Anatomy before Chemistry?

litchi · Sep 26, 2009

A&P does have a LOT of stuff to memorize, but that's just a part of it.

Chapter 2 in most anatomy classes is the chemistry chapter. It's basically just a refresher that goes over the basics, but can still be pretty tough depending on how in depth your instructor chooses to go. In other chapters, you'll go over levels of organization (like atoms -> molecules -> cells -> tissues -> organs, etc.) and you'll also cover what stuff is made of or how it works. You'll learn about things like cell respiration and how your body breaks down nutrients into usable forms of energy, which is all chemistry. You'll also learn what your cells are actually composed of, which has to do with chemistry. There's not much math involved if any, but the two do go hand in hand. That being said, it would be totally possible for you to take A&P before chemistry and make a good grade. You might need to put a little extra effort into the chemistry related stuff, but it's not impossible to learn. Chemistry can be tough and it used to be a prerequisite for A&P. They probably want you to take it beforehand, just so you'll have a basic understanding of it when you do start A&P.

Good luck with whatever you choose to take first!

conandcait · Sep 26, 2009

I went back to take all of my sciences at age 34. I have 2 kids, but don't work! I took Chem and Anatomy I together with Dev. psych. I personally found no reason to take one before the other. Take them however you best work. If you can take them together, I thought it was somewhat good in that some of the material "piggybacked" the other classes material. So, to me , it was no big deal!

donsterRN, ASN, BSN · Sep 26, 2009

I took Chemistry during a summer session, and then took A&P 1 the following fall. That worked out well, because some of A&P recalls Chemistry. In A&P you'll learn about cellular growth, energy, fluid and electrolyte balance and blood gases as they relate to respiration and growth and metabolism. All of that requires a fundamental knowledge of Chemistry. I thought it was very interesting; I hope you do, as well.

Much good luck and success to you!

caliotter3 · Sep 26, 2009

Taking Chem before Anat can be helpful but isn't necessarily required. However, you need to get it done, so might as well get it out of the way before moving on to Anat. You definitely need it before Physio. Just depends how much of the Chem content your Anat instructor expects from you on your first Anat exam. I would take math and chem before anat if possible.

TheSquire, DNP, APRN, NP · Sep 26, 2009

Depends on if your school teaches Anatomy and Physiology together or splits them up into separate classes. If you're taking straight anatomy you should be fine without having taken chem first. However, as other posters have said, you really should take chem (and probably ochem and biochem, but you'd be hard-pressed to find those at a community college) before taking physiology or a combined A&P class.

iPink, BSN, RN · Sep 26, 2009

For me I'm currently taking A&PI with Microbiology and next semester I'll be taking A&P II with Chemistry. My college says you must take Chemistry before taking A&P I, but somehow I slipped through the cracks. There is a chapter in A&PI that deals with Chemistry that was not discussed in class for the simple reason that we should know chemistry as it was a prereq course to get into A&PI. So, I have to make sure I put in a lot of study time for that chapter to do well on the test. Good luck with your studies. It's definitely a lot of memorization.

ktran · Sep 26, 2009

Depends on if your school teaches Anatomy and Physiology together or splits them up into separate classes. If you're taking straight anatomy you should be fine without having taken chem first. However, as other posters have said, you really should take chem (and probably ochem and biochem, but you'd be hard-pressed to find those at a community college) before taking physiology or a combined A&P class.

My school does separate Anatomy and Physiology. Would it make sense to take Anatomy and Chemistry together? I want to get the best grades I can, but I have spent a couple semesters wishing I had taken more prerequisites at the same time. Sometimes I feel like I am being lazy because I take one hard class, one easy one, get A's and then wonder if I could have easily added on another class to get to my goal faster.

TheSquire, DNP, APRN, NP · Sep 26, 2009

As I said, one does not require the other, so you should be able to do both at the same time. It's very doable to get As in both, and take another class on top of it. You just have to be willing to put in the work.

Coriander, BSN, RN · Sep 26, 2009

My college split Anatomy and Physio into two separate classes. I took Anatomy, Physio, Micro and Chem in that order and did just fine. :) Actually, that was the order recommended by my advisor, so I guess everyone is different. Congratulations on starting school again! :)

work&play · Sep 27, 2009

Our school has chemistry as a prereq. for microbiology. I'm taking Chem and Physiology this semester. Its doable, but lots of studing is required

RNCEN · Sep 27, 2009

The school where I am taking pre-reqs requires Chem before A&P. I am taking them together, however. I am doing well in both, but I credit that to a great Biology instructor. We covered a LOT of Chemistry and Bio-chem in the Biology class, so I was well prepared. I would not say you NEED to take Chem prior to A&P, but it certainly would not hurt.