A Level Physics or Biology?
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Hi everyone, I need some constructive suggestions here...
I am taking H2 physics currently but it is really very very unenjoyable. I have a good mind to switch to H2 Biology after 3 months. I have Physics and Biology background in secondary school so I sort of know what to expect should I switch to H2 Biology.
Currently Biology teaches things at molecular or cellular level, which makes it inevitably mundane. Is there any use of studying Biology into such a great depth until the cellular level? Is A level biology very complex and very bulky since there are TONS of information to be memorised? Physics is less mugging, more mathematical (which is good for me), and has more link to daily applications in our lives. But i hate the physics lessons so far!
Aplitude wise, my Physics and Biology results are about the same. I dont intend to do engineering in the future but I may work in the medical field in the future. So is Biology important? Or is H2 Chemistry/ H3 Pharmaceutical Chemistry more important?
If I choose to switch to Biology after 3 months, I would have to change my class, which is a - point, since I would have to adapt into a new environment again.
But I really cant tahan physics la, I have learnt nothing abt physics so far from the lectures and tutorials. I am going to flunk my physics if this continues. So taking physics is also not very feasible, since now I detest physics...
So in this case should I take bio or physics? Why?
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Take the subject that u prefer or like more. For me, physics is my favourite. But I dislike Chem and Bio.
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For me l like Chemistry most out of the 3 sciences, but when comparing Physics and Biology, my interest level for both the subjects is about the same. But then, I am totally put off by the physics lecturers + my physics teacher that now i dont like physics. So does this mean I prefer Biology more?Originally posted by norm:Take the subject that u prefer or like more. For me, physics is my favourite. But I dislike Chem and Bio. -
Its the fault of the uninspiring physics lecturers and teachers that cause u to dislike physics. If u have no plans to go into engineering in future, and u find that your Bio teachers are less repulsive, then opt for Bio.
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You must realise that from now on modern biology is to be taught on a molecular basis. You should be looking at things such as electrostatic forces and chemical bonding. Even if you enter the medical field you need to have such knowledge.Originally posted by gohby:Currently Biology teaches things at molecular or cellular level, which makes it inevitably mundane. Is there any use of studying Biology into such a great depth until the cellular level? Is A level biology very complex and very bulky since there are TONS of information to be memorised? Physics is less mugging, more mathematical (which is good for me), and has more link to daily applications in our lives. But i hate the physics lessons so far!
Are you taking Chemistry? Chemistry is more important, in my opinion. -
For medical field or biotech, u need both Chem + Bio.Originally posted by norm:Its the fault of the uninspiring physics lecturers and teachers that cause u to dislike physics. If u have no plans to go into engineering in future, and u find that your Bio teachers are less repulsive, then opt for Bio.
Physics is meant more for engineering field. I loved physics very much, so it overcame my dislike for my physics teacher. -
you still around 1 and a half monthes. take your time and analyse what you really want slowly.
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how's Jc life?
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eeny, minee, miny mo bio
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Very enriching! I got the chance to make more friends, play more games, widen my social circle, etc. Thankfully at this juncture still can slack a bitOriginally posted by orionlight:how's Jc life?
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I am currently taking H2 Chemistry. Currently, I am taking Chemistry seriously so that I can take H3 Pharmaceutical Chemistry next year. But isnt electrostatic forces in Physics and Chemical Bonding in Chemistry?Originally posted by SingaporeMacross:You must realise that from now on modern biology is to be taught on a molecular basis. You should be looking at things such as electrostatic forces and chemical bonding. Even if you enter the medical field you need to have such knowledge.
Are you taking Chemistry? Chemistry is more important, in my opinion. -
mine is quite happening, contrary to what people might think
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H2 physics still alright i think, Im not sure bout Bio. but my friend say bio is difficult and most of them in my school failed..
It all depends wat u wan to be next time! and the course in uni -
i see that you are really enjoying your jc life
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I heard that in my school, people always flunk their Biology exams, when when it comes to A levels, they get A for Biology, henceforth, I do not really mind failing my Biology so long as I yield an A during A levels...
