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Original poster

STEM degrees (without A level chemistry)

63 replies

BlackBrowedAlbatross · 30/01/2021 21:57

DS is in Y12 and doing maths, physics, biology A levels. He was planning on doing physics at university, but really only loves the bits about space, so is not particularly enjoying the A level (and not doing that well at it either).

When I suggested that he could look at other degree options if he wasn't sure about physics he just sighed and said, but what else could I do?

Slightly dramatic I know, but I think he's a bit sad that things aren't turning out how he thought they would. So any suggestions that might perk him up would be gratefully received. And despite the thread title, doesn't really have to be STEM. I'd just like to show him that there are loads of options for him to explore, things he's never thought of or maybe even never heard of. 🤞

OP posts:
Original poster
BlackBrowedAlbatross · 31/01/2021 04:44

@Murmurur

Oh bless him, that sounds hard. We are only a month into remote teaching so there's no reason why it can't be recoverable now that it's been spotted. School hopefully will be able to help too.

Just another thought. If he is overwhelmed with lockdown schooling already, it might just be too much for him to imagine a whole different life right now. He might just be responding with a reflex "no" to everything you suggest because that is all his brain can handle. When people are depressed they are told to focus on short term, immediate goals, and similarly I think a lot of us are coping by just taking it one day at a time at the moment. My son certainly is. It might be more manageable just to focus on his lessons for now - maybe he could set some goals like attending all his lessons this week, doing his homework, maybe do one catch up piece. And if it all goes really pear-shaped, a year out to sort things out is not the end of the world and might just take the pressure off. Apologies, I know it's not what you asked about.

That said, oceanography looks v interesting :)

Thank you @Murmurur, this is such a good point. I think everything is a bit overwhelming at the moment and I need to be careful about adding to it all by giving the impression he should know right now what he wants to do next. I hadn't thought of that.
OP posts:
MrsAvocet · 31/01/2021 00:40

Or another thought - would he be interested in meteorology/geophysics? Lots of research going on in that field and a quick google suggests that maths and physics are the key A levels there.

MrsAvocet · 31/01/2021 00:34

Optometry was something that came to my mind immediately as it's a good blend of biology and physics. As others have said there are loads of options within engineering that don't require chemistry. Or what about a more biology based degree like marine bology? If he is interested in space, there are astronomy degrees.
It is early days for him yet, and 2 sciences and maths will open lots of doors, so I wouldn't worry too much yet.

ErrolTheDragon · 31/01/2021 00:23

It's so tough for them at the moment, isn't it? But it sounds like he's got good support.
He has always wanted to do something where he can discover things, or make some kind of breakthrough, so I think something cutting edge sciencey, whether that's space or neuroscience or nuclear engineering or mapping oceans (really plucking things from the air here!) would probably suit him better than eg accountancy or business

The reality of science is that there are lots of incremental 'breakthroughs', a lot of teamwork, and a good deal of of serendipity or sheer luck in whether you're in the right place at the right time for the sort of thing that make headlines! But it all adds up.

Murmurur · 31/01/2021 00:11

Oh bless him, that sounds hard. We are only a month into remote teaching so there's no reason why it can't be recoverable now that it's been spotted. School hopefully will be able to help too.

Just another thought. If he is overwhelmed with lockdown schooling already, it might just be too much for him to imagine a whole different life right now. He might just be responding with a reflex "no" to everything you suggest because that is all his brain can handle. When people are depressed they are told to focus on short term, immediate goals, and similarly I think a lot of us are coping by just taking it one day at a time at the moment. My son certainly is. It might be more manageable just to focus on his lessons for now - maybe he could set some goals like attending all his lessons this week, doing his homework, maybe do one catch up piece. And if it all goes really pear-shaped, a year out to sort things out is not the end of the world and might just take the pressure off. Apologies, I know it's not what you asked about.

That said, oceanography looks v interesting :)

Original poster
BlackBrowedAlbatross · 30/01/2021 23:39

Thank you, these are really helpful and should give him some great ideas and some hope that all is not lost.

At the moment he isn't doing very well at all - turns out he is not really managing online school and just not doing the work. And feeling crap but sticking his head in the sand and not letting on. We got a report sent home yesterday which he wasn't expecting, so it has all suddenly come to light. But he got two A stars and an A in these subjects at gcse so I am hopeful he can fix things and catch up, maybe not to Durham standards now but AAB or something might be possible if he can turn things around. I'm hoping to speak to the physics teacher next week to see what he thinks also. Between us we did all those A levels and DH did a physics degree so we can cheer him on and support him if he needs it.

He has always wanted to do something where he can discover things, or make some kind of breakthrough, so I think something cutting edge sciencey, whether that's space or neuroscience or nuclear engineering or mapping oceans (really plucking things from the air here!) would probably suit him better than eg accountancy or business. He's not into computers unless there's a game involved. Hmm A typical laid-back lad who loves football (but is not a super duper sportsman), films and sleeping and misses his friends.

I did wonder about physics as a degree, it just seems so hard! And he was planning on Manchester 🤯

OP posts:
ErrolTheDragon · 30/01/2021 22:58

Engineering is a huge field with tonnes of options. I bet many don't require chemistry.

Only chem eng, and maybe materials engineering need chemistry, for the others it's usually good maths and physics. But there are courses with all sorts of grade requirements, leading to decent job prospects.

Comp sci and other software related type of things too.

ErrolTheDragon · 30/01/2021 22:54

Do you have any feel yet for what sort of grades he might get in the subjects he's doing? Being realistic, there's probably not much point looking at Durham Natural sciences if he's not doing too well at the physics but that doesn't mean there aren't other good options.

And apart from liking the space bits of physics, is there anything else he's into?
Any clues from hobbies etc?

Murmurur · 30/01/2021 22:49

I'm not 100% on entry requirements so there may be some errors but off the top of my head...

Space science, astronomy etc

Maths or allied subjects - MORSE, actuarial studies, probably some options around data science and stats at undergrad level these days.

Soc Sci is full of subjects that don't have very specific prequisites. Psychology, economics, business studies, politics I'd have thought. Law.

Engineering is a huge field with tonnes of options. I bet many don't require chemistry.

My friends who did physics (back in the day) used to complain that they had to do more maths than the mathematicians. Maths did seem a much easier degree and people went on from that into accountancy, teaching, statistician roles, mathematical modelling, data science, law.

Vocational stuff like physiotherapy, occupational therapy, radiology, optometry, midwifery, nursing. Some of these may need chemistry, I'm not sure, but obviously the biggie is that he'd have to want the career.

Original poster
BlackBrowedAlbatross · 30/01/2021 22:44

Thank you all, much appreciated

OP posts:
tava63 · 30/01/2021 22:42

Worth looking at Natural Sciences at Durham University- lots of options.

RedskyBynight · 30/01/2021 22:38

Well Astrophysics/Planetary Science/Space Science jump immediately to mind if he likes the space part of physics.

Engineering would be an obvious choice for the maths/physics.

Also have a look here (it suggests which degree subjects students taking a combination of A Levels typically go on to study - ranging from obvious to more obscure). www.theuniguide.co.uk/a-level-explorer

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