Schools Thinking about takeing physics in university but have a few questions

[Howers]

Online IQ tests are full of crap. I am in total agreement. The reason the geometry one I posted works is because it does not assume prior knowledge like many other ones do. It still is not something I would go telling friends about, but it is perhaps the closest one to the real thing - although still far off.

Real IQ tests are also flawed. But not to the degree I'm hearing some posters say. They have good validity and strong correlation (for a social science anyway) to success in academics. They may not be as strong as say a physical law, but they do successfuly measure some element of intelligence and help discriminate between smart and smarter. Simply put, you're better off with a high iq than a lower one.

 

[Choppy]

Getting back to the original question, it sounds like Green Zach is debating whether or not to pursue physics with the eventual goal of getting into medicine - taking into consideration that a physics program may result in lower grades as compared to other programs.

My advice would be not to worry too much about defining a major until after surviving a first year science program that incorporates the prerequisite courses necessary to get into medicine. High school introduces basic concepts, but you don't really get a feeling for what a subject is all about until you get through first year university - and even then you've really only been given an overview.

It also sounds like he is looking for some kind of predictor, such as IQ, that will indicate how well he will do. As many of the posters have already indicated, such a predictor does not exist. Performance in a university program is influenced by too many variables of which general intelligence is only one. Consider passion for the subject, creativity, the discipline to put in long hours, social factors (living on your own for the first time, new friends and lovers, parties, reaching the legal drinking age), health issues, economic factors (time spent working in a part-time job), etc.

 

[uman]

I never will understand all these posts asking "can I become a physicist if I study electrical engineering" or "can I become a doctor if I do physics" or what have you. It's not like someone is holding a gun to your head and forcing you not to do biology or pre-med or whatever if that's your passion. On the contrary, if physics is your passion, why become a doctor?

 

[will.c]

I never will understand all these posts asking "can I become a physicist if I study electrical engineering" or "can I become a doctor if I do physics" or what have you. It's not like someone is holding a gun to your head and forcing you not to do biology or pre-med or whatever if that's your passion. On the contrary, if physics is your passion, why become a doctor?

Although it reminds me of the part in "Surely You're Joking Mr. Feynman" where he talks about the time he spent doing biology research, and in his first presentation he draws the 'map of a cat,' and points out all its muscles and organs... and the other students interrupt him to tell him that, duh, they already know all that. Which leaves Feynman to realize that it's no wonder he caught up to them so fast - they spent their undergrad years memorizing things he could copy from a diagram in a couple minutes.

I think training as a physicist prepares people to exercise a lot more of those creativity muscles than people give it credit for, especially compared to the way pre-med and engineering were taught at my school, at least.

On the other hand, if I had to get surgery, I'd kind of hope the surgeon is more into memorization than creativity. ;)

 

[Shackleford]

Although it reminds me of the part in "Surely You're Joking Mr. Feynman" where he talks about the time he spent doing biology research, and in his first presentation he draws the 'map of a cat,' and points out all its muscles and organs... and the other students interrupt him to tell him that, duh, they already know all that. Which leaves Feynman to realize that it's no wonder he caught up to them so fast - they spent their undergrad years memorizing things he could copy from a diagram in a couple minutes.

I think training as a physicist prepares people to exercise a lot more of those creativity muscles than people give it credit for, especially compared to the way pre-med and engineering were taught at my school, at least.

On the other hand, if I had to get surgery, I'd kind of hope the surgeon is more into memorization than creativity. ;)

Wouldn't medical doctors need to be keen on improvisation?

 

[Green Zach]

Getting back to the original question, it sounds like Green Zach is debating whether or not to pursue physics with the eventual goal of getting into medicine - taking into consideration that a physics program may result in lower grades as compared to other programs.

My advice would be not to worry too much about defining a major until after surviving a first year science program that incorporates the prerequisite courses necessary to get into medicine. High school introduces basic concepts, but you don't really get a feeling for what a subject is all about until you get through first year university - and even then you've really only been given an overview.

It also sounds like he is looking for some kind of predictor, such as IQ, that will indicate how well he will do. As many of the posters have already indicated, such a predictor does not exist. Performance in a university program is influenced by too many variables of which general intelligence is only one. Consider passion for the subject, creativity, the discipline to put in long hours, social factors (living on your own for the first time, new friends and lovers, parties, reaching the legal drinking age), health issues, economic factors (time spent working in a part-time job), etc.

Well, I have a prity good sense of what medicine is like. i mean... i'v watched House and scrubs AND ghrey's anatomy for christ's sake! nah I'm kidding lol my dad is a brain surgen so i deffiently have "genius" and "hard working" in my genetics especialy becuase he got into med school after only 2 years of undergrad in chem... unfortunately we share an intense hate for english courses because we hate spelling as I'm sure you have observed lol. plus i hear a lot about medicine and surgery from him which i find really interesting. obviously i won't know exacly how it is until i get there but i do feel attracted to medicine. i also really like physics so that is why i would want to take it for undergrad probably. of corse i still need to take the uni year one intro courses b4 i make a final descision.

