Who's thinking about applying to Biology for 2020?

Hi @Treetop321,
My name's Charlotte and I'm a second year Biological Sciences with Biomedicine student at Lancaster
I've done lots of genetics (but I've not chosen any ecology modules). I'd be happy to answer any questions you might have about studying biology & Lancaster in general! In my personal opinion, Biology is one of the hardest sciences as it requires the same mathematical skills as Chemistry, more advanced practical skills than Physics, it has A LOT of content and there's also the essay writing and ethical side you would find in Psychology. It takes a lot of different skills to complete a degree like that. In terms of careers, there's a lot open to you due to the skill set. There's graduate jobs working in research companies, developing drugs or studying processes as well being able to do a wide range of masters e.g. nutrition which could then lead to becoming a dietician in the NHS for example. There is obviously straight research. If you study some courses in Lancaster Environment Centre (such as ecology - this is available through the 'Biology' degree) then you're open to working for governments or organisations that study and conserve ecology. In 2nd year we had an employability module that focused on the skills we'd need (video interview, CV, skills assessment centre, LinkedIn profile etc). We have 2 open days in September if you're interested in having a look around!
Best of luck with your application this autumn,
Again, let me know if you have any questions,
Charlotte

Thanks for your help 😀

What sort of things would you recommend reading in advance which could be mentioned on a personal statement? There's a lot I could read but I don't know what would be useful!

I am but people don't seem to think I should. They seem to think it's too easy and a simple science. And that there aren't any jobs in the area. I don't understand why though.

My favourite topics are definitely genetics and ecology so I can't wait to study them in more detail!

I managed to get a bronze (one mark of silver!) in the recent intermediate biology olympiad and have been reading the biological sciences magazine and will soon be reading some other books.

I'm considering applying to Oxford, Durham and At Andrews and maybe Edinburgh or Lancaster.

Who else is applying to Biology for 2020 entry?

I'm hopefully applying for Biology to:

St Andrews
Durham
Bath
York
Edinburgh

It would be nice to work in Biology but I'm more in it for the skills and general interest is just a bonus!

Genetics and Ethology are the things i like the most but they're really hard areas of work to get into so I'll probably end up doing something else.

If you want to read about Genetics I can recommend Nessa Carey's "The Epigenetic Revolution" and "Junk DNA" and for Ecology "Deep" by Alex Rogers is awesome

I am but people don't seem to think I should. They seem to think it's too easy and a simple science. And that there aren't any jobs in the area. I don't understand why though.

My favourite topics are definitely genetics and ecology so I can't wait to study them in more detail!

I managed to get a bronze (one mark of silver!) in the recent intermediate biology olympiad and have been reading the biological sciences magazine and will soon be reading some other books.

I'm considering applying to Oxford, Durham and At Andrews and maybe Edinburgh or Lancaster.

Who else is applying to Biology for 2020 entry?

I'm hopefully applying for Biology to:

St Andrews
Durham
Bath
York
Edinburgh

It would be nice to work in Biology but I'm more in it for the skills and general interest is just a bonus!

Genetics and Ethology are the things i like the most but they're really hard areas of work to get into so I'll probably end up doing something else.

If you want to read about Genetics I can recommend Nessa Carey's "The Epigenetic Revolution" and "Junk DNA" and for Ecology "Deep" by Alex Rogers is awesome

(Go join the official 2020 applicant thread! I've been waiting to find more people 😂!)

I get that a lot - most people tell me I should apply to something more specific like biomed or biochem and it's so frustrating

People seem a lot more open to chemistry and physics for some reason. It is a bit annoying being told to do biochem so often

Because they're supposedly "Proper" sciences

I'd get it if people who were going to do biomed were told to do biochem - but Biology is so different