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i like HCI bio teacher.....Magdalene Tan was my bio tutor in 1st 3 mth
contrast it to clement ong from AJC....haiz... i dropped bio because i cant tahan him...even though i can still take bio -
i love phy and chem..so i took phy and chem..i like maths and econs too..
so i took pcme...i hate english..but have to take gp..thats the sad pt. -
erm.. Imo, A lvl physics is very impt. Cos if u look at the entry requirements for local uni, most of the courses besides arts require physics. If u wanna take up bio related courses in uni, i beleive there are bridging modules and bio is not a requirement tho prefered
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Think of it as things getting smaller and smaller. What are molecules made of? Atoms? What are atoms made of? Protons, electrons, neutrons. You probably know that its possible to break them down even further. This is where physics comes in.Originally posted by gohby:I am currently taking H2 Chemistry. Currently, I am taking Chemistry seriously so that I can take H3 Pharmaceutical Chemistry next year. But isnt electrostatic forces in Physics and Chemical Bonding in Chemistry? -
Hi,
H2 Chemistry is the most important. For medicine, either Bio or Phy works fine in terms of getting into uni (for NUS). But in my personal opinion, and based on what we are being taught, Bio will definitely be more useful. Overseas Unis may require Bio or Phy specifically (mostly Bio).
Bio at H2 level is definitely content-heavy. You will do well if you have a passion for it. If not, it will be alot of memory work. Physics requires alot of understanding, application and practise, just like maths.
With regards to readjusting to a new class, definitely it will be something to face. But consider that the subject you choose will live with you for 2 years, while this readjustment is just a one-off.
Talk to your seniors, especially if anyone is taking both, though highly unlikely.
Reconsider H3 Pharm Chem. The whole syllabus is extremely tough and lectures are nonsensical, probably worse than the physics you are getting now. But I guess it may be better in your year, since my year was the first and no one was really clear what was going in. If you can, though, NUS Bio is a more viable and enjoyable option, plus you can get it over and done with in 4-5 months, rather than 1.5 years for the MOE syllabus, and that the exam does not come with the A levels, leaving you free to concentrate on your H2 subjects.
All the best with J1 =) -
Originally posted by gohby:
With regards to teaching bio at the molecular or cellular level, I can say that it being mundane is your personal opinion and not applicable in general. It is rather amazing, actually, how such systems work together in such precision and efficiency. If you go into medicine in future, understanding what life is built upon - cells - will definitely help you in understanding how the human body functions, breaks down, and is treated. While there is stuff to memorise, as you understand and familiarise yourself with it, it becomes easier.
Currently Biology teaches things at molecular or cellular level, which makes it inevitably mundane. Is there any use of studying Biology into such a great depth until the cellular level? Is A level biology very complex and very bulky since there are TONS of information to be memorised? Physics is less mugging, more mathematical (which is good for me), and has more link to daily applications in our lives. But i hate the physics lessons so far!
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I disagree that physics has more link to daily applications in our lives. Biology is as beautiful, and is all around us - look at nature, why we function the way we do, etc! Both are simply different.
Go with your heart. Choose what you have more potential to enjoy and love. -
I believe you are hesitant about taking H2 Biology because you doubt it's usefulness in daily application. However, I do not agree that Physics has more link to daily applications. In fact, most of the things we learn in JC are not very useful in terms of daily applications regardless of subjects (with certain exceptions, of course). We are taking the subjects mostly to help us build our foundations before we continue to university (arguably). If you are not intending to take engineering in university, I don't see why you'll find studying things like forces, waves and quantum mechanics useful.
Given your current hate of Physics, I don't think you'll be enjoying much when studying it. That may cause you to give up on it when the 'A' Levels approach next year and may result in you not doing well.
I'll advise you to take Biology instead.
If this is important, I'm taking Physics myself and I love it (I'm taking NTU H3 Contemporary Physics, so yeah...) , so don't flame me as being biased. -
@ghoby:
If you really hate physics that much, just switch, no point hanging on to it and doing badly in the end. If you are not sure if you want to switch to bio, crash a few bio lectures (kena caught the teacher usually dun care one, at least for you
) then decide if you like the style better. If you intend to go medical field, bio is not needed, but I *think* it might help quite a bit, from what my bio teacher in sec sch told me at the time.
@yxTay:
I'm taking NTU H3 physics too
You taking at which JC now?