A-level choices

[Batfalcon]

I have a degree in Zoology. However it was a modular degree based on biology and some students specialised in botany.

Biology is obviously a must for a biological sciences degree, although degree level Botany and Zoology degrees study evolution as a central concept where as a-level syllabuses seem to shy away from evolution and treat it as as a musty old side issue.

Chemistry is also a must,as its related to biochemistry and subjects like Immunology which you may cover in a modular degree course.

I would avoid physics a level but consider maths if your confident with it. Practical biology and your research project will involve the use of statistical tests which will be no problem if your good at maths.

Geography a-level would be more useful than Geology. Geography includes the study of ecosystems.

However you may wish to use your 3rd/4th choices to give you a wider base of knowledge and give you more options later on. A modern language or ICT would make good choices.

Finally, during your a level studies try and broaden your knowledge through wider reading, particularly in the field of evolution as this will give you a head start at university. "Nothing in Biology makes sense except in the light of evolution" (Dobzhansky). An understanding of evolution binds the strands of biology together (where as a level biology treats biology as a set of processes).Although an understanding of these (usually biochemical e.g. photosynthesis) processes is vital, without emphasising evolution, alevels don't encourage side ways thinking which is what you will need to get a good degree result. Try reading the Selfish Gene or the Blind Watch Maker by Richard Dawkins.

I hope this helps.

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by leifus

As for english lit. it may be that I go into writing along a botanical subject so this would be a useful subject. Also, my teachers and careers advisor have said that these days uni's regard english lit a-level as a rigorous subject and therefore a good one to have obtained

on the first point - nah english lit is about studying and interpreting works of literature - it wont teach you anything that will be useful in writing about a botanical subject.

on the latter point you are right that unis see it as a rigorous subject - if you you are going into as general degree, dont know what you are going to study, or are going to study a humanities, litterature, etc , but for a specific science degree like botany you need relevant A levels

consider if you get an interview at your first choice uni - they are pretty well bound to ask you why you chose to study english and saying that you thought it would look good on your application is not an answer you want to give.

[Ukwildlifeo]

One more tip if there is a way to avoid do general studies do the alternative! Its a pointless tedious and boring subject, most the tutors that do it dont like it and worst of all NONE of the unis count it towards their points!

[RKB]

If you're aiming for a botanical career (essentially a science one), then drop English Lit. You need to choose A leevsl that complement each other. A lot of biology wont make much sense if you don't do chemistry. Geography (do physical geography if possible, or just pick physical modules) will complement both of those. But maths would also be extremely valuable. having a really good grounding in maths will do you a world of favours later on. The biological sciences are chronically short of numerate biologists. Few take it at A level or degree, but it is one of the fundamental subjects you need to learn - there is an awful lot of maths in all biological research. Degrees often don't cover it very well, so don't expect to pick it up at university.

For botany, you will need to get your head around mathematical analysis techniques like ANOVA, GLM's etc etc.
Maths is rare cos it's hard, but it is also very much in demand because it is rare and hard.

So I'd encourage you to do:

Biology
Chemistry
(Physical) Geography
Maths

and then drop Geography. Also, for botany, go on as many short courses as you can (FSE etc), help out with surveys, and make sure your field identification skills are really good. And learnt to drive before you leave University!

[Paul mabbott]

We were talking about AS levels and a lot of people take something 'odd' for the fourth one to demonstrate that they have a wider focus on the world. This can be important at University interviews: how do you pick from six brilliant chemists - the one who stands out with a knowledge of something completely different!

One of my sons did Maths-Physics-Chemistry AS and went on to do Maths, Maths, Maths and Physics (because they only offered three maths papers ) at A. However, just for a bit of a change, he did History at AS and this was raised when he went for an interview at Cambridge!

I think, therefore, that the important thing is to get three good AS grades for the three subjects that you will carry through to A-level ...

Originally Posted by RKB

If you're aiming for a botanical career (essentially a science one), then drop English Lit. You need to choose A leevsl that complement each other. A lot of biology wont make much sense if you don't do chemistry. Geography (do physical geography if possible, or just pick physical modules) will complement both of those. But maths would also be extremely valuable. having a really good grounding in maths will do you a world of favours later on. The biological sciences are chronically short of numerate biologists. Few take it at A level or degree, but it is one of the fundamental subjects you need to learn - there is an awful lot of maths in all biological research. Degrees often don't cover it very well, so don't expect to pick it up at university.

For botany, you will need to get your head around mathematical analysis techniques like ANOVA, GLM's etc etc.
Maths is rare cos it's hard, but it is also very much in demand because it is rare and hard.

So I'd encourage you to do:

Biology
Chemistry
(Physical) Geography
Maths

and then drop Geography. Also, for botany, go on as many short courses as you can (FSE etc), help out with surveys, and make sure your field identification skills are really good. And learnt to drive before you leave University!

