So I know the the requirements...

[MrJosh9788]

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and basically know the admissions process backwards and forwards, but what level of math do you recommend taking up to? I know what the requirement is, but what will best prepare me for the math needed for pre-med courses?

 

[se2131]

For pre-med courses specifically? Calculus II for calc-based physics, algebra for the other pre-med req's.

 

[HumidBeing]

You can do fine in those courses with just arithmetic and algebra.

 

[HumidBeing]

For pre-med courses specifically? Calculus II for calc-based physics, algebra for the other pre-med req's.

Except that you need to take the calc based version of physics.

 

[Phoenix.]

Except that you need to take the calc based version of physics.

Eh? As far as I know, you only need to take the non-calc based physics. There could conceivably be a school out there that prefers calc-based, but I didn't run into any.

For physics and chem, being somewhat familiar with algebra (working equations, log, graphs, etc.) and a little geometry/trig (angles, sin, cos, tan, etc.) is helpful. Mind you, I never took any college math and pulled off As in physics and chem, but I did have to work a little harder to figure out how to use some of the math concepts or functions that I wasn't as familiar with.

 

[bigDee]

Except that you need to take the calc based version of physics.

No you don't.

 

[Phoenix.]

No you don't.

Hmm. I'm thinking Humid must have typo'd that....

 

[Vihsadas]

Yeah, you don't need the calc based version of physics. some schools teach minor amount of calc in their intro physics classes (McGill), but its nothing too severe.

 

[se2131]

Huh, my school doesn't even offer non-calc-based physics (and we have hundreds of pre-meds each year)... I assumed that it was a staple I guess.

 

[Mobius1985]

Some med schools schools let you substitute Statistics for (some of) the math requirement. I can't imagine you'll ever use Calculus again as a med student or a doctor, but you will need the concepts in Statistics for a lifetime, like in reading medical literature. To be best prepared for the most rigorous pre-med curriculum, take math through Calc II. To be adequately and more appropriately prepared, take Calc I and Statistics. Just my opinion.

 

[Law2Doc]

Huh, my school doesn't even offer non-calc-based physics (and we have hundreds of pre-meds each year)... I assumed that it was a staple I guess.

No way. You don't even need to be a science major to do the prereqs. You can take algebra based everything. The catch though is a small handful of med schools are going to want you to have taken calc.

 

[se2131]

No way. You don't even need to be a science major to do the prereqs. You can take algebra based everything. The catch though is a small handful of med schools are going to want you to have taken calc.

I'm looking at my school's course listings right now, and the only general physics classes that are offered are the calc-based physics class that I took, and an even more advanced general physics class (for ppl who have already taken the AP class). There is definitely no algebra-based general physics class at my school.

 

[bcat85]

Some med schools schools let you substitute Statistics for (some of) the math requirement. I can't imagine you'll ever use Calculus again as a med student or a doctor, but you will need the concepts in Statistics for a lifetime, like in reading medical literature. To be best prepared for the most rigorous pre-med curriculum, take math through Calc II. To be adequately and more appropriately prepared, take Calc I and Statistics. Just my opinion.

That pretty much hit it on the head right there. I agree.. Calc II isn't really necessary unless your med school requires it. Otherwise, don't beat your head against a wall

 

[mvenus929]

Except that you need to take the calc based version of physics.

No, you don't. There isn't any calculus on the MCAT, so you can get away with taking algebra based physics. If they wanted you to take calc based physics, then they'd put more calculus based physics questions on the MCAT (which would turn it into a completely different test, but still...).

I'm looking at my school's course listings right now, and the only general physics classes that are offered are the calc-based physics class that I took, and an even more advanced general physics class (for ppl who have already taken the AP class). There is definitely no algebra-based general physics class at my school.

At my school, 'general physics' is calculus based, but we have an algebra-based 'physics for life sciences' class, which non-physics/engineering majors take. That's the class we get credit for if we've taken the AP exam. We have several pre-meds (not hundreds, but several) at my school, and many Chemistry majors (they take harder classes than bio majors, which is why I bring them up) who all take algebra based physics.

 

[RySerr21]

Huh, my school doesn't even offer non-calc-based physics (and we have hundreds of pre-meds each year)... I assumed that it was a staple I guess.

neither does mine. and the department sucks. so i took both semesters at a state university back at home over the summer. they were algebra/trig based.