Science degree without HSC Science? (1 Viewer)

[ptrgrgry]

(Don't freak out!)
I'm thinking of doing a university course in science. The only problem is that I have done no science whatsoever for the HSC (well I have done mathematics). Do you think I'd be able to take a science course at university? Would I be extremely disadvantaged?


I mean Arts courses have no prerequisite subjects. Is a bridging course sufficient to bring me up to par with my fellow aspiring scientists?

At USYD there are no prerequsites, only 'assumed knowledge', so I know I'm technichally allowed to but would I struggle if I'd only done a bridging course? How much content is covered in HSC subjects? I mean the HSC is only what - 1.75 years, and only a fraction of that would be dedicated to science anyway.

OR Is it possible to pick up a science e.g. chemistry, during this time (early term 3) in yr 11 and continue with it for the HSC?

Maybe I should just repeat yr11, but that would suck so badly!!

Any advise?</SPAN>

 

[Ben Netanyahu]

how confident are you with science?

 

[ptrgrgry]

Quite confident with science. Both my parents are doctors and I talk to them about chemistry a lot. Math is my favourite subject! (God knows why I didn't at least do chemistry!)

But are university science courses focused very heavily on HSC Science because a USYD brochure said it is only 'assumed knolwedge' meaning they are needed only to refer to thereoms, formula, ideas, periodic table, etc?

 

[David Spade]

it is assumed knowledge meaning they expect you to have a good understanding of HSC covered topics and science in general

 

[ptrgrgry]

Here's a better question:

What would you do?

 

[Azamakumar]

Theres really no disadvantage, bar you not getting bonus points at certain uni's for not doing related subjects in your HSC. It's assumed knowledge, everything covered in the HSC syllabus for those subjects is expected to be known come day one of uni. If you haven't done those subjects, you can take a bridging course at whatever uni you choose to go to.

They aren't compulsory if you didn't do the relevant hsc subjects, just recommended. Just the same way that they don't care whether or not you have the assumed knowledge, it just won't be covered and it's expected that everyone in that subject knows all that stuff already so they can move onto different topics.

 

[sumguy001]

I'd suggest a bridging course or picking up biology. I think its a bit too late for chemistry now.

 

[WantToDoBetter]

Alright,

1. If you post a science related question in the general university forums the science involved people will look at it and field your questions. If you then post in the science dedicated thread, chances are, the same people will look at it.

2. Judging by what I've read already, it seems you won’t really take these random peoples advice as you keep posting excuses to what you don't agree with, not personally attacking, just an observation.

3. Nobody likes a martyr. If you are truly smart then you will know that modesty can be a vice at the best of times expect when 'flaming' other random wankers.

4. You’re in Year 11. My experience when I was at that age was that you can change your mind quite quickly as it seems you have done now. Right now what you need to do is talk to someone that doesn't reply after you hit enter (and I’m quite aware that means myself) such as a school teacher or careers counselor and get their professional opinion. It would be most useful for you at this early stage.

5. If you are really serious about anything there is no reason why you cannot do it (and no, this isn't a Disney movie, its true). If you really want to do science without any prior experience then you will do it, that doesn't mean it won’t be difficult it just means it isn’t impossible.

6. As for science course work, universities fly through the basics compared to HSC level. A bridging course is advisable. As for repeating year 11 when you don't have to, id be surprised if any school would let you (easily anyway). It's not a smart idea at all.

Enjoy being at school with just school work to worry about and while in Year 11 keep your future career and a secondary prospect and focus on getting decent grades. Then decide.

 

[ptrgrgry]

Thanks for that advice.
I was only arguing with people as I found their advise very bleak, I mean "You will struggle," and "You're going to get horrible results in university," really isn't helping anyone.

 

[David Spade]

advice

 

[Ben1220]

It's not the norm for people to go into science with no year 11/12 in science, but... Depending on the Uni, There are often "easy" or fundemental courses for people who didn't do a subject in year 12. This is true at Melbourne Uni at least, there is fundemental chem, physics and maths. It's not that easy though, you go through basically all of year 11/12 in one semester. Introduction to Maths is apparantly equivalent to Methods in a semester, and Calculus 1 is the same as specialist maths in a semester, so its a much faster pace. On the flipside though, you have to have done at least one of chem, physics and bio to do science at melbourne uni, and other unis may have other prerequisite subjects as well.