Karl,
My experience shows that most students (not just premeds) do not
want to more than what is minimum to meet the standards. There are
those that would appreciate calculus based physics but those are few and
far between. Some more would recognize it as something that sets their
application apart from the rest. However, the average pre-med student I
believe cannot operate at this level of physics. Mostly because their
style of learning is not in tune with learning physics fast enough to
meet the college pace. Most pre-meds put it off until after biochem and
organic so they are Juniors by the time they take physics. By then,
they can bluff their way through any class and get a B and not have
learned a single thing long term. They figure out the algorithm and
turn the mental crank to get the answer. In large classes as would be
required at Texas and many state universities to accomodate the pre-meds
you are more than likely to use scantron forms on test where on the
final answer counts. (Tennessee is small enough to make graduate
students grade all the pre-med exams - answers and scratch work) Do
they really learn anything than? Note: It is now harder to get into a
graduate program in physchology than into law or med school.
Sam Held
-----Original Message-----
From: Karl Trappe [mailto:trappe@PHYSICS.UTEXAS.EDU]
Sent: Thursday, June 17, 1999 7:59 AM
To: PHYS-L@LISTS.NAU.EDU
Subject: Re: Introductory Undergraduate Physics Sequence - PreMed
Michael Edmiston has succinctly captured the essence of my own
experience.
I encourage many of you to consider the Bluffton College solution, ie,
have
the pre-meds take a course compatable with their mental skills. They
will
thank you for it later, when their med school experience is easier
because
they are ahead of their classmates. Karl
Dr. Karl I. Trappe Desk Phone: (512)
471-4152
Physics Dept, Mail Stop C-1600 Demo Office: (512)
471-5411
The University of Texas at Austin Home Phone: (512)
264-1616
Austin, Texas 78712-1081