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Chemistry Forums for Students => Undergraduate General Chemistry Forum => Topic started by: MaristFernas on November 23, 2019, 12:08:48 PM

Title: Is a chemistry degree possible for me?
Post by: MaristFernas on November 23, 2019, 12:08:48 PM
I ask because i obviously dont know how difficult it will be. I did go to college (uk) but got a U grade in A level chemistry, i found it very difficult (this seems to be a general consensus particularly in regards to failure rate) however i definitely did not apply myself, i was an awful student and wasted my own time by f&#^$*@ around and not caring about my education.

Fast forward to now im 25, open university offer a bachelors in natural sciences (chemistry). Id really love to do this course but im afraid i will find it to difficult and fall at the first hurdle. Ive heard it requires much memorization and math, im generally proficient in both but im not sure if im up to university learning standards.

Any advice much appreciated, id love to persue a career in a chemistry field, particluarly pharmacology.

Title: Re: Is a chemistry degree possible for me?
Post by: chenbeier on November 23, 2019, 03:38:50 PM
Try it then you will know.
Title: Re: Is a chemistry degree possible for me?
Post by: Corribus on November 25, 2019, 10:18:44 AM
Sounds to me like your prior performance shouldn't necessarily be an indicator of your aptitude for chemistry. My opinion is that anyone can succeed in chemistry if they're willing to put in the work.
Title: Re: Is a chemistry degree possible for me?
Post by: jeffmoonchop on November 25, 2019, 03:05:28 PM
University level chemistry in the UK starts off very basic. We had to do a maths course where they taught us addition and subtraction. So pointless, but anyway it will start off pretty basic, probably even lower than A level, then it will go into more depth, you'll have more time to learn the stuff at uni, college was hard for me in terms of the amount of time I had to take 3 sciences and maths, but university was easier. And yes chemistry is easy as long as you just learn it. And theres not actually that much maths. If you know shapes and curly arrows you'll be fine.
Title: Re: Is a chemistry degree possible for me?
Post by: Borek on November 25, 2019, 03:41:18 PM
And theres not actually that much maths.

In organic perhaps. Quantum and thermodynamics are quite mathematically intense.

@OP - that's not to discourage you, more like to put things in a perspective. Some courses are more "handwavy" (and require more memorization), but many are quite strict and require following and understanding math (in my experience once you understand something, you don't need to memorize it, but YMMV).