Physics...Alg or Cal Based, that is the question??

[dhageremtp]

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Which should a student take? Algebra based is a 100 level class, Calc based is a 200 level class. All of the university websites that I look at just list "physics 8 SH".........help?

 

[szhao]

CALC BASED lol so much easier, virtually no memorization

 

[rcd]

This is the twenty-seventh post I've seen on this topic. Algebra-based.

 

[TPROrgoTutor2]

Algebra based. Harder, but recommended for admission into medical school. Don't take the easy way out and take calc based. Looks bad.

 

[szhao]

Algebra based. Harder, but recommended for admission into medical school. Don't take the easy way out and take calc based. Looks bad.

... how does this look bad? haha, just curious. i don't think the OP meant abstract algebra, i mean in fact you can't even use abstract algebra until later part of modern physics.

 

[123165]

That is bizarre, algebra based easier? Maybe so. But calculus based is a higher level course. At my school, algebra based is the notorious "pre-med" class and calculus based is for engineers and scientists.

 

[dhageremtp]

This is the twenty-seventh post I've seen on this topic. Algebra-based.

Had I found the 26 other posts you talk about, I would not have asked. Thanks for all of your help, AND HAVE A MERRY CHRISTMAS!





To the rest of you, Thanks for your time and assistance.

 

[MEG@COOL]

Either one is fine. If you think calc based will be easier then feel free to take that.

 

[Captain Fantastic]

You can take either to fulfill your med school requirements. Algebra based will require you to memorize more formulas than calculus (where you can derive many of the needed equations). If you're not very good at calculus then definitely take algebra based physics. At my school calculus based physics is a notorious engineering weed-out course. Unless math is your thing I'd take algebra physics with the education majors versus calculus physics with the engineers.

 

[Sol Rosenberg]

I vote calc based, as you will proabably actually learn more in and gain more intuition from the class. However, if you struggled with Calc. it might not be a good idea to then take Calc. based Physics.

 

[bwonger06]

which class will prepare you more for the MCATS, alg or calc based?

 

[Captain Fantastic]

which class will prepare you more for the MCATS, alg or calc based?

The MCAT will not require calculus for the physics questions. Maybe you'll find calculus based helpful if you forget a specific formula then you can derive it, but otherwise there's no benefit for the MCAT.

 

[Doctor Bagel]

which class will prepare you more for the MCATS, alg or calc based?

I found my algebra-based physics class to be really great prep for the mcat, so don't take a calculus-based course just for the mcat. If you've taken calculus recently, did well, like math and the calculus-based class at your school isn't a notorious weed-out course, maybe calculus-based would be a good bet. Otherwise, go for algebra-based. It's better to take algebra-based and make an A than to take calculus-based and make a B or lower.

 

[sleepyness]

I think it just depends on how much you like physics. I took a calc based physics class at UTSA (notably somewhat easy) and faired ok in the class, getting an A in 1 and a B in 2 (2nd teacher and a thick accent and I didn't really end up going to class).

I think if you really want to learn about physics, take the calc based class. At least you'll understand where all the formulas come from.

 

[Engin]

It would be interesting to note what classes the people took, and what they are suggesting.

I love how many pre-med majors state calc based physics is easy, while taking the algebra one. Yes, I'm an engineer and I would love for you guys to take the calc based physics one and then promptly shut up.

For calc based physics, deriving equations is much much harder because you don't deal with numbers anymore. It's all variables and very confusing. ALgebra based physics has more numbers and plug and chug. Much easier (although easier doesn't always mean you will get a better grade as curves differ).

Engineers/Physicists usually take the calc version, while pre-meds take the algebra one.

Take the algebra one. Unless you have a strong interest in mathematical derivations and calculus.

 

[BNSN]

I took cal-based because I am an engineer and we're cool like that.

 

[kevster2001]

i took calc based but there wasn't that much calculus. most of it got reduced to algebra equations anyways.

 

[rcd]

Had I found the 26 other posts you talk about, I would not have asked. Thanks for all of your help, AND HAVE A MERRY CHRISTMAS!





To the rest of you, Thanks for your time and assistance.

Chill out, you took my statement of fact very personal. As for your sarcasm, I did help. But I guess you expected me to perform the search for you.

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showpost.php?p=2910072&postcount=7
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?p=4427415 (post 84 and down)
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?referrerid=81776&t=341226
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=45625

I searched "algebra physics" without the quotes and with Google. It took all of 2 minutes, and I consider it a colossal waste of time considering a) You could have performed the search just as easily b) I'm spoiling you c) I don't like you.

 

[dhageremtp]

Chill out, you took my statement of fact very personal. As for your sarcasm, I did help. But I guess you expected me to perform the search for you.

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showpost.php?p=2910072&postcount=7
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?p=4427415 (post 84 and down)
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?referrerid=81776&t=341226
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=45625

I searched "algebra physics" without the quotes and with Google. It took all of 2 minutes, and I consider it a colossal waste of time considering a) You could have performed the search just as easily b) I'm spoiling you c) I don't like you.

Close to 26 (good luck with math class), Gee Thanks! Feelings are mutual!

 

[deleted103644]

At my school, there were at least 5 intro physics courses, for poets, for pre-meds without calc, for pre-meds with calc, for engineers, and for physics majors. Anything where you're competing against other pre-meds will probably have a harsher curve, but that's mainly because people who can't handle the math in the higher level ones will simply have to drop those courses. You won't have any real understanding of physics without calculus, but most people on this forum probably wouldn't lose sleep over that. On the other hand, the MCAT really only requires that you know a handful of physics formulas, so the things you memorize in physics without calc won't help you out that much. Take whichever you can handle, and remember that the curve on the physical sciences for the MCAT is embarrassingly lenient.

 

[rcd]

Close to 26 (good luck with math class), Gee Thanks! Feelings are mutual!

True, I only posted 4 of the 26. Did you expect me to take the time to find all 26 for you?

I suspect you'll get more out of SDN if you a) listen to information from an unemotional standpoint, b) curb your sarcasm.

 

[cheesegirl]

True, I only posted 4 of the 26. Did you expect me to take the time to find all 26 for you?

I suspect you'll get more out of SDN if you a) listen to information from an unemotional standpoint, b) curb your sarcasm.

god you're rude. chill out