Physics on the MCAT Calc Based?

[bennyhanna]

I am a student hoping to apply to med school at some point in my education. I am deciding which type of physics to take, and our college offers two types... General College Physics I and II, and Calculus based physics I and II. From those of you who have taken the MCAT or are pre-med, can you tell me which would be a better fit for the MCAT?

I am assuming that General College Physics is the choice I want as many pre-med requirements only require Calculus I, and Calc based physics requires I and II, possibly III.

Any help and replies are greatly appreciated!
~Thanks
~BB

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[DrBowtie]

General is tested on the MCAT.
Take Calc Based if you want...it could marginally help since it is more conceptual (variable based) rather than general which is more number crunching.

 

[bennyhanna]

General is tested on the MCAT.
Take Calc Based if you want...it could marginally help since it is more conceptual (variable based) rather than general which is more number crunching.

Thanks!!! That helps alot... I apprecite your response!
~Have a good day,
~BB

 

[AggieJohn]

err, I took General Physics and I've been told that is all you need to know. But, I haven't taken the MCAT yet.

 

[Arsenic]

General is tested on the MCAT.
Take Calc Based if you want...it could marginally help since it is more conceptual (variable based) rather than general which is more number crunching.

exactly, the downside is that its a harder course. but dont worry, there wont be any integrals or anything on the mcat.

 

[theblastopore]

I am a student hoping to apply to med school at some point in my education. I am deciding which type of physics to take, and our college offers two types... General College Physics I and II, and Calculus based physics I and II. From those of you who have taken the MCAT or are pre-med, can you tell me which would be a better fit for the MCAT?

I am assuming that General College Physics is the choice I want as many pre-med requirements only require Calculus I, and Calc based physics requires I and II, possibly III.

Any help and replies are greatly appreciated!
~Thanks
~BB

Hi,

I'm not sure about your school, my school only required calculus I for the cal-based physics. From my experience taking cal-based physics, it has quite a bit of cal I and I along with some cal III, linear algebra, and differential equations. We spend most of the time deriving where the formulars come from, especially Physics II. I found it to be very tough. I think the trig-based physics is good enough for the MCAT. I personally think it's probably even a better preparation for the MCAT

 

[bennyhanna]

Hi,

I'm not sure about your school, my school only required calculus I for the cal-based physics. From my experience taking cal-based physics, it has quite a bit of cal I and I along with some cal III, linear algebra, and differential equations. We spend most of the time deriving where the formulars come from, especially Physics II. I found it to be very tough. I think the trig-based physics is good enough for the MCAT. I personally think it's probably even a better preparation for the MCAT

Thanks... that does help indeed, and will save me some effort. I was/am unsure of my school's requirements for calc based physics as I just transferred. Very good to know though... I'm not planning on taking diff eq. as part of my undergraduate experience.

Thanks for your replies.

 

[45408]

You can do very well on the MCAT with nothing more than the algebra-based physics series. Calc-based isn't necessary at all.

 

[Medikit]

I took both calc based and algebra based. I found that my algebra based examinations prepared me better for the MCAT.

 

[DrMike24]

Wont taking calc based look better for admissions? Since it is supposed to be a tougher course and requires higher math skills?

 

[Arsenic]

Wont taking calc based look better for admissions? Since it is supposed to be a tougher course and requires higher math skills?

i dont think most admission offices actually pay attention though to the difference between physics with calc and physics without calc

 

[45408]

Wont taking calc based look better for admissions? Since it is supposed to be a tougher course and requires higher math skills?

short answer: no

 

[EFuller]

I took both because my undergrad major was chemical engineering and my school wouldn't accept my algebra based calc I took at a CC during high school (dual enrollment) towards my degree. Although it is true that you don't need any calc on the MCAT, I feel that taking the calc based physics gave me a more conceptual understanding of physics that I didn't get from the formula-based, algebraic physics. Since the MCAT is specifically designed to test conceptual knowledge, this could be a benefit. When I studied for the MCAT, I didn't have to spend time memorizing formulas or anything, cause I could just derive whatever relationship I needed to solve the problem. I didn't even study much physics at all cause even though I haven't taken physics in 6 years, the info just sticks when you know it conceptually. This gave me more time to study Orgo, which didn't stick so well. I also think this actually helped me get the answers faster on the real test cause I could "feel" the right answers. But that's just my case, may not work that way for you. Your algebraic-based physics class probably is more extensive than the one I took in at a CC in high school. And I still have 5 days until I know if my method worked at all.

