Best order for science prereqs

[thinkingcap]

This is my first post! I've lurked a bit and am so excited to have found this place. I am just starting out with school and am hoping you might have some advice on class scheduling.

I have three semesters (spring, fall, spring) to take four science prereqs (A&P 1 & 2, Microbio, and Chem). These are my options:

1) Spring 1: Micro Fall: A&P 1, Chem Spring 2: A&P 2

2) Spring 1: A&P 1 Fall: A&P 2, Chem Spring 2: Micro

3) Spring 1: Chem Fall: A&P 1 Spring 2: A&P 2, Micro

I would love to know which you would pick and why. Thanks.

[mae0218]

I like #3 because chem is first. I think that chem before a&p2 and micro has helped me quite a bit. The only downside is that a&p2 with micro would be a bit tough, IMO.

[SopranoKris, MSN, RN, NP]

Have you spoken with an academic or pre-nursing advisor? There may be a certain order in which you have to take your sciences. At our school, you have to take bio & chem before you can take Anatomy. (We have Anatomy separate from Physiology, instead of A&P 1/2). An advisor should be able to ensure you are taking your classes in appropriate sequence.

If you don't have a required sequence, I would suggest Chem, A&P 1, A&P 2 and Micro. Check to see if Biology is a pre-req before you take A&P 1 (it is at our school). Chem may also have an algebra pre-req, too. Again, an advisor can answer all these questions.

Good luck!

[ALLEYEZONREE]

Option 2- A&P is fairly easy, so get that out of the way first. I needed to take Chem. before Micro., which was mandatory at my school. Best of luck to you!

[dave1234]

I personally would do chemistry or micro first, followed by the two A&P.

Chemistry and Micro both have advantages to them that by taking them before A&P can help you succeed in those classes.

[pmabraham, BSN, RN]

Good day, thinkingcap:

You want #3. Microbiology typically requires a health knowledge of AP1 and AP2 in order to do well (though if you are great at science, you can often combined micro with AP2). Just note that if you don't get an "A" in chemistry, and you don't get an "A" in AP1, then strongly consider taking microbiology separate from AP2.

Thank you.

[jnichox2]

I personally like Option #3 the best, due to the fact that its the order I'm doing things. I found that there was pieces of chem sprinkled through A&P1. So its better to have that foundation. In addition, at my university to get to A&P1, taking Chem is a requirement. Option 2 doesn't sound too bad either. But it's all up to you in the end. Talk to your advisor as well. :)

[GoodnessFlows]

Option 3. Chem will help you in physiology. I took anatomy first, physio second (our classes are not combined), chem (next semester), and micro last.

I am in physio now and the first 5 or so weeks dealt with a great deal of chemistry. Our test also involved chemistry and it took me MANY hours to get up to speed. Other students that have taken chemistry prior to physio felt like the first 5 weeks was a review and they all did great on the 1st exam. I ended up with a high C on our first exam, and that was because of the chem component. Had I not been a motivated student, I would have done a lot worse. I feel great now in the class and my anatomy background is helping tremendously. :)

Good luck!

[PacoUSA, BSN, RN]

#2 is the best option. A&P1 is challenging enough without another class to worry about. A&P2 is actually easier and Chem is manageable along with that. Micro deserves to be on its own as well and definitely after you have taken the other three.

Sent from my iPad using allnurses

[AshlieV]

normally schools make you take chem first

[vitamingirl722]

I took AP 1 one semester, than AP2 the next, than Micro and Chem together. I don't think it matters as long as you are sure to have enough time to study. Taking micro and chem together whilst working was beyond tough for me. I recieved a B in both classes when I probably could've gotten As in both if I was not working at the same time. If you have an open schedule it shouldn't be that bad as long as you manage your time.

[Sizzline]

I would choose option 3. I found that having a basic background in chem made the beginning of A&P1 significantly easier. A&P1 was the most difficult of the science pre-reqs for me; I would not have been able to juggle that and another science class. A&P2 and Micro were the easiest for me; they are both hard classes, and very memorization-intensive, but with hard work, I could definitely have handled both of them in one semester.