Penn State quantitative req: Calculus?

[BellyDancingDoc]

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Hi all,

I'm a non-trad interested in Penn State. I've completed all the standard pre-med reqs (Bio, Orgo, Physics, Chem, Stat) and taken my MCAT. A few schools require me to take another quantitative course, so I was planning on taking a college algebra class this fall, because I haven't taken a real math class in 8 years (I don't count Stat-- too easy). However, as I was surfing Penn State's site, I saw language that indicated that Calculus may be required-- but it's not clear if it's a requirement or a suggestion.

I called admissions to ask whether it was a requirement, but the woman who answered didn't know and told me to e-mail them. I did so, but classes are starting soon, and I don't have time to wait until someone gets around to responding. If I'm gonna have to take Calc, I need to start trying to prepare NOW, or else I'll be slaughtered in the course!

So does anyone out there know if Calc is a Penn State requirement, or just a suggested course?

Thanks oddles,
Frogs

 

[MossPoh]

You can look up GQ credits on the psu course schedule site. cmpsci, math and all that stuff are considered quantification credits...for application purposes I'd stick to something a little challenging. If you only need one semester just take Math 110...it is just a watered down business calculus. The intro cmpsci course, calc, or stat would all be good to take. As for preparing beforehand..well I am abysmal at math and tried but they are very helpful when you need it and excluding math 140, which isn't bad with a good teacher aren't terribly difficult with a bit of work.

 

[BellyDancingDoc]

Hey Moss,

Thanks for your post! I'm not actually at Penn State (I'm at a different Uni), so I don't have the same courses that you do. However, from your description, it sounds like Math courses other than Calc would be acceptable. Is this, in fact, true?

I've already taken Stat, so I just need one more. Based on the list you gave me, does it sound like a college level algebra course would be acceptable to them? Since it's been almost a decade since I took a real math course, I feel like I couldn't even handle the technology of a modern Calc course, much less the material. Calculators have changed so much, I'd guess that about half of my time will be spent (re)learning how to even use them!!!

Thanks
Frogs

 

[MossPoh]

Hey Moss,

Thanks for your post! I'm not actually at Penn State (I'm at a different Uni), so I don't have the same courses that you do. However, from your description, it sounds like Math courses other than Calc would be acceptable. Is this, in fact, true?

I've already taken Stat, so I just need one more. Based on the list you gave me, does it sound like a college level algebra course would be acceptable to them? Since it's been almost a decade since I took a real math course, I feel like I couldn't even handle the technology of a modern Calc course, much less the material. Calculators have changed so much, I'd guess that about half of my time will be spent (re)learning how to even use them!!!

Thanks
Frogs

Well good news to you...You aren't allowed to use calculators for the calc classes at psu.

Go to http://soc.our.psu.edu/soc/advanced_search.cfm where you can do an advanced lookup. Fill in whatever semester you want, university park campus, and then at general education courses pick Quanification. Search. Voila you can see the list. It would be best to take calc since some places require it and well...you generally want to maximize the amount of schools you are able to apply to....but yea no new technology to worry about with those classes.lol

 

[sunflwr85]

I'd like to echo this question. On the Penn State secondary, it says "one year college math (calculus, basic statistical methods, and probability)" but in the MSAR is does not have calc marked as a requirement. Are those just examples of college math courses, or do you actually have to have those specific ones? I have had a stats class (although it was through the psychology department... intro to behavioral statistics...) plus college algebra and trig. If anyone knows anything about this, I'd be grateful for your help!

 

[MossPoh]

The best idea is to contact Penn State for that...the courses they require for postbacc premed stuff are probably a bit different than what the medschool takes. From what I've seen one semester of calc and one semester of stat seems to be the preferred but they may take a lower math. Because of our physics courses most people take calc 1 and 2...which is also one reason aside from price why I am going back home to finish my pre-reqs.

 

[hardy]

PSU does not require Calculus.