Physics Type

[braindoc2016]

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I was wondering if I should take algebra based or calculus based physics? Which one would med schools appreciate more? Which would help more with the MCAT?

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[487806]

I was wondering if I should take algebra based or calculus based physics? Which one would med schools appreciate more? Which would help more with the MCAT?

Sent from my R800x using SDN Mobile

Use the search function. Take whatever physics you want (med schools don't care), but neither will give you much advantage for the MCAT.

 

[EnergyDrink]

An A in easy physics is better than an A- in real physics as far as Adcoms are concerned.

 

[BigBlueBear]

Take algebra based. There's no calculusish physics on the MCAT so take the easy one.

 

[braindoc2016]

Thanks for the advice!

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[MVP]

I personally would like my doctors to have the ambition to take some real science classes. Instead of "which will medical schools like" ask yourself "which will make me a better doctor?"

 

[goofball]

Algebra-based is all you need. Calculus-based physics is a hell of a class, trust me.

 

[EnergyDrink]

Instead of "which will medical schools like" ask yourself "which will make me a better doctor?"

The course that doesn't send you to the Caribbean.

I picked a harder major, and the harder classes, to challenge myself.

Ultimately, a 90 in Intro to Remedial Conceptual Physics is better than an 89 in Advanced Calc-Based Electro-bioengeering Physics II.

 

[passionformed]

The course that doesn't send you to the Caribbean.

I picked a harder major, and the harder classes, to challenge myself.

Ultimately, a 90 in Intro to Remedial Conceptual Physics is better than an 89 in Advanced Calc-Based Electro-bioengeering Physics II.

But a 90 in Advanced Calc-Based Electo-bioengineering Physics 2 is better than a 90 in Intro to Remedial Conceptual Physics.

 

[EnergyDrink]

But a 90 in Advanced Calc-Based Electo-bioengineering Physics 2 is better than a 90 in Intro to Remedial Conceptual Physics.

By how much? Let's say statistically that this was your average. An 89 would be a 3.33, a 90 would be a 3.66. A 3.33 would likely be screened out before review by human eyes. I'd take the 3.66 on my application any day.

Just another reason why GPA is a poor metric. The only thing that could save you is a stronger MCAT.

 

[KnuxNole]

I personally would like my doctors to have the ambition to take some real science classes. Instead of "which will medical schools like" ask yourself "which will make me a better doctor?"

Answer: Neither 😛

 

[IniestaDeMiVida]

Answer: Neither 😛

👍

Take algebra-based.

 

[sazerac]

I personally would like my doctors to have the ambition to take some real science classes. Instead of "which will medical schools like" ask yourself "which will make me a better doctor?"

Hahahaha that's precious.

Doctors should show passion, yes, but there is no bonus for having passion for "real science classes" versus anything else. If "real science" (meaning 300 level undergraduate science) was important they would make it a pre-req or teach it in med school.

Hint: 99% of them don't.

 

[phunky]

I am a math major, and I took algebra-based physics for my premed requirement. I admit, I did it out of laziness more than anything else. Medical schools won't care either way, and the MCAT tests algebra-based physics.

 

[Josh7]

Take non-calculus based if you're looking for some easy class that doesn't explain how anything works.

Take calc-based if you're interested in math and enjoy thinking about the derivations of different physical laws.

 

[MVP]

Hahahaha that's precious.

Doctors should show passion, yes, but there is no bonus for having passion for "real science classes" versus anything else. If "real science" (meaning 300 level undergraduate science) was important they would make it a pre-req or teach it in med school.

Hint: 99% of them don't.

We're arguing the same point here. If the goal is to get into medical school obviously the easier one is better. If the goal is to challenge yourself to get a better science foundation for your future medical studies than the calc one is better. My point was simply that I would prefer my doctors to be the latter.

 

[KnuxNole]

Take non-calculus based if you're looking for some easy class that doesn't explain how anything works.

Take calc-based if you're interested in math and enjoy thinking about the derivations of different physical laws.

But....but....it explains that force is equal to mass times acceleration!