 

[blankguy]

short answer: no

Long answer, depends on the program and school. From what I heard if you are going to a place like Harvard via the standard MD non-calc physic will do fine. If however you are going to a MD/ with a technical degree(PhD???) then calc based may be required. Don't quote me on this but check Harvard and their programs to see which program requires calc-based Physics.

 

[DrBowtie]

You are probably talking about harvard HST program where DE is also required.

 

[Neurolemma]

Hi,

I'm not sure about your school, my school only required calculus I for the cal-based physics. From my experience taking cal-based physics, it has quite a bit of cal I and I along with some cal III, linear algebra, and differential equations. We spend most of the time deriving where the formulars come from, especially Physics II. I found it to be very tough. I think the trig-based physics is good enough for the MCAT. I personally think it's probably even a better preparation for the MCAT

Just out of curiosity, what school is this? Linear algebra for physics I? Not necessary. Diff equations? Possibily, but I highly doubt it. The reason being diff equa is a 2nd yr, 2nd semester math course (after calc III), and linear algebra a second-yr, second-semester course (after diff equations/ODE, or a third yr first semester course.

 

[DrBowtie]

There are some DE when dealing with LRC circuits. Other than that, some calc III when doing triple integrals (i.e. charge distributions in 3d).

I didnt have these math classes and the teacher didn't assume you did either so they just kinda talked us through it.

 

[Neurolemma]

DE's are useful for air resistance, pendulum, and circuit problems. Triple intregrals are useful for finding the moments/center of mass of nonuniform 3-D objects, & Gauss's law has applications to circuits. I did this in Calc III & ODE. Never had engineering physics; kind of surprised to hear they teach first yrs this stuff.

 

[theblastopore]

Just out of curiosity, what school is this? Linear algebra for physics I? Not necessary. Diff equations? Possibily, but I highly doubt it. The reason being diff equa is a 2nd yr, 2nd semester math course (after calc III), and linear algebra a second-yr, second-semester course (after diff equations/ODE, or a third yr first semester course.

You are right. Linear algebra, Cal III, and DE are not required, but we used linear algebra to solve larger circuit problems (i.e. system of linear equations) and Cal III and DE to derive some of the equations in Physics II. Again, not required but needed some understanding to understand the derivation of equations

 

[blankguy]

You are probably talking about harvard HST program where DE is also required.

Thank you. It may be a little nitpicking about programs requiring calc-based physics but it is well worth mentioning just in case there people who are interested in that route.

 

[blankguy]

exactly, the downside is that its a harder course. but dont worry, there wont be any integrals or anything on the mcat.

The plus side is that you get a better theoretical treatment as to the why some things behave the way they do, insted of the just memorize formula and crank out the answers. However this is going beyond the scope of the MCAT.

 

[Alfa Diallo]

I just wrote a study guide for the MCAT and I went through all the recommended AAMC physics topics - there is no calc that you are expected to know. It comes down to why are you taking the class. If you are for the intellectual pursuit of knowledge, take the advanced one. If its to do well on the MCAT and get into med school, there are other more sure fire ways: take the physics that you can get an A. When it comes to studying for the MCAT, chose a review product and do as many questions as you can get a hold on. Doing well on the MCAT is exposure-dependent... hope this helps, alfa mcatpearls.com

I am a student hoping to apply to med school at some point in my education. I am deciding which type of physics to take, and our college offers two types... General College Physics I and II, and Calculus based physics I and II. From those of you who have taken the MCAT or are pre-med, can you tell me which would be a better fit for the MCAT?

I am assuming that General College Physics is the choice I want as many pre-med requirements only require Calculus I, and Calc based physics requires I and II, possibly III.

Any help and replies are greatly appreciated!
~Thanks
~BB