So I’ll be returning to school after being away for several years to complete my neuroscience/pre-med degree and am debating which physics course to take (135/140). Unfortunately, I don’t have any background in physics (never took in hs), but to make up for this, I’ve been self-studying Giancoli’s “Physics for Scientists and Engineers.” I should be done with it by September, but I would have felt much better had I taken a proper AP class. Here are some of the concerns I have regarding Physics 135:
- Does it adequately prepare one for the MCAT (especially students with no physics background)?
- No official textbook is used
- Does it really get into the meat and bones of physics or does that get obscured by over emphasizing biological concepts?
I get that 135 is designed for pre-meds, but I read some comments from former students that they didn’t learn “any” actual physics in it. As for 140, I know it’s geared more towards engineers, but if that means I’ll leave it with a better understanding of physics, it’s something I’m willing to consider. Besides by the time I graduate I will have taken so many different bio courses that a class devoted entirely to physics might give me a more well-rounded education.
Thanks.