<p>QUESTION:</p>
<p>Will I be making things harder for myself in Grad School, Job Prospecting, & on-the-job-work if I took algebra-based physics instead of calculus-based physics? I'm especially considering concentrating on Hydrogeology and environmental remediation / assessment.</p>
<p>DETAILS:</p>
<p>I'm working on my BSc in Geology at UT-San Antonio. I need 2 semesters of Physics, and it can be either Algebra or Calculus based. I have already taken Calc I & II (and III isn't required). I'm going to also attain a Masters in Geology w/ a concentration in Hydrogeology at UTSA, too....of which either physics type is fine when applying for admissions to Graduate school down the road.</p>
<p>Because of possible scheduling conflicts (and not because of the math differences), I'm considering going with Algebra-based Physics. If I go with calc-physics I'll probably need an extra semester to obtain my BSc<--which I'd prefer to avoid, but will do if it truly helps.</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>Any ideas? I’ll need to register soon and was hoping someone might have had a similar concern while they were deciding which physics to take in undergrad for their BS…or known someone who has…or found out otherwise once they were out of school. Thanks to any and all who can help!</p>
<p>I’m no expert, but my d is a Geology major at a state school and she is required to take Calculus-based Physics… From what I’ve read, it seems the more physics you can get, the better, in the field of Geology. Hopefully someone who is actually in the field will answer your post. </p>
<p>thanks, needavacation! As I understand it, some schools are allowing algebra-based physics to entice more students to go for the BS in Geology. I too was thinking calculus-based physics could only help more and I might just need to figure out how to make the schedule work.</p>
<p>Hopefully someone in the field could let me know just how important the ‘calculus’ part of physics is versus knowing calculus (I’ve taken calc I & II) and physics (algebra-based) separately.</p>
<p>I’m a high school senior majoring in geology next year and my college gives a calc and non-calc option for physics too.</p>
<p>as a heads-up for those who might look through this thread down the road, I spoke to the head of the geology department who also spent years as a hydrogeologist. He said calc-physics can only help. That you can never get enough advance math in geology. But with that said, for the hydro side of things I would be fine in the field & in graduate school with UTSA if I took algebra-based physics instead (due to scheduling conflicts) since I’ve already taken calc I & II…but if it’s possible to do the calc-physics route, to go for it.</p>
<p>Thanks to all those who helped:)</p>
<p>Hmmm, UTSA’s class schedule indicates that there are 3 to 5 sections of engineering physics I and II (PHY 1903 and 1923) this semester, but only one section of physics for scientists I and II (PHY 1943 and 1963) this semester.</p>
<p>UTSA’s catalog says that the engineering physics and physics for scientists courses are the same course, but does not say so for the associated labs (PHY 1911 and 1931 for the engineering physics lab I and II and PHY 1951 and 1971 for the physics for scientists lab I and II).</p>
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<p>If the physics for scientists courses are a scheduling problem, check with the geology department to see if you can substitute the engineering physics courses instead of the algebra based physics courses.</p>
<p>Thanks, ucbalumnus. But where did you see ‘engineering physics’ on the schedule? I saw the catalog description, but it’s not on the schedule as far as I could tell. </p>
<p>I think I see what happened. It looks like you were looking at the Spring '14 schedule. The ‘engineering physics’ was offered in Spring '14, but isn’t offered for Fall ‘14…in fact, for calc based physics it’s called "scientist and engineering physics’ now. Looks like they just combined it starting in the Fall.</p>
<p>The catalog is outdated (ends Spring '14), and they’re suppose to update it to reflect what’s being (and will be) offered for the '14-'15 year. This might be one of the changes.</p>
<p>Either way, I was mainly thinking Alg-based because I could take the lecture online at the junior college and just attend 1 night a week after work for Lab, making it easier w/ a household of several 6 & unders ;). It’ll transfer over and fulfill the requirement. </p>
<p>I see, they combined the two courses for fall 2014, so you have three choices of lecture for PHY 1943. None of them fit your schedule?</p>
<p>Does the junior college offer a calculus-based physics course?</p>
<p>Just a quick clarification on my part: I was also thinking that taking the calculus-based physics vs. algebra-based would give you the option to take higher level physics courses in the future if your schedule allows. Sometimes those upper level courses have pre-req’s that might include the calc-based course, or having it might make that upper level course easier. Something to think about!</p>