Physics w/Calc or Without?

[ArmyWife1153]

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At my uni, we have the option of taking Calc based Physics or Non.
I never had trig or anything in highschool but I got an A in HS physics. I realize this is not the same thing.
So my question is, if I take non calc physics, will this be less competitive? If I take Physics with calc, then I'll have to take Pre-Calc and Calc before I can even take Physics, thus pushing my app back another year to 2014.
Is there Calc and such on the MCAT that I would need to take it anyway?
Thanks.

 

[phltz]

At my uni, we have the option of taking Calc based Physics or Non.
I never had trig or anything in highschool but I got an A in HS physics. I realize this is not the same thing.
So my question is, if I take non calc physics, will this be less competitive? If I take Physics with calc, then I'll have to take Pre-Calc and Calc before I can even take Physics, thus pushing my app back another year to 2014.
Is there Calc and such on the MCAT that I would need to take it anyway?
Thanks.

The vast majority of premeds do not take calc based physics. I think calculus is pretty cool, but it is absolutely not worth setting you back a year to learn. You will need to learn some trig in your physics class, but it isn't anything too crazy.

 

[CrushMCAT]

Generally speaking, the required prereqs are:
-One year of biology
-One year of physics
-One year of English
-Two years of chemistry (through organic chemistry)
This is taken from: https://www.aamc.org/students/applying/requirements/

That being said, I would check out the schools you're interested in and visit their admissions website to see their specific requirements. From what I've seen, most schools do not require Calculus. Unless your desired schools require Calc, I would go for Algebra-based Physics (which I'd guess most premeds take). If you go to the AMCAS website, they tell you to look up schools' requirements from the MSAR. You can buy the MSAR or find it at your school's library or health professions advisor's office (if you have one).

 

[n3xa]

I found the algebra-based version to be a bit tougher and a bit more stressful due to the high volume of post-bacc pre-meds.

When I took the calculus-based version later in life (long story), the students in my class were a lot more "chill."

Obligatory YMMV. Good luck to you.

 

[QofQuimica]

For most schools, trig-based physics is acceptable. The only one I remember that required calc from when I applied was Wash U. However, this was six years ago, so things might have changed. You should check with each school where you plan to apply.

 

[LegendaryPunk]

I found the algebra-based version to be a bit tougher and a bit more stressful due to the high volume of post-bacc pre-meds.

When I took the calculus-based version later in life (long story), the students in my class were a lot more "chill."

Obligatory YMMV. Good luck to you.

How did the difficulty compare between the two?
How much more interesting was calc based?

I'd like to take calc based just because I'm curious and think I would enjoy the deeper understanding it teaches. However, my current plan has me taking at least Physics and Biochem together next year - how much more miserable will my life be if I take calc over algebra based?

 

[FlyLite]

From the little I have seen of MCAT questions and review books, you need to understand concepts/formula and apply them in given situations. Whereas Calc based physics also teaches you how to derive these formula using Calculus as a tool. If you understand physics well and not calculus, that might affect you grades. And I believe you can understand and explain physics without knowing what limits, integrals etc are if your ultimate goal is MCAT preparation. So far I have gone through an entire Kaplan review of physics and I have not seen a calculus based explanation of a concept. That being said, I have just started working review questions... so who knows whether I might come across a question where calculus proves to be helpful.

So no, I don't think you should be less competitive
The physics does need to have a lab component though
Definitely need trig in a lot of places for your MCAT

 

[LifeTake2]

How did the difficulty compare between the two?
How much more interesting was calc based?
?

If you want to learn the equations & be able to solve problems for the MCAT, take the algebra based. It will give you what you need and will be a lighter load.

If you like math and want to know where the equations came from (ie long derivations) then take calc based. It will be mostly physics majors and engineers along with a few 'dumb' pre-meds such as myself 😀

 

[MT Headed]

How did the difficulty compare between the two?
How much more interesting was calc based?

I'd like to take calc based just because I'm curious and think I would enjoy the deeper understanding it teaches. However, my current plan has me taking at least Physics and Biochem together next year - how much more miserable will my life be if I take calc over algebra based?

There can be no answer to this question, it depends too much on your particular university and your professors. Some people argue that calculus based physics gives you a better understanding (Newton invented calculus so he could solve physics problems), and others argue that algebra based is easier because you can solve problems and not get bogged down in the esoteric math (and believe me professors can build some really contrived problems). Both attitudes can be correct.

Except for a few obscure high end universities, practically nobody requires calc based physics, practically nobody requires calculus for that matter, and neither appears anywhere on the mcat.

At my school, the saying is that algebra based physics is physics for bio majors, and calc based physics is physics for chemistry majors.

 

[curt656]

I am taking both 1 and 2 w/o calc this summer, and kind of wish that I had taken with calc because even without the calculus in my class I can see the correlation between physics and calculus. It is really increasing my understanding of calc because I am starting to be able to see how it is applied which gives a bit more context.

 

[ArmyWife1153]

Thanks for all the replies.
Glad to know non calc physics should work.
I can do the physics, but having to do calc with it would tank me.
It would set me back because the physics based calc has a prereq of calculus so that's why i'd have to take it.
Basic trig and algebra I can do.
If physics doesn't appear on the MCAT, why do schools require it? Is it a regional thing?
All of the big unis I'm looking at down here require:
1 year physics
1 year chem
1 year orgo
1 year bio
Biochem

 

[n3xa]

If you want to learn the equations & be able to solve problems for the MCAT, take the algebra based. It will give you what you need and will be a lighter load.

