Thoughts please regarding Chem and A&P I

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I am planning out my schedule for the upcoming semesters. I wanted to take Chemistry before Anatomy and Physiology I & II, however I either need to take A&P I first then chemistry and then A&P II or I have to take chemistry first before either A&Ps and then be pushed back an entire semester and summer - so essentially a half year.

I really don't know how much chemistry is involved in A&P I. Is there much? I really want to help myself succeed and retain info and if chemistry prior would help, that is what I want to do. However if A&P I is mainly memorizing parts of the body, then I feel that I can take that prior to Chemistry. However, I would have to break up A&P I and A&P II by half a year.

Does that make any sense whatsoever? If so, and you have experience with these sciences, I would really appreciate some feedback!

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I was faced with the same decision but i saw that anatomy was not only a pre-req but it can be a co-req insteaf. I am taking both together this fall. As far as them going hand in hand I'm not sure. I have personally noticed that biology, anatomy, chemistry, and psychology all tie in with each other. Unfortunately for me i am stuck taking the two together and taking my entrance exam before taking physiology.

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There is not much chem in A&P. You wouldn't need to take chem before A&P to do well in it. Some people take them together to save time. If you are well organized in your studying and can keep up with two advanced classes it is possible to do.

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You could actually take them together if you want to. A&P 1 has a little chemistry towards the beginning, but it is just the basics, so you don't have to take chemistry beforehand. I think you would be fine taking A&P 1, then chemistry, then A&P 2, or taking chemistry and A&P 1 or A&P 2 in the same semester.

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I did Chem 1, AP1, and Medical Terminology all in the same semester. It is manageable. If you are good at algebra, you should have no problem with Chem 1. It was pretty much all math after the first 1/3rd of the semester. AP1 is all memorization. It depends on your work load and how you study. If you are quick at memorizing, go for it. I wouldn't recommend taking a break between the AP's though. The 2nd half relies on the knowledge you gained in the first.

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Thanks for your input ya'll. I am taking accelerated courses, so I only take 1 science at a time. Chemistry is not available until next fall. So I have to chose between taking A&P I starting at the end of March thru May or waiting and taking chem in the fall. I just don't know what to do...

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Im taking Ant. 1 and Chemistry right now. It is fine. The anatomy book covered some chemistry in chapter 2. My Chemistry book took that chapter 2 and stretched it over 4 chapters. So...those first 4 had been super easy. It is very do-able. I plan on taking microbiology and ant. 2 next. I spend hours studying but I usually can spend thursday and friday studying chemistry and I can get through an entire chapter. My class is moving very fast. 1 chapter a week but most do one every 2 weeks. I figure it is a good prep for nursing school.

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Specializes in LTC.

I'm taking Anatomy and Chem together. I've done very little Chem in Anatomy this far.

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I took both chemistry & anatomy last semester. Here we have separate anatomy & physiology classes. There was no chem in anatomy, & so far this semester in physiology, the chem has been very basic. I would recommend that you not split up your a & p semesters, but like I said, ours is separate. I took chem with anatomy last semester, & it was a very intense semester. I came out with B's in both, but if I had taken them separately, I know I could have made A's. There were five of us who began the semester enrolled in both classes, & only two of us finished both. My friend who made it through with me, ended up with a C & a D. It's definitely rough, but it's doable if you really commit yourself. We only have General Chemistry I at our school, too. If you're able to take Intro to Chem, or a lower level, I highly suggest doing that. Thermodynamics is the only section I feel was very useful for physiology.

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I just read your reply on taking one science at a time. Disregard my double science rant above. I don't think taking chemistry before a & p is that important. Our school requires that you do so, but if yours doesn't, I wouldn't worry with it.

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Thank you everyone! After reading through this thread and speaking with my adviser, I decided to go ahead with A&P I this upcoming short semester. I am nervous!!! It looks tough - I was able to get the syllabus and it is a short 8 week course with tons of info and work!!!

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Good luck! :)

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