Subject Selection Help

[orangejuice]

Hello
I basically am stressing about next years subjects, and I'm in year 11 next year. Basically, would it be a bad idea to complete both biology 3/4 and psychology 3/4 while in year 11? Also, I haven't completed the Units 1/2 for Biology so am not sure if this would negatively impact the study. I've done Psych 1/2 (though I guess its not as related as 1/2 bio would be). I think I could handle it, but friends say that Bio 3/4 is really tough by itself- let alone with another memory based subject like psych!
Any advice would be appreciated

[nubs]

I was one of three people who didn't do 1/2 biol in my 3/4 biol class, and I completely cbf'd unit 4, yeat I still managed a 42, which was the highest in the class

I think meiosis and cell organelles were the only things in 1/2 biol that were relevant, and they're really not difficult to get a hold on, you'll be fine, just chill

[orangejuice]

thanks for the advice

[Bhootnike]

yeah biol 1/2 carries through only few things e.g. cells, cell regulation, macromolecules, enzymes, and yeah, so its not necessary for 3/4

[playsimme]

If you want to do a science subject do it next year. Do not wait till ur in year 12 cause mid year exams will be axed, and I for sure would hate to have a 66% worth exam with all units combined taunting me in the exam room..

[Panicmode]

I did bio 3/4 without the 1/2 and manage a 46. i wouldn't worry too much about it to be honest. It's not all that challenging.

[Scooby]

I'm doing Bio and Psych 3&4 next year as well

Not much content from Bio 1&2 is relevant in 3&4. Most of what was covered in unit 1 is covered again in the first few topics of unit 3. Not doing 1&2 won't make hinder you, but it would still be good to read over some of the topics relevant to 3&4 over the holidays, particularly biomacromolecules, cell membranes and organelles, and cellular respiration and photosynthesis. Looking at mitosis and meiosis will help you in unit 4.

In addition, if you want to take Bio and Psych, it would be best to do it next year, considering 2012 is the last year midyear exams will be held. Trying to memorise the entire course for those two will be fairly challenging for anybody taking them in 2013.

[JaredV]

Hi there

First off let me just give you some advice in hindsight; don't stress!! While I think year 11 is really important as a foundation for year 12, I really really can't emphasise enough that you shouldn't worry. It's the last year you can do subjects for fun without having to worry about everything you do at school counting towards study scores or enter scores, so don't get bogged down about 3/4 work, it's just not worth it.

Now for subject advice. I did 3/4 biol in year 11 without having done the 1/2 and I really didn't feel at a disadvantage at all. Over the holidays I recommend working through a book called jumpstart (http://www.secondary.cengage.com.au/secondary/science/jumpstart/) it reviews units 1/2 and gives you a little head start on unit 3. You might feel people know a little more than you in the first few weeks, but that eventually goes away and it ends up being a really fun course 

As for psych I'm not too much help, but my friend who did both biol and psych 3/4 in year 11 without either of the 1/2s said they actually complemented each other quite nicely. She also did quite well so it's definitely not impossible to do both if you want.

Plus like Scooby said above me, it's also very worth doing both next year as after that they won't have midyear exams, IMO making them quite a bit more difficult.

Best of luck