University vs College Physics

[Paulz]

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At my school we have two different physics.

University Physics - which is "calc based". And Collrgr Physics - "non-calc based".

I had a really hard time with calc this term but I heard that it's not literally calculus that you do in it.

Does anyone on here know the difference or can distinguish between them or help me out?

Thanks

 

[TheRealMD]

At my school we have two different physics.

University Physics - which is "calc based". And Collrgr Physics - "non-calc based".

I had a really hard time with calc this term but I heard that it's not literally calculus that you do in it.

Does anyone on here know the difference or can distinguish between them or help me out?

Thanks

You can take the non-cal based one, it's what the MCAT tests over. Just make sure to avoid the non-science Physics class that isn't for science majors. Easiest way to decide is if the non-cal based course counts towards a bio/chem degree, then it should be fine.

 

[135892]

Take the real thing, none of this non-calc physics bs

 

[el aye]

At my school we have two different physics.

University Physics - which is "calc based". And Collrgr Physics - "non-calc based".

I had a really hard time with calc this term but I heard that it's not literally calculus that you do in it.

Does anyone on here know the difference or can distinguish between them or help me out?

Thanks

At my college there wasn't a huge difference between calc based (analytical) and general physics for the first semester, but there was quite a big difference in E&M (most of analyt 2). The differences for first semester involved mostly how the derive the equations using calc and analysis of graphs, at least from what I remember. Second semester we actually used calc (integrals) to solve problems, but it wasn't exactly hard problem solving (plus there was the ti89 crutch you could use).

 

[zenlike]

Haven taken the calc-based physics, I recommend you take the algebra-based physics. The MCAT tests on algebra-based physics.

 

[redlight]

from my understanding, the c-based physics will include a lot of derivatives and integrals, but nothing too insane. it is a physics class, after all; you're being tested on your knowledge of physics but the language of the course is going to be calculus (for example you may be given the velocity of a moving object as a function and have to find it's acceleration. in c-based physics you might only have to take the derivative of that function to find its acceleration but in non-c based physics you might just have to apply some formula. essentially, you're doing the same thing but one uses calc for terminology and expressing relationships like the one between acceleration and velocity)

 

[Paulz]

To what extent does calc come into play?

There are some things in calc that I am great at and others which it's like I am looking at a completley different language. I am probably going to get a C or maybe a C+ in Calc, maybe a B if a miracle happens(I'm always optimistic). I also work really hard in it and go to two different tutors for it. I also TOTALLY blow 100% at anything trig related(the unit citcle, pie, ect.).

Will I wind up doing the same for calc based physics?

 

[orrghead16]

I also TOTALLY blow 100% at anything trig related(the unit citcle, pie, ect.).

Will I wind up doing the same for calc based physics?

All physics is a lot of trig. Being able to do convert using trig will be central to any physics class, be it pansy or calc based. The calc in Mechanics is really fairly simple. You shouldn't have any trouble with it as long as you understand the basics of calculus. I wouldn't fret over the calculus for Mechanics. E&M will be different, but still not bad.

That said, physics is very mathematical. Those who see math well also tend to be able to see the physical relation in problems. However, you do not need to be a math genius to ace physics. Really, it is just being able to see and feel your way around a problem. Practice problems matter a lot, just like a math class.

 

[sully677]

I am in General Physics 1 (calc based) at my school. It is tremendously harder than the trig based physics. I am taking it because a few of the schools I want to attend recommend it. If you enjoy physics then take it. If you don't enjoy physics prepare for a horrible semester.

 

[Cegar]

Taking algebra-based physics is a lot like taking mathless general chemistry.

 

[Paulz]

My algebra is also terrible.......probably just as bad as my trig knowledge.

 

[135892]

My algebra is also terrible.......probably just as bad as my trig knowledge.

Well, I guess you're just screwed then

But seriously, just do the best you can, and make sure to do A LOT of practice problems.

 

[Blade28]

from my understanding, the c-based physics will include a lot of derivatives and integrals, but nothing too insane. it is a physics class, after all; you're being tested on your knowledge of physics but the language of the course is going to be calculus (for example you may be given the velocity of a moving object as a function and have to find it's acceleration.

You're basically correct, but unfortunately the calculus-based physics classes aren't as simple as "doing derivatives and integrals" of basic formulae - e.g. simply taking the derivative of y = x^2 + 2x or integrating the function f(x) = ln x + sin x.

For example, during kinematics, we had a problem where a woman wearing ice skates was pulling on a sled loaded with a certain amount of weight. As she pulled and advanced her hands up the rope, the distance between the two shortened, but the position of the woman and sled changed as well.

So in this case I had to use integrals to derive an equation to describe their position (relative to the ice), velocity, acceleration, etc.

