Physics

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Ctinct

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Hello,
I have a couple of questions about the physics requirement for most pt schools. First, should one take calculus based physics, or is general physics okay?

Second, is a lab required? I checked on the Ptcas site, and all it says is physics. The reason I'm asking is I am doing research for my daughter, and I noticed that at her school, there are two sections of general physics, but only one smaller lab section, so obviously not all physics students at her school are taking a lab. It would make her scheduling so much easier if a lab is not required. I did check a few of the pt schools she is interested in, and only one specifically says physics with a lab. It's really not clear. One of the schools only mentions a lab for bio, but not for chem or physics. The other schools just list the classes and they don't even say six versus eight credits, which would pretty much indicate if a lab is required. Side note: my daughter's college only awards single credits for any class, which really ticks her off. Many of the classes in her major, along with her bio, anatomy, and chemistry classes included labs, so while she puts in more class hours than say, an English major, she only earns the single credit, and the classes are weighted the same for gpa calculations.

Anyhow, I guess at this point she should assume a lab is required, but it would be fabulous if it was not. Any advice?
 
I believe in most cases a lab is required for physics. All of the schools I applied to required the lab. Also, I think general physics is good. You can always check with the individual college websites, but I think the general physics is fine.
 
I agree with what was said above. I'm pretty sure the physics lab is required for most PT schools. Also general physics should be fine. Calc based physics is more for people who are going to major in engineering or physics, but to be sure I'd check with each school. Most likely though just general physics is required.
 
Do NOT take calculus-based physics. You will not do well unless you have exceptional mathematical skills. Take two levels of college physics with lab. You need to take physics based on trigonometry or algebra.
 
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