Quick Question

[weirdmutt]

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Hey I was wondering if I should take algebra or calc based physics? Which one would I be better off with or does it really matter?

 

[SillyFilly]

I don't think it matters!

Whichever will be best for you - I took algebra based.

 

[Rebeki]

I don't know of any schools that require calc based physics so unless you are REALLY strong in physics/math I would stick with the algebra based physics.

 

[msmrtrthnyllb]

On a semi-related note. Why the hell is physics a pre-req, but not anatomy/physiology?

 

[nyanko]

Honestly for me calc based physics was easier than algebra based. I took a lot of upper division math/calculus because of my Computer Science degree, and then when I had to take physics I was convinced into signing up for the algebra based sequence. This was a mistake. Looking through textbooks of my roommates, I realized that I would've been much much better off taking calc based because to me, calc is much quicker to use than basic algebra, plus the derivations and integrations made a lot more sense to me than "these are random formulas meant to depict a phenomena."

So I think it depends on where you are with math, honestly.

 

[CanadianGolden]

On a semi-related note. Why the hell is physics a pre-req, but not anatomy/physiology?

Because physics teaches critical thinking, logic, and problem solving. Anatomy teaches memorization (ie pretty much nothing). You'll learn anatomy in vet school; undergrad should be about preparing you for the kinds of learning and thinking skills you'll need in vet school.

Personally, I would take calc-based physics. It's much more true to the world and more educational. Taking algebra based physics is kind of a cop-out because real physics (ie what physicists study) is based in calculus.

 

[weirdmutt]

wow that was some quick answering, i just posted this like 5 min ago. thanks for the info, I think that I'm gonna go with the algebra one🙂

 

[david594]

Hey I was wondering if I should take algebra or calc based physics? Which one would I be better off with or does it really matter?

Which would you be better off with? Calc based.

Does it matter? Only if you are going to get worse grades in the calc based courses versus the algebra based courses.

 

[winglessflight]

Like most people are saying, I don't think it matters. Take whichever one you would get a better grade in. I took the algebra one because despite a year of calc, it was over my head. Most of my friends also took the algebra one as well and got into vet school, so it won't hurt you. If you're like nyanko and good at calc (which I'm jealous about btw) or want a challenge, then take that. I choose to take the easier one so I could spend more time on other pre-reqs (like orgo)

 

[VetMed555]

I am currently taking Calc-based physics. Can't say I'm enjoying it, but it does make a little more sense than algebra-based one (I took first semester of algebra-based one). But yes, if you just want to get out and are not a big fan of math, then algebra one is easier to get through. If nothing else, just memorize formulas and fiddle with numbers until they fit. If you are the "Why?" person, then take calc-based one. It goes a little deeper, but makes more sense, and integration/derivation are really handy. It's hard to stop using calculus once you start.🙂

 

[Steelmagghia]

I am currently taking Calc-based physics. Can't say I'm enjoying it, but it does make a little more sense than algebra-based one (I took first semester of algebra-based one). But yes, if you just want to get out and are not a big fan of math, then algebra one is easier to get through. If nothing else, just memorize formulas and fiddle with numbers until they fit. If you are the "Why?" person, then take calc-based one. It goes a little deeper, but makes more sense, and integration/derivation are really handy. It's hard to stop using calculus once you start.🙂

Except, of course, when the new physics professor just out of college wants you to explain WHY in algebra based physics. Ack.
Physics: I'm convinced that there is a formula in there for summoning Satan to do you bidding. And I'm certain that Newton was well acquainted with said formula.
That being said, I have a firm B which might be an A were I a little more motivated.

 

[ri23]

Which would you be better off with? Calc based.

Does it matter? Only if you are going to get worse grades in the calc based courses versus the algebra based courses.

I disagree. Calculus based physics isn't going to help you in your future career any more than algebra based is.

 

[bakaduin]

I disagree. Calculus based physics isn't going to help you in your future career any more than algebra based is.

I agree, I doubt very much if most of us will ever use physics again upon graduation.

Take whichever one you think you can get a better grade in is what it comes down to. Some people say Calculus is easier for them and I dont doubt that. I took the algebra based one, got a B in Physics 1 and currently am in Physics 2.

 

[david594]

I disagree. Calculus based physics isn't going to help you in your future career any more than algebra based is.

What looks better, An A in an easier class or an A in a harder class?

