How hard is Microbiology?

JeanettePNP, MSN, RN, NP · Mar 3, 2009

There's a lot to remember. There are the viruses, bacteria, protozoa and other parasites, the properties of each, the types of diseases they cause and how they're treated. Some basics of infection control and epidemiology. The various laboratory tests to identify different types of bacteria can also be complicated. I would suggest trying to get ahead of the game now and getting familiar with the basic groupings of bacteria and micro-organisms, and read up on infectious diseases.

Even though it was hard, I really enjoyed Micro. Of all the pre-reqs that I took, it was most directly relevant to nursing. (Not that A&P is not relevant--but in Micro, I felt that everything I was learning was immediately useful and applicable.) You get a better understanding of how microbes cause disease, and how antibiotics work (and don't work).

OnMyWay2MSN · Mar 3, 2009

Of course a lot depends on your instructor, mine was horrible, I have a degree already and it was the hardest class I ever studied for...over a semester might be better, but I know people who have done it in the summer, just be prepared to have no summer. I ended up with a B and really because of the volume I had to study for his exams, I really did learn a lot.

giardiafan · Mar 3, 2009

Summer (intensive) Micro is doable, but will require your full attention. If your course is anything like mine, it'll be divided into several lecture components, and of course, there's the lab. Most Micro courses follow the same sort of logic:

1) Basics of eukaryotic/prokaryotic characteristics

2) Divisions and properties of microrganisms: bacteria, protozoa, fungi, virus, etc.

3) Methods of acquisition/transmission

4) Methods of reproduction

5) Immune response

6) Common medications and biochemical properties of antiviral, antibiotics, antifungals. (If your course is nursing focused)

Your A&P will come in very handy for the immunity section, but the rest will be completely new. For an intensive course, I'd say 2 hours a night should suffice. Labs usually follow the thematic schedule of lecture, but place more emphasis on identification with microscope, establishing good aseptic behavior, and cultivation skills. As well, you'll have to understand the demonstrate the various types of staining (part of ID), as well as anabolism and catabolism methods for different microorganisms.

If you did well in A&P, you'll do well in Micro. Different material, but same methodological approach tot he classification and physiology of little creatures.

afranklin · Mar 3, 2009

Just offer another opionion; it Truly does depend on the instructor.

I did very well in API (A) and am now taking APII and Micro, but am going to drop it

because my instructor is simply horrible; she belongs in the lab and Not the classroom!

Homework, quizzes, reports, group projects, 4-5 chapters per test,etc.

For me, it's simply too much to try to remember and having an instructor who

'bullies' you is not to your advantage.

HTH!

JeanettePNP, MSN, RN, NP · Mar 3, 2009

I like the instructors who demand a lot and expect high standards from their students. The professors who are easy on you and accept shoddy work are doing you no favors in the long run. My micro lab professor had a rep for being a battle-axe; however, all she asked was that we keep up with our work; come to class having actually READ the required chapters; understand the experiments and procedures we were performing and properly record our results. Yes, she kept us on our toes but I actually learned from her, unlike the lab professors I had in A&P I and II, who were so lackadaisical that we never even DID most lab exercises, and were never around to explain or answer questions.

Carolinanurse2010 · Mar 4, 2009

I think you can do whatever you decide you need to do. Just go into the class with the grade you think you need to get (some students only strive for C's, some hold themselves to higher standards) and work as hard as you need to learn the material. I took A & P I in the summer, similar hours, and I made an A, but I worked hard. I stay at home with two little ones, and the only childcare I had was during my class hours. I studied one hour before bedtime, and one or two hours before my kids woke up (which meant getting up at 4:30am). But I wanted to do well and learn the material. I found Microbiology to be very different, but just as interesting. Definitely more relevant to nursing, as someone said on this thread. You will become a serial hand-washer, if you are not already! Good luck!

afranklin · Mar 5, 2009

Interesting analogies; however, in 30 plus years of nursing, I have yet to explain

anything related to a microbe to a patient; they just wanted to know that I cared

and that I genuinely wanted to help them get better.

Your standards 'don't' have to be measured by anyone else's. I consider myself

to be a stellar student, am maintaining an A average but, I am Not one who likes

instructors who are so regimented and concerned with making sure students know that 'they' are in charge that the actual learning is lost.

I am currently taking Micro and APII and I am totally devastated by my micro

instructor and am so miseralbe because she demands so much work that learning

seems unimportant so there are always extenuating circumstances.

Do your best, and pray!

nneokill175 · Mar 5, 2009

im taking microbio and ap2 in the summer

4 weeks each, 4 days a week 4-6hrs a day

i want to know how tough microbio is also, so i can prepare for it

Emptynstr2 · Mar 5, 2009

I found Micro the easiest of the prereqs for nursing school, and it is the most interesting, in my opinion. Lecture was simply a review of A&P II material, but Lab held a few more challenges simply due to the detailed subject matter. If you have a strong background, you will do fine in your summer class. Best of luck to you.

MBA2RN, BSN, RN · Mar 5, 2009

I took Micro over the summer (five weeks, 4 times a week, 6 hours a day) and found it to be challenging. The professor was the regular 16 week term instructor, and he made it clear that there would be nothing different than the full term course. I got a B (regretably), but still got into (and completed )nursing school.

It can be done, but it won't be easy.

~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN · Mar 6, 2009

Just offer another opionion; it Truly does depend on the instructor.
I did very well in API (A) and am now taking APII and Micro, but am going to drop it
because my instructor is simply horrible; she belongs in the lab and Not the classroom!
Homework, quizzes, reports, group projects, 4-5 chapters per test,etc.

For me, it's simply too much to try to remember and having an instructor who
'bullies' you is not to your advantage.
HTH!

That's it?? I am actually being serious. My Micro Teacher was awesome and our exams were more then 4-5 chapters. We had 3 exams and 1 lab practical, each exam covered TONS of material, more than 4-5 chapters. We had a group project, our labs and pre labs, an individual project worth 150 points that was broken into 3 parts. 12 quizes, etc. etc. etc.

If you think that is to much, wait until you get to PathoPhysiology, there are no labs, but it's a lot more material and work and with our professor you have little room for mistakes, the entire class is just over 460 points, most of that is Exams and Quizzes, so not much cushion if you don't do well on that. Our exam in 2 weeks many have said is the hardest exam they have ever taken that have had him before. He is a great teacher though.