Should I do biochem route for A-levels or CS route?

1

Hi there people! I’m just asking, which direction would be more stable and easier to do? I understand both are difficult, but medicine will pay more and I’m not too bad at biology, but computer science I enjoy more and I’m doing just as good. Medicine also requires chemistry, and CS requires math to be viable, which means that it’s very binary either bio chem math or math bio CS for my A-levels. Also, CS seems to be more unstable bc of the market and AI, so I’m a complete loss here and stressing tf out bc I don’t feel like working in a lab for my life.

Reply 1

YourLocalNerd

8

Do whatever will make you happy. There's no point spending years studying something you don't like :smile:

Reply 2

McGinger

20

but medicine will pay more
Don't apply for Medicine. Its not about 'making money'.

If you are aiming at a CS degree at a top Uni, you will need A level Maths - you don't actually need A level CS at all.

Bio, Chem, Maths is a very useful trio. Potential degree subjects include all sorts of Biosciences, everything from Cancer Biology to Ocean Science, or Chemistry, Pharmacy, Pharmacology, Psychology, Neuroscience, Chemical Engineering etc, or CS, AI, Engineering, Maths, Stats, Data Science, Accountancy etc, or Law and a range of other social sciences. The variety of possibilities are almost endless. And there is a degree program called Natural Sciences where you can study across several different STEM disciplines in one degree - examples :
Natural Sciences - Lancaster University and Natural Sciences BSc - University of Birmingham

Reply 3

‎♡₊˚ ୨୧・₊✧

12

Original post

by Geometrix1234

Hi there people! I’m just asking, which direction would be more stable and easier to do? I understand both are difficult, but medicine will pay more and I’m not too bad at biology, but computer science I enjoy more and I’m doing just as good. Medicine also requires chemistry, and CS requires math to be viable, which means that it’s very binary either bio chem math or math bio CS for my A-levels. Also, CS seems to be more unstable bc of the market and AI, so I’m a complete loss here and stressing tf out bc I don’t feel like working in a lab for my life.

some good advice has already been given - you don't need a level cs to study computer science but you do need maths. if you were to take bio, chem and maths at a level (perhaps add physics or further maths, if you're happy to take four) then you could keep both options open!

if you're interested in the medical route, medical jobs don't just mean working in a lab! something like epidemiology would combine computation with medicine without any lab work; it's worth exploring your options as doctor is definitely not the only option

the advice to look into a natural sciences degree is also really good (it's actually the course i'm applying to!) and some uni's would actually allow you to combine computer science with biology if you wanted to do this - durham explicitly offer this https://www.durham.ac.uk/departments/academic/natural-sciences/course/subjects/

Reply 4

DerDracologe

Study Forum Helper

20

Original post

by Geometrix1234

Hi there people! I’m just asking, which direction would be more stable and easier to do? I understand both are difficult, but medicine will pay more and I’m not too bad at biology, but computer science I enjoy more and I’m doing just as good. Medicine also requires chemistry, and CS requires math to be viable, which means that it’s very binary either bio chem math or math bio CS for my A-levels. Also, CS seems to be more unstable bc of the market and AI, so I’m a complete loss here and stressing tf out bc I don’t feel like working in a lab for my life.

Dont go into medicine for the money, doctors dont get payed much and are ridiculously overworked.
If you want to do comp sci then maths is most important, further maths is preferred and comp sci a level is helpful for you to develop skills but not needed by unis.
If you like comp sci more than chem then take comp sci, youll have plenty of options in medicine and related degrees with just maths and biology anyway 🙂

Should I do biochem route for A-levels or CS route?

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