<p>I’m really uncertain as to which level of physics I should take. For both computer science and chemistry majors (not sure which I want to do yet), I have to take Physics 116 and 117 (which are calculus-based) but I’m worried that I might not do well in them because I don’t remember a lot of the calculus I did last year. Do you know if the calculus done in physics requires in-depth knowledge of calculus? </p>
<p>If so, I might have to retake calc 1 and calc 2 (math 231 and 232) even though I got the credit for them. I would have to take that or Physics 104 and 105 (which is all that’s required for a biology major), which is the equivalent of AP Physics B (which I haven’t taken) and isn’t calc-based. Does anyone know if medical schools prefer the calc-based class over the non-calc-based?</p>
<p>As far as I know, med schools don’t care one way or another which physics classes you take (104/105 or 116/117) as long as you fulfill the requirement. If you’re not a math person, 116 and 117 are going to be really tough, but do NOT retake two math classes you’re getting credit for just so they might help you out in physics. SO not worth it.</p>
<p>Also - pretty positive a Chemistry (BA) degree just requires 104/105. If I were you, I would see how things go in your chemistry and computer science classes (to see if those majors are doable) and then worry about which physics classes to take Sophomore or Junior year. Don’t stress!</p>
<p>I say if you did well in calc, take 116/117 as the more rigorous your curriculum the better (if you do well in it). If math is a struggle, it may be better to take the non calculus based.</p>
<p>[Degree</a> Requirements](<a href=“http://www.chem.unc.edu/undergrads/index.html?display=undergraduate_program&content=degree_requirements]Degree”>http://www.chem.unc.edu/undergrads/index.html?display=undergraduate_program&content=degree_requirements)</p>
<p>According to this, a chem major bachelor of science requires 116/117. But you’re right, math is somewhat of a struggle for me, which is why I might push off physics. </p>
<p>In fact, I might decide to major in bio, which doesn’t require calc-based physics. However, all three majors (chem, bio and comp sci) require multivariable calculus and I need to have a firm grip on calc before moving into that. So either way, I’ll have to retake calc 1/2 (even though I got AP credit, I won’t be as thorough as I was before the AP exam no matter how much I look over my notes).</p>
<p>Btw, why would people want to do a chemistry BA and not BS? I would think that people going into a chem major would not be very interested in pursuing humanities.</p>
<p>In that case I would recommend taking calc again - I took it a second time in college and it was much easier and gave me great confidence. And you can take advantage of the Math Help Center.</p>
<p>Well, a lot of people start taking chemistry classes at UNC and realize… wow, this shiz is hard. Really, really hard. So it’s not so much that you want the BA over the BS, it’s that you want to save your sanity and GPA by cutting out some of the chem classes. The Chemistry BA major can actually be a huge life saver. Unless you’re going to major in math or something along those lines, I just don’t see the point of retaking the calculus. 231 and 232 are huge pains, and they’re going to teach you what you need to know calculus wise in your bio and chem classes anyway. I wouldn’t get fussed about the calculus/physics stuff until you have a better idea about potential majors.</p>
<p>D is taking Physics 116 this summer. Summer semester is accelerated at 3 times the speed but the net is that she is studying an average of 8 hours per hour of class time…and it only maxes out at 8 because she runs out of hours in the day. So translating this to a normal semester, it would be 20+ hours a week minimum of homework…a lot if you’re trying to do 4 other courses. It is an incredibly hard course but having helped her try to work through various homework problems, I don’t see a whole lot of calculus in it. I see a lot of geometry/trig/algebra…so I would not retake calculus if I were you. That said, if you can get by with taking Physics 104 and it is any easier, you should go for that.</p>