Biology before Anat 1

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Hi, I just registered as a pre-nursing student. I am a 34 yr old mother of 5, and very excited about my future as a nurse. This is my first time in college, and I do have a few questions.

For Anatomy 1 you need to have Biology 101 OR Chemistry first. I think I would prefer Biology, since I really dread my math classes. I would prefer to skip Chemistry altogether...which is possible if I take the Biology course. However, I am curious....do you feel Biology 101 is sufficient in preparing someone for the level of knowledge needed to take Anatomy 1 and 2? Or do you feel Chemistry is more helpful?

I would really appreciate your thoughts on this. I am excited about starting school, but I am also very nervous. I'm not sure how many classes to take at once...not sure how much I can handle.

I look forward to learning from this list!

Traci

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Biology would help you much more for A&P classes. I would take Chemistry after you take all of your college math requirements because the advance math will help you with the Chem equations.

Really you take Chemistry if you are going for a BSN. Good Luck on school.

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At my current school, biology is a prereq for anatomy and chem is a prereq for micro. Different schools have different policies.

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Boy do I have an opinion on this post!!!!! I am currently in Anatomy 1 and it has been 15 years since I took Bio103. Biology has a HUGE impact on your understanding and absorption of what you learn regarding cells in anatomy. I STRUGGLED very much to get through the cell chapters. There was some chemistry needed but not as much as biology. I am 34 also and have two kids...where do you live if you don't mind my asking?

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I'm in GA.

Thanks for the Biology tips, I'll definitely plan to take Biology...and I hope I can get by without the Chemistry. I'm going for my Associates, at least for now. MY college does not list Chemistry as a prereq for Microbiology.

So do you all think I would get by (all the way through nursing school) with just the biology?

Since I've never gone to college I'm really worried about what to take, and want to be sure I do well so I will get into nursing school. Not sure what to expect, but I am excited!

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I'm in GA.

So do you all think I would get by (all the way through nursing school) with just the biology?

Yep Biology is all you need to get through ADN-- if you want the BSN take the Chemistry.

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I haven't been in high school in 12 years and I am taking general biology (111) and a&p I at the SAME TIME! It has definitely been a struggle, especially those first few weeks but I read and studied and asked questions and I'm doing better than most of my classmates in both classes (A's so far on all tests!). It can be done, you just have to be proactive and self motivated. Good luck!

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I think math was a pre-req for AP at my school?? Anyway, I took Bio during a semester when I couldn't get any courses that I needed toward my degree, just to stay in school and maybe learn a few things I didn't know. Ended up being a BIG help now that I'm in AP. Wow am I glad I had the course. I'm an older student and there were ALOT of things I didn't know or didn't remember.....

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Specializes in Neuroscience.

I took regular Bio one semester before starting A&P and it did give me an adavantage - at least when it came to the first three chapters. Without it, I would have been blind. The first three chapters were nothing but review! It also helps to have chemistry as well, but not nearly as much as Bio (Bio touches on chemistry a bit anyway; biochem) helped, so I do recommend Bio first. Definitely. I'm taking chemistry with A&P 1 right now, and it's not so bad. I dedicate at least 1.5 hours a day for each subject - more if a test or quiz is coming up.

On my A&P syllabus Bio was strongly recommended before starting the course, whereas Chemistry was not (though chemistry is ultimately required to make it into the program).

Good luck. Better to have the foundation.

ETA: The ADN program at my school requires chemistry. I think chemistry is needed when it comes to pharmacology, and honestly once you have bio, and chemistry, and anatomy you realize how everything is so interrelated - chemistry has a huge function in the body. I know chemistry sucks lol, but better to take it. I think it would help you in the long run, honestly.

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Thanks! I have a math post up too, I'm really hoping someone will check it out and help me decide what to do.

I am really enjoying this group, what a wonderful wealth of knowledge!!!

Traci

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Specializes in Emergency Care.

If you're serious about geting A's in Anat and Physio, you will best serve yourself by taking an Allied Healthcare chem class and a good Biology class with a lab that counts as a prereq for Anat 1

I was challenged by all the major sciences, but as a 43 year old returning college student, I enjoyed the material very much.

good luck

Steve

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Any idea which one of these courses would be considered an Allied Healthcare Chemistry? Or what type of description I should look for? I am serious about getting an A. I really want to become a nurse, and with nursing schools so competitive around here...I need to get the best possible grades I can. I'm a mother to 5, and I really don't want to wait another year to re-apply...I hope to get in the first time. :)

* CHEM 1115 - Bio/Nutritional Chemistry for Dental Hygiene * CHEM 1151 - Survey of Chemistry I * CHEM 1151L - Survey of Chemistry I Lab * CHEM 1152 - Survey of Chemistry II * CHEM 1152L - Survey of Chemistry II Lab * CHEM 1211 - Principles of Chemistry I * CHEM 1211L - Principles of Chemistry I Lab * CHEM 1212 - Principles of Chemistry II * CHEM 1212L - Principles of Chemistry II Lab * CHEM 2150 - Survey of Organic Chemistry * CHEM 2150L - Survey of Organic Chemistry Lab * CHEM 2743 - Analytical Chemistry * CHEM 2743L - Analytical Chemistry Lab * CHEM 2901 - Special Topics in Chemistry * CHEM 2902 - Special Topics in Chemistry * CHEM 2903 - Special Topics in Chemistry * CHEM 3441K - Modern Organic Chemistry I * CHEM 3442K - Modern Organic Chemistry II

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