Bio Review Topics for Micro and Physiology??

[dgmarma]

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Hey Everyone,

I took Bio I and II and Anatomy in the late 90's. I am retaking them (out of sequence.. YIKES! ) as some of the schools I am looking at will only consider pre-req's less than 10 yrs old. Plus, it will be good for the MCAT no??

Since I have already taken the Bio and Chem pre-reqs before with success, I talked my advisor into letting me take some upper division stuff as well, specifically Micro and Physiology this. I have read through the Sparknotes and Schaum's Bio review books and a LOT of it was familiar to me.... which is good. A lot of it is also just scrammbled in my head. Mostly the details.

I was wondering, does anyone have any recommendations for topics that I should review this week in greater detail (class starts 1/20)to prep for Micro and Physio. I am kinda panicing.

I feel like I am ripping off the band-aid here... Once I get going I will be fine, but right now I am reading anything I can get my hands on and I think it is all turning to mush!! AHHHHHHH

Is it a case where all I need is the basic foundations and the classes themselves are a whole new animal?? Am I driving myself crazy for no reason?

Thanks for your suggestions!!

GM

 

[beckhunter116]

I would say to calm down and just relax until the classes begin. If nothing else, after class on the first day introduce yourself to the professor and maybe briefly explain that your situation and see if they say you should look over anything specific. In most of my upper-division sciences on the first day of class the professor did go over some topics we may want to review for the class. Hope this helps, good luck!

 

[tj286]

Hey Everyone,
Since I have already taken the Bio and Chem pre-reqs before with success, I talked my advisor into letting me take some upper division stuff as well, specifically Micro and Physiology this. I have read through the Sparknotes and Schaum's Bio review books and a LOT of it was familiar to me.... which is good. A lot of it is also just scrammbled in my head. Mostly the details.

I was wondering, does anyone have any recommendations for topics that I should review this week in greater detail (class starts 1/20)to prep for Micro and Physio. I am kinda panicing.

I feel like I am ripping off the band-aid here... Once I get going I will be fine, but right now I am reading anything I can get my hands on and I think it is all turning to mush!! AHHHHHHH

Is it a case where all I need is the basic foundations and the classes themselves are a whole new animal?? Am I driving myself crazy for no reason?

Don't worry so much about Micro. I took the class without a biology or chemistry background and ended up with a B+ for my final grade. If you took biology before, then you're probably well familiar with the cells and genetics. If you forgot most of it, then those two are the ones I'd focus on first.

I don't know which book you're using, but I used the Principles of Microbiology by Tortora. The hardest chapters were microbial metabolism and microbial genetics, so learn those and you will be golden.

I also just got done with Anatomy & Physiology I course. Best advice I'd give you is to try to finish as much as you can from your labs. Those are time consuming and a lot of them you can do on your own without having to be in the actual laboratory. Doing those labs is kind of like already reading the book and studying, and you're also getting a lot of those exercises out of the way before the class even starts, so that when it does start you can just go back and study instead of waste time looking around for answers.

I believe reviewing the material before the class begins is an excellent idea. You will be ahead of the class and when everybody starts to panic and stress out about the exam, you will be relaxing and taking it easy. Any more questions you may have don't be afraid to shoot me a PM.

 

[dgmarma]

Thanks guys so much for getting back to me. I honestly feel much better. I had a feeling that I was just being a bit paranoid. It has just been so long that I have been in a science classroom. I did very well, but it was SO long ago. I am a cocktail of sheer excitement and absolute terror right now. It took a long time, before I was comfortable with my decision to head back (33, Stay-At-Home Mom, kids 8 &6 yada yada yada) and now I think I am afraid to make any mistakes.

I was just worried that I would spend all my time reviewing and fall behind if I waited. My plan to review it all was encouraging because I remember everything to some degree but, overwhelming because I am taking in too much info in too short of a time and it is getting jumbled.

Your advice is much appreciated. I will go over a few more things and enjoy my last week.... the calm before the storm. Thanks again!!

 

[saylorsdad]

Most a&p classes don't dive in to quick to the stuff that requires a good base. They rebuild the base as they know most people either skipped that day or were to hung over to remember it. You will be fine as most non-trads actually show up everyday and take tons of notes. Studytime is pretty tough but my advice is to study as much as needed to ace the class. Meaning if you don't do well at first. Study more, repeat until you have the material down. Also since you're older it is a good opportunity to be a leader in the class organize studygroups, and ask questions the kiddo's are to shy to ask. Best of luck you'll do fine if you keep your eye on the ball.