Struggling to pick a Biology degree area 😅

9

I'm trying to figure out what area of Biology to focus on for university, but I like (and dislike) lots of different topics. What helped other students choose between things like biomedical, environmental, or molecular biology? Any advice or experiences would be great! 🌱🧬🧑*⚕️

Diggory the AI Uni Coach helped write this post

Reply 1

Scienceisgood

21

If you’d like, I can show you some exam questions I was given several years ago to show you what you will eventually lead up to in Biomedical Science (this is an IBMS accredited course) if you wish to see what you will be expected to learn?

This question will be clinical biochemistry specific though which was an optional module (worth 1/4 of your final year)?

Only saved a few questions clin chem as it was the only section I found interesting (I never liked med micro, genetics, haematology, immunology etc…).

Did save everything from my Masters course though as I only finished that in November 24.

Reply 2

UEA Rep Rosie

Official Rep

7

Original post

by ava223.5

I'm trying to figure out what area of Biology to focus on for university, but I like (and dislike) lots of different topics. What helped other students choose between things like biomedical, environmental, or molecular biology? Any advice or experiences would be great! 🌱🧬🧑*⚕️
Diggory the AI Uni Coach helped write this post

Hi @ava223.5

The best thing is, you don't have to! If you really like lots of areas of biology and can't decide which one to do, you can just do a more general biology degree! That way you can pick the modules that interest you and specialise later down the line!

I'm studying ecology, but I really knew that's what I wanted to do and I wasn't as interested in human sciences. At UEA at least, if you take the Biological Sciences degree, you have a general first year that covers a breadth of topics, and in second year you get to pick most of the modules you take, so you can just choose those which interest you most. The modules overlap with the ecology, microbiology, and biochemistry degrees, so you aren't limited to just one area of focus. At undergraduate level, don't feel you have to pick one area of a subject you like the most, if you like lots of things, pick a degree course that fits your broad interests!

I hope that's helpful, please let me know if you have any further questions!
UEA Rep Rosie ☺️
BSc Ecology and Conservation

Reply 3

ava223.5

OP

9

Original post

by Scienceisgood

If you’d like, I can show you some exam questions I was given several years ago to show you what you will eventually lead up to in Biomedical Science (this is an IBMS accredited course) if you wish to see what you will be expected to learn?
This question will be clinical biochemistry specific though which was an optional module (worth 1/4 of your final year)?
Only saved a few questions clin chem as it was the only section I found interesting (I never liked med micro, genetics, haematology, immunology etc…).
Did save everything from my Masters course though as I only finished that in November 24.

That would be great I’d love that thank you!

Reply 4

De Montfort University

Official Rep

17

Original post

by ava223.5

I'm trying to figure out what area of Biology to focus on for university, but I like (and dislike) lots of different topics. What helped other students choose between things like biomedical, environmental, or molecular biology? Any advice or experiences would be great! 🌱🧬🧑*⚕️
Diggory the AI Uni Coach helped write this post

Hi Ava,

My name is Elmehdi, and I am a current student at De Montfort University. To answer your question, I was actually in a very similar position — I wasn’t sure exactly which area of biology I wanted to study at university because there are so many options. What helped me was identifying the topics I didn’t enjoy as much during high school. I knew that human biology fascinated me, which led me to choose Medical Science at DMU.
https://www.dmu.ac.uk/study/courses/undergraduate-courses/medical-science-b-med-sci-hons-degree/medical-science-b-med-sci-hons.aspx

One good thing is that there’s flexibility: you can switch to other related subjects, such as ecology, biomedical science, or zoology, later on if your interests shift. Changing universities is also possible in some cases.
My advice is to start with the subject you genuinely enjoy most. If it turns out not to be the right fit, there’s always the option to change direction in the future.

And it’s also important to remember that you can specialise later on in the area that interests you most. Many master’s programmes allow you to narrow your focus within a broader field. For example, I’m currently studying a human science course, but if I wanted to specialise, I could choose to do a master’s in genetics and focus specifically on that area.

I hope my experience can help you make a decision,
Elmehdi - DMU representative

(edited 1 month ago)

Reply 5

Scienceisgood

21

Original post

by ava223.5

That would be great I’d love that thank you!

Sure, I can do that. I can’t do it before Tuesday though as I’ve gone home for the weekend but left my laptop in my room in my accommodation as I’m only home for a couple of days so wasn’t worth bringing it with me.

Reply 6

UniofReading

Official Rep

14

Original post

by ava223.5

I'm trying to figure out what area of Biology to focus on for university, but I like (and dislike) lots of different topics. What helped other students choose between things like biomedical, environmental, or molecular biology? Any advice or experiences would be great! 🌱🧬🧑*⚕️
Diggory the AI Uni Coach helped write this post

Good afternoon,

I recommend choosing a section where you can see yourself working in the future. This should help you narrow down your options. Additionally, a pros and cons list helps you identify which option has the most advantages.

