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Original poster

A level choices (poss looking to physics at uni)

37 replies

Sadik · 11/01/2018 18:50

Firstly, we're in Wales, & still have the AS / A2 system, & it remains common to at least start with 4 subjects. College will definitely be happy for dd to do this.

DD is trying to figure out whether to take Physics / Chemistry / Maths / Further maths, or whether to go for Physics / Chem / Biology / Maths.

At the moment, she thinks it most likely that she'll want to study physics at uni, but until recently she was very undecided between physics and biology/life sciences. Obviously the 3 sciences choice keeps that option open. So the question is, how important is further maths if you want to study physics? (She's very much a straight A* student in science/maths subjects, and I imagine will be looking at Cambridge natsci / Imperial / Warwick sort of level as an aspirational choice at least.)

OP posts:
Original poster
Sadik · 12/01/2018 13:44

Useful point that FM would be helpful in getting a feel for what physics / theoretical physics courses are likely to entail amirrorimage

OP posts:
Original poster
Sadik · 12/01/2018 13:42

The one area she's pretty certain she's not interested in is medicine / biomedical sciences. TBH one of the main disincentives for her I think regarding biology / life sciences at degree level is that biomedical careers are one of the main obvious options. (Been put off NHS careers by extended family, & genetics/surrounding areas by knowing too many geneticists who have dropped out of careers because of ethical issues . . .)

OP posts:
catslife · 12/01/2018 10:26

If your dd is interested in applying for NatSci then would advise taking all 3 Sciences at A level. This would open up the most Science degree courses in the future.
Physics may be her favourite science at the moment, but there are differences between GCSE and A level and I have known students change their mind.
Biochemistry is the biggest growth area in the biological/biomedical sciences which would be much more difficult for degree students without A level Chemistry.

amirrorimage · 11/01/2018 22:45

I think from the experience of one DC (starting physics at university) that further maths A level may be useful as a pointer of what degree physics is like at the universities you mention.

If she studies chemistry she can certainly still keep options open particularly if applying for natural science degrees.

Decorhate · 11/01/2018 22:11

Can she do Physics, Biology, Maths & further maths? There are a lot of bioengineering type courses now which might cover both her interests?

Original poster
Sadik · 11/01/2018 21:12

Lots of helpful thoughts. It's a particularly interesting point that there's scope to move towards the life sciences starting from the maths/physics end of the scale.

Obviously at this age I can't really advise, just listen & be supportive. I might point out to dd though that she really likes maths despite having had average to pretty dreadful teaching through most of secondary school, whereas she really enjoys biology I suspect at least partly because she has had an excellent and supportive teacher throughout.

OP posts:
cantkeepawayforever · 11/01/2018 20:21

I would say do Further Maths - and this is as someone who ended up with a life sciences based degree, having done Maths, Further Maths, Physics and Chemistry.

It was always said - and AFAIK is still true today - that moving into life sciences (especially the Biochemistry / Genetics / Biophysics type end) without Biology is relatively easy, while Physics without a strong Maths base is MUCH more difficult.

CMOTDibbler · 11/01/2018 19:39

I also meant to say that I was also undecided between physics and biology based subjects. In the end my degree was physics with medical physics and I've worked in that ever since and love it as it has both of my favourite things

BobbinThreadbare123 · 11/01/2018 19:34

I did physics at uni but didn't do Further Maths. We were all taught that plus more in Yr1 of degree so it didn't matter much. It does give a leg up I suppose. I did chemistry, geography and a language alongside physics and maths.

PookieSnackenberger · 11/01/2018 19:29

I think Further Maths is strongly recommended. It also makes more sense in terms of workload; Maths, Further maths, Physics plus one more will be easier to manage than 3 sciences plus maths.

That said, my oldest son did Physics at uni without Further Maths but he had to get up to speed in some areas initially that would have been covered by Further Maths.

Allthebestnamesareused · 11/01/2018 19:15

If he definitely wants to do Physics the definitely Maths and Further Maths plus one other

CMOTDibbler · 11/01/2018 19:09

When I did Physics, it wasn't required to do further maths, but tbh those of us without it (my school didn't offer it) did find things harder, though it evened out