If you have a firm grasp of calculus to begin with, then calc based physics wont be any more difficult for you than algebra based physics. If you have a firm grasp of calculus, you could take algebra based physics and figure out the applications of calculus on your own for it.

Everyone hates calculus. Personally I think it should be a core course for everyone in a science related field.

 

[VetMed555]

Physics: I'm convinced that there is a formula in there for summoning Satan to do you bidding. And I'm certain that Newton was well acquainted with said formula.

LOL. I have an A so far, but it's really because this professor curves. In all honesty, I should have a B. God Bless those who do not study at all and put me on top of this bell-shaped curve.

 

[david594]

I agree, I doubt very much if most of us will ever use physics again upon graduation.

Double the speed and you increase the energy four fold. Conservation of energy and conservation of momentum. Physics 2 tells you how that electrocautery in your operating room works.

You should come out of physics with a new ability to view the world. Have a better understanding of how things work.

Statics should be a requirement too. With it you could then look at every joint in the skeleton and figure out the force exerted on every associated bone based on their angles.

 

[dyachei]

Everyone hates calculus. Personally I think it should be a core course for everyone in a science related field.

Not everyone hates it.....but I'm probably just weird.

If you are comfortable with calculus, take the calculus based one. If you're not, take the other one.

 

[Biomajir]

I am taking algebra based physics and will be lucky to get a C. Math is for sure not my thing. *sigh*

 

[banditalfi]

i would definitely recommend calc based. i took algebra based in high school and calc based in college and it was so freaking annoying to do things without integrals. you spend your whole doing iterations when you could just do a simple integral and it's even more annoying if you know how to do integrals. i don't necessarily think one is harder than the others (i really think calc based just has a higher number because calc is a prereq, but we don't offer algebra based at my undergrad, so i can't say for sure), but it's just plain annoying to do algebra based when the majority of things are based on calc... i mean, the whole reason calc was invented was so that newton could do physics...

 

[littlecaitling]

At my undergrad school, the premed/health sciences program requires that we take calc-based physics, so I really didnt get a choice in the matter. That being said, I somehow ended up taking "calculus based physics" courses at another school over the summer (not a bad school either, SUNY stonybrook, which is known for its physics), and when I walked in the first day, the professor started the lecture with "I know the course description says calculus based, but I have no idea why they did that. This is an algebra-based course." So at first, I thought I really lucked out, since I was TERRIBLE in calculus. But I soon learned that calc-based physics would have suited my thinking style much better. In algebra-based physics we would either have to memorize a ridiculous amount of formulas (I think I counted 32 for one exam) or we got a formula sheet, and then we essentially had to apply the right formula to the right problem. My father was an R&D physicist, and so through "supplemental" lessons from him I knew that in calc-based physics you get a better understanding of exactly WHY equation A works for this problem. So if you're like me and found that equations made much more sense in high school when your math teacher derived them (at least my math teacher did) so you knew exactly where said equation was coming from, then I say calc-based physics is better. If you absolutely cannot stand calculus, work well with rote memorization (of TONS of equations and the situations in which they apply), or if you havent taken it yet, then I guess algebra is the way to go. Apparently it doesnt matter which you take to fill the prereqs (I did not realize this!).

 

[weirdhobo]

How important is it to take Physics in High school? I'm graduating this June and have yet to take it :\ I was wondering if i should at a CC before I start college, or just wait till I go to college and be sort of behind everyone else.

sry for the hijack ~

 

[twelvetigers]

I didn't take it in highschool. In fact, it wasn't even offered. I kind of had to start from scratch with everything except for biology. I didn't think it was too bad, just lots of rules to follow. If you can take it, though, it couldn't hurt. You wouldn't necessarily be "behind" though.

 

[littlecaitling]

How important is it to take Physics in High school? I'm graduating this June and have yet to take it :\ I was wondering if i should at a CC before I start college, or just wait till I go to college and be sort of behind everyone else.

sry for the hijack ~

I didnt take physics in HS either. In fact, I only took 1 year honors chem and then 3 years of bio. Don't worry, you won't be noticeably behind. With few exception, its my experience that pretty much EVERYONE sucks at physics.

 

[StealthDog]

I agree, I doubt very much if most of us will ever use physics again upon graduation.

