General Biology

StangGang92 · Apr 23, 2011

It depends on your background and what is going to be covered in class. Cell metabolism can be very complicated, especially if you need to know things like how many ATP, NADH, ect per glucose molecule.

I love biology, so I would probably enjoy a 4 week class of it. But remember, they are putting a semesters worth into 4 weeks. It will be intense and a lot of information. However, if you are good at biology or have rock solid study habits you can pull it off.

Does this class include a lab component? That could change the difficulty of it.

pitaya · Apr 23, 2011

Can anyone please help me out before I make the greatest mistake? I am planning on taking a 4 weeks General Biology class in summer. Is it doable? Has anybody ever taken it within a short time period and passed?

I am a big advocate of taking 1 class at a time for short periods of time, such as month-long summer classes where that is the only class I have. Here's why:

During the regular semesters, there will typically be something like 5 classes on my schedule per semester with one test a month. With so much going on, I am never able to find time to really buckle down and study for a class until 1 week before the test. During month-long summer sessions, I will probably have 1 test per week. One week is all the amount of time I can find to study for a test during a regular semester, so it doesn't make a difference in that aspect. In fact, it's actually more time, because during that one week of studying, I'm not also worrying about what is due for other classes. I would rather have a whole month to devote to learning one subject well, rather than spreading myself between 5 classes. In 1 month, I'm done! I learned a lot, I studied just one subject, and it's over quickly. Many of my classmates hate summer sessions and I've never understood why, because personally, I do much much much better in short summer sessions!!!

ImThatGuy, BSN, RN · Apr 23, 2011

I always liked summer classes because I don't like dealing with the same thing for long periods of time. Get in, get it done. Loved it. Summer labs were a pain though. They were longer, and I hate labs (too meticulous for me).

I love biology also. It's my favorite subject along with the many areas of biology. That's really what holds my interest in nursing school - the limited science behind it all. At any rate, I once taught H.S. biology, and I think you'll do fine. The school wouldn't offer the course if students couldn't be successful in it. I really think you'll be fine as long as you can pay attention to lectures and skim the book hitting on the high points.

If you're taking this before A&P (if you're a nurse student) it'll do you good. I can tell that a lot of the kids in my BSN cohort have little to no understanding of science or the basics of cells and tissues.

studabena · Apr 23, 2011

To StangGang92, Yes it has a lab component. I am taking express statistics class right now and I am loving it.I will be done in three weeks. I have a good study habit, but I am a little bit scared since it will be my first time to take Biology. I know it is going to be intensive, but I will give it a shot. Thanks for the response. I appreciate it.

studabena · Apr 23, 2011

To Pitaya

I think you are right .I will take it and just devote my time to learning. I will keep you posted of the outcome. Thanks for the encouragement.

studabena · Apr 23, 2011

To ImThatGuy,

I am taking it before A&P and I just can't wait to have all the nursing prerequisite courses done. You are right they wouldn't offfer it if they know students will fail. I will take it. As for th lab I am going to do my very best to make it less boring. Thanks so much.