Pre-reqs: take Bio before A&P even if Bio is not required pre-req?

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I will be starting my pre-req's next semester in the hope of pursuing an accelerated 2nd degree BSN. I took an Intro to Biology course while in school for my first degree (not at all a sciences degree), but it was 12 years ago that I took that course.

Also, I have a few options with regard to where I take my pre-reqs. There is a county community college (read: super cheap) and a four year public university (more $ than community college, but not unrealistic $) nearby.

To sign up for A&P at the community college, they require a Biology class that was taken within the past 10 years as a pre-req. Or, I can sign up for A&P at the four year public university, and they will accept my 12 year old Biology class because it was taken as part of a completed degree.

Taking 3 classes (Bio, A&P1 and A&P2) at community college is still less expensive than taking two classes (A&P1 and 2) at the public university. However, that will take an extra semester to complete. Saving time might be worth the extra cost.

What I think my decision is going to boil down to this: Do you think I would benefit significantly (ease of understanding, grades) if I retake an introductory Bio class before A&P?

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Specializes in ER.

I found taking that Bio again helped with concepts in A&P I and II, as well as Microbiology. I was in the same boat, as my college courses were about 13 years ago. Everyone is different..but it wouldn't hurt to have it again. Maybe ask if you could take a challenge exam to see how you fare, then decide based on the results. You may remember less than you think, or perhaps it'll all come back!

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I personally dont think you would benefit MUCH from retaking biology.

If it were me I would take the AP where they didnt require me to retake biology.

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Specializes in Aspiring for a CCRN.

Hi, remaven.

In my experience, my Biology series (1 year as a pre-med. many moons ago) did not necessarily help me with A&P. Physiology may benefit from some biological and biochemical (even general chemistry) knowledge, but it is not a must.

A&P does not delve deeply to that extent, and what you will have to understand and demonstrate during exams will be taught in the class. Don't stress out too much. I would refrain from intro. Bio. because of all of its extraneous taxonomy and ecology bits.

However, if your BSN requires Biology, then, by all means, take it. If it is not required, I would purchase the A&P books, instead, ahead of time and read them. And, if I were you, I would concentrate a tad bit more on physiology. And, I would recommend that you buy a good reference material for pathophysiology, which specifically is geared toward nursing, at this point. You can always purchase medical/clinical pathophysio later.

Just my two cents based on my personal experience, and wish you best of luck!

Shaas

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Yes! I went to a community college after not being in school for 12 years. My school requires a Cell Biology for Health Majors course as a prereq for A&P. That class was a big struggle for me since it had been so long, but I am really glad that I took it as it refreshed familiar concepts (like cell structures and organelles) but introduced more complicated topics (like the dreaded Citric Acid Cycle) which came up later through A&P, Foods and Nutrition and Microbiology. I would have drowned if I had jumped into A&P without taking this course! A&P is very challenging and I think that is in your best interest to go into it with a reasonable understanding of basic bio concepts, which could really help get those A s in the more challenging classes.

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Specializes in Neuroscience.

Yes.

In fact a lot of people would. That's probably why my CC just started a new requirement for anyone wishing to take A&P 1 or Micro, to pass at bio proficiency test and, OR take regular bio (life science) first if you cannot pass. In A&P 1 the first two or three chapters are biochemistry heavy. The cell and its structures, carbs, lipids, nucleic acids, proteins, translation, transcription, etc. An intro chem class would also save people a lot of confusion.

There are much harder concepts in A&P that must be grasped and it helps SO much if you can recall what a ribosome does, for example, and don't have to waste time learning it for the first time. As someone else said, the topics covered in bio appear again and again in Nutrition and Micro as well. You'll give yourself a leg up, and parts of A&P will be a little less scary if you can say, "oh yeah, I've seen the Krebs cycle in bio before."

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Specializes in ICU / PCU / Telemetry / Oncology.
I personally dont think you would benefit MUCH from retaking biology. If it were me I would take the AP where they didnt require me to retake biology.

I echo CCC12's opinion. Did you get an A or B in your Gen Bio 12 years ago? If so, don't bother retaking it. I believe A&P can be a standalone course without prereqs. It was at my school. If you're going to take a prereq to A&P that is not required, I believe chemistry would be better and more relevant (and especially for micro). It is also increasingly becoming a prereq anyway.

However, you should take Gen Bio only if it's a required prereq in any of your intended programs.

If this makes you feel any better: I got a D in Gen Bio, 20 years before I took A&P, in which I got A's in both I and II.

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I echo CCC12's opinion. Did you get an A or B in your Gen Bio 12 years ago? If so, don't bother retaking it. I believe A&P can be a standalone course without prereqs. It was at my school. If you're going to take a prereq to A&P that is not required, I believe chemistry would be better and more relevant (and especially for micro). It is also increasingly becoming a prereq anyway.

However, you should take Gen Bio only if it's a required prereq in any of your intended programs.

If this makes you feel any better: I got a D in Gen Bio, 20 years before I took A&P, in which I got A's in both I and II.

I must have gotten no worse than a B+ in Bio 12 years ago...but I can't recall anything about it really.

Thanks to everyone for chiming in with advice!

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