Physics Credit

[Starry]

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I generally hold my academic advisers in high regard; however, in this case they haven't been helpful.

Choice 1: take 18 credit hours (which is a lot at my school, I have to get special permission) and take PHY 317L with its associated Lab. I really don't want to do this because some of my other courses will be challenging and I want to do well.
Choice 2: take 14 credit hours (soooo much better, will be significantly less stressful) and claim my AP credit by exam for PHY 302L with its associated Lab.

I did well on my MCAT, so "which one will you learn more in?" doesn't matter much to me. I've already interviewed at a couple of med schools. All that matters to me is the credit, to ensure that I can matriculate next Fall if accepted. Does it matter which course I complete? Will PHY 302L satisfy medical school requirements for physics?


PHY 302L GEN PHY-TECH CRS-ELEC/LGHT/NUC

Noncalculus technical course in physics. Only one of the following may be counted without prior approval of the department: Physics 302L, 303L, 309L, 316, 317L.

PHY 317L GENERAL PHYSICS II

Electricity and magnetism, light, atomic and molecular physics, nuclear physics, and their biomedical applications. Designed and recommended primarily for premedical students and others in the biomedical sciences whose professional or preprofessional training includes an introductory course in calculus. Only one of the following may be counted without prior approval of the department: Physics 302L, 303L, 309L, 316, 317L. May not be counted toward the Bachelor of Science in Astronomy or the Bachelor of Science in Physics. Satisfies most medical and dental school requirements for physics.

 

[Doudline]

It would probably satisfy the requirement (medical schools aren't particularly harsh about this), but it's hard to say for certain. You should call the schools you are applying at to see if they'd accept the course.

 

[487806]

I generally hold my academic advisers in high regard; however, in this case they haven't been helpful.

Choice 1: take 18 credit hours (which is a lot at my school, I have to get special permission) and take PHY 317L with its associated Lab. I really don't want to do this because some of my other courses will be challenging and I want to do well.
Choice 2: take 14 credit hours (soooo much better, will be significantly less stressful) and claim my AP credit by exam for PHY 302L with its associated Lab.

I did well on my MCAT, so "which one will you learn more in?" doesn't matter much to me. I've already interviewed at a couple of med schools. All that matters to me is the credit, to ensure that I can matriculate next Fall if accepted. Does it matter which course I complete? Will PHY 302L satisfy medical school requirements for physics?


PHY 302L GEN PHY-TECH CRS-ELEC/LGHT/NUC

Noncalculus technical course in physics. Only one of the following may be counted without prior approval of the department: Physics 302L, 303L, 309L, 316, 317L.

PHY 317L GENERAL PHYSICS II

Electricity and magnetism, light, atomic and molecular physics, nuclear physics, and their biomedical applications. Designed and recommended primarily for premedical students and others in the biomedical sciences whose professional or preprofessional training includes an introductory course in calculus. Only one of the following may be counted without prior approval of the department: Physics 302L, 303L, 309L, 316, 317L. May not be counted toward the Bachelor of Science in Astronomy or the Bachelor of Science in Physics. Satisfies most medical and dental school requirements for physics.

either one is fine

 

[Starry]

Is anyone else using AP physics credit from high school to fulfill med school physics pre-reqs?

 

[NuttyEngDude]

Is anyone else using AP physics credit from high school to fulfill med school physics pre-reqs?

Some schools want you to have actual courses taken in college (in addition to AP credit). Check with the individual school, particularly where you're accepted or are applying. I would just repeat the material at the college level since you are pretty much checking off a box in this case (having already taken the MCAT).

 

[Captain Sisko]

Some schools want you to have actual courses taken in college (in addition to AP credit). Check with the individual school, particularly where you're accepted or are applying. I would just repeat the material at the college level since you are pretty much checking off a box in this case (having already taken the MCAT).

NED hit the nail on the head. Some schools won't mind, others will see your mcat and give you a pass. Other schools will want to see equivalent coursework, such as engineering, while still others will adamantly insist upon you taking physics, despite whatever you may have scored or whatever life experience you truly have. Looking at you, tufts.

Tldr ask your schools before applying, and don't go just off the msar because occasionally it is wrong, esp in re prereqs.

 

[487806]

Some schools want you to have actual courses taken in college (in addition to AP credit). Check with the individual school, particularly where you're accepted or are applying. I would just repeat the material at the college level since you are pretty much checking off a box in this case (having already taken the MCAT).

There is no school that demands students to retake an intro course. OP can very well retake it but no school requires it. Upper level courses are appropriate substitute

 

[Starry]

Got it, thank you all! I asked around more and shouldn't have to take Physics II. Time to go claim credit! <3

 

[NuttyEngDude]

There is no school that demands students to retake an intro course. OP can very well retake it but no school requires it. Upper level courses are appropriate substitute

There are schools that just want you to have a year of "something," so if you claim AP then they still want a year at the college level. Technically, you aren't repeating a course. I agree that it looks better to go onto an upper level course but how much better to adcoms is debatable (probably minute). You will be a better person for taking upper level though.

 

[487806]

There are schools that just want you to have a year of "something," so if you claim AP then they still want a year at the college level. Technically, you aren't repeating a course. I agree that it looks better to go onto an upper level course but how much better to adcoms is debatable (probably minute). You will be a better person for taking upper level though.

Yup agreed. I'm actually very interested to know if there are any schools that don't accept AP credit and reject upper level courses as a replacement.

OP, you don't have to take upper level courses and risk lowering your GPA. takinf an intro is fine. It was an alternative