To Current Durham Medics...Advice plz

[DigitalMythic]

Hey folks,

Right well I thought I’d stick down my predicament and see what the current Durham medics think, based on their experience.

I have an Unconditional offer for Durham (which is great, although I feel a bit of a fraud getting in), however the one think which stops me from ripping their arms off right now is this. The reason I have an offer is because I got a 1st in my BSc (Computer Science) and a Distinction in my MSc (Computer Science) also I'm very determined and hardworking. I don't have A-Level Biology or A-Level Chemistry. I did do some modules of the AS Chemistry last year and came out with B's. If I took the offer I would look to do AS-Bio over the summer and just not take the exams!

My question to the current Durham medics is do you know anyone who didn't have A-Level Bio and/or A-Level Chemistry and how hard did they find it? Do you think it's possible to make it through the first year without A-Level Bio/Chem, or am I safer just accepting one of my six year courses?

I'm just looking for opinion and experiences and please be as blunt as you want!

Having read about the course I know that most stuff is re-taught through the foundation case (which is very useful), however I’d just like a bit of comment based on experience of the actual course.

Thanks for much

[blumley]

hi i also had the same situation before the interview so i asked if there was any extra studying over the summer to ensure i wasnt behind. the woan replied by saying they that i wouldnt be there if they didnt think i could mee the academic side. if they gave u an unconditional offer then you should have faith in your own ability. ae u gonna go to any open days i will be since i got my offer. you could ask then

[bludredrose]

hi i also had the same situation before the interview so i asked if there was any extra studying over the summer to ensure i wasnt behind. the woan replied by saying they that i wouldnt be there if they didnt think i could mee the academic side. if they gave u an unconditional offer then you should have faith in your own ability. ae u gonna go to any open days i will be since i got my offer. you could ask then

Is there an open day? I'm not in this situation but I would love to go to an open day :s

[superted]

i love that all the replies so far aren't from current students lol. Ofcourse I'm also not a current student but as I'll be graduating from biomedical sciences this summer I think I'm in a good position to say that alevel chem is pretty much useless in terms of understanding medical science and although yes alevel bio would make things easier, really I don't think you'll struggle to the point where you need to do the 6year.

[bludredrose]

I graduated from Anatomy and Human Biology last summer and although I think it will be very useful on the course, from doing that degree straight after doing Maths, Chem and Bio at A level, I found none of my A level subjects very useful for my degree so I think you'll be fine Look forward to meeting you all in October

[DigitalMythic]

Thanks guys, it is quite amusing how when you have a serious question all the Durham students seem to disappear.

Thanks for your input, I spoke to Helen at Durham last week and she but me in contact with one of the guys who used to run the Foundation Case, and he's pointed me to a book which they advise the non-biologists to get (strangely it's written by Professor Bradley @ Newcastle). It looks good and has relaxed my fears a fair bit, plus the fact that he told me that by the time the exams come in Jan, there is no difference between the Biologists and Non-Biologists.

Re the question about Open days, that are two later in the year. However you can have Wednesdau afternoon 1-1 tours I believe. I have a link somewhere. Also if you contact Helen before you go, she may be able to arrange something for you with someone from the Med school.

All in all providing I can get the finance working, theres a good chance I'll go to Durham

[Amstel]

DigitalMythic

what is the book you were recommended to get?

[Bexx]

DiditalMythic, I sent you a big long PM didnt you get it?

I dont have Chemistry and I have done fine so far. I sat in on As lessond but didnt take the exams, to be honest I havent found it too useful so far. Do some basic Biology reading ie, cell structures and on organelles, basic structure and function of the heart etc.. Any reading you can do will help you.

I personally found the maths more of a challenge.

As someone said before they dont let you in if they dont think you can do it.

If you need to know more about the course let me know. x

[DigitalMythic]

Bexx, Nope I remember sending you a PM but I never got a reply back :S, I just doubt checked

P.S. What type of math do you need to know?

[Bexx]

Sometimes my lap top can be funny, soz bout that, I sat for ages and typed a message, sorry it never sent.

You need to learn how to do drug calculations, Glomerular filtration rates, oxygen extraction ratios etc.

Its mainly division, multiplications, converting fractions to decimals, etc etc. I can do calculations but struggle to know what numbers I need to use etc. Some of these calculations are easier than others, some are very long and just get a little confusing. Most people find it OK but all I ever did was a GCSE in Maths and I got a C.

I found a book 'Drug calculations for Nurses' (I can find out the author if you want) particularly helpful with drug calculations.

The Chemistry side has never been an issue really. Its not too advanced and the Biology stuff can be learnt.

The advantage of Durham is that you have 5 weeks off at x-mas and easter that can be used for revision. When you are at uni though it is hard going 9-5 most days. I found people are always willing to help you, the lecturers know you by name as there is only 100 per year. x