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I've spoken to plenty of admissions tutors and medicine students regarding this question and the general consensus is that:
(1) Chemistry is considered one of the most difficult Alevels; so separates the weak from the strong
(2) Alevel chemistry is probably the only time where you will learn the fundamentals which could be used later on.
(3) Alevel biology content is often made redundant as the universities reteach the biology content in the pre-clinical years to get everybody on the same level.
(1) Chemistry is considered one of the most difficult Alevels; so separates the weak from the strong
(2) Alevel chemistry is probably the only time where you will learn the fundamentals which could be used later on.
(3) Alevel biology content is often made redundant as the universities reteach the biology content in the pre-clinical years to get everybody on the same level.
Original post by 391iady
Why do you need A-Level Chemistry for Medicine and not Biology? Isn't biology more related?
Biology is way more related - in my view the chemistry requirement is a misguided attempt to sort the "wheat from the chaff".
Original post by RagaZ
(1) Chemistry is considered one of the most difficult Alevels; so separates the weak from the strong
Original post by Democracy
X
Is physics not the hardest science though?
Original post by Cherx
Is physics not the hardest science though?
Is physics not the hardest science though?
Personally I found chemistry much harder than physics
Original post by Democracy
Personally I found chemistry much harder than physics
Oh gosh.. I'm kinda struggling at it atm for GCSE and I want to still take it for A-level. Should I take something else?
And how did you find it at GCSE?
Original post by Democracy
Personally I found chemistry much harder than physics
it might be for you...but chemistry is definitely more relatable to medicine than physics.
Original post by Cherx
Oh gosh.. I'm kinda struggling at it atm for GCSE and I want to still take it for A-level. Should I take something else?
And how did you find it at GCSE?
And how did you find it at GCSE?
You should take whatever you enjoy and you think you'll do well in. No point continuing something to A level if you're struggling with it now
Original post by RagaZ
it might be for you...but chemistry is definitely more relatable to medicine than physics.
Only in name. I can't think of a single thing I learnt in chemistry A level that's directly relatable to medicine.
Acids, bases, pH etc were all covered in GCSE.
Proteins, carbohydrates and other aspects of basic biochemistry were covered in A level biology.
A level chemistry...hmmm...orbitals, enthalpy changes, bond angles...what is this I don't even.
Original post by Democracy
You should take whatever you enjoy and you think you'll do well in. No point continuing something to A level if you're struggling with it now
Only in name. I can't think of a single thing I learnt in chemistry A level that's directly relatable to medicine.
Acids, bases, pH etc were all covered in GCSE.
Proteins, carbohydrates and other aspects of basic biochemistry were covered in A level biology.
A level chemistry...hmmm...orbitals, enthalpy changes, bond angles...what is this I don't even.
Only in name. I can't think of a single thing I learnt in chemistry A level that's directly relatable to medicine.
Acids, bases, pH etc were all covered in GCSE.
Proteins, carbohydrates and other aspects of basic biochemistry were covered in A level biology.
A level chemistry...hmmm...orbitals, enthalpy changes, bond angles...what is this I don't even.
As oppose to the countless relations in physics.....
well i wouldnt really know what in A level chemistry is directly relatable to medicine as i havent studied medicine, so cant comment.
Original post by RagaZ
As oppose to the countless relations in physics.....
well i wouldnt really know what in A level chemistry is directly relatable to medicine as i havent studied medicine, so cant comment.
well i wouldnt really know what in A level chemistry is directly relatable to medicine as i havent studied medicine, so cant comment.
Is reading not one of your strong points then? When did I say physics is more relatable?
I'm a medical student and I'm merely offering my opinion. Chemistry is an irrelevant requirement. If A level physics were a requirement, it would be equally irrelevant.
Original post by Democracy
Is reading not one of your strong points then? When did I say physics is more relatable?
I'm a medical student and I'm merely offering my opinion. Chemistry is an irrelevant requirement. If A level physics were a requirement, it would be equally irrelevant.
