I need help deciding which prerequisites to take together!

Mergirlc, MSN, APRN, NP · Nov 5, 2019

Biology is typically the prerequisite for all the core classes so this one will probably be the first class you need to take in order to do the core prerequisites. I know at the community college I attended, Bio & Chem were prerequisites in order to take Physiology (my Anat & Phys were 2 separate classes not like yours). I would recommend taking Bio and Chem as the first two in order to prepare for the core prerequisites (Anat/Phys, Micro). You might even have to had already taken a College-level Algebra course in order to do the chemistry, so check on that also. Different schools require different prerequisites in order to take your core classes.

If you can swing it and have time, I recommend taking each of the core prerequisites (Anat/Phys, Micro, Chem) by themselves. This way you can concentrate on each one and it will help you in getting an "A" in each. Statistics is hit or miss w/ people as to how difficult it is, so this class you could probably pair up w/ Psychology or pair up Bio w/ Psych.

A lot of these classes and whether to pair them up or taking them separately depend on how you are as a student and if you retain things well. These core classes are no walk in the park.

There are many people on this site who want to get these classes out of the way as if they're ordering a regular coffee at Starbucks or something and just want it quick, right now, and easy in order to make a 6 month deadline to apply to nursing school. Don't do this. Absorb as much as you can from each of these classes as this is the basic knowledge you will need in order to be successful down the road.

Good luck!

PAsmalls · Nov 5, 2019

Thank you so much ! This was extremely helpful.

Dln14 · Nov 6, 2019

Hi - not a PA forum but I will try and give you the best advice from my experience.

General biology will most likely be the first class you are required to take as a prerequisite to anatomy/physiology and micro. Depending on which chemistry class you have to take, I think general biology and chemistry is definitely doable together. If time isn't an issue, i'd also recommend taking anatomy/physio I/II and microbiology separately and taking stats with anatomy/physio I and psychology with Anatomy/Physiology II. That would leave microbiology by itself (that's a good thing)!

carti, BSN, RN · Nov 6, 2019

If you are scared to take Intro Bio and Chem or any class for that matter, what makes you think you can hack PA school where you will learn entire patho processes and treatments in a 3 week span for 1 body system?

The only thing I would say is to take Bio first because I don't think you can take A&P without it (my school had it has a prereq) as well as you can't take Micro or Genetics without intro to Bio. This advice is strictly as a time saver.

PAsmalls · Nov 6, 2019

Where is the word "scared" mentioned in my above question?

Simply trying to gain insight.. I like to work smarter not harder.

BoogieScience · Nov 8, 2019

My sentiments exactly with the above posters in the order of taking these prereqs:

I would take bio and chem, followed by a&p with stats, then micro with psych OR a&p with psych, then micro with stats. Try to avoid taking a&p with micro since they're both concept heavy. It's doable to take it together, but no need to pair them if you don't have to. Establishing your bio and chem background first will prove useful as a baseline since a&p and micro have a lot of overlapping concepts from bio and chem. Best of luck. Cheers.

hardworkpaysoffhopefully · Nov 12, 2019

Hey, I just recently completed my prereq and I would not recommend taking Bio 101 with Chem. If this is your first time taking a science course, it maybe difficult learning two completely new concepts. I would take Bio & Psy, Chem&Stat, Ap1 &....., A&P 2 & Micro. I DO NOT RECOMMEND taking AP1 with another science course because it is a difficult class to study/grasp at times and it is important to fully understand the material in order to pass the TEAS or get accepted into your program. By the time you take A&P2 and Micro together you will already have your studying skills for science down pack! You truly want to maintain an A/B average in all of your science course.