I am currently a Pre-Med student that is majoring in Microbiology. I cannot decide whether if I should take Algebra-Based Physics 1 and 2 or Calculus-Based Physics 1 and 2. I have taken up to Calculus 3 and Differential Equations, so I have all the prereqs for Calc-based physics. However, I do not need it for major and want the course that will help my GPA the best as I am a Pre-Med student. Should I take Algebra-Based Physics or Calc-Based physics? Everyone has told me that Physics 1 with Algebra harder than Physics 1 with Calc but Physics 2 with Calc way harder than Physics 2 without Calc. Right now, I have signed up for Physics without Calc 1 in the summer and Physics 2 without Calc in the fall but there are plenty of spots for the Physics 1 with Calc class in the fall so I could drop it and take it with Calc in the fall. Also, another thing is that I feel that Physics with Calc is much more useful for the real world. Which course should I take?
Thanks for all the help
Calculus, as you’ve surmised, serves as the “natural language” for physics, and therefore calculus-based physics would be important for an in-depth understanding of the field, as well as for fields that depend on physics for their foundation. Medical schools, however, tend to disincentivize this level of understanding through their emphases on GPA. Nonetheless, if you can handle the advanced physics, I’d recommend it.
My spouse, who is a PhD in Engineering, remembers fondly when his pre-med best friend in college took a “real” science course in college instead of the standard ones for pre-med and nearly lost his head over the difficulty. If you have any interest in pursuing Physics, take calculus-based Physics. If you are really determined to head to med school and you want to preserve that GPA, think twice before taking a class where you’ll be competing with science majors who live and breathe hard science and math. You won’t be a better doctor for having taken calculus-based physics.
While we’re on this subject, does anyone know why PHY 2048 is 1 less credit than PHY 2053? Shouldn’t the Calculus based physics be more credits because it’s more rigorous. I was just wondering because it sounds like the trig based is more difficult because it is 4 credits compared to the calc based 3 credits.
Have you added in the lab component for both courses, @magicalzack1062?
PHY 2048 Physics w/Calc 1
PHY 2048L Physics w/Calc Lab
PHY 2053 Physics 1
PHY 2053L Physics 1 Lab
No, I have not, I was just talking about the lecture portions.
@arensaini: I should say that the physics program with which I’m most familiar offers three levels of introductory physics (algebra based, general calculus based, and calculus-based for scientists/physicists). Since you will be choosing from two levels, my recommendation to you would be less certain than that implied in my earlier reply.
What’s your high school physics background?
I have 0 high school physics background asides from one semester of basic kinematic physics in sophomore year. However, I do have a Calc background.
Ouch. You’re going to find these two classes hard no matter what, because most students in them will have had at least one year of physics and some will have had AP Physics 1 and AP Physics C. Can you audit one of the two classes first, then register?
i have pre med friends that have taken both sequences and if you have any interest in the subject take the calcbased series.