Does anyone know if med schools prefer physics be calculus based instead of algebra based?
Are you trying to avoid calculus? If so, why?
Most med schools don’t have a preference. Only rare programs like Harvard HST requires calc based physics.
No. The reason I ask is that Physics is offered either based on algebra or calculus. Pre-med students need to choose which one? Is calculus based physics considered more rigorous and therefore med schools recommend that over algebra based physics? Is one an easier course than another? Pre-med students need to maintain high gpa so if med schools don’t care which physics is taken, it would seem that one should choose the easier of the two types of physics courses.
Pre-meds can choose a physics course suitable for biology majors. Depending on the college, this may have no calculus or light calculus, or (rarely) be the same as for physics and engineering majors with heavy calculus (usually multivariable calculus for E&M).
If you know calculus well, physics may be easier to understand with calculus.
There are a handful of med schools that require calculus based physics— Harvard HST, JHU, UWash… but most med schools don’t specify a preference. You can take whatever course you choose.
Calc based physics will be more “difficult” only because it requires a higher level of math competency. But Calc based physics may be easier and more accessible (make more sense) than algebra based physics assuming you have mastered the math involved.
Depends on the undergraduate institution. Science majors at son’s school cannot take algebra based physics-they have to take calculus based. Although there is one sequence geared towards Engineering and Physics majors and another towards the other natural sciences (Biology and Chemistry) majors. However there is actually little difference between the 2 sequences and Physics majors can use the other sequence to fulfill their requirements.
Definitely check the list of your prospective medical schools to see which version of Physics is required/accepted.
Physics and calculus are made for each other. If you are comfortable with math, I would take the calculus based physics course. I concur with “ucalumnus,” but I know nothing about med school expectations.
As others have said it depends on where you want to go and the requirements of your degree. S who is pre vet and gf who is pre-med both took algebra based and did great. Fine for their degrees and fine with schools they are applying to.