A-level choices

[leifus]

Hi all,

I wasn't sure where to ask this but I'm about to choose my four subjects for AS level with a view to taking three on to A2 level. My choices so far are:

Biology
Chemistry
English Literature

the fourth is yet undecided. I had originally intended to pick geology, because I thought that would give me a useful understanding of what plants grow on what rock types and how they are affected by this. But I am wondering whether maths would be more useful for universities. I am looking to go down a 'botanical career'. This fourth option will probably be the one I drop for A2 but which do you think I should take?

Thanks for any advice in advance

[Ukwildlifeo]

Bear in mind Im basing this on the the AS and A2 levels I did in the first year they brought them in to replace the old A levels in 2000 so things may ahve changed a bit. I was looking at doing marine biology so I took the following at AS level:

Chemistry
Biology
Geography
Geology

I found the Chemistry hard and rather dull (but had rubbish tutors for it) and everything they taught at GCSE was wrong so you have to start again!
Biology was a bit of a jump in hardness too but I stuck with it.
Geography was good and complemented geology well (lots of overlaping stuff, so less to learn. In fact I had a few weeks off geography cos I'd already been taught it in geology!) and we looked at soils and its related plants and water catchment etc, may be relavant for you.
Geology was great (had a brilliant tutor though) and I liked it so much, that even though I picked as my 4th choice I dropped Chemistry instead of it for A2 (and then went on to do Palaeobiology at uni, not marine bio!).

Hope thats useful, perhaps get hold of some as/a2 revision guides for the subjects and see which you like best

[Cotham Marble]

Originally Posted by leifus

Hi all,

I wasn't sure where to ask this but I'm about to choose my four subjects for AS level with a view to taking three on to A2 level. My choices so far are:

Biology
Chemistry
English Literature

the fourth is yet undecided. I had originally intended to pick geology, because I thought that would give me a useful understanding of what plants grow on what rock types and how they are affected by this. But I am wondering whether maths would be more useful for universities. I am looking to go down a 'botanical career'. This fourth option will probably be the one I drop for A2 but which do you think I should take?

Thanks for any advice in advance

If you are thinking purely in terms of "what will Universities want" check out the UCAS course search and look at Universities you think you might like to study at, check their courses and see what the requirements are UCAS - Course Search - taking a random page following search on Biology gives this UCAS course search

A level Statistics (Maths option), will stand you in good stead for University, although most University courses where stats are needed as tool, will include teaching stats within the Course. Not sure why you'd want Eng.Lit and in terms of academic based careers one of the key add ons that makes for increased employability is an additional language, faced with an Arts choice I'd recommend any European language rather than dead tree published fiction studies (sorry I'm not a fan of Eng. Lit.)

Geology is a great cross Science/Humanities subject and a working knowledge of it is essential for anyone interested in Environmental Sciences. Hey but with my user name how could I say anything else.

CM

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by leifus

Hi all,

I wasn't sure where to ask this but I'm about to choose my four subjects for AS level with a view to taking three on to A2 level. My choices so far are:

Biology
Chemistry
English Literature

the fourth is yet undecided. I had originally intended to pick geology, because I thought that would give me a useful understanding of what plants grow on what rock types and how they are affected by this. But I am wondering whether maths would be more useful for universities. I am looking to go down a 'botanical career'. This fourth option will probably be the one I drop for A2 but which do you think I should take?

Thanks for any advice in advance

you are right that maths will be well regarded by universities - but only if you get a good grade and be aware that A level maths is not a walk in the park - differential calculus anyone ?

if you want a relatively easy one to get i'd pick environmental studies as their is a significant overlap with biology so its almost 2 for the price of 1 on some parts

Geology won't focus much on the overlying habitats but its a worthwhile subject to acquire a grounding in for your stated career aim, another alternative is geography which will cover more of the overlying habitats (assuming your college/school does a physical geography course rather than a human geography one)

a language is always useful - if i had to pick one i'd say spanish as after english (and chinese which you definitely dont want to mess with) it is the most widely spoken

and a final option would be an ICT type qualification as being conversant with computers is always useful whatever career you wind up with.

The one i wonder "why" about is english literature - as it doesnt seem to fit with your other A levels or your stated aims.

[Hobjob]

Agree with Eeyore.

Maths with stats would attract the Unis, but not everyone's brain works thats way.

My daughter did Environmental science and loved it and it did cross over with her geography nicely. May be considered a bit soft though??

[treecreeper]

One of my boys got an A grade in GCSE maths but he is struggling with A level maths. The problem is the GCSE is so easy there is a huge jump at A level. The maths teachers at his school are reluctant to accept anyone onto A level maths who achieves less than A grade at GCSE.

Are you sure about biology? I have not heard a good word about biology A level. My brother did it (a long time ago!) and says it was tedious and irrelevant. He is in pathology and he tells me the medical schools are more interested in candidates with A level physics.

[Mitty]

Heya,

I did a rather broad-ranging degree (environmental science) and they asked for this...

A minimum of ABB from 3 GCE A Levels, including 2 Science subjects (from Geography, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Psychology, Geology and Environmental Science/Studies), excluding General Studies and Critical Thinking. If A Level Psychology is studied then the second science must not be Mathematics.

I did Chemistry, Maths, Geography and Product Design. But I would have definately done biology A-level if is wasn't discontinued.

Think a botany-type degree would definately need Biology A-level. You will probably do a statistics course in your first semester at university so don't get out of practise with maths.

Do what you find interesting because A-levels need alot of self-motivation.


Edit: Oh, yes. A-level maths.... I only has 5 people in my class and we all had A/A* at GCSE but got below C at Alevel BUT that's only because its on you to do the work and its not always very appealing. Don't let it discourage you, everyone thats done it knows this (spoke to an interviewer yesterday and he did the same thing!)

[nigel_b]

I do private maths tuition and my daughter is in the second year of sixth form doing maths A-level amongst other things having got an A* for maths at GCSE.

A-level maths is brutal in comparison. My daughter finds it hard. She got 8 A*s and 4 As at GCSE and she finds it hard going.

Not trying to put you off maths, but really make sure you both need it and can cope with it before you take the plunge.

There's a big jump between GCSEs and A-level.

[leifus]

thanks very much for all your comments!


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

[Paul mabbott]

There are two aspects here: what will be useful at University admission and what you are good at. I mean good not just competent at your present level. There does seem to be an assumption amongst many teachers/pupils that a moderate GCSE grade is an indicator of potential success at A-level. People have mentioned the sharp difference between GCSE and A level maths, I think the same applies (but not so sharply) also to chemistry and physics: in effect they become more mathematical. So, if you're really struggling with a subject at GCSE then don't think about it for A-level!
This may not apply to other subjects .... geography, English perhaps ... You don't say but one gets the feeling that you're intent on a biological career but not medical (the answer is straightforward there: maths, physics, chemistry) so chemistry and biology are essential. If you're good at geology and enjoy it then that's a good option but A-level geography will incorporate the basic geology and physical geography that you need to start a university Ecology/Biology degree. But think in other directions: IT is very useful, engineering, a foreign language if you plan to work abroad .... could be the fourth subject that you will drop eventually but could open your eyes to a new world! Good luck - it's terrible making these decisions ....