Is calculus (or any math) necessary for med school?

afan
Sun, 01 Nov 2009 21:12:19 +0000

You have effectively done the equivalent of 2 semesters with your calc AP. So I don’t think you would be at a disadvantage as far as medical school admissions were concerned if you too no more math at all. BUT CHECK THIS WITH YOUR PREMED ADVISORS!!! Colleges differ. If they tell you that premeds are advised to take calc II, then you should do it.

If you need more calc for your major, then take whatever they suggest for placement. You really have little to gain by taking a higher level than the college suggests you are ready for. If you want to, or need to, take more math, then take calc III after you complete calc II. Your grades in calc III are likely to be better if you take calc II first. Since 240 is getting into stuff that only the more mathematically oriented majors require, you may find the pace and rigor to be considerably higher than the AP syllabus, which is aimed at a much broader audience. Starting with a higher level course, as your first encounter with math at the college level, might be risky.

By the way, if you are good at math, and like it, then you can keep taking courses, even if you have no need for them, and get predictable good grades.