Skip Calculus When Taking Physics?

[djc1981]

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I have a small conundrum about Physics. At my school, Calculus I is a pre-req for it. Obviously it is calc-based, or that wouldn't be a pre-req. However, I was thinking about filling out a pre-req waiver request for it -- otherwise I would have to also take Plane Trig ( a pre-req for calc!). This would put me behind somewhat, and I want to take Physics by next year so I have it finished before I take the MCAT. If I don't, I believe I would have to graduate one semester later. I did well in Calculus in high school ( I realize that is no comparison). Do you think with some extra hard work I could swing it alright? Questions..Questions....

 

[VALSALVA]

Go ahead and fill out the waiver form if that's what you really want to do. Just be prepared to face the consequences - good or bad. If a short-cut was fool-proof then it would cease to be a short-cut and it would just be "the way." (taken from "Road Trip")

 

[deleted92121]

I'm only taking trig-based physics and I heard that is acceptable for Med School. Is this true?

dxu

 

[Krazykritter]

Yes, you by no means need calc based physics for med school. You only need to understand how to use physics equations & their not concepts, not how to derive the equations.

 

[Dave C]

You do not need Calc based for the MCAT or Medical School.
I have taken PreCal, and Calc both in High School but took regular Physics in College...since I took regular Physics in High School the course was fairly easy 🙂

Don't stress yourself with harder work then what needs to be done. Odds are you'll be taking the MCAT while still in College Physics so use that time to study the MCAT, and not a more advanced version of Physics.

 

[blondie68]

I understand your desire to try that waiver rather than take two addition classes just to fulfill the physics requirement. A lot of colleges have two physics tracks, and I'd probably do a bit more checking before you make a decision. If you go with the calc based I'd consider how strong your high school calc was, and how long ago you took it. Was it a regular level, honors, AP? Did you ace the class? I think you need to look at all this prior to submitting a waiver. Good luck🙂

 

[dtrain5]

I understand your desire to try that waiver rather than take two addition classes just to fulfill the physics requirement. A lot of colleges have two physics tracks, and I'd probably do a bit more checking before you make a decision. If you go with the calc based I'd consider how strong your high school calc was, and how long ago you took it. Was it a regular level, honors, AP? Did you ace the class? I think you need to look at all this prior to submitting a waiver. Good luck🙂

I agree, you should look into whether or not your institution has both a calc and trig based physics class. My school has a calc based for engineering majors (from what I hear it is extremely difficult and is designed to weed people out), and a trig based for science majors.

 

[Kuba]

i took calc-based physics...and unless your professor has you derive tons of stuff for exams you should be ok without calc. However, i would suggest taking trig anyway if you are not great at it by this point since you will need it for any physics

 

[DoctorFreckles]

I have a small conundrum about Physics. At my school, Calculus I is a pre-req for it. Obviously it is calc-based, or that wouldn't be a pre-req. However, I was thinking about filling out a pre-req waiver request for it -- otherwise I would have to also take Plane Trig ( a pre-req for calc!). This would put me behind somewhat, and I want to take Physics by next year so I have it finished before I take the MCAT. If I don't, I believe I would have to graduate one semester later. I did well in Calculus in high school ( I realize that is no comparison). Do you think with some extra hard work I could swing it alright? Questions..Questions....

A large number of medical schools require calculus. Have you considered this?

You can always take it at a community college in summer school.

 

[dr.z]

You don't need calc to complete physics really, but as mentioned some schools do require calc.

 

[Skaterbabe74]

If you decide to skip the math classes (and only you know how good of a grasp you have on calculus) make sure you review your integrals for second semester if you choose to do calc-based. First semester has very little calculus (unless you have an insane teacher you shouldn't be deriving much other than the position, velocity, acceleration) but second semester is heavy on simple integrals (they almost always reduce down to a very basic integral irregardless of how complex they look to start with). Good luck!

 

[McGillGrad]

As long as you practice every day Clac and Physics are simple. At least at undergrad level. And I am not fan of Calculus.

 

[Hardbody]

A large number of medical schools require calculus. Have you considered this?

You can always take it at a community college in summer school.

Last time I checked, I the number of schools that required calc. was somewhere in the range of 10-20, with only 1 D.O. school requiring 1 semester of calc. (any calc.).

 

[chadderdo21]

Does your school have algebra based physics? Calc is a waste of time and is a pain in the a&* if your schools has it. Except for one or two schools, you don't need it unless you want to do a DO/MS or Ph.D program 🙂

 

[hamiltong]

My school had two routes for physics, principles (for bio folk/premed) and general (for physics/biochem, etc.). The former dealt with algebra, the latter calculus. If you haven't taken calculus, I probably would avoid a calculus-based physics. I think you'll struggle, unless you can pick up integration and derivation fairly quickly. It kinda reminds me of a kid in my pchem class who didn't know/remember how to get derivatives. Pretty tough to do a lot of the work. Anyway, I'd see if they'd let you take the trig and single var simultaneously. They will go hand in hand pretty well.