<p>My school offers two courses of physics. One is calculus based and the other is trig based. Both courses occur over 2 semesters. Which would better prepare me for the MCAT? The trig based physics covers alot of dynamics and kinetics and such. I don't know about the calc based one. The trig is a higher course number too.</p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>MCAT is not calc based, but knowing calc won't hurt you. The important thing at this point is to figure out the curves for the courses and make your decision there.</p>
<p>well i took calc 1 freshmen year, pulled out an A. Now im taking a higher level course statistics. but if the physics isnt calc based then id much rather go trig. thanks</p>
<p>You don't need to know calc. based physics for the MCAT but it can't hurt.</p>
<p>Edit: Whoops, BDM took the words right out of my mouth.</p>
<p>Just be warned that sometimes more advanced classes give out higher grades, and that that can matter.</p>
<p>you DONT need calc based, but sometimes its easier to get a good grade in calc based cause most premeds take the easier physics.</p>
<p>bruinboy, your comment that it is easier to get a higher grade in calc based just because premeds don't take it is wrong.</p>
<p>In fact, it may be harder to get a good grade in calc based Physics, not just because of the course work, but because you are going to be going up against Engineers who are typically better in Math and Physics in general.</p>
<p>BB's comment was "sometimes", which I think is reasonable and very defensible.</p>
<p>yea sometimes, like at my school, if you're in the honors calc based physics i heard its like a guaranteed A, while the typical premed physics is really hard to get a high grade. It varies school to school and professor to professor.</p>