Math/physics and Medicine

[Jimmy270]

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Hello, I would like to know how much physics work is involved in the mact or what physics level do i need to go to(physics 1,2, ect) to do well on those sections that involve physics. I took physics B AP in High school and got a B in it but I did not take the AP exam because I felt that I would not do well on it.
You see, regardless of the B grade I received in the class, which i felt I did not really deserve anyways, im still uncomfortable with math in general (great in english but math has always been my week point)
so i guess what im really asking is, how much math is involved in medicine? is it like algebra 1 and 2 and basic physics work, or something more then that?
I am a freshmen at my local JC and am really considering getting into medicine so anything you can add to aid me in making my choice as to whether or not to get into the field would be a big plus (im in math 90 now and doing ok with a B+ I hope to finish with an A)

 

[sm640739]

I'm wondering this as well - I took calc in high school (meaning I haven't seen it in 4 years), and received an A. I doubt I'd get an A in a college calc class, as it was mainly due to my professor's method of teaching, I think... Does this show up often in med school? or on MCATS? I don't see its relevancy other than in physics perhaps...

Thanks

 

[Meat]

Hello, I would like to know how much physics work is involved in the mact or what physics level do i need to go to(physics 1,2, ect) to do well on those sections that involve physics. I took physics B AP in High school and got a B in it but I did not take the AP exam because I felt that I would not do well on it.
You see, regardless of the B grade I received in the class, which i felt I did not really deserve anyways, im still uncomfortable with math in general (great in english but math has always been my week point)
so i guess what im really asking is, how much math is involved in medicine? is it like algebra 1 and 2 and basic physics work, or something more then that?
I am a freshmen at my local JC and am really considering getting into medicine so anything you can add to aid me in making my choice as to whether or not to get into the field would be a big plus (im in math 90 now and doing ok with a B+ I hope to finish with an A)

Coming from someone who has taken only one quarter of calculus and one quarter of statistics, you can absolutely excel in the application process and on the MCAT with little / no math.

Many medical schools have removed the requirements for calculus / math and just require the other basic sciences. Be sure to check your individual schools, as they do vary.

However, to do well on the MCAT and be accepted into a US allopathic school, you need to take and have a firm understanding of physics (1 and 2). There is a rather large section on the MCAT devoted to this information, and most schools require a year of physics. Its really helpful though, I promise 😀

 

[seelee]

There is no calculus on the MCAT. There is no statistics on the MCAT. All the math that is on the MCAT is associated with the physical science section (chemistry and physics) and is done without a calculator.

Regarding physics, you need to know physics very well as it is half of the physical science part of the MCAT. There are a lot of formulas you will need to memorize, and several more that you will need to be comfortable with using. The same goes for general chemistry.

If you took AP physics and got an undeserved B then I would seriously consider taking it again, possibly at a 4-year institution. I have rarely seen an AP program that prepared a student as well as a college class, and I am not sure if med schools would even accept your AP class since you didn't take the exam.

 

[InterMilan]

You generally don't learn physics from the class as good as you were to pick it up from the book of your own. Try spending intensively like a week or two on an AP book or the Schaum's series and cultivate a strong interest in the subject.