Any successful Saba students w/o Physics.

[mellsworth21]

Im scheduled to take Physics this fall, but I was wondering since is sugested not required at Saba and MUA if there is any students who havent taken Physics. Thanks.

[KingMo]

I don't think you need physics for anything. Maybe for physio by some stretch of the imagination.

[kryptik]

the Newtons Laws of Motion are pretty important

[mellsworth21]

Do neither of you have Physics?

[kryptik]

i do have a year of physics, from what i gather physics has little or no benefits in med school, if you are only applying to saba and mua and can get in without it great, if not just go ahead and take it.

[KingMo]

I have quite a bit of physics and physical chemistry and experience in biophysics. I just thinking of where it could actually be applied...

[wolfvgang22]

Physiology is physics. Maybe that's why both start with "phys".
We just don't need to use trig or calculus very much, but being able to understand the concepts is nice. Occassionally I get pimped on basic physiology and the physics behind it from some old school doctor on rounds and they want me to explain something like why creatinine increase seen on a renal patients basic metabolic panel is not linear.

LaPlace's law is all about physics, important for the vascular system and pulmonology.
Starling curve is all about physics. Fluid shifts/electrolyte balance is all about basic physics (osmosis/diffusion). Cardiac output is all about basic physics.

So you have to have a high school understanding of physics at minimum. If you want to do any profitable research, more advanced understanding of physics would be useful.

Don't we all get a kick out of understanding how things work, anyway? I thought enjoying physics to a large degree was a pre-requisite for being a medical doctor.
Is it that you just don't want to pay for the classes? I might can understand that a little.

[icesage]

Not really required at all for basic sciences except for a little in Physiology. I would not sweat it. I did 1st, 2nd and 3rd year physics courses and never really used any of it. If you can figure out general formulas (which you should be able to do from your undergrad chemistry course), you should be just fine for Physiology. If SABA does not require it and you do not want to do it, then don't. It is usually taken to get ready for the MCATs. By the way, have you already got acceptance into SABA? If not, I would probably do physics as it may be a course requirement for other universities and most of the other universities in the caribbean require the MCATs unlike SABA.

[gumby]

Not really required at all for basic sciences except for a little in Physiology. I would not sweat it. I did 1st, 2nd and 3rd year physics courses and never really used any of it. If you can figure out general formulas (which you should be able to do from your undergrad chemistry course), you should be just fine for Physiology. If SABA does not require it and you do not want to do it, then don't. It is usually taken to get ready for the MCATs. By the way, have you already got acceptance into SABA? If not, I would probably do physics as it may be a course requirement for other universities and most of the other universities in the caribbean require the MCATs unlike SABA.


Couldn't agree more. If you haven't exhausted all other options for medical school, the last thing you should be doing is planning on Saba. This is a school of last resort, when you have applied everywhere else and couldn't get in. Don't get me wrong, its great for being a second chance, but that is exactly what it is... a second chance. Don't plan it as your first mistake.

[bigkap87]

I didn' take physics and am entering my 4th year now with a great GPA and good board scores. I agree with the above, physics is not necessary. Although definitely will not hurt you. Good luck.

[mellsworth21]

Thanks everyone. I'm scheduled to take it in the fall. I noticed however that SMU,Saba,MUA dont require it along with a handful of US schools (Baylor come to mind) but since I am taking the MCAT I'll take that class. Cheers.

[dragisic]

Ok, Ill be honest. I dont understand prospective med school students that try to evade courses that are recommended. Every time you evade a course thats recommended u offer the admissions board an excuse to not let u in. It doesnt matter if the subject isnt your forte, or u struggle in it. Even a 60 in an off course, is better than a n/a. It shows that you are willing to do anything and everything u can to get into med school. As long as you can pull decent / high marks in your other courses, the courses u like then that one 60 wont pull u down that much, and u can explain to the admissions board that its just not your subject. They are human after all and understand these things. However, if u have 60s in all courses and are looking to evade the course all together, than to be honest u probably shouldnt be going to med school. Ok i said my rant, i apologize if i offended anyone, i just dont understand why u would give the admissions board more reasons not to accept u.

[mellsworth21]

It's not that I hate Physics, or hate taking the another science class. I think anyone who hates science will pretty much be weeded out of Chem 101. Let alone 1 full year of chem, 1 full year of Bio, and 1 full year of organic! I personally, think that perhaps BioChem, or Anatomy. are just as important as a physics class.
Trust me I dont take shortcuts with anything, I'm a pilot and an EMT.

[dragisic]

Hey mellsworth, i really didnt mean to attack you that way, and I sincerely hope you dont feel that way. Its just that over the past 4 years Ive heard so many people try to get into med school for all the wrong reasons, and try to "cheat the system." My general argument, for just about anything that I do in life is dont give people reasons to not like you.

I didnt mean to single you out. I do agree with what you are saying tho, with respect to classes such as Biochem and Anatomy... when u compare those to physics, they seem more med based. Thankfully, the physics that is required is fairly primitive and doable if practiced. Congrats, on the pilot and EMT, I guess ur not the type of person to get stress out :P Best of luck with med school!

It's not that I hate Physics, or hate taking the another science class. I think anyone who hates science will pretty much be weeded out of Chem 101. Let alone 1 full year of chem, 1 full year of Bio, and 1 full year of organic! I personally, think that perhaps BioChem, or Anatomy. are just as important as a physics class.
Trust me I dont take shortcuts with anything, I'm a pilot and an EMT.

[mellsworth21]

No harm done. Keep us posted on how things are at, Saba.