A level options

[snorkie]

Ds is dithering with his A level choices.

Maths (including further maths), Physics & Chem are definites.

He needs one more from Economics or Biology.

Or he could do both, but then would only do them to AS level.

He is currently erring towards Economics.

At the moment he thinks he wants to do maths at university, but that could change. He's always been strongly maths/science oriented though & I think it's highly unlikely he'll want to do anything outside of maths, science or engineering.

The question is, what sort of science courses would he be ruling out by not doing biology (he is far too squeamish for medicine by the way) and what sort of things might he be able to do with the economics?

Choices have to be handed in next week (seems rather early to me).

Oh, I was going to say medicine for biology, but I see you've got that ruled out!

Ds has chosen maths, further maths, physics, history and economics for A level. He wants to study maths, like your ds, and we were told economics is very maths-y. He likes history and is interested in current affairs so it seems a neat combo. He's interested in international business and finance as a career so again economics seems to make sense.

Can't really help otherwise but will be interested to see what others say. There was reference to AS/A level economics on a recent GCSE thread here.

My DD1 did Maths, Physics & Japanese for A-level, (with Chemistry at AS), and is now happily studying physics at uni.

If your DS is keen on Maths, then Economics would fit - certainly you need Maths at A level to do most Economics courses at uni.

You can do all the physical sciences & engineering without biology.

You may find it useful to go on the UCAS site - it gives all the grade/subject requirements for each uni course.

Either are good choices - but economics might be more attractive to someone interested in Maths. When he's graduated in Maths he may well end up in the City anyway.

Could you try and ask the careers teacher at his school, or the head of science?

If he does both to AS level, he could see which he liked best; but it would be a lot of work.

Thanks for your thoughts - he was thinking along the same lines as you Lilymaid, but he also thought economics sounded enjoyable. It's hard to know with a subject you haven't done before. Your ds sounds well sorted fritzzwicky.

The science teachers all think he should do as much science as possible (not that they're biased at all!)

To some extent it's timetable dependent, as if he does one of econ/bio both sixth form years it relys on him being able to do chem A2 in the L6 (he's doing chem AS this year) as he only wants to do 4 subjects in the U6. The school seem to think he's able to do 5 though if he wants to. If he did econ & bio in L6 he would drop them both after a year and pick up the chem again - the timetabling is easier to do that, but he prefers the idea of finishing the chemo straight away and completing the full A2 in one or other of the others.

Another option is to do an extended project in Chemistry in the L6 year and then complete the A2 in U6 (the chem teacher's idea). With just one AS in bio/econ alongside in L6. I don't know much about the extended projects, but I'm not sure that doing one in chemistry fits well with his current longer term plans.

We have a parents eve tomorrow, so might get some more advice there, but otherwise seem to be going around in circles (at least he's finally ruled out doing Latin, Geog and French though).

fritzzwicky, will your ds do all 5 to A2, see how it goes, or definitely drop one?

Can't really help with regards to which one to opt for but I would say to make sure he doesn't take on too much.
My DS started his AS/A level course in September and initially was doing Maths, Further Maths, French, Pyschology and Economics. He has just this week realised it is just too much (and he is a very bright boy with mainly A*/A at GCSE and has an academic scholarship) so has just dropped FM.

He will however hopefully carry on all for to A2 level

I'm glad your DS made a decision on the further maths mumoverseas - I had visions of him sat in his room surrounded by homework waiting for the mumsnet verdict on whether he was allowed to drop it or not

Good point mumoverseas, though I suppose it's easy enough to drop one if it is too much. How does your ds enjoy the economics? Is it what he thought it would be like?

Both my DSs have taken Economics (one did A2 Maths, Econ, Physics and the other did Maths, Econ, Geography). They both enjoyed it and didn't find it too time consuming (DS1 did 30 minutes revision for the June A2 modules and still got an A) whilst it is still regarded as a proper subject. So if you have a clever but lazy DS it is the ideal subject!

webwiz, he ALWAYS has to wait for the mumsnet verdict. I'm forever sending him emails headed 'the wise women of MN say...' I have found some of the information on the UCAS thread very useful. Don't get any information from the school, no doubt because I'm abroad so I rely on you lot

snorkie he is really enjoying Economics, think it is his favourite subject. Originally he wanted to do business studies but it didn't work with the timetable and in any event, he'd done BS GCSE. Will ask him for feedback on it for you.

Economics is sounding better & better. I think he's sold on it. Thanks all.

and if nothing else it teaches them about financial business and the value of money. DS is very sensible with money and saves most of his. His sister in year 9 however still thinks money grows on trees

FWIW even if he decided to go for medicine, it's the chemistry that is the important one. Many biological science courses don't even need biology A-level. (Look at the UCAS website and do a course search if you want reassurance.)

Economics would give hime more maths choice - he could go the science route or the financil/business route.

May I suggest he take sall 5 then drops...

Just to clarify, biology A-level is not required for undergraduate medicine courses but chemistry A-level is required by all UK universities.