Bio-Chem // Molecular Bio Major -- Should I take Algebra or Calc Based Physics?

Transfer Students
1

Hi Everyone,

I am currently a first year student at a community college.
I am currently taking General Bio, General Chem, and Calc (I will finish this during my first year)

I also finished my required GE’s as a STEM Major (psych, socio, 2 English Classes and other stuff)

Next year, prior to transfer, I will be taking Ochem, statistics, and Physics BUT

I DONT KNOW WHAT PHYSICS TO TAKE!

On the school’s websites I am interested in (UCB, UCLA, UCD, UCSD, UCSB) They “highly” recommend taking a year of calc based physics, but on assist.org, it says they accept either. I am planning on attending medical school, and from all the forums I read, calc based physics is not on the MCAT and not very helpful for bio majors.

I guess I am looking for some validation that I don’t need calc based physics, but I’m not sure. help!

THANKS

2

If you know your calculus well, you may find that calculus-based physics is easier to understand than physics without calculus.

However, the calculus-based physics course that includes electricity and magnetism (usually the second semester) often requires multivariable calculus as a co-requisite. Calculus-based physics courses may have stronger-in-physics students (mostly engineering and physics majors) if you are concerned about the grading curve.

Note that physics for biology majors at UCB, UCLA, UCD, UCSD, UCSB, and probably some other schools is “light calculus” rather than no calculus. I.e. calculus is a prerequisite, but a light calculus course is acceptable rather than requiring the regular calculus course that math, physics, and engineering majors take.

3

Thanks for that. I just started calc, so Im not sure how comfortable I am yet. I will consider everything you mentioned when I finish calc and am about to start physics.

4

Calc-based physics is more generally applicable, in case you decide to switch majors, double major, or take a minor. More importantly, I’m in the same major and trust me, down the road, linear algebra, calculus, and statistics will become very important. It may not be explicitly required, depending on your institution, but proficiency in those subjects can open up huge swaths of possibilities. Of course, this is more applicable to future researchers than to future doctors, but hey, doing significant undergrad research is a great way to get into a good med school.

5

I totally agree with you, I’m planning on finishing all of the call series and taking statistics again (I took it in high school but didn’t get a 5). I am actually hoping on doing plenty of research, but never even considered doing linear algebra. I am have applied to various research//R&D internships for this summer (hopefully it goes in my favor). I am fine at math, but I’m afraid that since I never took ANY formal physics before, that I may be screwed going straight into calf based physics

6

Calc-based physics doesn’t actually involve too much calculus. If you did fine in your actual calc courses, you should be fine.