Can anyone offer a little advice? (RE University)

[KnowledgeIsPower]

Currently I have just completed my AS levels and have just begun studying for my A2 (second year of the course) in order to complete my A levels.

I have been studying Biology, Chemistry, Maths, ICT and general studies.

I think i did relatively well in mathematics, ICT and biology, though i think i really messed up the organic chemistry module and am expecting to resit it.

In the next few months i will be considering my future university course and am of course, very confused as of what to do.

At the moment i feel very interested in mathematics/physics, but as i haven't taken physics at A level I will not be able to access the mathematics/physics joint degree. Perhaps i will take a one year foundation course with view to doing math/physics joint the following year, though this adds another year to my university study, also adding extra time/money issues. Also, my grades aren't too mediocre so I feel doing a foundation year may be a slight insult to my (relatively decent) intelligence and the hard work I've done over the past year.

As stated above, I am interested in math. But does a pure math degree really equip you for anything in a future career not focused on teaching? In others posts I've just seen that a pure maths degree mainly helps in teaching and showing your employer you can solve problems. I want to eventually become a researcher in the sciences, i will not be able to achieve this in pure math.

Then there is the option of career combining biology and chemistry. I find them interesting though not quite as interesting as math(which i do)/physics(which i don't). Can anyone suggest to me of any interesting careers/areas which are in demand using those two?

I just wish i could turn back the clock and do physics instead of ICT or chemistry... I don't want to end up in a course or career I don't find engaging and interesting.

I respect the obviously plentiful intelligence of the members of this board, can anyone offer any opinions as to what is in demand and what options i should consider taking?

Sorry to post it in this forum, i didn't see a more 'general' one and I wanted to post this where i could perhaps obtain some opinion from very educated people.

Thanks for any advice.

 

[JohnDubYa]

I am not familiar with your university system. Is there a reason you cannot turn back the clock and major in physics? How much time would you really lose if you did?

What about engineering?

 

[KnowledgeIsPower]

I am not familiar with your university system. Is there a reason you cannot turn back the clock and major in physics? How much time would you really lose if you did?

What about engineering?

In the united kingdom we leave high school at 16 and go to study A levels for 2 years before going to university. IE - i go to university a year in october.
I can't go for a degree in physics because i dont(and won't) have a physics A level >_<. I would either have to spend another year or two doing a physics A level or take a foundation course at a university.

Regarding engineering, I'm not really the type that enjoys doing the same job for the rest of my life, i'd be interested in something like research.

 

[zefram_c]

You can always do research in mathematical physics / applied math with a math degree. You can also get a job in computer science if you pick it up on your own.

 

[phreak]

The average person changed careers six times. It's natural to want to go into something such as physics/mathematics even though you're currently going through chemistry/biology.

My advice is to go with what you want to do right now. It's no use going into a topic that you don't enjoy. You'd be wasting your life. It's fully up to you, but if you have a rather large interest in physics, then you should go into it.

In today's world, however, it's much more complicated with all the outsourcing and everything. Chemistry and biology aren't particularly in demand, but you could probably get hired much more easier than if you wanted to go into physics. (As was mentioned earlier, computer science is in demand, so if you wanted to go into that, it's also very promising)

*Phew* When you look at it, it is a rather tough choice, but I suggest going into physics (but that's just me)