 

[EnginrTheFuture]

If you really like math and science (together) and are decent at them, you will probably do well and enjoy the calc based. If you do not like math and science, you will probably not do well and usually when you do not do well you tend to like it less... which can be a negative feedback loop 😉

With that said, algebra based classes aren't always easier for people. The algebra based pchem I took was frustratingly stupid. I hated every second of it. It was essentially plug and chug into mundane equations that the course didn't care to explain. Because of this formula heavy, surface level explanation, class structure the course also went at such a rapid pace that it didn't even allow you to delve deep on your own. This 1) caused disconnect between the theory and the problems given (something I find vital) 2) made me disinterested in learning what they were going to test (also how they were going to test it) and 3) it leveled the playing field between people that could grasp tough concepts and those that were just good at memorizing how to use formulas blindly. After bombing the first test, I adjusted my approach to the material and rocked the class but I still hated it. I was just frustrated that I wasn't learning anything the whole time.

Had I taken the calc/theory based version of the class I would have enjoyed it much more, gotten way more out of it, and probably done just as well. Granted, I had to take a lot of calc based classes and I like the math/science combo. So I would think about what you like. I am sure this one class isn't going to tank you either way if you give it an honest effort. Good luck!!!

 

[487806]

If you really like math and science (together) and are decent at them, you will probably do well and enjoy the calc based. If you do not like math and science, you will probably not do well and usually when you do not do well you tend to like it less... which can be a negative feedback loop 😉

With that said, algebra based classes aren't always easier for people. The algebra based pchem I took was frustratingly stupid. I hated every second of it. It was essentially plug and chug into mundane equations that the course didn't care to explain. Because of this formula heavy, surface level explanation, class structure the course also went at such a rapid pace that it didn't even allow you to delve deep on your own. This 1) caused disconnect between the theory and the problems given (something I find vital) 2) made me disinterested in learning what they were going to test (also how they were going to test it) and 3) it leveled the playing field between people that could grasp tough concepts and those that were just good at memorizing how to use formulas blindly. After bombing the first test, I adjusted my approach to the material and rocked the class but I still hated it. I was just frustrated that I wasn't learning anything the whole time.

Had I taken the calc/theory based version of the class I would have enjoyed it much more, gotten way more out of it, and probably done just as well. Granted, I had to take a lot of calc based classes and I like the math/science combo. So I would think about what you like. I am sure this one class isn't going to tank you either way if you give it an honest effort. Good luck!!!

So I take it you didn't cover Maxwell relations, virial equation and other really important stuff in algebra-based pchem? Sounds like a worthless class.

 

[RangerBob]

I agree that calculus-based physics can be easier to understand if you're mathematically inclined. I found it made far more sense than algebra-based physics. I took one quarter of algebra-based physics, and we were allowed to have a cheat sheet with all the formulas. When I finished the rest of physics as a post-bac I took calculus-based physics. No cheat cheat allowed--we had to memorize the equations. But there aren't too many you need to know, because you learn to derive them. It was far simpler and far more fun. I actually understood the physics.

But, if you hate math/physics, you should probably take algebra-based physics, as you'd likely find that less intimidating.

 

[V5RED]

There are MCAT topics (optics, fluid dynamics, sound) that were not covered by the calculus based physics class I took, but are covered by the algebra based physics at my school.

Basically I busted my ass in calculus based and then had to work extra hard in my MCAT prep because I needed to know about topics I had never been taught. Check what the courses cover at your school before making a decision.

 

[weezynation]

We're arguing the same point here. If the goal is to get into medical school obviously the easier one is better. If the goal is to challenge yourself to get a better science foundation for your future medical studies than the calc one is better. My point was simply that I would prefer my doctors to be the latter.

And what exactly in medical school is calc-based physics going to help you with?

 

[EnginrTheFuture]

So I take it you didn't cover Maxwell relations, virial equation and other really important stuff in algebra-based pchem? Sounds like a worthless class.

Nope, we didn't cover that 😉. I am assuming you are being sarcastic about the fact that pchem in general can be pretty "unimportant"... which I can agree with. But at least you learned something worthless. I essentially felt like I didn't learn the how/why of anything at all. I felt like I wasted my time and money playing a strategy game, not learning. That is how I feel about formula-based classes (which this algebra based class was)... Similarly to the poster above talking about the cheat sheet scenario. I hope I got the point across before.

 

[EnginrTheFuture]

And what exactly in medical school is calc-based physics going to help you with?

Other than problem solving and the opportunity to practice thinking mathematically (which could be useful in some research)... probably nothing about calc based physics will be beneficial in med school. Then again, not much in algebra based physics will either. I think his/her main point was that challenging oneself is an important attribute.

 

[MVP]

And what exactly in medical school is calc-based physics going to help you with?

