Higher Chemistry

[doctors-do-it-better]

Hey

Just looking for a bit of advice. Okay some details first; I am a graduate of Neuroscience from Glasgow Uni and I am applying this year to study medicine for entry in 2010. I do not have a higher in chemistry which I need to go back and sit. I am thinking about going to study at Langside as this is the only college to allow students to study chem at night. I was wondering if any of the people on this forum attended or knows of anyone who has attended Langside for Chem Higher and what they thought it?

Cheers guys!

Let the 2010 apps begin :|

[alisonitis]

sent u a pm

[SeeTee]

Hi there, just noticed this thread and I'm in a similar situation. What conclusions did you come up with doctors-do-it-better? I need to resit bio and chem, bio isn't an issue but i won't be able to get a full time job if i need to study chem two mornings/afternoons per week.

Thanks!

[Moggsy]

Hi,

I did Chemistry Higher this year, whilst working full time. When I tried to join an evening course, I was told they were all full. So I then decided to teach myself. I knew I had a year to cover the syllabus, so I split it up into weekly topics bought all the textbooks and made my own set of notes. Well, that's what I planned to do in theory! In reality, I found it quite hard to study in my own time - and did end up cramming in the last month up until the exam. Luckily I did do some work throughout the year in order to pass the NABS.

I don't have any scientific background (I have a law degree) but didn't actually find it too bad. There are three modules; the first one just involved a lot of learning of facts (i.e. patterns across the periodic table) and equations (which weren't that bad), the second one I found relatively easy, and the third - I personally found by far the hardest. If I had my time again, I would hire a tutor for the bits I struggled with.

In the last couple of days before the exam, I went through all the past papers (which you can't actually buy new now as the company lost the publishing rights). I would reccommend anyone to do this - many of the multiple choice questions in my exam were from previous exams.

I don't have my results yet, so my advice could be all rubbish! I'm very much hoping for an A/B, as this would let me skip a pre-med year for uni. Higher results come out the 3rd August, and then (hopefully) I will be starting a five year Medicine course in September.

If anyone is interested I have a number of my higher chemistry books for sale (textbooks, revision books and past papers).

x

[Genevieve]

I'm really considering doing night Highers in Chemistry and Human Bio, but the only time I can do them is next year at which point I will be:

1. Writing my dissertation
2. Working as much as possible as I need to save 6K for med school.

Will this be possible? I'm just worried the extra work load may be detrimental to my dissertation, but I won't have to go to uni- my last year will be distance and spent writing the damn 10,000 word research proposal!

[Moggsy]

Hi,

Just to give some hope to all those hoping to do Higher Chemistry....

I taught myself this year, and ended up leaving it until the last minute and basically having to teach myself the whole course in two weeks.

I found out last week that I managed to get an 'A'. I worked through all the past papers, and I swear down LOADS of old questions came up (especially in the multiple choice). If I can do it, there is hope for anyone!!

And shameless plug, I am selling all my chemistry higher textbooks as one bundle on ebay....

'New Higher Chemistry; and other great books! on eBay (end time 13-Aug-09 12:06:54 BST)


Good luck guys!

[Scottish_Kiwi]

I am confused, you said that you were unable to get onto an evening course, but you still managed to sit the exam.

I am in a similar situation now, with all the colleges telling me that the courses are full, though all I am really after is somewhere to sit the exam, as I have previously studied Chemistry and Biology at Uni.

Any advice is much appreciated.

Kieran

[Frank E]

Yes one can take exams without taking a course. I've never taken any courses for NEBOSH, the Engineering Council Part 2 Exams or McQualifications for my McJob.
An APL Advisor at your local FE college would be able point you in the right direction, or an Assessor in the Workplace (A1/A2 ex D32/D33) failing that, contact the SQA directly.

[Frank E]

Provision of courses by FE colleges for traditional O Grade, Highers and other recognised qualiifications is apalling in my opinion, though there are plenty 'vocational' courses available with questionable certificates.

[the-algebraist]

I am currently studying Higher Chemistry at langside college as a crash course.

I have done no previous chemistry. The two lecturers that I know of, Julie and Joe, are both fantastic teachers.

The college its self is good, and the course is basically the same as every other Higher Chemistry.

You will do a fair bit of practical, they like practical at Langside