We've used physics- first in physiology when discussing the actions and force of muscles on long vs short bones (oh yes, there were formulas), second in cardiac physiology when talking about blood flow (laminar, turbulent, etc), and third in radiology when discussing photons and optics and radiation safety. Apparently the radiology boards are something like 30% physics?!

Anyway, physics comes up in medicine more often than you might think.

 

[Habibti]

On a semi-related note. Why the hell is physics a pre-req, but not anatomy/physiology?

Physics is the basis for a lot of the stuff we learn in physiology (same concepts behind it).

That said, I was terrible at Physics and physiology makes a lot of sense. Apparently if you put the same idea in a living body, it clears it all up.

OP: Take the algebra based. Physics sucks and, depending on your math skills, calculus can make it a whole lot harder. I was great at calculus in calculus class, but once it was stuck into a real world/real problem situation, I had no idea what to do with it.

 

[bakaduin]

What looks better, An A in an easier class or an A in a harder class?

If you have a firm grasp of calculus to begin with, then calc based physics wont be any more difficult for you than algebra based physics. If you have a firm grasp of calculus, you could take algebra based physics and figure out the applications of calculus on your own for it.

Everyone hates calculus. Personally I think it should be a core course for everyone in a science related field.

I wouldnt say calculus based physics is "harder' than algebra based. They are both classes that take a lot of work and a lot of practice to succeed in.

That being said it REALLY doesnt matter. I took algebra based like I said (B in Physics 1, no grade yet in 2 but likely an A/B) and was accepted to Vet school. My friend too Physics 1 and 2 algebra based at a community college over the summer with two A's and was accepted to vet school. Take either of them, do well, and you will be ok.

 

[NoleDevil]

You should come out of physics with a new ability to view the word. Have a better understanding of how things work.

I completely agree. While my professor only did demonstrations of how things worked and never taught us the calculations (which were ALL the tests were composed of - thank god for my bf tutoring me!), I learned some pretty awesome stuff in that class. After all, physics is what makes the world go 'round - if that's not at least fundamentally important in understanding how life works, I don't know what is!

EDIT: I took Algebra-based Physics. I'm not great at math, and after looking at my bf's old notes (he took Calc-based), I'm really glad I took Algebra-based!

 

[weirdmutt]

Thanks everyone for the input😀

 

[weirdhobo]

A thanks from me as well 🙂 I'd really like to go on vacation instead of taking Physics this year so i may re-consider if there is conflict in schedule 😛

 

[Electrophile]

I got an A in the first semester of algebra based when I took it during the summer. The professor was awesome and entertaining and easy going. It was also open note, so as long as you had good notes, it was pretty smooth sailing. The lab was not super fun, but it was okay...the second semester, the professor was actually a chemistry professor (uh oh...) who wore the same shirt every day of the week. Literally. Then the next week, he switched to a new shirt for the next Monday through Friday. By the fifth and last week of class, he switched back to the shirt he had the first week.

I came away with two things from that class: I hate electricity and optics stuff and this odd man has only 4 shirts in his entire wardrobe. Anyways, the first semester on vectors and forces was kinda cool and the second semester sucked except for the stuff on nuclear, which we had mostly had during chemistry (and physics in high school, which I took, but they didn't have AP Physics until after I graduated). The second semester lab sucked cause I was in a group with 3 other girls and a guy from Africa and none of us knew a thing about electrical circuits. So basically, got an A first semester and a C the second. 🙄

 

[weirdhobo]

speaking of which, what year in undergrad did everyone take Physics (or any pre-req for that matter). College planning is frying my brain and I'd love some advice on classes.

 

[david594]

Calc based... Physics 1 second semester freshman year and Physics 2 first semester sophmore year.

They were a requirement for my major and like 80% of the rest of the institute so we all took it early on.

 

[CanadianGolden]

I'll just give you my whole prereq schedule (let's face it, I'm a second semester senior, I'm sick, and I don't want to do logic homework).

