Why do physics a pre req

[wlee43]

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I understand other areas of sciences employ physics. like gases for chem or electricity for neurobio. but why 2 semesters? is it really necessary?

 

[yellowpens]

Physics is pretty much the base of all sciences... I've used what I learned from physics in every other science class I've had (I took it first.)
Besides that, it's just awesome.

 

[candav]

You see a lot of physics in the other sciences. My preparation in fluid dynamics, for example, really helped me in cell biology and physiology.

 

[DoctwoB]

I understand other areas of sciences employ physics. like gases for chem or electricity for neurobio. but why 2 semesters? is it really necessary?

Physics has been much more relevant for med school then any other pre-req.

1. Cardio = fluid dynamics. You have a pump and tubes. The concepts of flow, resistance, and pressure also strongly correlate with electrical circuits with voltage (pressure change), resistance, and current (flow)
2. Pulm = how gasses work, partial pressures, what drives gas flow, etc.
3. Musculoskeletal = types of forces, stresses, etc. (more bioE then physics, but you need the background).

many more examples, these are just off the top of my head.

 

[aSagacious]

Physics has been much more relevant for med school then any other pre-req.

1. Cardio = fluid dynamics. You have a pump and tubes. The concepts of flow, resistance, and pressure also strongly correlate with electrical circuits with voltage (pressure change), resistance, and current (flow)
2. Pulm = how gasses work, partial pressures, what drives gas flow, etc.
3. Musculoskeletal = types of forces, stresses, etc. (more bioE then physics, but you need the background).

many more examples, these are just off the top of my head.

+1

Also,
4. Optics - glasses, microscopes, etc
5. Waves - hearing
6. E&M - imaging

 

[tunechi]

After the MCAT I thought I would never have to look at physics again and thought is was a useless waste of time.

Now, in med school, my physiology black is practically a physics class...

 

[tiedyeddog]

I think a better question is why is Ochem one and biochem isn't?

 

[mauberley]

 

[Charles_Carmichael]

Physics has been much more relevant for med school then any other pre-req.

1. Cardio = fluid dynamics. You have a pump and tubes. The concepts of flow, resistance, and pressure also strongly correlate with electrical circuits with voltage (pressure change), resistance, and current (flow)
2. Pulm = how gasses work, partial pressures, what drives gas flow, etc.
3. Musculoskeletal = types of forces, stresses, etc. (more bioE then physics, but you need the background).

many more examples, these are just off the top of my head.

+ infinity!

Physics is one of the most useful pre-reqs, IMO. I don't understand why so many premeds have such an aversion to courses that emphasize critical thinking and problem-solving (this statement is just based on anecdotal evidence from undergrad and from the threads I read here on SDN, not actual evidence). These courses have been much more helpful in med school for me than the vast majority of my bio classes, where it was simple memorize and regurgitate.

 

[Espadaleader]

Physics is useless until E&M. I don't care about forces on a rock or a the torque on a wheel in physics I. Physics II is awesome because it takes the boring concepts of physics I and apply them....instead of dropping a rock you're determining the voltage in a battery, torque on a CO2 molecules, magnetic field from MRI

 

[Espadaleader]

However you need to know the boring stuff from physics I to appreciate the awesomeness of physics II

 

[BenzylAcetate]

👍

As soon as I read the thread title I went to go find this, you beat me to it!