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To all the biology people..

Im interested in taking biology at imperial and I was just curious to know whether anyone didn't take chemistry at A level. The reason im asking is because I absolutely detest chemistry, im aware there must be some chemistry content, but assuming I know no chemsitry (which I do and am taking for AS) would I be able to cope? also how much maths is involved?

Another thing, under course requirements:

A minimum of three A level passes is required. One of these should normally be in a biological subject and one in chemistry (or mathematics).

Where it says should be, how strict is this? becuase im taking biology,geography,chemistry and computing, though im almost definitely dropping chemistry. So lets say I get 3 A's at A level in Biology, geography and computing what chance if any do I stand against people taking chemistry and/or maths?

thanks

Reply 1

XmaX

I'm not quite a biologist, but a biomed. Half of our course is done together with biologists, so I suppose I could answer your question.

I know there are a couple of people who didn't do chemistry. Chemistry is mostly required in cell biology and biological chemistry, and first lectures of biological chemistry are really basic (explaining what electrons are, lol). There are also chemistry and maths tutorials for people without chemistry and maths A-Level, so you should be fine.

Reply 2

Squ33zed

cheers

Reply 3

username36063

hello there, could I just say if you are interested in doing biologty at IC without chemistry you may struggle as lots of core biology involves chem. as for maths, you are just talking stats, nice and easy.

what I would suggest is that you apply for ecology and environemntal biology. http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/ugprospectus/facultiesanddepartments/lifesciences

i.e. you get in with your biology and geography. and stress that you like whole organismal biology (zoology, botany, evolution, behaviour etc).

if you do not like chem then i do not think general biology is for you as you will have biochem, molecular cell, genetics etc. Have a look at zoology and ecology, of course you have to do the standard first year as all bio undergrads, but you would look really eager when getting in.

Could I just add that IC is world class for theoretical ecology with the centre for population biology, showing in an interest in computer modelling, environment and whole organism systems, will show you are interested in
IC.

Take a look at this book, its a modelling language that lots of people at IC use.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/R-Book-Michael-J-Crawley/dp/0470510242/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1201461559&sr=1-1

so push your biology interests, your physical geographical and computong ability.

Reply 4

Squ33zed

My biology is really strong so far, that is at As level where chemistry is almost non existant, I was really hoping it would stay like that.... *sigh*

Reply 5

HCD

Things trickle down.

Maths
Physics
Chemistry
Biology

In Biology, you will need to go into Chemistry a fair bit, just as Chemists need things from Physics, like Quantum Mechanics, to keep them going. Physicists rely heavily on Maths. Of course, Maths gets into a lot of things, but it's especially evident in Physics.

Reply 6

Democracy

HCD

In Biology, you will need to go into Chemistry a fair bit, just as Chemists need things from Physics, like Quantum Mechanics, to keep them going. Physicists rely heavily on Maths. Of course, Maths gets into a lot of things, but it's especially evident in Physics.

Yeah but in all fairness not that much chem is needed, eg right now I'm doing A2 biology, we've only used certain parts of chemistry, eg oxidation and reduction and ions, and then only the basic idea of it, when doing photosynthesis and respiration...tbh I think anyone with a good gcse in chem should be able to understand the A2 stuff at anyrate...

Reply 7

HCD

I was referring to degree courses, hence the Quantum stuff in Chem. :p:

Reply 8

Democracy

Ahh okay fair enough :P

Reply 9

shimmy_shimmy

i know someone who does biology without a-level chemistry or maths, she gets along fine as far as i can tell. just make friends with a chemist when you get here...

saying that, if you really don't like chem at all then maybe straight biology isn't the best option.