Should I take Chem or Biology?

zoe92 · Oct 17, 2012

I say take the Chemistry just to be on the safe side of things.

Saysfaa · Oct 18, 2012

Chem.

Not only will you be giving yourself more options later but I think the chem is more helpful in later classes anyway.

winterlights08 · Oct 18, 2012

I would also agree with chem being the better choice, if you had to chose between the two. Bio is good for cell biology and genetics, but what you need to know will be covered again in A&P, but my general bio class was more concerned with the life cycle of a pinecone and mushroom stuff. Chem I covers all the basic element knowledge that's good to know for nursing, as well as conversions (which you will need for med calculations). I also had to take a pre-req for Chem (fundamentals of chemistry) and I'm really glad I did (I didn't have it in high school). I had a great instructor and would have been clueless if I hadn't had that fundamental class--especially because my Chem I instructor was absolutely worthless.

astronomia · Oct 18, 2012

I personally took both, but in my experience, nursing programs either require chemistry or a choice of biology or chemistry. It seems like those that accept only chemistry are far more common in my area. I'd personally choose chemistry based on this and the fact that it will provide you with more knowledge. Many of the topics discussed in an introductory non-major biology class will be touched on in A&P in some way or another. And it seems like many students who I had as classmates that did not take chemistry had to work a bit harder in nutrition classes and during some physiology chapters in A&P because the concepts of element binding and reactions were a little abstract to them.

CDEWannaBe · Oct 18, 2012

It would be best to take both classes. Or at the very least take Chemistry and study biology on your own, especially cellular respiration which comes up again in Physiology and other nursing classes.

Could you take biology as a December fast track or next summer and still take Chemistry in the spring?

Compassion_x · Oct 19, 2012

Both.

But honestly chemistry is very helpful, and seems to be required by more schools (in my experience).

oceanise · Oct 19, 2012

I took both general bio and chem... I found both classes helpful and informative, but if you have to choose, I'd take chem. It'll help you if you need to take microbiology or nutrition as prereqs, and I'm sure it'll be useful in your upper level nursing courses. General bio made A&P easier for me, but there was also plenty of stuff covered in that class that I don't need to know for nursing, like the process of photosynthesis. Most of the important material that you need to know from general bio can be found in the first chapters in A&P textbooks, anyway.

Trinklee · Oct 19, 2012

I'd take Chemistry. I'm in it right now and it sucks, but most schools I plan on applying to require it.

violetgirl · Oct 19, 2012

In my college, I had to take Chem before they would let me get into Bio (Human).

Every school is a bit different... If you take Chem, I would recommend to hang out

with Chem Majors as these students rock! I never took Chem in my life, and added

a Chem tutor and got an 89.5 % a B grade. It was tough, but if I didn't have a tutor

or the support of the others students that loved Chem... Who knows? Either way, you will

do awesome! :geek: Keep us posted on what you are planning to take... God Bless~