Deciding between calc-based physics and regular trig/algebra physics

zeppelinpage4
Mon, 22 Mar 2010 23:45:45 +0000

Yeah, i’m basically trying to decide which one to take. All the physics professors at my school are supposedly tough but the nicer one is teaching calc based physics. He’s supposedly a very good professor and the students like him.

The professor teaching regular algebra based physics isn’t too well liked among the students and I heard students told me they struggled with him.

However I am very sure both are equally tough and I know calc-based physics is more challenging at my school.

The plus side is that calc-based physics will leave me the option to change my major if I ever want (biochem/chem etc.) . The algebra/trig based physics can only be used for my bio major.

The big downside is that it does require some more work and more importantly, the MCAT covers trig/algebra based physics.

Will it hurt me on the MCAT to learn the calc-based physics?
Also would you recommend it over the trig/algebra based physics if it wasn’t required for your major?

I feel like I might have a better understanding of physics since the professor supposedly teaches/demands a lot. However as a bio major looking at medical school I don’t think that understanding will matter as much as my GPA.

Any ideas what route I should go with this? I just want some feedback from anyone who has taken one or the other and if you think calc-based is a better or worse option.