[roro_tu]

Hey everyone,

I'm hoping to receive a reply for anyone doing a Biology degree, or anyone who has been to any open days for 2012/13 and knows about this stuff

BASICALLY, I'm very interested in doing a Biology degree, and many of the topics covered appeal to me. I've been looking at unis such as Sheffield, Durham and Warwick. However, I'm a bit worried about a few things..

First of all, but not such a big problem, is the issue with Chemistry. I haven't done Chemistry A level, and in some cases this is an entry requirement. Is it difficult to do a Biology degree without this A level?

Second, and my biggest worry, is the practical work. At school, I have never had much experience doing experiments or fieldwork, and when I have they have been little test-tube experiments where it doesn't really matter if you go wrong.

What are the practials like when doing a degree? Are they really hard, and do you get guidance when doing them?

Thanks a lot!

[roro_tu]

okay, i sound pathetic now... but an answer would be appreciated

[purple-girl]

Ok, at Durham if you haven't done Chemistry A-Level you have to do a sortof "catchup" module in first year so it's not a problem if you haven't taken it. Labs aren't too bad, on average you'll have 1 3-hour lab a week though some weeks you'll have 2, others you'll have none but none of them are particularly challenging.

Hope that helps

[Mulligan]

We visited a lot of open days and looked in at all the practical displays. They appear very straightforward and there are supervisors on hand (post grads) who help you. The results are usually done in a workbook form and you write up the practical afterwards and submit for marking. I doubt you would have any problem.
Not having Chemistry should present no problem. Most places ask for at least two Sciences including Biology and also Maths is acceptable and in some places preferable to Chemistry.
My daughter has offers for Biology / Natural Sciences at 5 places and she does not have Chemistry to A2 (though she does have it to AS) The Oxford College she has an offer for specifically asks for Biology and Maths.

[Lou_]

I'm not sure about other universities so I can only really give advice based on my experiences doing a biology degree at St Andrews but I found that practicals were one of the best parts of the degree. I too was very worried about labs when I started my degree but soon realised they were nothing to worry about and I actually began to really look forward to them.
In first year and second year we had a demonstrator per lab bench (each bench had about 5 students) who was there to oversee what were doing and give assistance if we needed it and help us when things went wrong.. if things do go wrong (which happens to everyone believe me!) it's fine you'll get help and it's nothing to worry about! In practicals we always worked in pairs which was good and it meant you had someone else to work through it with.
In first year our first practicals were basic and we were taught how to use some of the equipment and basic lab practice so it sort of eased us into practicals rather than just throwing us in at the deep end.

I wouldn't worry about not having done chemistry. Lots of my friends on my course had never done chemistry and they found it okay. In 1st year/2nd year the chemistry is pretty basic and in our classes they were taught as if we all had little chemistry knowledge. Cell biology processes and photosynthesis/respiration which is what you generally get taught in first year chemistry-wise is easily learned having had little chemistry background I'd say. Obviously if you were to start doing molecular biology it'd be more of a challenge (but still not impossible).

[roro_tu]

(Original post by Lou_)
I'm not sure about other universities so I can only really give advice based on my experiences doing a biology degree at St Andrews but I found that practicals were one of the best parts of the degree. I too was very worried about labs when I started my degree but soon realised they were nothing to worry about and I actually began to really look forward to them.
In first year and second year we had a demonstrator per lab bench (each bench had about 5 students) who was there to oversee what were doing and give assistance if we needed it and help us when things went wrong.. if things do go wrong (which happens to everyone believe me!) it's fine you'll get help and it's nothing to worry about! In practicals we always worked in pairs which was good and it meant you had someone else to work through it with.
In first year our first practicals were basic and we were taught how to use some of the equipment and basic lab practice so it sort of eased us into practicals rather than just throwing us in at the deep end.

I wouldn't worry about not having done chemistry. Lots of my friends on my course had never done chemistry and they found it okay. In 1st year/2nd year the chemistry is pretty basic and in our classes they were taught as if we all had little chemistry knowledge. Cell biology processes and photosynthesis/respiration which is what you generally get taught in first year chemistry-wise is easily learned having had little chemistry background I'd say. Obviously if you were to start doing molecular biology it'd be more of a challenge (but still not impossible).

Ahhh you have no idea how good it is to hear that. I'm reassured now Thank you!


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