All the best,
Ella
BSc Ecology

Reply 7

LondonMetIz

Official Rep

6

Original post

by ava223.5

I'm trying to figure out what area of Biology to focus on for university, but I like (and dislike) lots of different topics. What helped other students choose between things like biomedical, environmental, or molecular biology? Any advice or experiences would be great! 🌱🧬🧑*⚕️
Diggory the AI Uni Coach helped write this post

Hi there!! I currently study Biomedical Science at London Metropolitan University.

If you like a wide range of topics, a biology degree could be a good solution! It covers all areas!
Biochemistry could be for you if you're interested if you're good at chemistry and interested in how it relates to biology.
Environmental may be for you if you liked the ecology topics at A-Level. I personally didn't like ecology very much which drew me towards biological sciences since that is related to the more human side of biology. From there, I learned about biomedical science and how it had relevance in diagnostics and that was an area of interest to me. Work opportunities from my degree accredited by the Institute of BioMedical Sciences leads to areas like histology and other lab work. You cover some molecular topics during your studies, too.

If that's your preferred area of biology then biological or biomedical may be for you!! First year tends to cover most topics before second year starts specifically covering your area of choice.

I hope this could help! Good luck with your studies!

Reply 8

UoW Joseph

Official Rep

7

Original post

by ava223.5

I'm trying to figure out what area of Biology to focus on for university, but I like (and dislike) lots of different topics. What helped other students choose between things like biomedical, environmental, or molecular biology? Any advice or experiences would be great! 🌱🧬🧑*⚕️
Diggory the AI Uni Coach helped write this post

Hi there,

It’s completely normal to feel unsure at this stage, lots of students don’t have a clear favourite area of biology before starting university.

Many universities (including Warwick) offer several biology-related degree streams such as Biological Sciences, Biochemistry, Biomedical Science, Neuroscience, etc. One thing that often surprises applicants is how much overlap there is: many modules are shared across these courses, so choosing one pathway doesn’t lock you out of studying topics you enjoy.

At some universities, you can also switch between degree streams after first year once you’ve had a chance to explore different areas, as long as you meet any necessary requirements. So you don’t need to have everything figured out right now.

As a general guide:

•

Biological Sciences / Biology = broadest option, great if you like a mix of everything

•

Biomedical Science = more focused on human biology, health and disease

•

Biochemistry = more molecular and chemistry-oriented, looking at life processes at the chemical level

If you’re still unsure, starting with a broader course can give you room to discover what you enjoy most.

Reply 9

Scienceisgood

21

Original post

by ava223.5

That would be great I’d love that thank you!

Hi;

Please find attached some exam questions from my BSc back some years ago and my MSc CW from the 23-24 academic year.

This post is a series of questions from my BSc (past exam papers for clincial biochemistry), my MSc will follow but I can only find one in the immediate time (it was a piece of CW I did), the rest will follow in a third post (if I can find them).

All questions follow as diagnose the patient by ruling out some conditions, how you would test for others and performing differential diagnosis if asked to diagnose.

CC Q1.PNG

Reply 10

Aquilegia

Universities Forum Helper

12

Original post

by ava223.5

I'm trying to figure out what area of Biology to focus on for university, but I like (and dislike) lots of different topics. What helped other students choose between things like biomedical, environmental, or molecular biology? Any advice or experiences would be great! 🌱🧬🧑*⚕️
Diggory the AI Uni Coach helped write this post

Most biology degrees have a broad base and you you choose modules as you get to know them and see which ones you like. So I would look at the courses, and see which ones allow plenty of flexibility, and also take into account the uni and how much you think you will like living there. Lots and lots of places to biology, so there are many to choose from. I think you will also need to accept that at the beginning yoy may need to take compulsory modules that may not be your favourite, but give you the basics. As you read through the course content, listen to how you 'feel' about each module - that will give you an idea. This will be a very personal choice

Reply 11

Scienceisgood

21

MSc Question

CW Case Study.PNG

Reply 12

UEA Rep Daniel

12

Original post

by ava223.5

I'm trying to figure out what area of Biology to focus on for university, but I like (and dislike) lots of different topics. What helped other students choose between things like biomedical, environmental, or molecular biology? Any advice or experiences would be great! 🌱🧬🧑*⚕️
Diggory the AI Uni Coach helped write this post

Hi there,

It’s completely normal to feel unsure. Biology splits into so many paths that most people only figure out their real interests after they start the degree.

A few things that help you choose:
• Think about the questions you enjoy most. Are you more drawn to how the body works, how cells behave, how diseases develop or how ecosystems fit together
• Look at first year modules. In most universities there’s a lot of overlap in year one across Biology, Biomedical Science, Molecular Biology, even Neuroscience. You’re often learning the same core foundations before specialising later.
• Picture the kind of environment you see yourself in. Lab work, hospitals, fieldwork, conservation, research or industry. Your preferred setting usually points toward the right course.
• Try reading or watching content in each area and notice which topics you naturally keep returning to.

Unis like UEA are great for this because they let you start broad and specialise in year two once you’ve tested what you actually enjoy.

You don’t need the perfect answer right now. Pick the course that keeps your options open and genuinely makes you curious to learn more.

Good luck!
Daniel

Struggling to pick a Biology degree area 😅

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