I want to learn A-level Biology - can this be self-taught?

Question

I've been through the education system once already (I have an MA in History) but want to learn A-level Human Biology, partly for interest and partly because I'm thinking about a career change. I shone at it at GCSE, but never took it further and wish I had.

So, can any school or college Biology teachers out there tell me if it's feasible to get myself a head start on the content of the A-level using a syllabus, a bit of will-power and a library? I realise I'd need to be allied to an educational establishment to actually take the exams, but do you think it's possible to get to grips with this subject alone?

Answer 1

It is possible to teach yourself, obviously you need a copy of the syllabus and some really good textbooks. There are some great sites online, revision sites which will give you questions you can try to test your understanding. Having said that I would recommend getting some help with it too, If you can find a good A-level biology tutor in your area either privately or through an adult education centre they can help a lot even if it is just one hour a week to go through sections you are having difficulty with.

The biggest problem will be knowing which sections to look up but if you look at revision notes available online and then research around that in textbooks you should be able to make sure you've learnt everything you need. Type A level Biology into google and lots of revision sites come up.

So yes you can do it on your own with enough will power and some good textbooks. Good luck.

Answer 2

I am currently in my second year of taking Biology Alevel (so im 17) and i'd say it is possible to teach yourself with good textbooks and theres also good websites about... the one i use mainly for my syllabus is www.biologymad.com.

but... some of the theorys and like... systems are really complicated and i'm not sure how easy it would be to make sense of them completely on your own without someone being able to explain it in simpler language and things. Though i know obviously you've already done a masters degree and i'm only 17 but still... if i were you i'd be inclined to take it as an evening course or something rather than try to teach it to yourself. You'd have to be really disciplined and preferably (as i said) ahve someone who understood able to help you a little... maybe you could do that through the internet though.

Hope i've helped a bit =)

Answer 3

I didn't do much work at school during Biology lessons until a few weeks before my 'O' Level exam. That's when I worked my way through the text book from beginning to end - at home! I was good at drawing and learned most of the diagrams in the book of frogs, cockroaches, human bits and pieces etc.

I passed - albeit with the pass mark but I do have my Northern Universities JMB cedrtificate in 'O' Level Biology. If you already have a degree then you are obviously good at studying in a passive environment [I wasn't] Get the syllabus and see what you need to do. Good Luck.

Answer 4

I am sure you can. You just need the passion to do it, and the mind to think about what you just read. I would get a Chemistry book, too, as higher Biology has a lot to do with Chemistry (all the different formulas are needed).
I wish you good luck, but I think a focussed person could manage it!

Answer 5

I've never heard of any. Still, there *are* amateur biologists who do put out good works, including peer-reviewed publications. However, these projects are usually self-funded. A good example are farmers who do their own research, and happen to not have degrees. Also, related work experience is regularly superior to a degree.

Answer 6

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Answer 7

give me 5 mins i'm on my way

Answer 8

if u think u can understand it then it is ok