Retake College Physics or Wait for General Physics

[DONotMD]

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Hey Folks,

I didn't do too hot in General Physics 1 and was looking to retake it. However, all the schools I've looked at don't have any gen physics courses open for winter 2010. If I took college physics 1, would the grade for GP be replaced on aacomas? Or should I just wait until the summer to take GP1??

Thanks 🙂

 

[RG73]

What is the difference between general and college physics? They're both physics 1 classes taught at a college/university, no? Is one calc based and the other not?

 

[JaggerPlate]

I'm a little confused (like RG). I guess if you can get away with it, don't take calc based physics?? Maybe that is a bad idea? I dunno??

 

[DONotMD]

@RG, yes one is calc based and the other is trig based, both university level courses. I posted this because I wasn't sure if both classes would be calculated in my gpa or just the retake. I took Gen phys because it was a requirement for my chem degree (which I'm done with).
@Jaggerplate, if I can get away from the torture of doing calc based physics, then I'm on it! LOL

 

[demayette]

What is the difference between general and college physics? They're both physics 1 classes taught at a college/university, no? Is one calc based and the other not?

I am sure the OP is talking about the one that is calculus based. If the OP will take the one that is calculus based, he will have to take the whole sequence with calculus based also. The OP should be aware that the calc based one is much more challenging than the one without calculus and and he will be using double integration to solve some of the problems. If the OP did not do good in the one without calculus, I believe he will have a thougher time with the one for engineering major. I can tell the OP from my experience that the one with calculus based is no joke. I dont know if AACOMAS will replace it for the one without calculus as they will not have the same course numbers.

 

[JaggerPlate]

Maybe it's because I took all calc based physics ... but I still struggle to understand a physics course at a college level that isn't calculus based?? Dunno. If you can get away with taking the trig based course, do it.

 

[CardioPlus]

Maybe it's because I took all calc based physics ... but I still struggle to understand a physics course at a college level that isn't calculus based??

Well it basically is the physics you see on the MCAT, just equations, no derivatives, integrals, etc... At my school it pretty much came down to fact that the people who took calc based were physics and chemistry majors (required for their majors)... and bio majors and all other premeds took non-calc based physics (but anyone who wanted to could take calc based).

To the OP... I'm not sure that one would replace the other as the "calc" component makes it a little different. Your best bet would be to contact AACOMAS. If you did that terrible in General Physics, you may have to retake it if you want it replaced.

 

[JaggerPlate]

no derivatives, integrals, etc...

I'm jealous ...

 

[Cybii]

@RG, yes one is calc based and the other is trig based, both university level courses. I posted this because I wasn't sure if both classes would be calculated in my gpa or just the retake. I took Gen phys because it was a requirement for my chem degree (which I'm done with).
@Jaggerplate, if I can get away from the torture of doing calc based physics, then I'm on it! LOL

I'm assuming that your grade won't be replaced unless you take the EXACT same course. So if you took the calc based course, you would have to retake the calc based physics in order to replace your first grade.

I would say avoid the calc based if you can. I took the non-calc based physics and we only used algebra and pre-derived equations.

 

[DocHomer]

I would think that calculus-based physics would replace general physics since it is a more challenging version of the same material. I took two mechanics courses, one was worth 2 credits and the other one was worth 3 credits. The latter was more challenging as it was a higher-level course. I did better in the 3 credit course and AACOMAS replaced my original grade.

 

[Emerald84]

take the trig based. second semester is even more challenging. I did really well in calc but struggled with the physics. I am sure you can list is as repeat 1 on accomas, but I would call them to check. either way, the mcat does not require the calc based and at times I found it a hindrance because I overthought simple problems. adcoms don't care which you take.