So I’m currently a junior in high school taking AP Environmental Science and in the past, I took biology and chemistry. For math, I took algebra one, geometry, and now I am in algebra two. So if I want to major in Public Health, should I take AP Biology or anatomy/physiology? Yes, I know there is the option of taking both, but AP Bio is notoriously known as the hardest class on my campus. No, I don’t plan on going to medical school, just to become a physicians assistant. So ultimately, which course would be more helpful for me? How do I know if schools with Public Health Degrees even require either or? Also, should I take statistics? (I hate math so I don’t know of any other options so if someone could fill me in that would be great). Thanks, Y’all!
Take Statistics, A&P, and regular Physics.
Most PA programs will require at least the following courses to be taken in College:
One year of chemistry with labs
One course each of human anatomy and physiology with labs
One course in microbiology with lab
One course in statistics
One course in psychology
Also these courses will be requirements for the Public Health major so if you have not taken AP Psychology, I would take that course instead of AP Environmental. I would take Anatomy and Physiology and Statistics. Having exposure to these classes in HS will make the transition to the college courses easier.
Looking at several of the Cal State PH majors, Physics is not a requirement. You have expressed in your past threads that you are leaning toward attending a Cal State. Biology and Chemistry are requirements so although taking Physics is considered important when you are aiming to major in a science field, if you are set on Public Health it seems not be a major course requirement.
Here is a sampling of PH programs at the Cal States:
https://catalog.csun.edu/academics/hsci/programs/bs-public-health/
http://ecatalog.calstatela.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=25&poid=10694
https://catalog.fullerton.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=17&poid=8212&returnto=2108
If you are aiming for the UC’s, then I would take Physics, Pre-Calculus and Anatomy/Physiology instead. Calculus will be a Math requirement at the UC’s along with Stats, but since Math is not your forte, it would be better to get a gentler introduction to Calculus in HS first. The UC’s will expect applicants pursuing a Science-related major to have Physics.
It kind of depends on your current stats and target school but, I would steer clear of the 'hardest class on campus"