I am trying to plan my schedule for next semester. For the prereqs, this is what I have left to take:
A&P (5 units)
microchemistry (4 units)
maybe another chemistry class (I think I need a second chemistry class to get into Sac State, although I know the ARC doesn't require it ) (5 units)
also I could take a 2 unit pharmacology class online
Since I have to work and have a family, I find that I can only take two classes a semester. I am trying to figure out which two of these I should take next semester.
This semester I am taking chem 305 and human development and I'm getting an 'A' in both of the classes, but I spend HOURS studying for the chemistry (about 80% of my study time is devoted to chem) and not a lot of time (20%) to human development.
I want to take the first semester of A&P, but would you recommend taking that with microbiology?
I am an 'A' student, but like I said it have to spend a lot of time to get those 'A's. In my opinion, for myself, anything lower then an 'A' is unacceptable and I don't want to take a course load that will jeopardize my ability to study enough for the grade I want.
Has anyone taken microbiology in summer school? How was that?
I am in the Sacramento area, so are there any teachers for the above classes that you could recommend?
I took A&P I, Micro, and Chem all at once and it was intense. Everyone is different, but I got A's in all 3, and spent the least time by far on Chem...I don't know if that helps or not. It was kind of ironic b/c Chem was 5 credit hrs and the other two were 4 credit hrs each.
I worked part time and have 5 children. I did it b/c I wanted to make the deadline for application to my NS and I had to have those classes before I could apply. I think it actually did help me get accepted to my program...I think they saw that I could handle 3 hard science classes at once and pull off A's, so they were more confident that I could do well in NS. By no means do I think that I got in solely b/c I did this, I just have a hunch that it may have helped.
For this reason, it might be to your advantage to take both classes together. It probably depends on how competitive the program you're trying to get into is...but it sounds like you have a high GPA anyway.
I totally understand your uncertainties of being able to take A&P and micro at the same time. I work, have a family, and needed to get these two science classes in this semester to start clinicals in the spring. I signed up for both classes and was scared to death of this semester. Fortunately, it really hasn't turned out to be that bad. There are at least 4 of us in micro that are also in AP II. I think all of us are doing just fine.
Yes, you have to study a lot but I find that there has been a lot of duplication of material....yeah! We studied DNA/RNA replication in both classes, cell metabolism, krebs cycle in both classes. I say...go for it. If you have been an A student so far I think you can definitely do them together. :nuke:
I'm going to go with "NO" for a thousand Alex. I agree that Physio and Micro are complementary. I took them together and there was a lot of overlap. The problem is the combination of Anatomy with Physio means that you'll have tons of memorization. Micro also has tons of memorization. You're going to be overwhelmed and somethings gonna half to give. How quickly do you want to wrap things up?
I did just this in the Spring of 2008 -- I took A&P, Micro, a second-year English course, and an honors forum-type class and I was able to get A's in all of the courses. You can do it if you put your mind to it, believe in yourself, and most importantly, stay extremely focused.
For me, the hardest part was being able to balance allotting the proper amounts of study time between the two classes -- there were times when I needed to devote significantly more time to Micro than A&P and vice versa, but doing such a rigorous course load was a great way to force myself to learn more discipline. There were a couple of instances where exams in the two classes almost overlapped (like a major exam for A&P on a Monday and Micro on a Tuesday), but otherwise, by staying ahead of the game, I rarely if ever felt too overwhelmed. Actually, there were a surprising number of times where what I had learned in one class was able to help with the other (aerobic respiration, etc).
As a matter of fact, I liked having so much on my plate and ended up taking 17 credits this past Summer (A&P II, Chem, Sociology, Algebra, and Music Theory). Obviously, everybody's different, though.
Best of luck to you, though! If you have any questions or concerns, or if I can offer support in any way, please feel free to contact me.
I took A&P I, Micro, and Chem all at once and it was intense. Everyone is different, but I got A's in all 3, and spent the least time by far on Chem...I don't know if that helps or not. It was kind of ironic b/c Chem was 5 credit hrs and the other two were 4 credit hrs each.
I worked part time and have 5 children. I did it b/c I wanted to make the deadline for application to my NS and I had to have those classes before I could apply. I think it actually did help me get accepted to my program...I think they saw that I could handle 3 hard science classes at once and pull off A's, so they were more confident that I could do well in NS. By no means do I think that I got in solely b/c I did this, I just have a hunch that it may have helped.
For this reason, it might be to your advantage to take both classes together. It probably depends on how competitive the program you're trying to get into is...but it sounds like you have a high GPA anyway.
It definitely can be done! Good luck!
Just had to say--WOW! Good for you !!!!
For me, personally, I will be taking one science at a time. I'm returning to school (got my Bachelor's 12 years ago) and I know just the "returning" part will be enough of an adjustment for me (let alone the fact that I have a 20 month old and a just-turned-4 year old and a traveling husband!) EEK! I'm doing Dev. Psych and A&P this spring.
I need to take micro, anat & phy2, and nutrition spring 09 inorder to be considered by 2 nursing schools for fall 09. I know it will be intense but Im determined. This will also allow me to vacation and spend time with my children over the summer prior to returning full time to nursing school.
It is really different for everyone. I know you hate hearing that because its no help at all, haha. But its true.
Right now, I'm taking Chem and Bio together (along with a few other lighter classes) and I love chemistry and do not have any difficulty with it (but then again, I'm a math person) but Bio is killing me. I spend the most time on Bio and get the worst grades. I am an A student and I am struggling for a B in the class (my only B ), so I'm really glad that is not a prereq for any of the programs I want to apply to (its just a prereq for anatomy).
I'm taking one science at a time after this. I'm hoping I'll do better in the other classes than I did/am doing in Bio (biology has never been my subject)
I do plan on taking Micro over the summer, its three days a week, 4 hrs a day (not too bad for a summer science course). I haven't decided if I'm taking anything else yet. But it is definately doable.
!!!! 
), so I'm really glad that is not a prereq for any of the programs I want to apply to (its just a prereq for anatomy). 
tinybabynurse
96 Posts
I took A&P I, Micro, and Chem all at once and it was intense. Everyone is different, but I got A's in all 3, and spent the least time by far on Chem...I don't know if that helps or not. It was kind of ironic b/c Chem was 5 credit hrs and the other two were 4 credit hrs each.
I worked part time and have 5 children. I did it b/c I wanted to make the deadline for application to my NS and I had to have those classes before I could apply. I think it actually did help me get accepted to my program...I think they saw that I could handle 3 hard science classes at once and pull off A's, so they were more confident that I could do well in NS. By no means do I think that I got in solely b/c I did this, I just have a hunch that it may have helped.
For this reason, it might be to your advantage to take both classes together. It probably depends on how competitive the program you're trying to get into is...but it sounds like you have a high GPA anyway.
It definitely can be done! Good luck!