Help for a Computer Science student to go down a Marine Biology path

Hello Student Room!
I've got a bit of a situation.

Currently, I'm doing A Level Computer Science along with English Literature and Classical Civilisation. I chose these to demonstrate my skills in both math-heavy and English-heavy areas to show specialisation.

I've always had a fascination with the ocean, and lately, have realised I love the sound of marine biology and computing- and a combination of them is something I would really respond to. The issue is that I do not take Biology A Level, so feel somewhat lost in how I would go down this path.
(Also, all of my GCSEs are up to standard, the reason I did not pick Biology A Level is because of a lack of consideration which I now regret.)

Question is: Are there any courses or alternative paths I could take that might still lead me where I want to be, given my background in Computer Science? I do understand that Computer Science is somewhat science-related, but feels like a loose connection.

I'd genuinely appreciate any advice, recommendations or insights. Also, any other details like careers that fit this would be wonderful.

Thank you for your help and honesty.

Reply 1

hotpud

18

I would suggest that if marine biology really is for you, why not volunteer / get a job in that field either during the summer or after A-levels. This will give you more of a feel for what you need to do to get into that field of work.

From the little I know, I imagine there are three routes in. Conservation, which will no doubt be exceedingly poorly paid but morally wholesome, the research route, equally low paid but somewhat compromising as you won't necessarily choose what to research, and the commercial side which sadly invariable involves bending the rules to allow commercial interests to overcome protections put in place so they can prosper financially.

As for computer science - well once you are in the field, you will no doubt come across a myriad of situations that could easily be solved with basic coding and there you will be to fill that gap.

Good luck but find out more first! You have the rest of your life to take A-level biology and take a degree in whatever.

Reply 2

Cianjogo

OP

2

Original post by hotpud

I would suggest that if marine biology really is for you, why not volunteer / get a job in that field either during the summer or after A-levels. This will give you more of a feel for what you need to do to get into that field of work.

From the little I know, I imagine there are three routes in. Conservation, which will no doubt be exceedingly poorly paid but morally wholesome, the research route, equally low paid but somewhat compromising as you won't necessarily choose what to research, and the commercial side which sadly invariable involves bending the rules to allow commercial interests to overcome protections put in place so they can prosper financially.

As for computer science - well once you are in the field, you will no doubt come across a myriad of situations that could easily be solved with basic coding and there you will be to fill that gap.

Good luck but find out more first! You have the rest of your life to take A-level biology and take a degree in whatever.

Thank you for the insights, I appreciate it and will consider it. 👍I look forward to what else people have to advise

Reply 3

Plagioclase

21

I'm a marine scientist working on computationally-intensive research, so I know a thing or two about this!

Computer science and marine science (particularly marine physics, although marine biology as well to a lesser extent) are a good combination, because a lot of modern environmental research involves heavy computation, and working with enormous datasets. As you've noted, you're unfortunately going to struggle to find marine biology courses (or science courses more broadly) that would accept you with those A Level choices. If you're determined to go into marine science, I think there are two main routes you could try:

1.

Focus on computer science for now, and enter marine science later as a data scientist or modeller. This would probably be the easiest route, and you'd ideally focus on modules involving data, numerical methods (i.e. solving PDEs numerically), and software engineering. If your university gives you some flexibility in taking modules outside your course, some basic courses in things like environmental/marine science, bioinformatics, and statistics would be useful. During the summers, try to get a research placement working with environmental scientists (doesn't have to be marine scientists, anything would be useful - e.g. NERC REPs). This is the key - if you have a couple of successful research placements, your chances of entering marine science will go up massively. Once you finish your computer science degree, you can either try to join a lab as a technician, or do a PhD.

2.

The alternative, nuclear, option is to try to do a science foundation degree, and then do a degree in marine biology/marine science/oceanography, etc. I'm not sure I'd recommend this, unless you're absolutely certain this is what you want to do.

Happy to discuss further.

(edited 7 months ago)

Help for a Computer Science student to go down a Marine Biology path

Quick Reply

Related discussions

Latest

Trending

Trending

Articles for you