Physics before Chemistry?

[Erica1990]

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I have the opportunity to take physics 1 before chemistry 1. Is it recommended to do?

 

[SN12357]

I have the opportunity to take physics 1 before chemistry 1. Is it recommended to do?

They really aren't related at the intro premed level. You should be fine.

 

[Lamel]

Chem and Physics should be taken together IMO, a lot of overlapping subjects that supplement each other. It worked out really well for me. But no it shouldn't be a problem to take it before as long as your school allows it.

 

[Tipp]

Physics is the most fundamental science, so it is a good starting point. I don't know how much it will actually help you with the other sciences, practically speaking, but it definitely won't hurt you.

 

[sliceofbread136]

Chem and Physics should be taken together IMO, a lot of overlapping subjects that supplement each other. It worked out really well for me. But no it shouldn't be a problem to take it before as long as your school allows it.

Like what? I can see physics 2 helping maybe, but not rly physics 1. Maybe I'm just forgetting...

 

[Almost7Famous]

Like what? I can see physics 2 helping maybe, but not rly physics 1. Maybe I'm just forgetting...

you're right

 

[Cautionary]

Mechanics (which is typically the first part of the physics series) is not very related to inorganic or organic chemistry at the introductory level. However, the notion of charges, nuclear physics, and other small things learned in the second part of the series are related in some sense.

However, I took all of my chemistry before even touching a physics class (just how scheduling worked out), and I had no issues since there was nothing especially needed from physics.

 

[Anastomoses]

doesn't matter which one you take first.

 

[Espadaleader]

You should follow what is the normal plan

Gen Chem: Freshman/Sophomore year

Physics: Junior/Senior year

Most people take BIO/CHM/Calc freshman year

It helps having Gen Chem, especially for Physics II (electricity/mag)

Unless you're an engineer/in a major where you come into undergrad taking fluids etc. you should take Gen Chem first.

 

[SN12357]

You should follow what is the normal plan

Gen Chem: Freshman/Sophomore year

Physics: Junior/Senior year

Most people take BIO/CHM/Calc freshman year

It helps having Gen Chem, especially for Physics II (electricity/mag)

Unless you're an engineer/in a major where you come into undergrad taking fluids etc. you should take Gen Chem first.

This is just scaremongering.

There are a lot of reasons people might not be able to follow the normal plan and there's nothing wrong with putting physics before chemistry. The useful information that carries over is basically limited to the structure of the atom and the fact that an electron is negatively charged.

There's absolutely nothing taught in basic chemistry that's relevant to the (exceedingly basic) fluid mechanics in premed phsyics.

 

[DrEnderW]

This is just scaremongering.

There are a lot of reasons people might not be able to follow the normal plan and there's nothing wrong with putting physics before chemistry.

Agreed.

Take whichever you like first. This will have no bearing on your success or acceptance into med school.

 

[Antynamikal]

What pre-req is most useful in the beginning of med school anyway? They all add up to the big picture

 

[ChrisMack390]

At my school the two were highly unrelated. They touched on a few of the same things (energy transfer, entropy, etc.) but I wouldn't say it made any difference at all which you did first.

 

[GrapesofRath]

These classes are entirely unrelated. Take whichever works better for you. One consideration to make is at your school which tends to be more difficult and have the most difficult professors(hint ask upperclassmen). I had freshmen in my physics class. I also had seniors. I personally was a sophomore. It makes no difference. Yes more times than not you'll find people taking gen chem early on because gen chem is a pre-req for ochem and ochem is a pre-req for biochem but if it works that you want to take physics as a freshmen and gen chem as a sophmore go for it.

 

[Gurby]

I did chem first, but I think I would have understood the thermodynamics and equilibrium stuff better if I had taken physics and calculus first. Not a big deal, though.