• Question: what exams/courses did you take to become a scientist

    Asked by anon-266252 on 20 Oct 2020. This question was also asked by anon-266255.
    • Photo: Stephen Clarke

      Stephen Clarke answered on 20 Oct 2020:

      Maths, English, Physics, Chemistry and Geography at school. Then “Chemistry with Information Technology and Instrumentation” at University. Then I sat another exam about my industry experience and knowledge of the laws around Pharmaceuticals before I could do my current job as a “Qualified Person”

    • Photo: James Smallcombe

      James Smallcombe answered on 20 Oct 2020:

      I took an undergraduate Physics masters degree (MSci), which was 4 years of study with maybe 10 exams a year and a really big research project report at the end.

      Then I did a Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD) which took me 4 years, this is less like a taught course and more like on the job training & mentoring within a research group. At the end I had to produce a thesis, which was a 200 page book on my research, and then I had a “viva” oral exam in which 2 professors quizzed me about by thesis for 3 hours and decided if I passed.

    • Photo: Siti Syuhaida Mohamed Yunus

      Siti Syuhaida Mohamed Yunus answered on 20 Oct 2020:

      During A-Level, I took Biology, Chemistry, Maths and Physics. Then undergraduate, Chemistry and Maths. That qualified me to be a chemist when I graduated. But then I took a master’s degree in Environmental Engineering because I found it hard to get a job that I like. So, after I finished my master’s degree, I got the offer to do a PhD for 4 years. I have to sit a viva exam for 2.5 hours to get my PhD, which I have to write a thesis before I sit that exam, which is a thick book about 80,000 words of my research. Then, after the exam, they let me know I have passed or not. Same like what James explained too. 🙂

    • Photo: Will Davison

      Will Davison answered on 20 Oct 2020:

      I did A-levels in biology, chemistry, history and an AS-level in physics. Then I did an undergraduate degree in biology and now I’m studying towards my PhD in aquatic biology

    • Photo: Pam Harrison

      Pam Harrison answered on 22 Oct 2020:

      I studies AS levels in Art, Graphics, Biology and A levels in Chemistry, Maths and IT. I then went on to do an MChem in chemistry at York university.

Comments

  • Photo: Louise

    Louise commented on :

    My A levels were Biology, Economics and English Literature! Not as scientific as other people, but I just studied what I enjoyed. I then studied Biology at University (undergraduate degree) followed by a MRes (masters of research) in Biology. Then I completed a PhD in Immunology.

    Everyone’s path will be different that’s for sure 🙂