Have any of you taken Anatomy & Physiology without previous biology experience? The reason I ask is that because at my community college, they "strongly recommend" taking an Introduction to Biology type class (Bio 1401) before taking A & P.
On the first day of my A & P class, the chair of the Biology department came in and gave us a 25-question 'pre-test' that tested us on things that we should already have known from taking the intro Biology class. He told us that while he can't technically kick people out for not taking and knowing the skills from Bio 1401, he said he strongly advised that if we hadn't taken that class before and couldn't answer the questions, that we should drop down to 1401. He said too many ppl fail out of A & P cuz they hadn't taken yet BIO 1401, weren't prepared for a college-level science class or it had been too long ago for them, in which case they should retake 1401 as a refresher course.
Well, I knew the answers to about 1/2 the questions. The last time I took Biology was in high school (7-8 years ago), and I didn't take any Biology courses in college. I am a second degree student, so I am prepared for 'College-level' courses, but now I am questioning whether I should switch down to Bio 1401 since I don't remember some of the basics.
What do you guys think? Has anyone been successful in taking A & P without recent Biology experience?
A lot of it I'm sure has to do with your teacher and what their expectations are from the class. However, I still think you'll be alright as long as you have good study habits and can pick up on ideas relatively easily. For me, having previous experience helped cut down on study time, that's all.
You wouldn't happen to be at Cyfair, would you? I saw that you're from Houston on another thread, and I have heard that Cyfair is doing that now.
The first day of A&P I, our instructor mentioned that if we hadn't taken a biology course in a while (or never, for that matter), then we should drop A&P and start with 1406. My last general biology course was in '95-'96 in high school, but since science is one of my stronger subjects and I really didn't want to wait another semester, I did not drop. I studied my tail off and ended up with one of the higher grades in both A&P I and II. Basic anatomical terms, chemistry, and the basic human cell are explained in the first three chapters. If you can understand those, you should be fine.
Now, I'm taking Micro and the first day, it was also mentioned that those students who have taken 1406, would be a bit ahead of those who haven't when it comes to cells, genetics, and something else that I don't recall at the moment. She did say that it's okay if we haven't taken it. I figured that if I handled A&P I & II fine, I'll be okay now. I'm just preparing to study that much harder when the time comes.
Most of the students in my classes didn't take 1406, and most did fine. Some could have used it, and some really just didn't put forth any effort, so it probably wouldn't have made a difference either way. I really think it comes down to what you feel comfortable with. Good luck with your decision!
Thanks for all the replies! I think I will stay in A & P for now and prepare to study really hard. Lilago02, I'm taking my classes at HCC. I consider myself a really good student and I can learn new concepts fairly quickly so I think I'll be okay.
A lot of it I'm sure has to do with your teacher and what their expectations are from the class. However, I still think you'll be alright as long as you have good study habits and can pick up on ideas relatively easily. For me, having previous experience helped cut down on study time, that's all.
Last semester was my first semester back to school after being out for 14 years. When I signed up for my 2009 fall classes last summer, the advisor told me about 50% of the students will fail the A & P class and those students are the ones that do not take the Biology course beforehand. Since I had been out of school for so long, I thought it was best for myself to take Biology first. One of the best things that came from it like this previous poster stated, was learning the material and now when I go to my A&P classes I am quickly learning everything I was taught in Bio.
Hobbes02
92 Posts
A lot of it I'm sure has to do with your teacher and what their expectations are from the class. However, I still think you'll be alright as long as you have good study habits and can pick up on ideas relatively easily. For me, having previous experience helped cut down on study time, that's all.