[RKB]

Originally Posted by Paul mabbott

We were talking about AS levels and a lot of people take something 'odd' for the fourth one to demonstrate that they have a wider focus on the world. This can be important at University interviews: how do you pick from six brilliant chemists - the one who stands out with a knowledge of something completely different!

That's what extra-curricular activities are for. Doing something 'odd' when you could be doing something 'relevant' is a bit of a waste of time. It can make you look undecided, and not committed to the subject theme.

Worth bearing in mind that many people have three good A level grades these days, so I'd try and do 4 A levels if at all possible.

[balkantrek]

This is a very interesting thread, and the variety of responses show that there are different ways to look at the question. I sometimes believe that there is far too much emphasis put on choosing 'the right' combination of subjects. I believe it is just as important to choose subjects you will enjoy and do well in. What you need is the best grades you can get, and the best grades usually come in the subjects you most enjoy. The second ingredient you need is passion. There is no A-level for it, but it needs to flow out from you when you go to an interview. If you get an interview because you have excellent grades and you have the passion to back it up, you can't go far wrong. Succeeding at university is about being passionate about what you study. Its not so much the subjects you studied or things you learnt for A-level, its about your A-level results proving you have the discipline and ability to study. It is then up to you to impress at your interview that you have the desire and motivation to succeed.

I studied English Literature, French, Maths, Law and Sociology A-levels. I wanted to do Biology and Geology but they didnt allow me because I wasn't good at (and didnt enjoy) Chemistry and Physics. I didn't let this stop me applying for the University I wanted and the subject I wanted, Sports Science (Physiology, Biomechanics, Sports Medicine). Sure I was grilled at interview about my strange eclectic assortment of subjects, but I was prepared, I justified every one, and I explained a person can excel in anything he wants if he has the desire and the discipline to do so. I told them my lack of biology and physics was of no significance, because the basics and essentials would all be repeated in the first year, and I would easily be able to pick up what was actually relevant because I had the passion to do so.

And having graduated from University, I decided to alter direction slightly and follow my second passion, wildlife and the environment. I trained to become a mountain guide, and taught myself about mountain ecology and botany and how to identify, survey and record the flora and fauna in the mountains where I worked.

So my advice is study what you want in life, and if you have discipline, passion and enthusiasm you will achieve!

Good luck with whatever you decide!!

[ceterach]

Originally Posted by balkantrek

This is a very interesting thread, and the variety of responses show that there are different ways to look at the question. I sometimes believe that there is far too much emphasis put on choosing 'the right' combination of subjects. I believe it is just as important to choose subjects you will enjoy and do well in. What you need is the best grades you can get, and the best grades usually come in the subjects you most enjoy. The second ingredient you need is passion. There is no A-level for it, but it needs to flow out from you when you go to an interview. If you get an interview because you have excellent grades and you have the passion to back it up, you can't go far wrong. Succeeding at university is about being passionate about what you study. Its not so much the subjects you studied or things you learnt for A-level, its about your A-level results proving you have the discipline and ability to study. It is then up to you to impress at your interview that you have the desire and motivation to succeed.

I studied English Literature, French, Maths, Law and Sociology A-levels. I wanted to do Biology and Geology but they didnt allow me because I wasn't good at (and didnt enjoy) Chemistry and Physics. I didn't let this stop me applying for the University I wanted and the subject I wanted, Sports Science (Physiology, Biomechanics, Sports Medicine). Sure I was grilled at interview about my strange eclectic assortment of subjects, but I was prepared, I justified every one, and I explained a person can excel in anything he wants if he has the desire and the discipline to do so. I told them my lack of biology and physics was of no significance, because the basics and essentials would all be repeated in the first year, and I would easily be able to pick up what was actually relevant because I had the passion to do so.

And having graduated from University, I decided to alter direction slightly and follow my second passion, wildlife and the environment. I trained to become a mountain guide, and taught myself about mountain ecology and botany and how to identify, survey and record the flora and fauna in the mountains where I worked.

So my advice is study what you want in life, and if you have discipline, passion and enthusiasm you will achieve!

Good luck with whatever you decide!!

Leifus

As a Uni lecturer I would suggest that this is the best advice so far. The subjects are less important than your passion for them.

Also you do not necessarily need to go for total relevance to your likely degree or hoped for career.

Do the A-levels you feel most comfortable with!!!

Whatever you do, I wish you all the best.

John

[Paul mabbott]

Originally Posted by RKB

That's what extra-curricular activities are for. Doing something 'odd' when you could be doing something 'relevant' is a bit of a waste of time. It can make you look undecided, and not committed to the subject theme.

Worth bearing in mind that many people have three good A level grades these days, so I'd try and do 4 A levels if at all possible.

Quite, but as I said, the original question started off with AS subjects - where the priority, I feel, should be in getting good start-off for the A-levels: if you're only doing three A-levels finally then one of four AS levels could be looked at either as a back-up or demonstrating a broad world view ....
Maybe, but most people don't have a choice of four full science A-levels (in my day you could do Botany and Zoology - happy days) unless Maths is amongst them?