Biology dilemma

[Tabitha]

Hi,

I think that I posted this question in the wrong forum last time, so I thought that this one would be best to get more opinions.

I would like some advice/opinions on which A level course to take.
I am interested in going to Cardiff Uni and they have confirmed that they will accept either Biology or Human Biology A level for their MPharm course.
Although I like the look of the topics studied on the A level Human Biology course, I am worried that it is not the right choice.

In your opinion/experience, which course is the most interesting/relevant? And, would the degree course be too much of a 'shock to the system' after taking Human Biology?

Thanks for your help

[Part Timer]

Takes me back this!

If the uni will take either, it doesn't really matter.

If Human Biology is seen as the soft option i.e. easier, maybe worth going for the straight Biology to prove yourself.

If they're both equal in points etc, by all means miss out the plant stuff, it's boring as hell and as far as I recall we never used any of it in the degree (Krebs Cycle, photosynthesis? I've forgotten more than most people will ever know!)

[Fleegle]

Personally, I would definitely go with the human biology..if of course the points are equal. You will be dealing with humans after all. I turned up at uni on day one with an A in maths (referring to your other thread) and no biology whatsoever.

I quickly learned one hell of a lot of biology from my mates on the course! Part timer is exactly right re the plant stuff. Pretty useless these days, unless you have a particular love of pharmacognosy. I found fungii particularly boring.

That was all years ago and things have moved on, but my own advice, for what it's worth, is to go for the human biology option.

All the best,

Fleeg.

[Pharmanaut]

I quickly learned one hell of a lot of biology from my mates on the course! Part timer is exactly right re the plant stuff. Pretty useless these days, unless you have a particular love of pharmacognosy. I found fungii particularly boring.


Fleeg.

Used to hate pharmacognosy in the first year, identification of sclerids and playing 'spot the adulteration' didn't really float my boat.

After the second year, where it got into separation, purification and analysis of drugs from plants I thought it was great.

Shows that everyone has personal interests.

Some people find football boring.

Now there's an interesting topic for a survey.
Is there commonality between an interest in pharmacognosy and a disinterest in football?
You'll have to wait until this years PJ Christmas Miscelleny to find out.

[ANother]

If I were you I'd get hold of the college syllabus for both biologies, see what they cover and pick the most interesting.

I did human biology and would recommend it - some of the topics I covered at A-level came up again at university so it proved quite helpful. We also covered a bit of statistics which again proved useful [if boring].

A mate of mine did regular biology and there was quite a lot of overlap anyway, but whereas we would cover the eye, hormones etc they would learn lots of 'interesting' stuff about plants and how to tell if a cow is in estrus. Which is handy to know.

[Tabitha]

Thanks to you all for your opinions.
My preference is Human Biology, so I think that is what I will take.
I checked with UCAS today and they told me that all A levels are worth the same number of points, so that was good news.
Seems logical to take that choice anyway.
Your help is much appreciated

[AntPharm]

Avoid plants biology!!

All Pharmacy degree courses bring students up to a similar level in biology and chemistry within the first year anyway so do what you enjoy and will succeed in.

[Pharmanaut]

Avoid plants biology!!

All Pharmacy degree courses bring students up to a similar level in biology and chemistry within the first year anyway so do what you enjoy and will succeed in.

Herbophobic talk like that will get you banned from the forum.