Help With Anatomy

I received this question the other day asking about what prerequisites a student should take before enrolling in Human Anatomy and Physiology.

Dear Mr. Ford,

I am a first-year Life Science student. By the end of next year, we must declare our majors/minors. I have already noticed some interest in the field of Physiology and, upon watching your wonderfully informative videos on YouTube, I must say that I am now convinced.

I know that you answered a question about how much Chemistry is in the subject. My question is quite similar in nature but it is one that has been bothering me for quite a while. Although physics is not a particular prerequisite for entrance in the Physiology major program, it is signaled as a highly recommended choice. The problem is that I was only able to take a physics course in high school and cannot really find an opportunity to do so any longer (all the physics courses here require that you have taken physics all throughout high school).

When I spoke to the Head Officer of the Physiology department at my university, he said that it is practically impossible to study Physiology without a strong physics background without memorizing everything. Although I very much value his opinion, I feel that it may have been slightly exaggerated. I know that I will work very hard to get what I want, but I wouldn’t want to make my life needlessly difficult.

What is your take on the issue?

I very much value your opinion and hope to see more of your wonderful videos on YouTube!

With regards,

Georgia

In my years of teaching both in college and high school it always amazed me how often counselors did not know what was required before a student signed up for my classes. In fact one example I clearly recall was when I tried to sign up for a Cisco class. I was sitting talking to a counselor getting pretty much nowhere. It seemed I did not have the pre-requisite Intro to Computers class, now mind you at the time I already had my B.A., CompTIA A+ certification, CompTIA Net+ certification, and was adjunction for the college system as an Anatomy and Physiology instructor. As I was going round and round trying to explain I did not require the intro class, I overheard a student having problems signing up for the A&P 1 class. All the section were full and he could not get in. I excused myself from my discussion and went over to where the student was. I told him that if he brought me an add/drop form I would sign it on the spot and he could sit in my class. After the exchange and I had admitted him to my course, I went back to my counselor and was quickly allowed into the Cisco class.

It would be very easy to get the wrong idea from this narrative. Counselors serve a vital role, but it has been my observation we seldom ever have anyone who has been on the job for very long, there is, in my opinion, a very high turnover. The ones who you will most likely deal with, although mean well, are overwhelmed with the sheer volume of classes and information they have to be accountable for in a very short amount of time. So the take home message here is to be your own advocate, you need to do your research and find out what you need to take. This may mean talking directly with the professor, or for those looking to go to a graduate/professional school, communicating with their counselors.

Back to the question. For Human Anatomy and Physiology 1 I would recommend that the student have a strong background in General Biology and General Chemistry. This is not to say that a person needs to take Biology 1 and 2 for majors with labs, and Chemistry 1 and 2 with labs. You should have a good high school background in chemistry and biology. These two will help create a foundation especially in the first few chapters when dealing with cells and human chemistry. If you do not have these in high school, or it has been a long time I recommend the Biology for Dummies and Chemistry for Dummies books and of course my website www.mrfordsclass.net I made around 3 hours of videos going over these topics. Physics become important when you get into the biomechanics or kinesiology course, if taught they will be in your professional school.

For those students who are seeking a career as a nurse, physical therapist, doctor, etc…then you will need to take the other science classes at some point before you go to your respected professional schools. At the very least a pre-med science background should include (all for majors) Chemistry 1 and 2, Organic Chemistry 1 and 2, Physics 1 and 2, and Biology 1 and 2. Ironically Human A&P for many pre-medical programs is not required.

My last thought on this topic. Having been a high school science and computer teacher for six years, the quality of education varies state to state, school district to school district, and even campus to campus. If you were blessed with an amazing science teacher (first be sure to thank them and maybe get them a gift certificate to Starbucks) then the reality is sciences in college will be easier because of a rock solid foundation. If however your science education was poor, you will have more to overcome. Do not let the benefit or lack of quality education in high school stop you or prevent you from pursuing your goals. Just be aware that you may have a hurdle to jump. Oh, and yes I am serious, get your science teacher a gift certificate to Starbucks, or Barns and Noble.

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