Math required fro non-cal physics?

[chman]

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For those of you that have taken non-calc based physics, what level off math do you think one should be at before taking it? I am in pre-calc now, so I will be done with that next quarter when I plan on taking the physics course. Will I be ok?

 

[rockaction]

you're probably fine. I took non-calc based and all you needed beyond algebra was trig. so if you know trig you'll be set.

 

[dru2002]

You need algebra and trig. I'm assuming your pre-calc covers those. So you should be fine.

 

[allinthecookies]

Yea you'll be fine, my school required either Pre-Calc or Trig (and the prereq for Trig was College Algebra). So far the most advanced math we've done involved sin & cos. Maybe the quadratic was used here and there but that's it.

 

[SDSU EB]

You'll be fine for the physics course. But many medical schools would prefer that you take a full year of calculus (a lot of the admissions guides say, 1 year of math, preferably calculus) or in some cases, they directly require calculus.

Just take that into consideration. You don't need any more math for physics, but you may need it for admissions.

 

[rockaction]

You'll be fine for the physics course. But many medical schools would prefer that you take a full year of calculus (a lot of the admissions guides say, 1 year of math, preferably calculus) or in some cases, they directly require calculus.

Just take that into consideration. You don't need any more math for physics, but you may need it for admissions.

Only Harvard, WashU, UCLA, UCSF, and some other top schools actually require a year of calculus. Very few even require a semester.

 

[chman]

You'll be fine for the physics course. But many medical schools would prefer that you take a full year of calculus (a lot of the admissions guides say, 1 year of math, preferably calculus) or in some cases, they directly require calculus.

Just take that into consideration. You don't need any more math for physics, but you may need it for admissions.

Yea, I actually plan on taking at least one quarter of calc, but I don't see the point in taking a harder physics class than I need to.

 

[boaz]

You're fine with pre-calc, though calc would give you an edge. But know your pre-calc well (don't just play for the A).

 

[aker321]

I agree with what the previous posters have said--you need to know your pre-calc pretty well, especially sin/cos/tan (essentiall SOH CAH TOA).

But I've found that a background in Calculus (I and II) helps a lot conceptually, especially with some of the earlier concepts. I chose the non-calc based for the same reason as many other pre-meds--why take a harder course than I have to?! It's *really* nice to know that even though I get what's going on on an abstract, calculus-y level, I don't need to worry about proving it!

 

[CoffeeCzar]

I took Calculus I and II and non-calc physics. IMO, it isn't worth a year of calculus just to help you better understand general physics concepts. However, if you have some interest in it (and a lighter course load) go for it. I took it because I always wanted to see if I could do it and I found calculus interesting. I took non-calc physics mainly because I wanted to maintain high grades but I really wanted to, and almost did, take calc-based physics (don't do it!).

Just keep in mind that Calculus I and II are not worth taking if you know you will have trouble with it or you get a bad teacher. Guard your GPA with your life if you plan on going to medical school. Not many places require a year of math and only a few (Harvard, Hopkins I think?) require Calc I and II. When you start interviewing, you'll see how taking a couple harder classes won't really do much to help you. Having a 3.8 instead of a 3.6 will.

 

[sgtbrushes]

I personally am going with/ suggest to people Calc I and statistics. This fulfills any "one year of math" requirement schools have, and with a semester of calc, I can count on one hand how many med schools I can't apply to, and I can count on 0 fingers how many of those schools I care about getting into.

You'll be fine in trig-based physics, as long as you are fairly strong in trig from the course you're in now. Plus, trig should be fresh in your memory.