Pre-req questions

Doug85 · Dec 18, 2004

I've currently in a community college and have taken all classes necessary to graduate EXCEPT: BIO 145 (basic biology), BIO 146 (anatomy and phys.), BIO 210 (micro), and CHEM 120 (intro to chem.). Nothing like saving the hardest for last! I'm taking 146 and 120 next semester- does anyone have any study tips that would work for these two subjects? I really want to be done with the comm. college next December and want to pass these two classes with flying colors. Thanks.

Doug85 · Dec 18, 2004

I'm sorry, I posted in the wrong forum. please move.

Doug85 · Dec 18, 2004

I'm sorry, I posted in the wrong forum. please move.

MikeyBSN · Dec 22, 2004

Doug, I don't know if it would help now but you might want to think about changing your classes. You should take Bio and chem before A&P (I'm surprised they let you). For chem you might want to bush up on your basic math skills. A&P is mostly memory. It might help you to buy an A&P coloring book. Going over some basic bio might also help you in A&P. Good Luck!

Pachinko · Dec 22, 2004

Mikey's right. If you're hoping to get these classes done in two semesters, you may want to make sure that you've got your sequencing right. Some schools require basic bio before taking A & P, but it's almost a given that you'll have to take basic bio before you take microbio, and you probably won't be able to take these concurrently next semester. Or, maybe you will...every school is a little different.

All of the courses you've listed are definitely challenging, but all of them (with the exception of micro, which requires some bio knowledge) are intro/survey courses that don't require any foreknowledge of the subject matter. They'll teach you everything from the ground up, so brushing up on your fundamentals may not be easy, since it's the fundamentals you'll be learning in these courses.

Like Mikey said, brushing up on basic math is a good idea for chem. I've mentioned in another thread that my chem book had an appendix that covered the math required in intro to chem (exponents, fractions, basic algebra and a tiny bit of geometry) and also gave tips on using your calculator. That would be helpful.

For A & P, you'll certainly be learning the major organs and the bones, so if you have some extra time and really want to put some prep in, you could start memorizing those.

But my best advice would be...get the partying out of your system now! :chuckle All of these classes require lots of time and attention; they're not terribly difficult if you make an effort to study consistently and never get behind. You'll do great!

Doug85 · Dec 22, 2004

Thanks. I'm not planning on partying too much next semester, lol. I think I'm done with that stuff. Anyways, I just got done taking statistics so I think I'll be OK for math. I already took basic bio in spring 2004 and missed getting a C by a nose. So I'll be re-taking that. Do you think it would be a good idea to start reading the text now? I still have the Martini book from last spring and the A & P class that I'll be taking next semester uses the same text. thanks!

Pachinko · Dec 22, 2004

I can only speak from experience and give my own opinion, which is, feel free to read ahead but be careful about delving too deeply into memorizing the material. A & P is a very complex topic with tons of material, and your professor will probably narrow down the details that you need to know. Reading ahead to get a general feel for the basic concepts and the textbook's style is never a bad idea, but I wouldn't go too overboard trying to memorize details yet. Wait to see what the prof considers important and wants you to know.

Now that I think about it, there is one thing that you will need to know and could get a start on now: understanding the anatomical position and some of the directional terms related to it (proximal/distal, anterior/posterior, etc.) These should all be outlined in your book, and you will definitely use them. Below is a page that outlines some of the concepts for you:

http://www.sohp.soton.ac.uk/biosci/anatomy1.htm

I really enjoyed A & P--lots to learn, but it's very interesting...and you can use your own body for an exam cheat sheet! The proctors in my school's testing center love it when A & P students come to take exams--they're always feeling their heads, staring at their hands, flexing their joints, you name it*

*edited to add: not doing this stuff to the proctors, obviously, but the students doing it to themselves :rotfl:

agent · Dec 23, 2004

I would recommend the coloring book.. its not just about coloring pictures.. there's a lot of great facts in there as well.. hell it helped me to get an A!

Doug85 · Dec 24, 2004

I would recommend the coloring book.. its not just about coloring pictures.. there's a lot of great facts in there as well.. hell it helped me to get an A!

Where can I get the coloring book?

girlynurse · Dec 24, 2004

Where can I get the coloring book?

yeah, I was gonna ask that too. I have AP I next semester and I really to pass with an A. I am willing to work my butt:rolleyes: off for that grade. So where do you get the coloring book.

nikonos · Dec 24, 2004

Try your school's bookstore or Amazon.com for the coloring book.