If you like math and want to know where the equations came from (ie long derivations) then take calc based. It will be mostly physics majors and engineers along with a few 'dumb' pre-meds such as myself 😀

This.

I would also try and ask some fellow classmates or troll one of those professor rating sites (do people even use those sites anymore?) to see what's expected of you. When I used it I at least gave a constructive review of what to expect from the class. I also remember the error analysis in the calc-based physics labs were a PITA.

I vaguely remember being wow'd when we got to Maxwell's equations, but other than that it was more just a stepping stone towards the painfully brutal p-chem course I so desperately wanted to take (biochem majors took a calc-lite version).

I also really enjoyed my math classes (enough to get the minor) and aside from research I wasn't doing all those pre-med ECs that are important way back when. I'm not sure what your schedule is or what your study habits are like so I'm not sure what to suggest.

 

[DrMidlife]

I can confirm that calc-based physics is inconvenient for the MCAT. Having to back down and think of acceleration as constant was painful, and I wasted some study time getting uppity about it.

My $.02 on this, with a math degree, and having taken calc-based physics, and having done the MCAT, and having just finished M1 physiology, is that calc isn't helpful for its content. The purpose of calculus and calc-based physics in my education, now, is that it taught me to be completely and generically fearless in solving difficult analytical problems. Nobody's ever going to intimidate me by saying "you'd have to get into the Fourier transform to understand the details" - I can say "oh yeah let's see your work, pal."

So what. To be a good doctor, from my perspective, I should be able to tease the truth from the speculation behind an r-squared analysis in a paper. I should be able to look at a graph and qualitatively grasp its meaning. I need an ability to reality-check and estimate and prioritize numerical findings and maybe do some algebra on them. And I have to pass exams that have questions about PV=nRT or Fick or Henderson/Hasselbalch equations.

If you think you might do radiation oncology or nuclear medicine, you want a big mess of math & physics behind you. Otherwise, good lord let it slide.

Best of luck to you.

 

[ArmyWife1153]

So what. To be a good doctor, from my perspective, I should be able to tease the truth from the speculation behind an r-squared analysis in a paper. I should be able to look at a graph and qualitatively grasp its meaning. I need an ability to reality-check and estimate and prioritize numerical findings and maybe do some algebra on them. And I have to pass exams that have questions about PV=nRT or Fick or Henderson/Hasselbalch equations.

If you think you might do radiation oncology or nuclear medicine, you want a big mess of math & physics behind you. Otherwise, good lord let it slide.

Best of luck to you.

OMG I have no idea what you just said! I get the graph stuff and algebra but beyond that, if I have to know any of that, I'm screwed. Luckily, nuclear medicine and radiation oncology aren't in my future!

 

[FlyLite]

.
If physics doesn't appear on the MCAT, why do schools require it? Is it a regional thing?

???

 

[MT Headed]

I fear my sentence has been misinterpreted, so let me clarify it a little:

Except for a few obscure high end universities, practically nobody requires calc based physics, practically nobody requires calculus for that matter, and neither (calc based physics nor calculus) appears anywhere on the mcat.

Physics, algebra based physics, is of course on the MCAT and I have yet to see a medical school that didn't require a year of it prior to matriculation.

 

[ArmyWife1153]

I fear my sentence has been misinterpreted, so let me clarify it a little:



Physics, algebra based physics, is of course on the MCAT and I have yet to see a medical school that didn't require a year of it prior to matriculation.

Yes that clears it up.
Thanks!

 

[Supisak]

I can confirm that calc-based physics is inconvenient for the MCAT. Having to back down and think of acceleration as constant was painful, and I wasted some study time getting uppity about it.

My $.02 on this, with a math degree, and having taken calc-based physics, and having done the MCAT, and having just finished M1 physiology, is that calc isn't helpful for its content. The purpose of calculus and calc-based physics in my education, now, is that it taught me to be completely and generically fearless in solving difficult analytical problems. Nobody's ever going to intimidate me by saying "you'd have to get into the Fourier transform to understand the details" - I can say "oh yeah let's see your work, pal."

So what. To be a good doctor, from my perspective, I should be able to tease the truth from the speculation behind an r-squared analysis in a paper. I should be able to look at a graph and qualitatively grasp its meaning. I need an ability to reality-check and estimate and prioritize numerical findings and maybe do some algebra on them. And I have to pass exams that have questions about PV=nRT or Fick or Henderson/Hasselbalch equations.

If you think you might do radiation oncology or nuclear medicine, you want a big mess of math & physics behind you. Otherwise, good lord let it slide.

Best of luck to you.

+1 - What he said

 

[DrMidlife]

+1 - What he said

Aww, lost opportunity for a that's what she said! I'm a she.

 

[Supisak]

Aww, lost opportunity for a that's what she said! I'm a she.

Had a 50 / 50 chance on that one.....
so....

+1 - what she said
-fixed

 

[NuttyEngDude]

Aww, lost opportunity

That's what she said!

 

[DrMidlife]

That's what she said!

attaboy.