I'm a medical student and I'm merely offering my opinion. Chemistry is an irrelevant requirement. If A level physics were a requirement, it would be equally irrelevant.
tbh i did awfully in my VR section of my UKCAT
soo you could say that :P hahaha my bad...i thought you said something about the physics thing....was someone else.
But yh both are irrelevant fine. Y do u think chemistry is made mandatory if you the medical student has deemed it useless despite the entirety of medical schools in the UK and most abroad requiring it as a mandatory subject...there must be some logic behind their reasoning.
Original post by RagaZ
tbh i did awfully in my VR section of my UKCAT soo you could say that :P
hahaha my bad...i thought you said something about the physics thing....was someone else.
But yh both are irrelevant fine. Y do u think chemistry is made mandatory if you the medical student has deemed it useless despite the entirety of medical schools in the UK and most abroad requiring it as a mandatory subject...there must be some logic behind their reasoning.
soo you could say that :P hahaha my bad...i thought you said something about the physics thing....was someone else.
But yh both are irrelevant fine. Y do u think chemistry is made mandatory if you the medical student has deemed it useless despite the entirety of medical schools in the UK and most abroad requiring it as a mandatory subject...there must be some logic behind their reasoning.
It's as you said earlier. It's viewed as a hard subject (rightly so) so it's used to a great extent to separate out the "good" applicants from the others (less rightly so, in my opinion).
Good luck with your application
Original post by Democracy
You should take whatever you enjoy and you think you'll do well in. No point continuing something to A level if you're struggling with it now
Only in name. I can't think of a single thing I learnt in chemistry A level that's directly relatable to medicine.
Acids, bases, pH etc were all covered in GCSE.
Proteins, carbohydrates and other aspects of basic biochemistry were covered in A level biology.
A level chemistry...hmmm...orbitals, enthalpy changes, bond angles...what is this I don't even.
Only in name. I can't think of a single thing I learnt in chemistry A level that's directly relatable to medicine.
Acids, bases, pH etc were all covered in GCSE.
Proteins, carbohydrates and other aspects of basic biochemistry were covered in A level biology.
A level chemistry...hmmm...orbitals, enthalpy changes, bond angles...what is this I don't even.
Medical student can't think of a single thing relatable from A-level Chemistry to Medicine?! Medicine itself is a drug to fight off disease. Drugs are made of molecules! That's the main connection between Chemistry and Medicine!
You never learned about Paracetamol/Aspirin in A-level Chemistry either?!
Original post by Democracy
You should take whatever you enjoy and you think you'll do well in. No point continuing something to A level if you're struggling with it now
Well, I have missed out about 3 double lessons so I guess this could be why I'm confused and lost. Thing is I did enjoy Chemistry.. And I guess I will do after I understand what's been happening in this topic
Original post by Democracy
I'm a medical student and I'm merely offering my opinion. Chemistry is an irrelevant requirement. If A level physics were a requirement, it would be equally irrelevant.
I'm a medical student and I'm merely offering my opinion. Chemistry is an irrelevant requirement. If A level physics were a requirement, it would be equally irrelevant.
Shocking ignorance
Original post by Dylann
Medical student can't think of a single thing relatable from A-level Chemistry to Medicine?! Medicine itself is a drug to fight off disease. Drugs are made of molecules! That's the main connection between Chemistry and Medicine!
You never learned about Paracetamol/Aspirin in A-level Chemistry either?!
You never learned about Paracetamol/Aspirin in A-level Chemistry either?!
Oh yes, umm...paracetamol? Rings a bell, we might have had a lecture on it once. Is that one I take when I have itchy teeth?
I remember extracting some salicylic acid. Something about measuring purity of aspirin. Spectroscopy too. Was that ever brought up in med school? Nope.
I don't remember learning about COX, prostaglandins or platelet aggregation during those long hours in A level chemistry. Which is what a medical student needs to know about. Now who's the ignorant one?