Freshman Fall: Chem I, Chem I Lab, Calc I
Freshman Spring: Chem II, Chem II Lab, Calc II
Soph Fall: Orgo I, Physics I, Physics I Lab
Soph Spring: Orgo II, Orgo Lab (we have one 3 credit lab class, not one per semester), Physics II, Physics Lab II
Junior Fall: Biochem, Biochem Lab, Expository Writing
Junior Spring: Cell Bio, Cell Bio Lab, Probability and Statistics, Fiction & Poetry Writing
Senior Fall: Genetics
Senior Spring: Developmental Bio, Developmental Bio Lab

Several humanities classes thrown in for those requirements. I APed out of Intro Bio I & II/Lab

 

[Steelmagghia]

I took Physics I my fall semester of my...umm, second year (I came in with 28 AP hours, so my year names are all weird). I'm taking Physics II this semester, Spring of my fourth and final year.
It's algebra based.
And man is it crazy.
I had to take a lot of classes out of order because I was an ag major for a while and the school I'm at has ag classes that are offered at one time period on one semester every other year only. So yeah, scheduling was craziness.
It worked out well though.
Seriously use your adviser and get a list of everything you need to take and when those classes are offered. It will help.

 

[wi girl]

I'll just copy and past canadiangolden's format, and fill it in for myself:

Freshman Fall: Chem I, Chem I Lab, Calc II, writing seminar
Freshman Spring: Chem II, Chem II Lab
Soph Fall: Orgo I, Analytical Chem lab, Physics I, Physics I Lab
Soph Spring: Orgo II, Orgo Lab, Physics II, Physics II Lab
Junior Fall: Biochem, Genetics, Animal Physiology, Animal Physiology Lab
Junior Spring: Statistics, Microbio, Microbio Lab
Senior Fall: Nothing for a pre-req
Senior Spring: Nothing for a pre-req

I passed out of Intro Bio sequences with AP. I didn't apply until this year (c/o 2012), although my pre-reqs were done junior year, because my grades in the lower chem classes aren't great (b-), and I wanted junior year grades to hit my transcripts (I do much much better in my bio classes).


My physics was calc based, a pain in the butt, and I got a B and a C in the respective semesters. Luckily, a lot of As in the bio classes made up for those .... 😀

 

[weirdhobo]

Oh man...looks like taking Russian may be out of the question my first year haha

I also got a 5 on the Bio AP test, so I'm sure I will be passed out of intro bio 😀

Also, looks like general ed classes are non-existent in all your years 😳

Are placement tests for Calc and Chemistry usually general enough that I won't need to exactly "study my *** off"?

 

[wi girl]

Oh man...looks like taking Russian may be out of the question my first year haha

We have a language requirement here at cornell ... which I hated, but I actually took russian for a semester (odd coincidence). So, language might be okay ...

Also, looks like general ed classes are non-existent in all your years 😳

Mine, yes, but only because I really hate survey courses. So my other classes were ... ancient philosophy, 3-400 level history classes (all seminars, I love reading) etc. Not that gen ed classes are bad, I just figured why spend as much per class as I am on something that;s not as interesting to me?

Are placement tests for Calc and Chemistry usually general enough that I won't need to exactly "study my *** off"?

Depends on your school. Here, its pretty hard to pass out of a class, they essentially give you a class final, and you need to get at least a 75 I think ... but other schools are different. That being said, I'd ask around, and take the test with whatever level of studying you want to do. If you pass, great, if not, easy A because you saw the material before .... win/win! 😀

 

[weirdhobo]

lol yes, I will probably need second responses xD UCD isn't that top tier 😛

 

[pupsforseeing]

I'm on the 3 year plan, so the years I've taken classes have been a little bit different. But, it's worked out really well! I came into college with credit for Gen Chem I and II, Calc I and II, and Stats from classes I took at community college during high school.

Freshman Fall: Gen Bio/Lab I, Physics/Lab I
Freshman Spring: Cell/Molecular Bio/Lab, Physics/Lab II
Soph Fall: Ochem I/lab, Microbiology/lab, Developmental Biology/lab
Soph Spring: Ochem II/lab, Genetics/lab, Gen Bio/lab II, Bio seminar
Junior Fall: Biochem I/lab, Anatomy and Physiology I/lab
Junior Spring: Biochem II/lab, Anatomy and Physiology II/lab

I came in with pretty much all my gen ed's done, but I go to a liberal arts school with a very specific core curriculum, so I ended up just getting a ton of elective credit for all my gen ed's and having to re-do all my humanities courses. Accordingly, I've had la couple of humanities courses each semester throughout my 3 years.

