Which Calculus?

[RNwantDO]

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I was wondering if anyone had any input on choosing a calculus class? I am non-traditional, early 30's and I am shooting to matriculate in 2015 so MCAT in 2013-2014. I have about 70 credit hours to complete as most of my current credits (Nursing) do not transfer over. Current interests include but not limited to Psych, Emergency med, Radiology, Nuclear Med, Pathology, Neurology, and Endocrinology.

My university offers traditional Calculus or a form of applied Calculus. I can go directly into applied Calc, and it will meet my degree requirement. I am reguired to take pre-calc if I go traditional. So, I was wondering if applied calc will be limiting in future residencies? Is there a need for Calculus 1&2 in the more technical specialties, or will having a practical understanding by sufficient?

 

[hopefuldoc97239]

Many medical schools require a course in calculus for admissions, so you should be looking into requirements for schools you're interested in and make sure you meet their requirements.

Beyond the admissions requirement, I'm not sure that any field of medicine will require you to actually use calculus in your practice. I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong!

 

[Prncssbuttercup]

My guess is the lower level one is sufficient. I guess my thought is take the ones you can get As in. If math isn't really a strong suit, take the lower level calc and lower level physics. The Adcoms don't give a hoot if you took the hard classes and had Bs in them, they want As. This was my downfall, I thought they would care that I had always taken the hardest option, and in reality it just screwed me over...

 

[EdLongshanks]

My guess is the lower level one is sufficient. I guess my thought is take the ones you can get As in. If math isn't really a strong suit, take the lower level calc and lower level physics. The Adcoms don't give a hoot if you took the hard classes and had Bs in them, they want As. This was my downfall, I thought they would care that I had always taken the hardest option, and in reality it just screwed me over...

You don't have to fulfill the requirements until before matriculation. If the lower-level calculus is found to be insufficient, then the school that accepts you will tell you this, and you can take the upper-level one after acceptance.

 

[medicsb]

I suggest that you don't take calculus as the majority of schools do not require it. I can't think of any DO schools that required calculus, but I suppose there may be a couple. Make a list of schools that you'd want to go to and then see if any *require* calc. If one does require it, then reassess and determine if you still want to go to that school. If you do, then take calculus. If you don't, then don't waste your time.

Oh, and for the record you'll more than likely NEVER EVER use calculus during medical school.

 

[RNwantDO]

Thank you for the input. My university requires one of the Calc's for my bachelor. I am just going to take the applied Calc, as I can just start it up this fall. It actually is considered a 2nd year course, vs the traditional Calc (1st year course) so I am pretty sure it will cover most Med schools Calc requirement.

 

[CaptainObvious]

This is from 2007, but may still be helpful. Check your school's website.

Med Schools that require Calculus