Biology-related degree without Maths?

I haven't fully chosen my A level subjects yet, but I was just wondering: is A level Maths required/expected for a Biology (or NatSci) related degree? I know it isn't an official requirement for most universities, but would most applicants have it anyway?

Reply 1

Jenski

It is useful (do the Statistics modules, not Mechanics), some reccomend it but I've never seen it being required. I have AS Maths and I had no problem.

p.s. What is "Use of Maths AS" Excalibur?

Reply 2

Aired

I don't think maths is required for many (if any) biology courses. If you want to do NatSci at Cambridge, if you don't have A-level maths you'll have to do elementary maths for biologists in the first year, where as if you have an a-level in maths you can choose between Maths A/B and Quantitative biology.

Reply 3

Excalibur

Thanks for the replies :smile:

Jenski, "Use of Maths" in an AS that we're being forced to do in Year 11, since we took our GCSE in Year 10. It's aimed for the C/D students at GCSE, and has more weight on practical applicatons of maths than the rather abstract normal maths. Some of the stuff overlaps with the normal maths syllabus, although arguably it is easier.

Reply 4

nikk

It is obviously a big advantage to have it for the skills you will gain and also for the whole 'respectibility of maths thing' when you come to applying to university. However, it really depends on whether you think you enjoy it enough to put in the work to get a good grade. If you are going to be applying to a top-ten university then you need to make sure you pick subjects that you can get the top grades in. So, as far as I am aware, maths isn't a requirement, but would be nice bonus. Chemistry on the other hand, is a must for most top biology courses.

Reply 5

ChemistBoy

Maths to the highest level you can do is always useful for a scientist as you will generally find that if you have good mathematical knowledge then things are a lot, lot easier.

Reply 6

chocolatecheese

No uni's specifically ask for Maths, so if you dont want to take it then don't take it if you would prefer to do a subject you enjoy more. I didnt do Maths, and when i started to look at uni's and courses i started panicking that i needed it...but you dont, as they teach you everything you need to know from GCSE standard. this might sound that you have an advantage at uni if you have done Maths beyond GCSE, but if you have taken an arts subjects such as English, History etc...then you also have an advantage as your essay writing (etc) skills will be better, where people who haven't done maths will have work to catch up on. (well this is what i have been told at all the uni's i have applied to...its not just me making up an opinion :p: