Why is chemistry a level highly recommend alongside biology?

So I absolutely cannot stand Chemistry currently at GCSE, and I went to the open evening at a sixth form and they said only those who take chemistry a level get the highest grades, but why? Biology is about the human body and chemistry is to do with molecules outer shells etc? I am taking biology because I like it and find it interesting, so why am I being told that I might be given extra chemistry work because surely it’s a completely different subject and only needed for medicine??

Reply 1

icequeenTM

15

Biology A level is despicable.
Good luck.

Reply 2

Beth286

OP

16

Original post by icequeenTM

Biology A level is despicable.
Good luck.

Why??

Reply 3

username3434964

21

Biology is not just about the human body.

https://www.reference.com/science/chemistry-relate-biology-8b0ef080dbd185ab

Reply 4

BTAnonymous

22

I don't do biology but there some links in organic chemistry where I have been at a disadvantage such as amino acids, proteins and DNA.

However, I feel taking maths and physics gives me a much greater advantage over biology in chemistry.

What do you want to do after alevels?

Reply 5

icequeenTM

15

Original post by Beth286

Why??

It’s not even about what you’ve described, majority of it is learning about f*cking plants. Furthermore it’s so in depth and it requires extensive application I absolutely hated it. Whereas Chemistry I LOVED.

Reply 6

Beth286

OP

16

Original post by BTAnonymous

I don't do biology but there some links in organic chemistry where I have been at a disadvantage such as amino acids, proteins and DNA.

However, I feel taking maths and physics gives me a much greater advantage over biology in chemistry.

What do you want to do after alevels?

No clue maybe either Spanish or immunology at uni

Reply 7

Beth286

OP

16

Original post by icequeenTM

It’s not even about what you’ve described, majority of it is learning about f*cking plants. Furthermore it’s so in depth and it requires extensive application I absolutely hated it. Whereas Chemistry I LOVED.

What did you love about chemistry?

Reply 8

username2002283

9

I'd say (from experience) Biology is a real application of Chemistry. Whilst you might not need Chemistry to succeed in Biology, I found myself having a much more enriched understanding in some of the concepts and processes because of the nature of the components involved in relation to their Chemistry.

Biology is a mix of human and other, in essence a study of all living things. Living things are brought about by molecules, so there's a pretty clear link.

For example, in the processes of Photosynthesis and Human Respiration, to understand the reasoning behind the molecules behaving the way they did gave me real background and support to understanding the concepts themselves.

Reply 9

BTAnonymous

22

Original post by Beth286

No clue maybe either Spanish or immunology at uni

any careers in mind?

Reply 10

username3446470

20

Original post by icequeenTM

Biology A level is despicable.
Good luck.

u got that right m8

Reply 11

icequeenTM

15

Original post by Beth286

What did you love about chemistry?

Less application and it was just logic and it was straightforward. There was always a sequence to everything. Biology was the opposite.

Reply 12

akpo

12

Chemistry is an essiential requirement for most science courses in uni, and links to biology. Biology alone, is just based on really good memory skills, with a context and application exam, and this results in low grade boundaries. There is more than the "human body" in that joke of a subject.

Reply 13

Beth286

OP

16

Original post by BTAnonymous

any careers in mind?

Spanish teacher/tutor or immunologist.

Reply 14

Beth286

OP

16

Original post by 98Lauren98

I'd say (from experience) Biology is a real application of Chemistry. Whilst you might not need Chemistry to succeed in Biology, I found myself having a much more enriched understanding in some of the concepts and processes because of the nature of the components involved in relation to their Chemistry.

Biology is a mix of human and other, in essence a study of all living things. Living things are brought about by molecules, so there's a pretty clear link.

For example, in the processes of Photosynthesis and Human Respiration, to understand the reasoning behind the molecules behaving the way they did gave me real background and support to understanding the concepts themselves.

Would you recommend me not taking biology then??

Original post by icequeenTM

Less application and it was just logic and it was straightforward. There was always a sequence to everything. Biology was the opposite.

So should I not take biology then??

Reply 15

CopyThat

12

Biology is pure aids, i'd stay way clear of the subject from A-Level

Reply 16

Beth286

OP

16

Original post by CopyThat

Biology is pure aids, i'd stay way clear of the subject from A-Level

Why?? What’s so bad about it? What’s the difference between gcse?

Reply 17

CopyThat

12

Original post by Beth286

Why?? What’s so bad about it? What’s the difference between gcse?

There's much more detail, you have to be able to apply the content to every scenario possible, AQA are known for putting biological concepts into difficult contexts and that at A-Level is even harder,

Honestly if you have a passion for biology i'd say go for it but be prepared for some intense in depth learning, there's a hell of a lot to get your head around, it's certainly not an easy 2 years.

If i could go back i'd have dropped biology and kept business personally.

- To add I've just done my mocks and i got AAD
Guess what my D was in...

Spoiler

(edited 6 years ago)

Reply 18

999tigger

19

Original post by Beth286

So I absolutely cannot stand Chemistry currently at GCSE, and I went to the open evening at a sixth form and they said only those who take chemistry a level get the highest grades, but why? Biology is about the human body and chemistry is to do with molecules outer shells etc? I am taking biology because I like it and find it interesting, so why am I being told that I might be given extra chemistry work because surely it’s a completely different subject and only needed for medicine??

Chemistry is probably more important than Biology. they are a very strong combination and make entry onto many stem degrees possible. If you dont like it then dont do it.