Is a degree in Biological Sciences respected/worth it?

Just trying to decide between studying a degree in the Biological Sciences or Chemistry, and so I'm weighing up the pros and cons of each. Is it a well respected degree? Or one employers look down upon? I prefer theory work over practicals so am after the degree with the least practical work from the two.

(edited 10 years ago)

Reply 1

mariposaa

Different universities mean different things by Biological Sciences - do you mean just Biology or biology-related (such as agriculture and environment) courses?

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Reply 2

mariposaa

Original post by Magenta96

Also have you considered a degree in Natural Sciences, Biochemistry or joint honours BioChem?

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Reply 3

electriic_ink

For which career?

They both sound like science to me so you should be fine with either. Do whichever one you enjoy more.

Reply 4

Magenta96

Original post by mariposaa

Different universities mean different things by Biological Sciences - do you mean just Biology or biology-related (such as agriculture and environment) courses?

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It's the one at Leeds so the first year involves topics such as cell biology, microbiology, biochemistry, genetics & more, and the second year involves more interesting things like plants and agriculture, and things like infections and diseases. In the first year I think it's just biology, then the content becomes more broad during the second year.

Reply 5

Magenta96

Original post by mariposaa

Also have you considered a degree in Natural Sciences, Biochemistry or joint honours BioChem?

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Biochemistry didn't appeal to me much, but the degree in Natural Sciences and the Joint Honours one seem promising, so I'll definitely research them further! Thank you. :smile:

Reply 6

Magenta96

Original post by electriic_ink

For which career?

They both sound like science to me so you should be fine with either. Do whichever one you enjoy more.

That's the thing, I haven't a definite career choice but know for a fact, I want to go into science (excluding physics) so I guess I'd like my degree to keep my options open.

Reply 7

AdamskiUK

I had a teacher who was a Cambridge chemist who lived in Germany for 10 years. She said the degree's excellent but that there were limited jobs in the UK. Funnily enough, at my current school there's another Cambridge chemist who's our head of Chemistry and she said that the jobs are flooding in now for chemists due to new advances. She specifically recommended specialising in nanochemistry and the like.

The potential in that market is unfounded. There are so many research grants flying about that if you can get a decent-levelled degree, you're almost guaranteed work here. Of course, that could change by the time you graduate, but I really doubt it!

EDIT: Just remember that A-Level Chemistry is probably one of, if not *the* hardest A-Level you can undertake. A degree will be no walk in the park and you're expected to achieve AAA minimum for most places.

(edited 10 years ago)

Reply 8

mariposaa

Original post by Magenta96

Biochemistry didn't appeal to me much, but the degree in Natural Sciences and the Joint Honours one seem promising, so I'll definitely research them further! Thank you. :smile:

I'm about to start study for a Natural Sciences degree, so if you have any questions feel free to send me a message or ask me on this. I know that it is seen as a respected degree as it is hard work and difficult to get into (most entry requirements are AAA-A*AA). If you think that this is attainable for you it is a good option to look into. Most of the time you are allowed to choose any science modules available in your first year (in subsequent years some modules will require you to have studied the relevant first year modules) and even a proportion of non-science modules, so the course is very flexible. I also know that quite a high proportion (I seem to remember 25% but I could be wrong!) of students end up working in a graduate job unrelated to science (for example working in The City, managerial work etc) as employers know it is an intense course that requires hard work and dedication.

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