calculus II or Calculus I + Statistics I + Statistics II.

 

[allantois]

FIU does not particularly require calculus for admission for exceptional applicants who complete higher level math, but they have an unofficial requirement of Calculus I + Calculus II or Calculus I + Statistics I + Statistics II.

I thought it's either Calc 1 and 2 or stats 1 and 2 or calc 1 and stats 1

I was planning to take a stats class since I already took Calc. My school doesn't have stats 2

 

[intangible]

I thought it's either Calc 1 and 2 or stats 1 and 2 or calc 1 and stats 1

I was planning to take a stats class since I already took Calc. My school doesn't have stats 2

Generally speaking, their requirements mirror their requirements for a BS degree in Biological Sciences. Their undergraduate Biology requires:

- 1 year of general biology (General Biology I, II and labs)
- 1 year of inorganic chemistry (General Chemistry I, II and labs)
- 1 year of organic chemistry (Organic Chemistry I, II and labs)
- 1 year of physics (trigonometric or calculus-based)
- A choice between Math Series A (Calculus I, II) or Math Series B (Calculus I, Statistics I, II)
- 5 Discipline-specific requirements (Genetics, Evolution, Cell Biology, Ecology, Senior Seminar) or a university equivalent; 3 credit hours each
- 1 additional semester of ecology courses (marine biology, botany, population genetics, etc.)
- 1 organismal diversity course (entomology, microbiology, parasitology, phycology, etc.)
- 1 physiology or biochemistry course (neurobiology, protein evolution, endocrinology, immunology, etc.)
- 1 structure and development course (anatomy, neuroscience, histology, embryology, etc.)

Grades of C or better are required for all upper division biology courses and labs.

 

[soccerusa]

I think you should take calculus whether or not it is required. There are few things that allow you to develop critical thinking and problem solving skills like college math classes. It is worth your time.