Course selection

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Okay so I am almost ready to apply to PA school. I have already taken A&P 1 and 2. But I also need to take two upper level division courses. I was thinking about taking upper level physiology to fulfill one of those courses along with cell bio. Also I was thinking it may help because I did not do so well in the second semester of A&P. Would this make me appear to be a stronger candidate if I do well in physiology or should I take histology instead?

take physiology. much more applicable to pa school coursework than histology or cell bio.
how much and what kind of hce do you have? which programs are you looking at?

I'm taking the second half of Human Anat+Phys next semester and was wondering how much harder the second portion is in comparison with the first half? Although our different schools don't follow the exact same schedule, I'm sure at least some of the material matches up. (Bones, Muscles, Tissues ect. first semseter) vs. (Nerves, ect second semester).

Originally Posted by emedpa

take physiology. much more applicable to pa school coursework than histology or cell bio.
how much and what kind of hce do you have? which programs are you looking at?

I have about 60 internship hours at an assisted living facility. I am going to get more experience this semester. I wish I could get more but I have two young children to raise and I always take 18 credit hours or more each semester (except summers I will only take 16 at the most). I took A&P 2 during the summer along with 3 other classes and it was my first summer taking a science course. I admit I was a little overwhelmed at the time because the pace was so much faster and I was dealing with other things. However, the next summer I took physics along with 4 other classes and I rocked them all and to top it off I was still able to give my kids a fun-filled summer. Currently, I am looking at CU Denver.

Oh and @Dignitary it seems that the layout is the same. It was a bit harder, but I had so much going on that semester. Good luck with the course.

Originally Posted by Chameleonchick

I have about 60 internship hours at an assisted living facility. I am going to get more experience this semester. I wish I could get more but I have two young children to raise and I always take 18 credit hours or more each semester (except summers I will only take 16 at the most). I took A&P 2 during the summer along with 3 other classes and it was my first summer taking a science course. I admit I was a little overwhelmed at the time because the pace was so much faster and I was dealing with other things. However, the next summer I took physics along with 4 other classes and I rocked them all and to top it off I was still able to give my kids a fun-filled summer. Currently, I am looking at CU Denver.

Oh and @Dignitary it seems that the layout is the same. It was a bit harder, but I had so much going on that semester. Good luck with the course.

if you have not already check out the pa forum at www.physicianassistantforum.com

Originally Posted by emedpa

if you have not already check out the pa forum at www.physicianassistantforum.com

Yes, emedpa I have already. They are pretty helpful there as well.

Originally Posted by Chameleonchick

Okay so I am almost ready to apply to PA school. I have already taken A&P 1 and 2. But I also need to take two upper level division courses. I was thinking about taking upper level physiology to fulfill one of those courses along with cell bio. Also I was thinking it may help because I did not do so well in the second semester of A&P. Would this make me appear to be a stronger candidate if I do well in physiology or should I take histology instead?

I would go physiology. From what I hear, you'll be using it the rest of your career.

Definitely phys. If you understand physiology you will find it much easier to learn and understand medicine.
Histology is useless in PA school. Heck, it's almost useless in med school although interesting.
I have a love-hate relationship with cell bio. Worth learning? Absolutely. Hard? Yes. Useful for a PA? Not hardly.

Originally Posted by primadonna22274

Definitely phys. If you understand physiology you will find it much easier to learn and understand medicine.
Histology is useless in PA school. Heck, it's almost useless in med school although interesting.
I have a love-hate relationship with cell bio. Worth learning? Absolutely. Hard? Yes. Useful for a PA? Not hardly.

I'm pretty sure cell bio is going to be hard. Unfortunately, I have to take it as a pre-req for genetics. I'm ready for it though, and I'm sure it will help out somewhere.