Encouraging potential biologists

Dr Malcolm EastAdmissions tutor & Reader in BiochemistryCentre for Biological SciencesUniversity of Southampton

Can you spot the biologist?

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1. a

2. b

3. c

4. d

5. e

a b c d e

All winners of the Nobel Prize for Physiology

2009Elizabeth H. Blackburn 2009

Carol W. Greider

2008Françoise Barré-Sinoussi

2004Linda B. Buck

1995Christiane Nüsslein-Volhard

What’s your background?

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1. Science

2. Arts

3. Education

4. Other

Who should you encourage to study biological sciences?

• Students who are fascinated by living organisms and the machinery of the cell

• Students who are interested in human health and disease

• Students who want to know more about the environment

Biological Science – the study of life

molecules

cells

tissues/organs

organisms

environmentBIOCHEMISTRY PHARMACOLOGY/BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES BIOLOGY/ZOOLOGY

At what stage do you have the first

major input?

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1. Selecting GCSEs

2. Selecting AS

3. Selecting A2

4. Selecting universities

5. Other

Typical Profile of a Biological Scientist• GCSEs

- triple science- maths- English

• ASbiologychemistry (for maximum flexibility)other sciences/maths?

• A2- biology- chemistry (not essential for zoology/biology)- one other A-level

Current offer to study biology

• Standard A-level offer is AAB- for Biology/Zoology must include Biology- for Biochemistry/Biomedical Science/ ••Pharmacology must include Chemistry

• Access to Southampton A-level offer is BBC- part of the widening access programme- students must meet certain criteria

• Not locked in to course from year one

Eligibility for A2S

Students should meet two of the following• Receive a 16-19 bursary • First generation to apply to --HE• Have attended a secondary --school which achieved less ---than 53% 5 A- C passes at ---GCSE • Requirement to attend local --university• Studies disrupted by --------personal/social/domestic ----circumstances• Living/grew up in care

Emma Woozeer

What topics can one study?

study of the molecules and chemistry of life

Biochemistry

study of the cellular and molecular basis of human health and disease

Biomedical Sciences

study of drugs – their design, development and use in medicine and research

Pharmacology

study of plants and animals, including ecology and the environment

Biology

study of animals,including ecology and the environment

Zoology

Career paths

Industry e.g. Pharmaceuticals,

Food,Biotechnology

Teaching

Areas unrelated to subject? e.g. I.T.

Finance, retail

Conservation

Agriculture,Horticulture,Fisheries,Forestry

Research Scientist

Publishing

Clinical Scientist

Medicine

Forensics

An insurance choice alongsidean application to medicine

• Medical schools require 3As at A-level

• Competition for places is fierce

• Usual UCAS insurance choice is Biological Sciences discipline

• Some courses will not accept applications from prospective medical students

• Potential route into post-graduate medicine – time also to develop the UCAS personal statement

A year in industry

• Paid work experience (typically working for a pharmaceutical company or working on clinical trials) has major benefits.

- see what it’s like- get paid- gain skills for use in final year project- see other aspects of business- see your boss’s job- provide a valuable reference

What if no background in science?

• Science Foundation Course

• Not for students with poor science A-levels

• The A-level requirements for entry onto this course are BBC minimum with an aptitude for maths (A/B at GCSE grade) or by taking an internal Maths Test.

Personal statement

• Say why you are interested in the course – cite examples of what has excited you in your A-level studies/wider reading

• If you have relevant experience that has informed your decision (work placements/voluntary work etc.) let us know

• Provide us with information about you as a person: involvement in school/community activities, hobbies accomplishments etc.

• Give us an idea of what you hope to get out of your university education – career aspirations, personal goals, etc.