Your ability to understand medical devices, new technologies, thermodynamical principles, enzyme action, electrophysiology, membrane potential, blood flow, on and on and on

 

[487806]

Nope, we didn't cover that 😉. I am assuming you are being sarcastic about the fact that pchem in general can be pretty "unimportant"... which I can agree with. But at least you learned something worthless. I essentially felt like I didn't learn the how/why of anything at all. I felt like I wasted my time and money playing a strategy game, not learning. That is how I feel about formula-based classes (which this algebra based class was)... Similarly to the poster above talking about the cheat sheet scenario. I hope I got the point across before.

I meant algebra-based pchem is worthless since it's all memorization (and not covering interesting concepts). Calc-based pchem is the way we go.

 

[Hemorrage]

The sad reality is that medical school admissions don't really care which type you took so take whichever is easier at your school

 

[KnuxNole]

Your ability to understand medical devices, new technologies, thermodynamical principles, enzyme action, electrophysiology, membrane potential, blood flow, on and on and on

For a very small portion of people, that's cool. For med school physiology, you don't even have to know how to spell calculus to understand that. Algebra-based physics(which is barely used anyway in med school haha) is way more than enough. Basically, if you forget everything about physics, noone would even care for one millisecond.

 

[Hemorrage]

The whole point of taking physics is to learn the concepts, if you think calculus based physics will help you learn the fundamentals of physical science better then take it (after all that's why newton invented it)

 

[weezynation]

Your ability to understand medical devices, new technologies, thermodynamical principles, enzyme action, electrophysiology, membrane potential, blood flow, on and on and on

As someone else said above, the physics in medical school physiology is laughable. Can you multiply, add, switch around variables, and place the product of one equation into another equation? Then you will be fine. It's fine that they have it as a requirement, but I'm heading into my final med physio exam this Monday and I'm still trying to figure out why the heck I needed a year of Physics for this. Personally, I feel they could combine the relevant material from Orgo, Physics, and GChem in a one year course and that would be sufficient in reference to preparing someone for the medical school curriculum. Then add GBio and numerous upper level Bio courses. But then again I guess they have to find a way to weed out premeds.

 

[mcloaf]

We're arguing the same point here. If the goal is to get into medical school obviously the easier one is better. If the goal is to challenge yourself to get a better science foundation for your future medical studies than the calc one is better. My point was simply that I would prefer my doctors to be the latter.

I would prefer my doctor to have the judgment not to waste her time on classes that don't benefit or interest her, rather than just satisfying some random masochistic itch.

 

[amazing tekkers]

The sad reality is that medical school admissions don't really care which type you took so take whichever is easier at your school

Why is it a sad reality?

 

[duhyesorduhno]

Kind of a tangent but did anyone take physical chemistry? Is it true that taking Calculus 3 translates to greater preparedness in physical chemistry?

 

[DrEnderW]

Your ability to understand medical devices, new technologies, thermodynamical principles, enzyme action, electrophysiology, membrane potential, blood flow, on and on and on

You mean that would help you if you're a scientist with a medical degree working on the calculus-level mathematical principals of these subjects.

99.99% of medical school graduates and practicing clinicians won't do that.

 

[Eiot]

I personally would like my doctors to have the ambition to take some real science classes.

Luckily, you'll never know what type of physics your doctor took.

 

[Hemorrage]

Why is it a sad reality?

Because it would be nice if we could take the "harder" classes we were interested in without having to worry "zomg I'm not going to get an A in quantum electrodynamics and its going to kill my sGPA"

 

[gyngyn]

We don't distinguish between them.

 

[Doudline]

"A monkey could do algebra based physics" is the reasoning behind my professor's decision to teach calculus based Waves, optics and modern physics... in an algebra based Waves, optics and modern physics course 😳

Apparently, he does not care that it's against my institution's rules and TOS, or that I've never done any calculus in my whole life 🙂 That plus not being able to withdraw for bureaucratic reasons =

 

[RangerBob]

Kind of a tangent but did anyone take physical chemistry? Is it true that taking Calculus 3 translates to greater preparedness in physical chemistry?

I only took two quarters of calculus and one year of calculus-based physics and I felt prepared enough (this was for the quantum mechanics portion of p-chem---I can't speak for the thermodynamics portion). But our teacher also reviewed any math we'd need.

But... more math is usually only be a good thing when it comes to physics/p-chem.

P-chem was one of my favorite courses. Hasn't helped me one bit in medical school. But that's the point of undergrad--take the stuff and learn the stuff you'll never have an opportunity to learn again.

 

[Plane148]

Algebra-based is all you need. Calculus-based physics is a hell of a class, trust me.

Hahaha made me laugh