 

[CanadianGolden]

That wasn't my WHOLE schedule...just my prereq schedule. Here's my whole schedule:

Fresh Fall (14.5 credits): Chem I/Lab, Calc I, Spanish II, Physiological Psych
Fresh Spring (14.5 credits): Chem II/Lab, Calc II, Intermediate Spanish, Sociology course
Soph Fall (17 credits): Physics I/Lab, Orgo I, Hist. of Science course, Topics in Neuroscience, Business Communication
Soph Spring (18 credits): Physics II/Lab, Orgo II/Lab, Cognitive Neuroscience, Research internship (working in my lab for credit)
Junior Fall (18 credits): Biochem/Lab, Stem Cell Bio, Business Ethics, Research internship, Expository Writing
Junior Spring (16 credits): Cell Bio/Lab, Microbial Pathogenesis, Fiction & Poetry Writing, Probability and Statistics
Senior Fall (12 credits): Business Law, Entrepreneurship, Genetics, Behavioral Medicine
Senior Spring (13 credits): Developmental Bio/Lab, Landmarks in Biochem Research, Intro to Cosmic Evolution, Intro to Formal Logic

Sound scarier now?

 

[weirdhobo]

lolz ohh xD I was confused for a second on that 😛

And yes, it sounds terrifying lol Now I'm wondering how to manage that many classes 😛

 

[twelvetigers]

I had to take lasses like govrnment and history. Where are everyone else's gen-eds? Hmm. I also took Japanese I and II... I feel like I've kept awful busy with non pre-reqs throughout my 4 years so far.

 

[nyanko]

I had to take lasses like govrnment and history. Where are everyone else's gen-eds? Hmm. I also took Japanese I and II... I feel like I've kept awful busy with non pre-reqs throughout my 4 years so far.

I think that the point is that people are posting when they took their pre-reqs, not their entire schedules.

I can contribute, but it's not a typical path AT ALL. Some of these weren't pre-reqs for Davis but were for other schools so I'm including them.

First BS (in Computer Science):
Freshman year, fall: Calc II (tested out of Calc I and took more calc/math courses after this)
Decided to pursue vet school during summer after sophomore year
Junior year, fall: Gen Chem I
Junior year, spring: Gen Chem II
Junior year, summer: Organic Chem I, II
Senior year, fall: Biochem I, Biochem lab

Second BS (in Molecular Biology and Microbiology, different school):
First year, fall: Gen Bio I, Biochem II, Calc I (because I thought that schools with this as a pre-req wouldn't let me use the AP credit to fulfill requirements)
First year, spring: Gen Bio II, Microbiology, Genetics
First year, summer: Human Physiology
Second year, fall: Physics I, Molecular Biology I, Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy
Second year, spring: Advanced Genetics (graduate), Stat Methods I
Second year, summer: Physics II, Molecular Biology II, Honors Thesis (used to fulfill communication/speech requirement)

 

[CanadianGolden]

I had to take lasses like govrnment and history. Where are everyone else's gen-eds? Hmm. I also took Japanese I and II... I feel like I've kept awful busy with non pre-reqs throughout my 4 years so far.

My university doesn't have required core courses. You have to take the requirements for your major (which for all science majors includes calc, physics, chem, orgo, and bio), a certain number of distribution credits (since I'm a science major, those were humanities and social sciences for me), and then arts and sciences students have to take 4 writing intensive courses (engineers take only 2).

 

[VetMed555]

speaking of which, what year in undergrad did everyone take Physics (or any pre-req for that matter). College planning is frying my brain and I'd love some advice on classes.

I'm a chem. major, and I took Physics I my first year after I returned to pursue chemistry full time. I didn't take Physics II until now because my school offers Calc-based physics only once a year. I really regret not taking it earlier: it's not THAT hard, and it would've helped me a lot in Physical Chemistry and Inorganic Chemistry. So if you're majoring in Bio, I don't think it will make a difference when you take Physics, but if you're majoring in other sciences (Chemistry, engineering...etc.), then try to take it early. It will help you more, and you won't feel lost in upper-level physics-based classes.

 

[camboo]

Honestly for me calc based physics was easier than algebra based.

i second that. physics probably won't be the most interesting subject you'll encounter, but if you liked calc then the calc-based physics makes more sense and is more engaging.

(on the other hand, if you disliked calc then you may want to consider avoiding calc-based physics like the devil)

 

[weirdhobo]

oh I see 😳 I may take it during my Sophomore year then after I finish chemistry 🙂 And probably not Calc based 😛

Thanks for all your inputs!