Physics conundrum

[Bosh4President]

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Hello all.

This is my first SDN post so please don't go too hard on me.

I have a bit of a weird situation regarding physics.

I took Physics B AP in high school and got credit for the non-technical (algebra-based) physics at my college. I know some medical schools want to see that you took physics in college.

So, I claimed my credit for the first semester (since kinematics and all that other crap was easy), but not the second semester (b/c even tho I did solid on my AP exam, I never understood electricity and magnetism). So I am taking the second semester algebra-based Physics right now to reinforce some knowledge.

But I keep hearing that med schools might want calc-based physics. It's not as if I'm scared of calc-based (I had to complete calc for my econ major), its just that physics blows, and I can't stand the prospect of taking it for a year along with lab.

So should I drop my current physics and take calc-based physics next year, or can I just continue the dum*** physics that I'm in now and be done with it. Will med schools care either way? Additionally, and most importantly, would they get pissed that I took a physics course that I could have claimed credit for?

Thanks, and sorry for the long rambling post.

 

[al112987]

A lot of schools ask for calc-based physics especially. I'd take it, its much more useful than algebra based physics.

 

[deuce924]

A lot of schools ask for calc-based physics especially. I'd take it, its much more useful than algebra based physics.

I think that is wrong. I think Harvard is the only one that comes to mind that wants you to take calc-based physics. With most schools, algebra based is fine. Go ahead and stay in the class you are in.

 

[pinkpanther88]

To my knowledge the large majority of medical schools don't care whether you take calc-based or algebra-based physics. If you want to apply to any of the top schools, it may be worth it to check their websites for what they require, but I think there are still very few that want calc-based. If you don't like physics very much, take the algebra based and get out with a good grade!

 

[Bosh4President]

Ok thanks guys.

So how about the AP credit part? I would imagine claiming credit for a class like physics wouldn't matter (as much as say chem or bio).

 

[Inuranic]

You should check the websites for the schools you are interested in regarding AP physics - I think this can be more variable than algebra v. calc-based physics. I took alg. based and haven't had a problem (most schools don't care).

 

[majik1213]

honestly, how do you even think you understand physics with an algebra-based approach? You should definitely take the calc-based one; god calc-based physics is at least 5 times more comprehensible than that awful, awful algebra version, where you have to, gulp, memorize non-derived equations.

also, even though there is no calc on the MCAT, there are questions that you'll be more likely to understand should you take calc-based, which is much heavier on the assumptions leading to the derived equations. MCAT asks questions regarding the assumptions of things .. like why a collision is inelastic, and what equation may be appropriate for such a case .. with calc-based physics, you may remember why a collision is inelastic, but should you forget the equation you'll have the power to re-derive it because of calculus .. if instead you have only algebra-based physics, you're effed

 

[CptCrunch]

Ok thanks guys.

So how about the AP credit part? I would imagine claiming credit for a class like physics wouldn't matter (as much as say chem or bio).

Most med schools won't accept AP credit in place of a pre-req unless you take a higher-level course in that subject.

 

[nevercold]

Unless you end up doing research in biomedical engineering or certain radiology/imaging stuff, you will not use physics in medical school. The greatest extent to which I have used physics is in a very cursory understanding of MRI and CT and in understanding flow and resistance in blood vessels. That's it. I'm sure there are learning advantages to doing calc-based physics, but I can't believe that a med school would actually require that. There's no reason for it other than to say you've required a harder course in an area that already tends to weed through premeds.

I investigated this and at Harvard it is only the Health Sciences Technology training program that requires a year of calculus-based physics. That makes sense. Calculus-based physics for just an MD track makes NO sense.

 

[paranoid_eyes]

umm...you need a year of COLLEGE physics. one semester of E&M isn't gonna cut it at most places

 

[Twiigg]

I really hope that algebra based physics is okay... Otherwise, I'm screwed. 🙁

 

[KeyzerSoze]

A lot of schools ask for calc-based physics especially. I'd take it, its much more useful than algebra based physics.

Yup, that's why the MCAT tests calc-based physics.