• Question: What subjects do you have to be good at to be a phycologist?

    Asked by lani to Chris, Emily, Martin, Natalie, Tamsin on 20 Mar 2010 in Categories: .
    • Photo: Natalie Stanford

      Natalie Stanford answered on 20 Mar 2010:

      I found this on the tinterweb http://www.psychblog.co.uk/so-you-want-to-be-a-psychologist-180.html It mainly focuses on what to study at university. But I imagine Maths, Sciences and Psychology are going to be the best subjects to set you up for this journey. It would be best to speak to your careers adviser at school for full advice. You could also visit you local connexions centre to get more information http://www.connexions-direct.com/

      Some work experience might also help, so ask your careers adviser about possible places you go to for some experience. This would allow you to see whether it really is something you are interested in!

    • Photo: Chris Cooper

      Chris Cooper answered on 20 Mar 2010:

      The study of algae heh? Which ones are you interested in?

      As with all biology subjects I would say you should be interested in biology at school (of course). And then a bit of Maths and Chemistry always helps if you are going into any science so you can analyse data and understand molecules and molecular techniques you may have to use.

      I have just looked at natalie’s answer? Do you mean phycology or psychology? Seaweed or minds?

    • Photo: Martin Coath

      Martin Coath answered on 21 Mar 2010:

      Did you mean phycology – the study of seaweed? Or psychology? The answer is pretty much the same in both cases anyway LOL!

      You just need to get a good general education including some scientific training – particularly Biology I would suggest.

      If you want to go to university to get a degree in psychology (or any science) you should talk to your schools career advisor – but the usual way is to take A levels at school. This is not the only way however.

Comments

  • Photo: lani

    lani commented on :

    I mean study of mind 🙂

  • Photo: Chris

    Chris commented on :

    Ok – then Martin’s and Emily’s answers are fine. As well as the basic things like A levels, covered by the others, I would suggest reading some popular science books on the mind to see if you are really interested in the subject. When younger, got turned on to science by reading the science behind some of my favorite books (Terry Pratchett) or TV shows (Star Trek). What about trying “The Psychology of Harry Potter: An Unauthorized Examination of the Boy Who Lived (Psychology of Popular Culture series).

    Note I haven’t read this, but the bits I saw on amazon looked quite interesting.

  • Photo: Natalie

    Natalie commented on :

    Natalie, Chris, not Emily 😛 I’ve got two really interesting books that I would recommend, lani, one is called “Welcome to Your Brain – The Science of Jet Lag, Love and Other Curiosities of Life” written by Sandra Aamodt and Sam Wang. The other is “Proust and the Squid – The Story and Science of the Reading Brain” written by Maryanne Wolf. You will be able to get them off Amazon most likely. Good reads. The first is a little more reader friendly so definitely my favourite recommendation.