<p>I am wanting to take AP Bio next year (Junior). Freshmen year I took Adv./Honors Biology did extremely well (highest average). This year I was stuck in Physical Science (it covers various topics, including some chem). My school is very small and doesn't offer chem (this year) but offers AP bio over ACCESS (computer-based distance learning).
Does AP Bio require prior knowledge of chem, or can I take it without having taken chem? Will my intro in physical science (to chem) be enough, along with some over the summer self study of basic chem; or will I due very poorly without chemistry? </p>
<p>Thanks in advance for any advice! :)</p>
<p>Chem is a unit in AP Bio, but it doesn’t require that you take chem beforehand. It just helps to take a regular chem class and a regular bio class before you enter AP Bio - you won’t feel overwhelmed with the material because you would have been exposed to some of it already.</p>
<p>As Romaine said, it’s definitely doable and shouldn’t cause any issues.</p>
<p>I’d recommend just spending some time looking over basic biochemistry. Learn your organic molecules and the very basics of organic chemistry, and you should be okay.</p>
<p>Part of the Bio curriculum includes a unit on biochem (usually at the beginning of the year), so you may even end up ahead!</p>
<p>Umm, you WILL need chemistry. The college board next year gets rid of the chemistry unit, and adds more of other things into the mix. The chemistry unit is crucial in understanding other stuff. However, this isn’t anything that looking at it over summer won’t fix. </p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>^Correction: You need BASIC chemistry. It’s AP BIO, not AP Biochem.</p>
<p>I walked into AP Bio without any Chem knowledge and I walked out with a 5. Any Chem that you might need to know, your teacher will go over (it’s really basic; e.g. Water is the universal solvent of life).</p>
<p>True, but the College Board is removing the unit on chemistry, which the teacher WILL NOT GO OVER. Read what I wrote please.</p>
<p>And you’re insinuating that if there is Chemistry knowledge needed for a certain unit that the teacher will not review/go over it?</p>