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Original poster

Yr9 dd wants to be a scientist but only wants to do double science.

30 replies

GalaxyInMyPants · 19/08/2014 10:06

I'm happy that its her choice, etc but want to make sure we're both aware of future implications.

Dd is bright, Lvl 6a in most subjects at end of year 8 and her teachers say she's often working at Lvl 7. She's always enjoyed science and says she wants to be some sort of scientist when she's older but isn't any more specific than that.

Physics is her favourite subject. She's not enjoyed chemistry the last year and now says she only wants to do double science as she wants to drop chemistry.

Firstly, does it work like that? I thought double science meant she did all three subjects but just not as indepth?

What sort of degrees/careers in the science field would she not be able to do? I'm guessing medicine, vet school, biochemistry would all be out? Which is fine and quite possibly stuff she wouldn't have done anyway. I can see her doing more engineering type stuff. Would a lack of chemistry be a problem for that?

OP posts:
summerends · 19/08/2014 10:49

She will do less physics if she does double. She will of course also do less chemistry so it is up to her whether her like for physics outweighs her dislike for chemistry. If somebody is capable enough academically and may want to do a science subject later then triple science is usually the better option but double does n't preclude it. Physics at more advanced levels require a mathematical mind.

temporaryusername · 19/08/2014 10:30

Going back a long time here Blush but at my school if you wanted to do sciences at A level or beyond you had to do the three separately. Anyone expressing an interest in related careers like those you mention would have been told they must do all three.

Since your dd will still have to do Chemistry as part of the double science, it seems like it might not be worth dropping it.

shinysparklythings · 19/08/2014 10:22

There shouldn't be a problem with only doing double science, however, as previous posters have said this doesn't mean she misses chemistry just does all three to less depth. The only thing it might be worth checking is what the 6th form requirements are (although I know these things change all the time).

CartwheelCate · 19/08/2014 10:16

As NorwaySpruce said.
Thing is, if she wants to do A level sciences triple will prepare her much better than double. It's not essential but to be honest I'd be recommending her to do triple if she wants to continue with sciences. It will also put her in a better position to know if she really wants to continue with science at A level. If she finds triple too hard then she should look in other directions.

NorwaySpruce · 19/08/2014 10:12

Double science will cover all three sciences, you are right.

Taking double science now won't ruin her chances of anything later.

There is a huge leap from GCSE to A-Levels, to the point where you hardly recognise them as being the same subjects you studied at GCSE.

Chemistry is highly regarded at A-Level, and your DD may end up taking it anyway, as the sciences and maths back one another up so well.

I'd say leave her to the double science award for now, by the time she wants to do A-Levels, she may have an entirely different outlook, and double science won't hold her back at all.

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