By the way, are you bright enough to differentiate between what's relevant to the understanding of an undergraduate medical student and what's relevant to the day to day work of a research scientist in medicinal chemistry or the pharmaceutical industry? Don't bother replying, I think you might have already given the game away.
Original post by Dylann
Shocking ignorance
Classic TSR
Original post by Democracy
Oh yes, umm...paracetamol? Rings a bell, we might have had a lecture on it once. Is that one I take when I have itchy teeth?
I remember extracting some salicylic acid. Something about measuring purity of aspirin. Spectroscopy too. Was that ever brought up in med school? Nope.
I don't remember learning about COX, prostaglandins or platelet aggregation during those long hours in A level chemistry. Which is what a medical student needs to know about. Now who's the ignorant one?
By the way, are you bright enough to differentiate between what's relevant to the understanding of an undergraduate medical student and what's relevant to the day to day work of a research scientist in medicinal chemistry or the pharmaceutical industry? Don't bother replying, I think you might have already given the game away.
Classic TSR
I remember extracting some salicylic acid. Something about measuring purity of aspirin. Spectroscopy too. Was that ever brought up in med school? Nope.
I don't remember learning about COX, prostaglandins or platelet aggregation during those long hours in A level chemistry. Which is what a medical student needs to know about. Now who's the ignorant one?
By the way, are you bright enough to differentiate between what's relevant to the understanding of an undergraduate medical student and what's relevant to the day to day work of a research scientist in medicinal chemistry or the pharmaceutical industry? Don't bother replying, I think you might have already given the game away.
Classic TSR
You seriously think if you had not taken a-level Chemistry you would have managed just fine? You are entering a highly important scientific field, and with Chemistry being the central science and whatnot it would not be wise to go without.
It's not necessarily the content, but ability to understand rigorous concepts - I am not knowledgeable on undergraduate medicine, but perhaps "COX, prostaglandins or platelet aggregation" are difficult concepts. You need someone with the ability to understand these difficult concepts and apply them. A-level Chemistry is probably the most rigorous course out there.
Not to mention the precision needed in medicine - Chemistry prepares students well for attentiveness to detail.
How about you ask any of your lecturers just how "irrelevant" A-level Chemistry is? You're only saying it's irrelevant after you've studied a-level Chemistry. If you were doing a medicine degree without Chemistry and managing fine, then there is clear evidence it may be "irrelevant"
It is likely you understand topics naturally because of basic concepts you learned in A-level Chemistry
Tbh personally currently in year 12, physics is sooo much harder than chemistry. Chemistry is quite straight forward and you just have to learn things, physics is a whole new world. I would recommend if you enjoy the subject then take it because youre more likely to work harder if not dont waste your time
Not gonna lie I thought this was meant to be a fight between Biology and Chemistry and a relevance to medecine not an arguement over which is hardest or a general 'pissing' contest - pardon my french.
As far as I'm concerned Universities can ask for whatever they want to ask for whatever they like it's their descision and at the end of the day you can choose where you go and work around some of the requirements.
But inn terms of what is more relevant, Primarily you need what they are asking for.
Plus they teach you most of what you need to learn at university, so what you've learnt previously in any subject, for any course could, somewhat, become unused or forgotten.
Especially as you specialise in one subject at university, there will be things that become less relevant during the progression of the course.
Just thought I'd add another point of view to the pot :3
As far as I'm concerned Universities can ask for whatever they want to ask for whatever they like it's their descision and at the end of the day you can choose where you go and work around some of the requirements.
But inn terms of what is more relevant, Primarily you need what they are asking for.
Plus they teach you most of what you need to learn at university, so what you've learnt previously in any subject, for any course could, somewhat, become unused or forgotten.
Especially as you specialise in one subject at university, there will be things that become less relevant during the progression of the course.
Just thought I'd add another point of view to the pot :3
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