physics/ biology questions

[lolcats15]

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hi,
so the pre-med advising at my school is terrible...... :/ , and I have been getting conflicting answers about a.) using AP Bio credits, and b.) Physics. I am a bio major (as of now....) but I placed out of the intro bio cerise (AP scores), according to my advisor I can just use upper level bios (cell/molec/etc....) to fullfill the 1 year biology requirement that most med schools have. I found a chart online confirming this, but i'm not sure if med schools will look differently at my app if I have upper levels instead of the normal Bio I&II, if someone could shed light on this that would be great! Secondly do med schools view non-calc Physics differently from calc Physics? (in high school I was pretty good at calc physics (took AP) but im taking non-calc physics now....)
thanks in advance!

 

[lolcats15]

*Series

 

[AquiVoy13]

You can totally take a few upper level bio classes to fulfill the requirement. I know several people who did that and were fine. I personally recommend a physiology class. Other classes you could take: genetics, microbio, immunology, cellular, molecular, anatomy, endocrinology....

In terms of physics, I had an advisor tell me that taking calc-based physics would be more of a challenge and would therefore look better (so I took it). However, I know several people who took algebra based and didn't have any problems at all. I highly doubt someone would bring it up as an issue, unless you find a school that clearly requires calc based (I don't know of any). The physics on the MCAT is all algebra based.

Good luck!

 

[deleted407021]

You can totally take a few upper level bio classes to fulfill the requirement. I know several people who did that and were fine. I personally recommend a physiology class. Other classes you could take: genetics, microbio, immunology, cellular, molecular, anatomy, endocrinology....

In terms of physics, I had an advisor tell me that taking calc-based physics would be more of a challenge and would therefore look better (so I took it). However, I know several people who took algebra based and didn't have any problems at all. I highly doubt someone would bring it up as an issue, unless you find a school that clearly requires calc based (I don't know of any). The physics on the MCAT is all algebra based.

Good luck!

Not really. No adcom is going to be like: "This person took calc based physics. They must really want to challenge themselves!" #advisement

On genetics, @lolcats15 you may consider taking Human Genetics, as it (at my school, at least) focuses 100% on diseases and we use the same textbook as many medical schools. Any of the ones the above poster mentioned are great too.

Like what was said, the physics on the MCAT is trig/alg based, so unless you are interested in the subject, calc based may be an unneeded chore.

 

[AquiVoy13]

Not really. No adcom is going to be like: "This person took calc based physics. They must really want to challenge themselves!" #advisement

On genetics, @lolcats15 you may consider taking Human Genetics, as it (at my school, at least) focuses 100% on diseases and we use the same textbook as many medical schools. Any of the ones the above poster mentioned are great too.

Like what was said, the physics on the MCAT is trig/alg based, so unless you are interested in the subject, calc based may be an unneeded chore.

yeah I was trying to say that it doesn't matter if you take algebra/calc based. In retrospect, my little anecdote was useless and confusing... :/

 

[lolcats15]

Yeah I was thinking about taking physiology class next semester. Thanks for the help! Restore a little bit of faith in my advisor...

 

[Shaq]

hey i do think in general taking upper level biology courses will fulfill the requirement. i did this and no medical school penalized me for it. but DO make sure that whatever upper level bio classes you take to substitute for the first year general biology has a LAB component. If you take a genetics class, and it has no lab, you will not have fulfilled your requirements!

as for calculus based physics versus algebra based physics, this is a deeply personal decision. unfortunately people reading your application won't know the difference between a transcript that reads PHYS 100 or PHYS 200 (the latter being calculus based physics). All they will really pay attention to is the grade. if you really have an interest in getting a deep intuition for physics, take the calc based physics, but if you think you will struggle in it and not get as high a grade as in the algebra based physics, take that. although your school's premed adviser will know that you have taken a challenging course instead of the regular one, med schools will not, and will likely not even realize that the class you took was harder. they just simply don't have time to dig that deep into every single grade and course on your transcript to assess the level of difficulty.

i took calc based physics because i love it, and i did well in it, so it did not matter for me. i learned a lot and it payed dividends on my mcat. i didn't have to study physics nearly as much as some of my other peers and still got over a 12 on PS. learning physics with calculus is the best way to do it!

i hope this was helpful! PM me if you want any more advice. this is EXACTly the situation i encountered in college!

 

[MedPhys2MD]

Physics wise - it is my understanding that they wouldn't even be able to tell if you did calculus based physics... Unless they were familiar with the course names at your undergrad or if it was explicitly starred in the course title since they don't receive course descriptions

 

[DielsAlder]

Hi, if I were you I would certainly take intro bio even with your AP scores. As a bio major, having taken the intro course, it does help to be at least somewhat familiar with the material before taking an upper level elective. Worst case scenario, if you take it you will do well in it given your AP background and at least won't have any doubt on whether or not med schools will accept your bio coursework.

 

[lolcats15]

yeah thats probably what im gonna have to do anyway cause I'm pretty sure I'm gonna transfer, and my top choice (undergrad) doesn't like AP credits....On a separate note does it sound like a good idea to drop my calc I class (in add/drop period now, currently at 17 credits which I know isn't too much but i'm probably gonna work in a prof's lab this semester which takes up a lot of time...) and take it over the summer, and then next year take orgo w/gen bio? Any response is helpful! Thanks in advance!

 

[DielsAlder]

Don't quote me on this, but I am not sure how med schools look at calc over the summer since a lot of them require a semester or two of it. I know my undergrad advisors strongly advised us to take the science prereqs over the academic year, but I am not sure if that applies for math. I guess as long as you take it before you apply, it doesn't matter when you do it. Awesome username by the way lol

 

[lolcats15]

so my advisor lied to me again
-___________-

.....well now I'll probably drop physics I i guess and just take it junior year like most pre-meds, so much for getting ahead in the requirements :/

Thanks for all of the help though!

 

[lobo.solo]

There are some schools that don't take AP scores though these are only a few I think. Do some research about this. Cal or algebra base physics should be fine. GL. Read SDN there is some valuable advice here...