Which IB science course should I choose: Physics, Chemistry, or Biology?

AI Thread Summary
Choosing between IB Physics, IB Chemistry, and IB Biology can be challenging, especially for a sophomore considering fields like Pharmaceuticals, Biophysics, and Nutrition. The consensus suggests that Chemistry and Biology are the most relevant for these career paths, with an emphasis on the extensive memorization required in Biology. While some find Physics enjoyable and fun, the preference leans towards Chemistry and Biology for their applicability to the intended fields of study. Ultimately, the decision should align with personal interests and career aspirations, balancing enjoyment of the subjects with their relevance to future studies.
Benzene_ring
Messages
7
Reaction score
0
Hi Guys,

I am currently a sophomore and I am having some trouble choosing between IB Physics, IB Chemistry, and IB Biology. I can select two of these courses for next year but I can't seem to make a decision. All of them will be helpful for the fields I am thinking of going into, and they all seem like really enjoyable classes but I simply cannot choose between them. Any advice would be much appreciated.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
What fields are you considering to study in college?
 
I am considering Pharmaceuticals, Biophysics, and Nutrition
 
Nice, those are interesting fields! I would advise Chemistry and Biology.

Just be prepared for a lot of memorization in Biology - that's a field that requires an immense knowledge base.
 
I'm currently taking IB Physics (HL) and Chemistry (SL) and they're both really fun. Biology isn't really my thing mainly because of what lisab said- lots of memorization (and not much interesting stuff going on, but that's just my opinion). In my biased opinion I'd tell everyone to take physics and chemistry. But considering the fields you're planning to go into, I'd honestly have to say Chem and Bio. (Although IB Physics is *really* fun!)
 
I’ve been looking through the curricula of several European theoretical/mathematical physics MSc programs (ETH, Oxford, Cambridge, LMU, ENS Paris, etc), and I’m struck by how little emphasis they place on advanced fundamental courses. Nearly everything seems to be research-adjacent: string theory, quantum field theory, quantum optics, cosmology, soft matter physics, black hole radiation, etc. What I don’t see are the kinds of “second-pass fundamentals” I was hoping for, things like...
TL;DR Summary: I want to do a PhD in applied math but I hate group theory, is this a big problem? Hello, I am a second-year math and physics double major with a minor in data science. I just finished group theory (today actually), and it was my least favorite class in all of university so far. It doesn't interest me, and I am also very bad at it compared to other math courses I have done. The other courses I have done are calculus I-III, ODEs, Linear Algebra, and Prob/Stats. Is it a...
Back
Top