could someone explain to me why I have to take physics and calculas to be a biologist?

Answer 1

I know that it can be annoying to have to take these classes but they help you become a more informed biologist and if you can master these courses, your likely to become a great biologist. I am one myself and often wish I paid more attention in my physics and calculus courses.
Physics is important for understanding not only chemistry (like physical chemistry) but the field of biomechanics. Biomechanics is the study of how animals move through the air and water and also how animals may interact with inert objects. In humans, biomechanics is important for understanding how the body moves and may react to the outside world. I know of a biomechanist who was a consultant for the movie, Finding Nemo. If he didn't know physics or calculus, he certainly couldn't hold that position. With his biomechanic expertise, he was able to help the animators make fish that actually moved like real fish.
As for calculus, it is true that it is intimately connected to physics. I often joke that physics was so hard that calculus was invented to explain it. This is partially true as Newton came up with the ideas for both and used calculus to explain things like gravity. Calculus in college is used a lot for physics.

But there is another good reason to know calculus in that it is often used in mathmatical modeling, especially in modeling for ecology . Biologists who know calculus (and linear algebra) know a lot about how to analyze their data and this is very important.

You know why chemistry is important and, well, physics and calculus turn out to be just as important.

Stick it out, if you do well, you may find yourself a better biologist than those that don't care about physics or calculus.

Answer 2

Life is extremly complicated, and the mechanisms within where not understood until chemical principle were applied.
It's the same with physics and math.
There are several models that are explain via mathematics (biomathematics) and in order to understand them (not even say develop them) you have to have a minimum knowlegde.
Molecular biology and genetics is in it's Boom.. and you can work a lot faster using complicated computer software, that you need to understand.
The secundary structure of a protein is based on electric charges (some aminoacid form hydrogen bonds, some of them are ionic and so on).... the point of studing proteins is not olny memoriaze them, but understand them, so the more tools you have, the best. A very common lab practice is an electrophoresis, and unless you have a bit of an idea of electromagnetism, you will fail.
Also, for studing enzimatic kinetics you need some math bases.
Depending of what you want to do as a biologist, how much you're going to need of physics, chemistry and math.
Describing-the-form-of-the-leafs-days are over.

Answer 3

A lot of sciences are intertwined, especially biology. Physics is important in understanding chemistry, which is essential if you want to understand why almost anything works in biological systems. Calculus, statistics, and other maths are important for analyzing data.
It's also important as a scientist to be well rounded. You can't close yourself off from other fields and focus on being a biologist. Something you learn in one area may suddenly become very important as you're setting up experiments or interpreting data.

Answer 4

The flip answer is "the same reason I had to take thermodynamics to be an electrical engineer."

But physics is going to be important to an understanding of energy systems in plants and animals, and calculus is the basis of all college math.

Maybe biology isn't what you think it is. You might want to pursue this with a science teacher or counselor.

Answer 5

As a biologist, I use physics and Calculus EVERYDAY because I regularly deal with drug synergy and reaction rates.

Calculus is easier than algebra, and physics is WAY easier than organic chemistry.

Answer 6

To write a book on the physics of ballet like Dr Kenneth Law did. His daughter was studying ballet so he used his knowledge of physics to create a teaching aid for dancers.
http://www.amazon.com/Physics-Art-Dance-Understanding-Movement/dp/0195144821
To explain iridescence in bird feathers as thin layer interference.
http://jpsj.ipap.jp/link?JPSJ/76/013801/

To explain how the diffusion gradient inside an amoeba's pseudopod changes over time generating movement - Chemotaxis
http://www.iop.org/EJ/abstract/1478-3975/3/3/004
Cross discipline work often generates greater understanding.

My favorite book explaining equitation was written by someone who used a lot of basic physiology, kinetics and martial arts to explain the relation ships of balance and body control for the rider.
http://books.google.com/books?id=XzW1pfA48jcC&dq=centered+riding&pg=PP1&ots=OveBtq_6TL&sig=ZescwxclW88R-C4pTDZb6JeKH5I&prev=http://www.google.com/search%3Fq%3Dcentered%2Briding%26ie%3Dutf-8%26oe%3Dutf-8%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26client%3Dfirefox-a&sa=X&oi=print&ct=title&cad=one-book-with-thumbnail#PPA2,M1

Learn enough to communicate with all disciplines before specializing. I was a chemist first but finally worked 15 years in molecular biology because it was more exciting.

Answer 7

You do if you want to receive a BS in biology.

Answer 8

dunno. the only prerequisite to get into ap bio for me was chemistry and algebra 2