Recommended prerequisites for physics?

[currentlybc]

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Physics is my last premed requirement and I want to kill it next semester. My school only offers Calc-based physics and i'm rusty in math. I am planning on reviewing the math requirements (calculus) over the summer and want to know if there are any additional math requirements that will help me in the class e.g. geometry, trigonometry, etc? Also, any study advice or tips for doing well in physics would be really helpful!

 

[polyatomic]

Physics is my last premed requirement and I want to kill it next semester. My school only offers Calc-based physics and i'm rusty in math. I am planning on reviewing the math requirements (calculus) over the summer and want to know if there are any additional math requirements that will help me in the class e.g. geometry, trigonometry, etc? Also, any study advice or tips for doing well in physics would be really helpful!

I don't know about your school, but my school also has "calculus-based" physics...and there was definitely no calculus whatsoever. We just used basic algebra and memorized equations.

I don't think reviewing math is really that necessary. If you really wanna get ahead, go get some physics for dummies books. Otherwise, I would just wait and work hard while you're taking the class.

 

[Almost7Famous]

Calc I (through integration) is all you need. There's nothing fancy with trig substitution, volumes, diff eq, or series. If you really want to kill the class and be a step ahead of the pack, then review the hyperphysics site before your class starts. Calc-based physics is really fun and mentally stimulating. good luck! 😀

website: http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/hframe.html

btw, only review mechanics and e&m (maybe thermodynamics, optics, sound/frequency depending on your curriculum)

 

[487806]

Physics is my last premed requirement and I want to kill it next semester. My school only offers Calc-based physics and i'm rusty in math. I am planning on reviewing the math requirements (calculus) over the summer and want to know if there are any additional math requirements that will help me in the class e.g. geometry, trigonometry, etc? Also, any study advice or tips for doing well in physics would be really helpful!

Don't prestudy. Read the textbook, pay attention in class, do practice problems and you're all set.

 

[Aerus]

I don't know about your school, but my school also has "calculus-based" physics...and there was definitely no calculus whatsoever. We just used basic algebra and memorized equations.

I don't think reviewing math is really that necessary. If you really wanna get ahead, go get some physics for dummies books. Otherwise, I would just wait and work hard while you're taking the class.

Same. There technically was calculus in all the science major physics classes. It was just in the form of proofs (plus1-2 equations in calculus). Predominantly algebra based (although that's not saying it's any easier or harder).

 

[BamaNicole]

knowing basic trig really helped me when it came to vectors.

 

[The Buff OP]

I got a question. I'm a business major so I don't need to take upper level math. I'm debating if I should just make my stay in college a lot longer and work my way up to the calculus classes. Why? Because you never know if I will get into medical school. So I would then take calculus base physics, so I can go back and major in engineering. Good idea or just screw it and hope for the best?

 

[Redpancreas]

I got a question. I'm a business major so I don't need to take upper level math. I'm debating if I should just make my stay in college a lot longer and work my way up to the calculus classes. Why? Because you never know if I will get into medical school. So I would then take calculus base physics, so I can go back and major in engineering. Good idea or just screw it and hope for the best?

What's your commitment to medical school? Would you be willing to apply as long as it takes (I don't know your stats so I'm just assuming the worst). If you are committed I see now reason to take that physics. That being said, Calc based physics is really what the essence of physics is. I would suggest taking it as it is regardless unless you really struggle with calculus.

 

[Aerus]

I got a question. I'm a business major so I don't need to take upper level math. I'm debating if I should just make my stay in college a lot longer and work my way up to the calculus classes. Why? Because you never know if I will get into medical school. So I would then take calculus base physics, so I can go back and major in engineering. Good idea or just screw it and hope for the best?

Do you know how well you perform on college level science and math classes? If you perform decently and you're really committed to medicine (and stay informed about the process), there's no reason why you need to major in engineer as a back up.

 

[Jewels86]

Here's my thoughts to the OP...

I just finished up physics ~ algebra-based. If you have a great instructor, a TA or Supplemental instructor that isn't hateful or plainly "butt-dumb", you'll do fine as long as you brush up on your math as you have planned 🙂

I had a super nice instructor but that was it. He couldn't explain how to get out of a rabbit hole if I was in one. My TA was hateful; always complained to the assistant dean who ended up in our lab too much either yelling, staring or trying to make jokes (very bad ones at that) with the younger kids (19-22). The SI dude was a complete idiot. I went to a tutor which helped but I'm not wealthy so that was an occasional thing. And the book sucked.

However, this is my suggestion to you...take pre-cal and Calculus first. I'm taking Pre-cal in the fall and already have my book. When I looked through the first chapter, I saw how much more I would have gotten even algrebra-based physics had I taken this first.

I'm going to more-than-likely retake my cruddy physics due to my "C" after I take pre-cal and calculus. If you think you'll be fine but are a little "gun-shy", perhaps you can audit the course first. You have time...😳

 

[Jewels86]

I got a question. I'm a business major so I don't need to take upper level math. I'm debating if I should just make my stay in college a lot longer and work my way up to the calculus classes. Why? Because you never know if I will get into medical school. So I would then take calculus base physics, so I can go back and major in engineering. Good idea or just screw it and hope for the best?

IMHO, I would take calculus. I am planning on it. Medicine is science and calculus would support that. But that's my thoughts and plans only 🙂

As for engineering...unless you want to build planes or rocket ships, I'd stay away from that. Take your pre-meds while working on your business major. Can you minor in biology or something like that?

As for calc-based physics...I just wrote about taking pre-cal and calc prior to taking physics, whether it's algebra-based or calc-based. Again, IMHO...I'd take pre-cal and calc first. I just finished taking algebra-based physics and almost "died" in it. I'm taking pre-cal in the fall and now that I have looked at the first chapter, I can see how I would have benefited from that. Best wishes!! 🙂

 

[deleted407021]

Take algebra/trig based physics. There is NO calculus on the MCAT for 2015 or the current version. If you are rusty at math, avoiding the calc based will save you a headache and better prepare you for the exam.