Pre-Med Question Problem with Physics Requirement

[Bearmanbear]

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I'm noticing quite a few MD/DO schools that I was planning on applying to require at least two semester of non-calculus based physics lab. My school doesn't offer a lab with the physics lecture- at all - which oddly enough is a 4 credit lecture class (4 credits to make for the lack of lab)? My biology degree requires I take two semesters of non-calc physics (each semester is 4 credits). From what I can tell, the next highest physics course doesn't have a lab accompaniment either.

I go to an engineering-heavy school, so the physics courses that do offer a lab with them are well-beyond anything any potential medical schools would expect of their applicants (its level 236 physics lab, which can only be taken after I complete the 4 credit non-calc based physics course. Not to mention the lab is only offered for the Fall semester course- no lab accompanies the 2nd semester anyway)

As you can see, I'm in somewhat of a pickle- even if I were to take all 8 credits in lecture courses to fulfill my degree requirement and got into the 236 physics lab next year- there still would be no second semester lab available to fulfill the 2-semester lab req. Now, a lot of schools I'm planning on applying to don't have the lab requirements- so its not the end of the world- but it does cut into a list of schools I'd planned on applying too (mostly DO schools now that I look at it again- PCOM, as example). Should I ditch these schools entirely, and stick to the ones I can fulfill? Is there anything I'm not thinking of or anyway this lab requirement can be dropped? I'm of course going to speak to my adviser, but its only the 2nd week of the semester and I'd figured I might as well get some feedback on here. Any thoughts/ideas/opinions would be greatly appreciated! Thanks


*Just realized also some of the Ad Reqs state that 2 semesters of physics is required "where applicable" or "accompanying" - not sure if this is a clause with some wiggle room in it or not... The gist of some of them is 8 credits total.

 

[PA_dud3]

I'm noticing quite a few MD/DO schools that I was planning on applying to require at least two semester of non-calculus based physics lab. My school doesn't offer a lab with the physics lecture- at all - which oddly enough is a 4 credit lecture class (4 credits to make for the lack of lab)? My biology degree requires I take two semesters of non-calc physics (each semester is 4 credits). From what I can tell, the next highest physics course doesn't have a lab accompaniment either.

I go to an engineering-heavy school, so the physics courses that do offer a lab with them are well-beyond anything any potential medical schools would expect of their applicants (its level 236 physics lab, which can only be taken after I complete the 4 credit non-calc based physics course. Not to mention the lab is only offered for the Fall semester course- no lab accompanies the 2nd semester anyway)

As you can see, I'm in somewhat of a pickle- even if I were to take all 8 credits in lecture courses to fulfill my degree requirement and got into the 236 physics lab next year- there still would be no second semester lab available to fulfill the 2-semester lab req. Now, a lot of schools I'm planning on applying to don't have the lab requirements- so its not the end of the world- but it does cut into a list of schools I'd planned on applying too (mostly DO schools now that I look at it again- PCOM, as example). Should I ditch these schools entirely, and stick to the ones I can fulfill? Is there anything I'm not thinking of or anyway this lab requirement can be dropped? I'm of course going to speak to my adviser, but its only the 2nd week of the semester and I'd figured I might as well get some feedback on here. Any thoughts/ideas/opinions would be greatly appreciated! Thanks


*Just realized also some of the Ad Reqs state that 2 semesters of physics is required "where applicable" or "accompanying" - not sure if this is a clause with some wiggle room in it or not... The gist of some of them is 8 credits total.

Are you 100% sure the course does not have a lab? I don't mean to doubt you, but this is how a lot of my science courses are. They have 3 hours lecture and 1 "hour" lab per week, but on the course catalog it is simply listed as just "Physics I - 4 Hrs" or similar. This is how my chem and bio courses were, as opposed to having to select a specific lecture and specific lab from the course catalog. I apologize if this is already confirmed by you, I just thought I would offer my experience. Otherwise follow the wise gonnif's advice. Best of luck!

 

[Bearmanbear]

1) you can take a CC physics lab
2) most schools will likely waive if you are accepted
Low risk issue

THank you- sounds like its really not a big deal. Worst case scenario I limit my applications to only 1-2 of these types of schools anyway.

 

[Bearmanbear]

Are you 100% sure the course does not have a lab? I don't mean to doubt you, but this is how a lot of my science courses are. They have 3 hours lecture and 1 "hour" lab per week, but on the course catalog it is simply listed as just "Physics I - 4 Hrs" or similar. This is how my chem and bio courses were, as opposed to having to select a specific lecture and specific lab from the course catalog. I apologize if this is already confirmed by you, I just thought I would offer my experience. Otherwise follow the wise gonnif's advice. Best of luck!

No need to apologize! I was in that same mindset last week- kept waiting to hear about a lab. Yeah I'm positive its strictly a lecture course now, we meet four days a week. I asked the instructor and she was commented on how she thought it was odd they didn't offer a lab alongside the lecture (she's newer). I also think its strange, but not complaining since it makes my life easier (so far). Thanks for your insight

I agree with above. Our physics was also 4 credits, no separate or official "lab" specified in the course description but in- class labs came up every now and then (I think only 3-4 per semester) and we had a lab fee for it. Intro physics is usually super basic, in-class labs with materials you can just use in the classroom so a lot of schools don't really distinguish it. If anything, you'll prob be assumed to have had an integrated lab since it was 4 cred

Now that's odd, though I guess every school must have some variation on how and what they require. Its a relatively simple course so far, its referred to on campus as "baby-physics". Like I said though, I'm not complaining; should be a nice 4-credit GPA booster🙂