Math Question

[SouthernPharm]

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I'm starting pre-pharmacy requirements this fall. If its been 18 years since I've taken College Algebra, should I retake it before taking precalculus and general chemistry 1 or just jump in and get started?

 

[imperial frog]

I'm starting pre-pharmacy requirements this fall. If its been 18 years since I've taken College Algebra, should I retake it before taking precalculus and general chemistry 1 or just jump in and get started?

Algebra probably won't play too much of a factor in chemistry aside from the fundamentals in figuring out an unknown quantity. How much it will impact you with calculus would be dependent on how much you remember. I took algebra/calculus about 18 years ago too, and to be honest, I don't remember very much of algebra and calculus has long left the building.

I probably wouldn't retake algebra again, but I would sit down with a textbook for a few weeks and see what came back to me to see where I stood.

 

[SouthernPharm]

Algebra probably won't play too much of a factor in chemistry aside from the fundamentals in figuring out an unknown quantity. How much it will impact you with calculus would be dependent on how much you remember. I took algebra/calculus about 18 years ago too, and to be honest, I don't remember very much of algebra and calculus has long left the building.

I probably wouldn't retake algebra again, but I would sit down with a textbook for a few weeks and see what came back to me to see where I stood.

Good suggestion. Thanks. I just didn't know how much precalc builds on college algebra. Some schools have done away with college algebra I've noticed.

 

[aurovon]

Calculus is 90% algebra based. Pre Cal(I never took) so I can't say much about that. I've heard its a waiste of time and it really dosent help towards calculus. Then again, some disagree with the last statement. If its possible I'd recommend taking Algebra and Trigonometry and try to do well in those. If you get an A in Trig id say skip pre cal and go straight to calc if possible. Good luck.

 

[b*rizzle]

Calculus is 90% algebra based. Pre Cal(I never took) so I can't say much about that. I've heard its a waiste of time and it really dosent help towards calculus. Then again, some disagree with the last statement. If its possible I'd recommend taking Algebra and Trigonometry and try to do well in those. If you get an A in Trig id say skip pre cal and go straight to calc if possible. Good luck.

Yeah, I was gonna say -- I'm awful at algebra but I was a whiz at trig, and I aced the crap out of upper level calc classes. I felt that calc was more trig and analytical geometry-type stuff -- the algebra was pretty rudimentary. Don't stress. Go buy one of those cute little yellow Cliff's review books (or some equivalent) and like imperial frog suggested, see what comes back to you. These will also give you a pretty good review if you don't remember something. Some of those books actually come with a few practice problems.

As far as intro chem goes, don't stress. The worst you'll see is logarithms for acid/base chemistry (same two formulas, just diff variations of it), and depending on if your prof teaches it, some kinetic theory stuff (usually pretty basic level though).

I will advise you though, that when you're in these classes, if you feel like you're "not getting it," stop and get help right away. I had friends that BSed their way thru gen chem and intro calc and got blown away by their upper level math and chem requirements -- although with pre-pharm it may not be such a huge deal. I also know people who did really well in organic but stunk it up in gen chem.

You'll figure it out pretty quickly. 👍

 

[SouthernPharm]

Thanks all!

 

[RLK]

If you plan on taking algebra based physics, an Algebra class would help. I can't remember if that's a pharmacy requirement or not. I just finished a year of physics, but I'm also interested in optometry.