ATAR Notes: Forum

VCE Stuff => VCE Mathematics/Science/Technology => VCE Subjects + Help => VCE Science => Topic started by: yabbaboo on December 04, 2010, 06:59:22 pm

Title: Biology OR psychology?
Post by: yabbaboo on December 04, 2010, 06:59:22 pm
Hi,

I just have been wondering whether I should do Biology or Psychology. I knew some stuff about neuroscience from my sister and doing Psychology would benefit me. However, I decided to go for broader knowledge and that is the reason why I picked Biology.
I have been given an opportunity to change subjects but I can't really decide.

I would like to do medicine, therefore is biology more important for this?

Thanks!
Title: Re: Biology OR psychology?
Post by: Greatness on December 04, 2010, 07:03:55 pm
If you want to study medicine, biology would be the way to go as it is a prerequisite - i think.
Biology is a very intresting subject, you will learn a lot of cool things along with some very boring concepts, overall it is a good subject to choose.
I havent done psychology so i cant comment on that.
i think for you, biology is the best choice :)
Title: Re: Biology OR psychology?
Post by: iNerd on December 04, 2010, 07:06:07 pm
If you want to study medicine, biology would be the way to go as it is a prerequisite - i think.
Biology is a very intresting subject, you will learn a lot of cool things along with some very boring concepts, overall it is a good subject to choose.
I havent done psychology so i cant comment on that.
i think for you, biology is the best choice :)
Biology isn't a pre-req however if you do get into Med you will have to do a compulsory biology bridging course. I chose Psychology over Biology [going for Med aswell] because I believe I can score better in Psych than Bio. Also its more interesting and relevant to my life :P Ultimately my reasoning was: Get into Med first [ high ATAR ] and then worry about passing Med [ knowing bio ].
Title: Re: Biology OR psychology?
Post by: AzureBlue on December 04, 2010, 07:12:08 pm
Biology is very relevant to life in general too. It's very interesting. :)
Title: Re: Biology OR psychology?
Post by: iNerd on December 04, 2010, 07:14:44 pm
Biology is very relevant to life in general too. It's very interesting. :)
Very subjective obviously, that's up to the OP.
Title: Re: Biology OR psychology?
Post by: bomb on December 04, 2010, 07:48:12 pm
Well I only do psych, but my friends who were in your predicament last year and chose BOTH all regretted Bio. I too was in your position and I'm happy having chosen psych.
Title: Re: Biology OR psychology?
Post by: Eriny on December 04, 2010, 09:35:38 pm
Bio would be more relevant to medicine.
Title: Re: Biology OR psychology?
Post by: pi on December 04, 2010, 09:39:23 pm
Biology is very relevant to life in general too. It's very interesting. :)


+1
Title: Re: Biology OR psychology?
Post by: happycat on December 04, 2010, 09:46:05 pm
Having studied psych before, although there's stuff about the nervous system which is biological alot off the other stuff is just theories and they tend to have lots of holes in them. Each theory in psych has it's limitations. I don't observe much of this in bio which is what I've studied also.
Title: Re: Biology OR psychology?
Post by: thushan on December 04, 2010, 09:47:54 pm
Bio!

Excellent subject. If you study it in such a way that you are yearning for understanding than simply swallowing the textbook, it's extremely fascinating.

I'm not saying anything about Psych - I haven't done the subject.
Title: Re: Biology OR psychology?
Post by: pi on December 04, 2010, 09:49:26 pm
Bio!

Excellent subject. If you study it in such a way that you are yearning for understanding than simply swallowing the textbook, it's extremely fascinating.

I'm not saying anything about Psych - I haven't done the subject.

Did you find unit 3 or unit 4 more interesting? Personally, I found Unit 4 more interesting (but that is contradictory to most people who do bio)
Title: Re: Biology OR psychology?
Post by: Hutchoo on December 04, 2010, 09:50:16 pm
Biology is very relevant to life in general too. It's very interesting. :)


+1
I agree that biology is the best option. That's just my personal opinion though.

OP you should ask Russ :P
Title: Re: Biology OR psychology?
Post by: darren94 on December 04, 2010, 10:16:20 pm
in terms of difficulty, the new study design for psychology would eradicate any assumptions of 'bludginess' associated with psych. psych is becoming harder and more applicative than just rote, as shown in the growing trend in harder exams+new studdesign.
So bio if you want medicine!
Title: Re: Biology OR psychology?
Post by: TrueLight on December 05, 2010, 03:24:20 am
bio is definitely more relevant to med. although scored higher on psychology
Title: Re: Biology OR psychology?
Post by: Russ on December 14, 2010, 08:14:19 pm
Quote
OP you should ask Russ

What do you think I'll say lol?

In terms of wanting to do medicine, biology is far and away more relevant. Anything relevant from psych is just a subset of biology (heck most of psychology is a subset of biology). That said, you definitely do not need to study biology at VCE to get into medicine or to do well in medicine.

The new course design for Psych is quite interesting (what I've seen of it at least) and is both interesting and broad. Biology will be harder and probably lacks the breadth of the psych course but has the major selling point of being fundamentally related to every day life. When you study genetic mutation, you'll get a new appreciation of what cancer is etc. Psychology can give you the same feeling, but it's usually in the areas of study that are just taken from the biology course.
Title: Re: Biology OR psychology?
Post by: ariawuu on December 25, 2010, 03:47:34 pm
BIOLOGGGYYY!!!! :D <3
Title: Re: Biology OR psychology?
Post by: azngirl456 on December 25, 2010, 10:24:01 pm
I've done 3/4 bio this year and 1/2 psych this year and all I can say is that both subjects are quite useful in its own right. I agree that psych is a subset of bio as psych is more to do with the mind while bio is more about living things. With that said, the bio courses focuses on a more broader perspective than psych because some biological concepts can be applied and extended to animals and bacteria. With psych, it's more about mental processes and behavior with the occasional experiments on animal activity

But I guess it's up to you and what you would be more interested in
Title: Re: Biology OR psychology?
Post by: dyaner on December 25, 2010, 10:35:01 pm
I find biology more beneficial in the long term run if you're interested in working in the medical field. But that's my opinion.
Title: Re: Biology OR psychology?
Post by: eeps on December 25, 2010, 10:58:09 pm
I haven't read any of the previous posts; so excuse my ignorance.

I think you're better off doing Biology, it will help you more if you're planning to work in the medical field. Neither subject is a pre-requisite for science/medical courses by the way, as far as I know - besides Dentistry at La Trobe, which requires Biology and Chemistry.

It really depends on what you enjoy more - you'd be better off doing the subject that you enjoy; than doing a subject just for the sake of doing it. You'll be motivated to do well.
Title: Re: Biology OR psychology?
Post by: echenzi on December 25, 2010, 11:13:04 pm
I agree it depends on which subject you would enjoy studying more, as that will affect how well you study for it.

Just keep in mind that Biology 3/4 is bridged in 2 weeks by Monash Uni for MBBS, and not bridged at all in BioMed.

2 weeks mm.. :P
Title: Re: Biology OR psychology?
Post by: Slumdawg on December 26, 2010, 10:26:17 am
I was in the same position as you last year and I chose psych. Best decision I've ever made :)