<p>Hi fellow Bears! I'm trying to pick out my schedule for next year and I was wondering whether Physics 117 A or 197 is better. I heard that Physics 197 is a lot easier, but will it prepare me for the MCAT? Is Physics 197 acceptable for med school? I'm looking at the coursebook right now and it seems like 117 A covers a lot more topics and will better prepare me for med school, but I wanted some opinions on the classes. Thanks in advance!!!</p>
<p>Both will prepare you for the MCAT but almost everybody will tell you that 197/198 are better courses than 117/118.</p>
<p>197 all the way.</p>
<p>I’m not exactly sure why you think 117 covers more material? If I’m remembering correctly, my 197/198 classes covered more topics & more in depth than my friends in 117/118.</p>
<p>Also, 197 is by no means easier, it should be noted - it’s just that the grading is easier because 40% comes from hw instead of relying almost solely on exams. You’re going to do a lot more hw in 197, but it’s worth it. That hw grade saved my ass in 197 when I did awful on two of the exams (newtonian physics is not my thing; I did a thousand times better in e&m).</p>
<p>haha thanks guys! I’ll definitely take physics 197!</p>
<p>Either is fine in terms of med school. And as the user above said, 197 is usually more preferred because homework counts more. I actually took 117 because I wasn’t able to get a seat in 197 and did well. If this is for freshman year, 197 would probably be better. To do well in 117/118 you need to do a lot of work on your own (in terms of teaching yourself the material), and tests will count more towards your grade. The two physics courses do cover similar material, but in a different order. I thought 117/118 made me work my butt off and as a result I know the physics really well, and mcat physics comes pretty easily. The difference between the courses is really what percent of homework, tests, etc go into your grade and the professors. Also, 117/118 meets twice a week (Tues Thurs) for an hour and a half each [with a break in the middle, while 197/198 meets MWF for 50 min each. Let me know if you have any other questions! I was upset about the whole 117 situation for a while when I got placed into it, but now I think i was better off in the long run.</p>