<p>I realize that the MCAT PS section doesn't require calculus-based physics knowledge, but does it help for the questions or are the quicker to answer using algebraic methods? Also has can anyone discuss if it's harder to prepare for the physics on the MCAT after having taken calculus-based physics?</p>
<p>Well, D1 (physics major) initially had some issues when prepping for the PS section because she kept “overthinking” the questions. Once she figured out there weren’t any trick/gotchya questions, she found the PS trivially easy. She was often able to ‘eyeball’ the correct answer without doing the actual calculations.</p>
<p>D2 took calc-based physics. (At her school everyone takes calc-based physics, including bio majors. There is no algebra-based physics class for science majors or non-science major pre meds.) She’s taking her MCAT in January so I’ll you know once she starts prepping in Sept.</p>
<p>To make things clear for others, your daughter was able to eyeball questions because the MCAT answer choices allow it and because she was good at math. I highly doubt it was the calc vs algebra issue. I have never taken calc based physics and the only reasons I see for doing so are either because you would prefer to because you like it or it is considered a bad move at your school to take algebra based.</p>
<p>I agree with i<em>wanna</em>be_Brown. I too was able to eyeball many answers to PS section because I am pretty good at mental math and am good at estimating. </p>
<p>I took algebra-based and it hasn’t caused any problems so far. Physics has always been my least favorite and my worst science course, which I think explains why it was my lowest score (although just by 1 point). </p>
<p>If there’s not a good reason for taking calc-based (eg like the reasons in #3), I’d go with algebra-based because it will certainly suffice and will probably be easier for those of us who aren’t naturally gifted mathematicians.</p>
<p>If one is decent at calculus, wouldn’t college level introductory physics be easier to understand with calculus than without?</p>
<p>Of course, the calculus based physics would be filled with physics and engineering majors, which pre-meds might not want to be in the same class in for grade reasons.</p>
<p>OP, the choice of which physics class to take should not be determined by MCAT considerations, but instead is a function of your choice of major. If you are majoring in a “hard science” then you will want the deepest understanding of physics available to you (and probably required by the program of study). You should be aware that non-calculus based physics survey courses are usually only 2 semesters (3 quarters) in duration while the physics sequence(for science majors) will be 3 (sometimes 4) semesters of study. It helps to take AP Physics C(both modules) in high school and then add the “optics” semester in college (which is what I did).</p>
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<p>Absolutely!</p>
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<p>At my school there were two flavors (for engineering majors and for physics majors) I took the “engineering” section. The physics majors were too “hard core” for me. :D</p>
<p>@i<em>wanna</em>be_Brown
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<p>You are MD/PhD, right? What is your research area?
As a chemistry major, there was no choice in the matter. Chemistry uses physics (as do many other hard sciences), real physics not guesstimation physics.</p>
<p>Most pre-meds around my D. took non-calc Physics. I would say, take whatever you wish, but calc-based is not required.</p>
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<p>I admire your integrity with respect to your academic training for your major! I chose to major in biology (which I know some consider to be a hard science, others don’t consider it to be one) and had absolutely no desire to have the deepest understanding of physics available to me. I found physics to be the proverbial burr under the saddle and wanted to get it over with so I could focus on other courses I found to be more interesting and relevant to my career–eg biochemistry, developmental biology, physiology. So, while the choice to take the most rigorous physics offering (or perhaps the second-most, if the one with physics majors is more rigorous, lol) worked wonders in your case, I can’t imagine it would be worthwhile in mine. </p>
<p>I think it would be a good idea for OP to think about what s/he wants to get out of this physics course before deciding which one to take (and I completely agree with you–calc-based physics will probably give the learner a much better/useable understanding of physics!).</p>
<p>kristin,
You are right. D. mentioned that there was lots of physics in studying heart and lungs. These went ot her “NO” list. But she loved kidneys -lots of chem. according to her. She also never mentioned any need for calc-based physics. Despite of any liking or disliking, the last block is passed, yeye, results were posted today, it was the hardest so far and maybe the hardest of them all. D. has 2 more blocks (in second year) and she is done with lecture type of studying.
However, somebody might be personally interested in physics, like others in Music, Art, Economy… So, take the class for the fun of it. D. had a bliss in Music Theory, have the same in calc-based physics, why not? I loved physics myself when I was in school. But when it went too deep into electro-dynamics I did not like it any more. Just know when to stop so that your GPA is not ruined.</p>
<p>There is one school that requires calc-based physics (Harvard HST). Just wanted to throw that one out there since I don’t think it has been mentioned. </p>
<p>Although algebra based physics is sufficient, I personally wish that I had struggled through calculus based physics instead.</p>
<p>my PhD will be in biological sciences and the projects I am interested in certainly will not require real, calc based physics. Pretty sure the most intense math I will actually need to be able to do myself is dilutions/unit conversions and working with exponents.</p>
<p>At some colleges, the physics courses for biology majors and pre-meds do list a semester of calculus as a prerequisite, though not as much math as the physics courses for physics and engineering majors, so there is not an option for a completely non-calculus-based physics course for a pre-med.</p>
<p>^I have completed my two semesters of calculus and so I would be able to take the calculus-based physics sequence, however I’m debating if I should do that or stick with algebra-based.</p>
<p>DS1 likes both Chem and Bio. He is working for a Biochem professor. Since he got AP Cal AB & BC credits, he will take the cal-based physics. This is also for the preparation of graduate school in case the medical school route does not work out.</p>