 

[uman]

My recommendation is that you really make a concentrated effort to spell and write correctly. Pretend every post on Physicsforums is an academic paper you're writing. This is a skill that is, in my mind, much more important than what you studied as an undergraduate.

If you're already trying as hard as I can, I commend you, but if not, try harder!

 

[Lamoid]

Well, I have a prity good sense of what medicine is like. i mean... i'v watched House and scrubs AND ghrey's anatomy for christ's sake! nah I'm kidding lol my dad is a brain surgen so i deffiently have "genius" and "hard working" in my genetics especialy becuase he got into med school after only 2 years of undergrad in chem... unfortunately we share an intense hate for english courses because we hate spelling as I'm sure you have observed lol. plus i hear a lot about medicine and surgery from him which i find really interesting. obviously i won't know exacly how it is until i get there but i do feel attracted to medicine. i also really like physics so that is why i would want to take it for undergrad probably. of corse i still need to take the uni year one intro courses b4 i make a final descision.

If there were a job in medicine where you just got one very rare and difficult case a week, well, that would be awesome.

 

[AzonicZeniths]

My recommendation is that you really make a concentrated effort to spell and write correctly. Pretend every post on Physicsforums is an academic paper you're writing. This is a skill that is, in my mind, much more important than what you studied as an undergraduate.

If you're already trying as hard as I can, I commend you, but if not, try harder!

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Good Posting. He's right, even if you hate English and spelling correctly, you should at least study it so you can get better. And plus, a lot of spelling is common sense.

 

[uman]

I can't resist pointing out the irony of the use of the non-word "alot" there :-)

 

[Shackleford]

Technically, it's a lot, not alot.

 

[uman]

I know; that's what I was saying.

 

[oedipa maas]

my dad is a brain surgen so i deffiently have "genius" and "hard working" in my genetics especialy becuase he got into med school after only 2 years of undergrad in chem...

Did you know that "genius" and "hard working" are X-linked traits? You'll only be able to become a doctor if your mother is a doctor as well.

 

[Green Zach]

Did you know that "genius" and "hard working" are X-linked traits? You'll only be able to become a doctor if your mother is a doctor as well.

fortunately enough for me... she was lol

 

[Green Zach]

Did you know that "genius" and "hard working" are X-linked traits? You'll only be able to become a doctor if your mother is a doctor as well.

it is speculated that iQ would be passed on the X chromozome only. their is actualy no gene directly linked to intelegence.

 

[bravernix]

it is speculated that iQ would be passed on the X chromozome only. their is actualy no gene directly linked to intelegence.

I believe that comment was tongue in cheek. Anyways, I think you need to drop the whole "genius" thing and just realize you're going to have to work hard if you want to get anywhere (and I'm pretty sure that having a good work ethic is also not genetic).

 

[Green Zach]

this all just kinda brings me back to the initial question but i suppose it seems to be broken into two main groups right now. hard work vs. intelegence. I'm not concerned about the difference between the two and which one counts for more. I'm saying that I don't have a problem working hard but feel that i could possibaly be limited by my intelegence but maybe not I'm not sure. an example of my concern could be related to this situaltion... some people simply don't understand abstract thought... if you show them for example, a cup and a wallet and then ask them to tell you how many objects there are they will say "there is one cup and one wallet." even if you explain to them that there are two objects they will still reply with "no there is one cup and one wallet... its simple." its not like there is simply nothing you can do for these kinds of people but obviously they would need to work harder to understand these kinds of concepts. some people are just born being able to understand that there were two objects and not need it to be explained to them not necesairly becuase their iQ is higher but just becuase they are better at that specific thing than other people. the concern is that I will fall under the category of people that have a harder time understanding physics at a uni level than an average student. as long as i am not below average i am good basicaly

 

[faitswulff]

I think, basically...whatever your intelligence, whether below, on-par, or superior, all signs point to hard work as the answer to your question. Whatever insecurities you may have regarding your intelligence are unfounded. The only question is whether or not you are willing to work hard...and then work harder.

It seems like the only thing barring you from excelling is yourself. Go for it with all you've got and there's no way you'll fail. Put those genius genes to good use.

 

[Green Zach]

I think, basically...whatever your intelligence, whether below, on-par, or superior, all signs point to hard work as the answer to your question. Whatever insecurities you may have regarding your intelligence are unfounded. The only question is whether or not you are willing to work hard...and then work harder.

It seems like the only thing barring you from excelling is yourself. Go for it with all you've got and there's no way you'll fail. Put those genius genes to good use.

good answer lol thanks man i apriciate it

 

[AzonicZeniths]

I can't resist pointing out the irony of the use of the non-word "alot" there :-)

Ahhhhh! lol, yes it is a lot... :D