Which physics class to take for best preparation?

[BAMF]

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Hi! I'm trying to figure out which physics class I can take that would best prepare me for the MCAT, since I'll be taking it a couple weeks after Physics II ends. I can see advantages in both, so hopefully someone with more experience can help me out. Both are 4 credit classes and include lecture + lab. The life sciences one is less mathematics-based, but math won't be a problem for me either way.

Physics for Life Sciences I & II
Fall: Introductory course for professional work in biology and health professions and services. Emphasizes life science applications. Mechanics: laws of motion, force, torque, work, energy, power; properties of matter: gases, liquids, solids, fluid mechanics.
Spring: Laws of thermodynamics, kinetic theory. Wave phenomena: sound, light, optics; electricity and magnetism; atomic and nuclear physics; radioactivity.

Elementary Classical Physics I & II
Fall: Introductory physics for students of science and engineering. Classical kinematics and dynamics as related to contemporary physics. Oscillations, thermodynamics. Vectors and some calculus introduced as needed.
Spring: Fluid mechanics, mechanical and electromagnetic waves and wave phenomena, basic laws of electromagnetism, interference and diffraction, coherence, geometrical and physical optics.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Rabolisk]

...Are you allowed to take these classes for credit after Physics II?? These seem like introductory physics classes that are designed to be for students who are not physics majors.

 

[BAMF]

^^ Oh, I'm not enrolled in physics right now. What I had meant was that whichever physics I take, I plan on taking the MCAT after the second part of the sequence ends. Sorry for the confusion!

 

[flodhi1]

^^ Oh, I'm not enrolled in physics right now. What I had meant was that whichever physics I take, I plan on taking the MCAT after the second part of the sequence ends. Sorry for the confusion!

Physics 1 , Physics 2 can both be approx. 25 % of the PS section each maybe slightly more. BOTH WILL be needed.

 

[BAMF]

Apparently I am really confusing, lol.

Either one will count for both Physics I & II. The two I posted are separate, two-semester physics sequences that will fulfill my major as well as med school requirements. One has an emphasis on life sciences. I was just wondering which sequence would be better MCAT preparation. 😕

 

[flodhi1]

Apparently I am really confusing, lol.

Either one will count for both Physics I & II. The two I posted are separate, two-semester physics sequences that will fulfill my major as well as med school requirements. One has an emphasis on life sciences. I was just wondering which sequence would be better MCAT preparation. 😕

Physics for Life Sciences I & II is definitely the best choice and I apologize for not giving this direct answer before. I've already graduated and taken several practice MCAT exams there seems to be a MUCH more emphasis on the topics under Physics for Life Sciences I & II. Good luck!

 

[Lil Mick]

Classical physics is for physics majors usually, and the end portion (radioactivity, nuclear and particle physics, quanta...) is usually a separate class (though that material will be fair game on the MCAT). I'd suggest going with the former choice, unless you are interested and motivated enough to learn nuclear and quantum physics on your own.

 

[ThirdEye]

The life sciences option looks like the best bet. Just make certain it counts towards your degree.

 

[SmurfinUSA]

the life science one is easier (i got A's in both semesters- and i didn't know a thing going into the exams)

If I were to do it again, I'd go with the calc based physics and learn the intricacies of the science, instead of being given 20 formulas and plug and chug.

Having said this, I think the prof is the most important factor. Some will just derive formulas all day long~~ boring!!!!!!!!! But some will take the time to make physics relevant! My first semester I had a physics prof who would show us experiments in our class room! he lit a rocket made out of a bottle in class!! haha

 

[tttgo]

I would go with the life science one since mcat physics doesn't test heavy calculus. You might Just focus on getting a good grade and understanding the material. Easier class=more time to go to oh and study. The life science series's order of topic also seems to correlate with the way the info is presented in mcat prep books better.

 

[Rabolisk]

I would go with the harder one if only to challenge yourself.

 

[flodhi1]

Hi! I'm trying to figure out which physics class I can take that would best prepare me for the MCAT, since I'll be taking it a couple weeks after Physics II ends. I can see advantages in both, so hopefully someone with more experience can help me out. Both are 4 credit classes and include lecture + lab. The life sciences one is less mathematics-based, but math won't be a problem for me either way.

Physics for Life Sciences I & II
Fall: Introductory course for professional work in biology and health professions and services. Emphasizes life science applications. Mechanics: laws of motion, force, torque, work, energy, power; properties of matter: gases, liquids, solids, fluid mechanics.
Spring: Laws of thermodynamics, kinetic theory. Wave phenomena: sound, light, optics; electricity and magnetism; atomic and nuclear physics; radioactivity.

Elementary Classical Physics I & II
Fall: Introductory physics for students of science and engineering. Classical kinematics and dynamics as related to contemporary physics. Oscillations, thermodynamics. Vectors and some calculus introduced as needed.
Spring: Fluid mechanics, mechanical and electromagnetic waves and wave phenomena, basic laws of electromagnetism, interference and diffraction, coherence, geometrical and physical optics.

Thanks in advance!

The MCAT has no Calculus at all so if anyone tells you otherwise they are lying.

 

[Swagster]

Go for the Life Science based course, unless the curve is easier in the other class.

 

[PD187540]

Make sure to read the descriptions of those physics courses in the course catalog. I find that to be very helpful in making a decision. You should look for topics covered and "algebra-based" or "non-calculus-based" approaches.

Right now, I'm taking General Physics I, then II to follow this summer. It's a blast so far, and I'm acing Physics I (101 on the first test..with 100, 100, and 99 on my lab reports so far). Initially, this subject was my most feared one out of all the sciences, but I'm actually loving it! I actually dropped out of my master's in teaching in order to pursue trying to get into med school and studying for the MCAT full-time. Crazy, yes, but at this point in my life, med school is all I have to focus on.

 

[Rabolisk]

I don't see why one should choose the non-calculus option over the calculus option. Calculus isn't tested on the MCAT, but calculus helps learning physics, in my opinion. One should understand that calc-based physics might be graded tougher, but in the end, it's just two classes. An A- as opposed to an A won't hurt.

 

[tttgo]

it's up to you, but some schools have harder curriculum. If it was an a- vs a, then go ahead and learn more.

 

[PD187540]

I don't see why one should choose the non-calculus option over the calculus option. Calculus isn't tested on the MCAT, but calculus helps learning physics, in my opinion. One should understand that calc-based physics might be graded tougher, but in the end, it's just two classes. An A- as opposed to an A won't hurt.

Calculus may help to learn physics, but really, all you need is algebra-based physics to really grasp the basics (which is what the MCAT is testing you on anyway). But if you want a more rigorous and enriching physics experience, go right ahead and take it with calculus in there. To me, that's overkill for MCAT purposes.