 

[redlight]

You're basically correct, but unfortunately the calculus-based physics classes aren't as simple as "doing derivatives and integrals" of basic formulae - e.g. simply taking the derivative of y = x^2 + 2x or integrating the function f(x) = ln x + sin x.

For example, during kinematics, we had a problem where a woman wearing ice skates was pulling on a sled loaded with a certain amount of weight. As she pulled and advanced her hands up the rope, the distance between the two shortened, but the position of the woman and sled changed as well.

So in this case I had to use integrals to derive an equation to describe their position (relative to the ice), velocity, acceleration, etc.

lol, that sounds rough. i haven't had anything like that...actually, i haven't had college physics yet (took ap physics c:mechanics in high school though). im taking it next semester (only offer calc-based anyways) but im probably going to take the "easier" physics class (the one for biological science majors)

 

[Blade28]

lol, that sounds rough. i haven't had anything like that...actually, i haven't had college physics yet (took ap physics c:mechanics in high school though). im taking it next semester (only offer calc-based anyways) but im probably going to take the "easier" physics class (the one for biological science majors)

If you did OK in AP Physics C you should be fine in college physics-for-bio-majors. 🙂

 

[RapplixGmed]

How does one understand physics without calc? 😕 Even Newton had trouble doing that. Sure, you can memorize equations and concepts but seeing the math behind it definitely makes it much easier and lets you apply first principles to new situations (engineering).

That being said, if you don't like math, i'd probably stay away from it if the other one applies to your major.

 

[Blade28]

How does one understand physics without calc? 😕 Even Newton had trouble doing that. Sure, you can memorize equations and concepts but seeing the math behind it definitely makes it much easier and lets you apply first principles to new situations (engineering).

Totally agree.

 

[Paulz]

I was actually recommended by my advisor to take the College Physics, which is non-calc based.....

 

[nu2004]

yeah, i would strongly recommend taking the non-calc based. there just isn't any reason to struggle with calc-based physics if you aren't strong in calc, particularly because you will not be expected to know calc-based physics for the MCAT.

interestingly, i thought that mid-level physics was actually much easier to understand and apply with the aid of calculus once we got past newtonian mechanics (i took non-calc based physics, but am very comfortable with calc).

 

[MilkmanAl]

How does one understand physics without calc? 😕 Even Newton had trouble doing that. Sure, you can memorize equations and concepts but seeing the math behind it definitely makes it much easier and lets you apply first principles to new situations (engineering).

That being said, if you don't like math, i'd probably stay away from it if the other one applies to your major.

I was going to say the exact same thing. Learning the calculus behind the physics made it a lot easier for me, but I'm fairly mathematically inclined. If you're heading for a C+ in calc, go with the non-calc version.

 

[161927]

Most of the pre-meds will be taking College Physics, right? So you have a better chance of beating the curve in University Physics, by that logic.

On the other hand: calc-based physics is a harder subject. How confident do you feel about your math skills?

 

[nonesuchgirl]

if you don't need calc-based for something else, do the non-calc.

 

[al112987]

You don't have to be good at calculus to do well in calc-based physics. You just have to know how and where to apply the calculus. Most of the derivatives and integrals are pretty basic and straightforward. The only real difference is that you learn how a lot of the equations and concepts are derived which gves you a better fundamental understanding imo. Much more useful than a teacher waving his hands and giving you an equation which only works for certain circumstances.

 

[biturbomunkie]

^^^agreed. i did my calc-based physics I before i had calc. physics was definitely more interesting than calc.

 

[redlight]

You don't have to be good at calculus to do well in calc-based physics. You just have to know how and where to apply the calculus. Most of the derivatives and integrals are pretty basic and straightforward. The only real difference is that you learn how a lot of the equations and concepts are derived which gves you a better fundamental understanding imo. Much more useful than a teacher waving his hands and giving you an equation which only works for certain circumstances.

i agree

OP: maybe you should ask some other upperclassmen and see what they think. it's possible that both physics professors suck and you'll have to take it in the summer lol

 

[RapplixGmed]

Its also my impression that you don't really need anything beyond noncalc physics to be a doctor anyways. Even if you do something like radiology, there will almost always be a medical physicist to help you. Doctors in even seemingly physics intensive fields such as vascular surgery or cardiology mostly don't know anything about theoretical fluid mechanics. Solving the navier-stokes equations (or more precisely proving or disproving the existance and smoothness of solutions to the equations in R3) will not help you treat your patients any better but it will win you a million bucks from the clay mathematics institute. 😎 However, its probably the hardest way imaginable to become a millionaire.

 

[Blade28]

Agree with the above.

All the biofluids, statics/dynamics, thermals/controls, etc. classes that I took in undergrad? Never use them now.