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forensic scientist career help

I want to be a forensic scientist when I'm older but I hate chemistry with a passion. For my A-levels I want to take biology, phycology, maths and ict (which I will only do an AS in) and I was wondering if anyone has got into a good university without chemistry or if it is needed to study a medicine course because I will if I have to. Also I was wondering if doing the medicine course and then onto the forensic science route is the best way to get a job as an forensic scientist.
Thanks,
Jess
Original post by ginger666
I want to be a forensic scientist when I'm older but I hate chemistry with a passion. For my A-levels I want to take biology, phycology, maths and ict (which I will only do an AS in) and I was wondering if anyone has got into a good university without chemistry or if it is needed to study a medicine course because I will if I have to. Also I was wondering if doing the medicine course and then onto the forensic science route is the best way to get a job as an forensic scientist.
Thanks,
Jess


Why do medicine to become a forensic scientist? You will waste so many years of your life. There must be an easier way onto the course (that isn't the six years)? I don't actually know, but if there's a way around medicine, take it.
(edited 9 years ago)
Reply 2
Original post by danconway
Why do medicine to become a forensic scientist? You will waste so many years of your life. There must be an easier way onto the course (that isn't the six years)? I don't actually know, but if there's a way around medicine, take it.


I've been reading up about it and many websites say its what you should take but if there's anything else I can take instead YES PLEASE
Original post by ginger666
I've been reading up about it and many websites say its what you should take but if there's anything else I can take instead YES PLEASE


Where on earth did you get that from? You do not need medicine to do forensic science. There are certain sub-specialities of medicine that deal with forensic (meaning to do with crime) issues, such as forensic psychiatry or doing post-mortems, but that is not the same as being a forensic scientist. The first two hits on google for 'forensic science requirements' list the kinds of degrees you should be looking at perfectly clearly.

https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/advice/planning/jobprofiles/Pages/forensicscientist.aspx

http://www.prospects.ac.uk/forensic_scientist_entry_requirements.htm
(edited 9 years ago)
Reply 4
Original post by nexttime
Where on earth did you get that from? You do not need medicine to do forensic science. There are certain sub-specialities of medicine that deal with forensic (meaning to do with crime) issues, such as forensic psychiatry or doing post-mortems, but that is not the same as being a forensic scientist. The first two hits on google for 'forensic science requirements' list the kinds of degrees you should be looking at perfectly clearly.

https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/advice/planning/jobprofiles/Pages/forensicscientist.aspx

http://www.prospects.ac.uk/forensic_scientist_entry_requirements.htm


Thank you :smile:
Reply 5
This is exactly the same as my situation. I studied biology but not chemistry, and wanted to go into forensic science.
If you do not like chemistry, then there is no point in going into a 'forensic science' degree as there is a lot of chemistry involved, for example toxicology. Instead, apply for forensic biology at uni, which is of course, directed at the biological components of forensic science. Within forensic biology, there are a huge amount of pathways you can go into, from forensic anthropology, odontology, entomology and more.
I studied human biology, biology for health (diseases etc), psychology and sociology. Uni's offering forensic biology, or sub-disciplines like forensic anthropology, do not seem to mind about the no chemistry element (many of them also accept psychology).
Also, you do not need to study medicine.
Reply 6
What about a forensic pathologist is it the same sort of route as forensic scientist
Reply 7
A forensic pathologist is different.
This extract is taken from:
http://www.staff.ncl.ac.uk/fraser.charlton/pathology/page10/pathology_how.html

You have to be a doctor, a dentist or a vet before you can become a pathologist. For most people, that means becoming a doctor, although you could also become an oral pathologist, if you get a dentistry degree, or a veterinary pathologist, if you've been to veterinary school. I'm afraid that there is absolutely no other way! Forensic science degrees and biomedical sciences degrees don't help - you still have to become a medical doctor first - end of story!
you need chemistry for medicine......
Reply 9
Original post by ginger666
What about a forensic pathologist is it the same sort of route as forensic scientist


I won't bore you a little here haha! Basically I'm going to take Chemistry, Maths and Biology (still deciding a 4th A-Level then drop to AS) and go to university to study a degree (with masters included) of Chemistry. By doing this I have a lot of option routes to different careers and Forensics was one idea that came to mind! I am not a nasty person and I don't intend to be, but have you really done enough research into the forensics? Its a heavy load of chemistry involved and I'm not being blunt but you shouldn't really count on taking forensics for your future career if you really dislike chemistry! And yes you are right, the majority of sites you looked at requires chemistry, by knowing this didn't you at least get the hint it isn't the career for you with the majority relating with chemistry?

Also thenead is correct. Medicine isn't required to do a forensics career. You should look at degrees science related and I also seen a course where you take chemistry and forensic science together. I'm really sorry to burden your flame but I hope you will understand what a lot of people are trying to tell you! Good luck with the future! :tongue:
What area of forensic do you want to specialise in? Because if you like ICT, there's this thing called Digital Forensics (I think) where you look for evidence in a tech instead of the body like for example, a broken phone or something and you'll hack into it to check the call history to find some suspects. Who called them during the time of the crime? And all that.
You can do a forensic science BSc without doing chemistry, you just have to look quite a bit further down the league table. They will take you with another science (like biology) instead. Couple at a quick google of "forensic science bsc" brings up Kingston University, and De Montfort who will both take you with any one science at A2. DMU is accredited though.

That said, read the modules carefully. If you don't like chemistry then it's really a bit of a silly career path to want to do. It's not quite all CSI style either.
Reply 12
To be honest, you have 3 options.

1. Take chemistry at a level and then progress onto a Bsc in Forensic science (which has a lot of chemistry modules usually). This degree could take you into a variety of professions, from teaching science to crime scene investigating.

2. Take chemistry at a level and go into medicine- then pathology... Takes a lot longer, and chemistry will be a huge part of the job.

3. Do not take chemistry and process onto a course in forensic biology. As mentioned before, this could take you into lab work, teaching biology, anthropology, odontology, entomology etc.

If I were you, I would have a good look at all 3 options, and also have a look at forensic biology sub-disciplines to see if any interest you. Are you interested in skeletons? decomposition? Read a few books and you'll find what you prefer.
(edited 9 years ago)
Hi Sir / MadamI have many questions regarding forensic science as a career option . So i need ur help

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