Physics Question

[DahlkeA]

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Hey Everyone,

I did some searching around, but evidently my school is the only weird one out there. The UG school I'm going to only offers a semester of Algebra based general physics. But it offers 2 semesters of Calc based general physics. My thing is I suck at Calculus (I got a C on it, but I also took it as a junior in high school.) So I don't really want to take the calc based physics if I don't have to. But most med schools require a year of physics.

As a general opinion. Should I just tough it up and take the 2 semesters of Calc Physics... Or can I take Algebra based physics and then do a supplemental physics course like bio-physics. I wasn't sure if this would count or not because most of the medical school's I have looked as say "1 year of general physics." And a supplemental course such as biophysics isn't technically general physics...

I have also never taken a physics course before so I have no idea what I'm up against... But like I said I didn't do so hot in calc... But that was also 4 years ago.

 

[flatearth22]

Always take the easier class when given the option. Not only will you [more likely] get a higher grade but you'll also have more free time for EC's and stuff.

Also the physics you'll see on the MCAT is really basic and doesn't require any calculus.

 

[bigdogrob4284]

I personally don't think calc-based physics is more difficult, as long as your calculus skills are good. But for your situation, to adequately prepare for the MCAT, you would need some kind of year long core physics series to learn most of the material for the test. So you should either take the calc-based class, or take the algebra one at another school.

 

[TheMightySmiter]

You barely need calculus skills for Calc-based physics. Like, you need to know how to take the derivative of x^2 or something. It's just taught a little differently. I think physics is much more intuitive and easier to comprehend when taught with calculus, because you're understanding the equations rather than just memorizing formulas. That's just me, and for full disclosure I took 3 semesters of calculus before I took Calc-based physics.

 

[shoehornlettuce]

If you understand calculus, calc based physics is actually easier in my opinion. In algebra based your teacher will not go over calc derivations and often times use tedious algebra derivations when calc would be so much more elegant. For things like moments of inertia and magnitudes of magnetic fields you'll blindly memorize 20 different equations on the outside chance you'll need one of them on an exam. In calc based you can just derive what you need without all the unnecessary memorization. In addition, it is much much easier to understand the physics when you know where the equations are coming from. Also, as others have said probably 90% of the stuff is identical in either course.

 

[calisurfer19]

Always take the easier class when given the option. Not only will you [more likely] get a higher grade but you'll also have more free time for EC's and stuff.

Also the physics you'll see on the MCAT is really basic and doesn't require any calculus.

👍👍
Path of least resistance (pardon the physics pun) for sure. Honestly why would you put up with any more bs than you need to?

 

[DahlkeA]

👍👍
Path of least resistance (pardon the physics pun) for sure. Honestly why would you put up with any more bs than you need to?

I agreed. My only worry was that if a school says "One year of general physics." Will a course like biophysics count towards that or not since it's not general. I live in Idaho... and there is only one 4 year public university in a 200 mile radius, so I don't really have an option to take algebra based physics II at another school unless it's a community college... and I've heard it's bad to take pre-reqs from a community college. I hate this state. Limited colleges and no medical school. Lol I'm almost screwed before i even started

 

[Tatiana3325]

Hey Everyone,

I did some searching around, but evidently my school is the only weird one out there. The UG school I'm going to only offers a semester of Algebra based general physics. But it offers 2 semesters of Calc based general physics. My thing is I suck at Calculus (I got a C on it, but I also took it as a junior in high school.) So I don't really want to take the calc based physics if I don't have to. But most med schools require a year of physics.

As a general opinion. Should I just tough it up and take the 2 semesters of Calc Physics... Or can I take Algebra based physics and then do a supplemental physics course like bio-physics. I wasn't sure if this would count or not because most of the medical school's I have looked as say "1 year of general physics." And a supplemental course such as biophysics isn't technically general physics...

I have also never taken a physics course before so I have no idea what I'm up against... But like I said I didn't do so hot in calc... But that was also 4 years ago.

Calculus was developed by two mathematicians/physicists in response to physics questions for which, without calculus, there were no answers or ways to mathematically test or prove. In order to understand physics you must understand calculus. Of course Einstein was not a math superstar and in fact was not responsible for the mathematics behind his theory of relativity. So, what do I know?

 

[Praefectus]

As long as you learn about topics such as Newtonian mechanics, optics, and electricity, you should be fine. And definitely take the algebra-based one. Unfortunately, you might just have to "man up" and take the calc-based one for the second semester.

 

[phltz]

As a general opinion. Should I just tough it up and take the 2 semesters of Calc Physics... Or can I take Algebra based physics and then do a supplemental physics course like bio-physics. I wasn't sure if this would count or not because most of the medical school's I have looked as say "1 year of general physics." And a supplemental course such as biophysics isn't technically general physics...

One semester of intro physics and a semester of upper level physics should meet the requirements at most schools. I placed out of Newtonian mechanics from my AP physics classes in high school, and went on to do a whole physics major, so this is exactly what I applied with.

That said, I would recommend that you strive to arrange your classes so that you cover as much as possible of the material that the MCAT will expect you to know: primarily Newtonian mechanics, fluids, optics, and electricity and magnetism. It's unlikely that one semester of intro physics will cover even half of this, and biophysics most likely won't cover any at all. That means the intro+bio physics plan leaves you with a large amount of material to teach yourself for the MCAT, and makes this a pretty flawed plan. The two semesters of calc based physics will most likely cover mechanics and E&M, leaving you to learn fluids and optics on your own, which is still not ideal, but a bit better.

Some schools have intro physics classes which are more or less designed with the MCAT in mind. Perhaps you could look into finding one of these where you could do your physics classes? You might be able to manage this over the summer. Depending on where exactly you go to school, you might even be able to take a class or two during the regular school year at another nearby school along with your regular work at your own institution.

 

[kpcrew]

i'd take algebra then one semester of calc physics
the two semesters tend to have different topics so do what's best for your gpa since you probably won't be using gauss' law in the future

 

[kstraw]

i'm glad i found this thread because i also am having some confusion.

would it be okay to take calculus based I in the fall and then algebra based II in the summer at my CC? i know this is weird but i cannot take calc based II or any physics in the spring because i have to retake another class for the spring semester. im avoiding algebra based I for the fall because the professor is terrible from what i have read. any help would be appreciated.

 

[Doctorsoon2011]

i'm glad i found this thread because i also am having some confusion.

would it be okay to take calculus based I in the fall and then algebra based II in the summer at my CC? i know this is weird but i cannot take calc based II or any physics in the spring because i have to retake another class for the spring semester. im avoiding algebra based I for the fall because the professor is terrible from what i have read. any help would be appreciated.

Its okay I guess... In my opinion it makes you look bad. Like you could not hang in the first class. Just take them both as Cal-based. It looks better and is more interesting. I did cal-based because it was harder and now I am about to graduate with a 3.9 as a physics major.