Science classes without taking any math in over 10 years, help?

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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Hello all,

Well I am down to my last 2 semesters of pre-reqs before I apply to nursing school. I'm finshing up Speech, English, and Dev. Psych. this fall. I met with my counseler this morning and she advised me that I should take a math assesment and math class before I begin any science classes, but I actually want to begin my science classes this fall by taking one of the few needed: Human Anatomy/Lab, Human Physiology/Lab,Chemistry/Lab,General Microbiology/Lab. These are the classes needed to get into the school I am going to apply to. The thing is my community college thinks I am going to apply to their program, but I am not. So my question is this, if I haven't taken math since highschool, which was 11 years ago, would it be smart to take one of the science classes listed this fall? Is it possible to pass any of the science classes listed without haven taken math recently? Which science class listed is the best to start with? I don't work, and have all the time to dedicate to studying and tutoring, I just really want to start the science classes now so that I will be able to apply for a fall 2011 nursing program start. Give me your in put.

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Yes you can definitely take A&P and Microbiology. Basic algebra will be needed for Chemistry since there are equations.

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Ok, so your saying will be fine with the A&P and Micro without having math skills, right? Which class would you advise me to take first with no math or science class experience what so ever? Anatomy, Physio, or Micro?

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Start with Anatomy or Anatomy & Physiology. I hadn't had any math since college algebra 22 years ago and I did just great in all my sciences prior to starting the nursing program.

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Chemistry is definitely do-able without recent math experience. I just finished Chemistry with an A and I hadn't taken Algebra for 15 years. At one point I remarked to my husband, "Hey, Algebra is apparently just like riding a bike!".

You could always check out a book from the library just to brush up on your basic Algebra skills. Something really simple like "Algebra for Dummies". If you did well in Algebra in high school, it's probably not necessary though.

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Well that is something I forgot to mention. In highschool, I didn't make it far in math. I think I might have stopped at algebra. However, i think if I had a tutor for the first part of the semester I'd be fine on my own by the middle part of the class. Ok, so I think I am going to try and get an anatomy class for the fall.:yeah:

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youll be fine, only chem really requires math and it is simply using formulas and solving problems, which the teacher and or text will explain.

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

It depends on your math skills. I took Chem, and A&P before "Algebra the sequel", and did well. My last ALgebra class was in the 80's. I would take the test and go from there.

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Specializes in Infusion.

I bought the Idiots Guide to Algebra and worked through all the chapters in about 6 weeks. Then I took the placement test. I haven't had a math class since 1986 but it all comes back as you work through the problems .... as long as you've taken Algebra in the past. I did not have to take any more math but I know that I will need to have the knowledge for dosage calculations in nursing school. Good luck to you.

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I think taking any of those science classes without math first is completely reasonable. I don't remember using any math in A&P or micro. I didn't take basic chemistry in college, but I took organic biochem and looking back, don't think math was necessary for that either. At worst, basic chemistry will require you to learn dimensional analysis, solving for x, etc., which I'm sure will be gone over in class by the instructor. I would start with any of these, except probably anatomy before physiology (not sure, I took them combined). Good luck! :)

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

scientific notation, but you dont need a class to figure that out

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing.

You are taking Algebra at some point though, aren't you? I think most programs require it, and I think most BSN programs also require a statistics class as well. It wouldn't hurt to get it out of the way, because, as a rule, Algebra is usually pretty homework intensive; it could be rough taking it concurrently with other "hard-study" courses (and aren't they all the further along we get?).

But as everyone has said, you can certainly take A/P and Micro without it, and really, even Chemistry

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