Secondary 2 Streaming

[janet88]

son is doing combined science…physics and chemistry.

[MommyDearest]

Thank you slmkhoo, starlight1968sg, sieg and zbear for your sharings. Very helpful indeed !


@slmkhoo: My DD is in IP track, taking year 3 in 2016. Hence, only pure sciences are offered to her. She already has a targeted course to take at the uni and it seems like taking double sciences (without Biology) is the way to go for her because it’s her preference. In addition, this will lead her to taking the JC subject combination of PCME (Physics, Chemistry, Math & Econs) which is the most versatile combination, leading to any courses in the local universities, including Medicine, Law, Engineering and Accountancy. This is a safe route, just in case she does not get into her targeted course in uni, at least she has a generic subject combination to land her in the next best course.

I agree with starlight196sg that science subjects do require foundation from Secondary level before one can elect them at JC level. My DS is currently in JC2 Science, sitting for A levels this year, so I know. In my DS’s school, to qualify for H2 Sciences, student hv to offer a passing grade at O levels/IP Yr4. Those who took combined Sciences at O-Level, they must have obtained A1 or A2. In addition, those who wish to take up H2 Biology at JC level should preferably obtain a min. grade of B3 in English Language at O-Level or a D for Language Art for IP students.

Almost similar criterias applies to electing H2 Math at JC level. Arts students without A Math background will only be offered H1 Math. Bridging program will be offered to science students with no A Math background so as to be able to cope with the rigour of the subject.

However, Biology (as I realised recently) may be necessary if student wishes to pursue Medicine overseas as some universities abroad still insist on it.

Coming back to my initial question of whether to take double / triple pure sciences, my concern is on whether a student has added advantage over other applicants when applying for medicine course in LOCAL university if Biology is one of the subjects used in the application (in place of Physics), apart from Chemistry which is A MUST in the application. Can anyone advise ?
Note: My DD prefers Physics and Chemistry but doesn’t mind taking up Biology if necessary.

[sharonkhoo]

MommyDearest:

Coming back to my initial question of whether to take double / triple pure sciences, my concern is on whether a student has added advantage over other applicants when applying for medicine course in LOCAL university if Biology is one of the subjects used in the application (in place of Physics), apart from Chemistry which is A MUST in the application. Can anyone advise ?

Note: My DD prefers Physics and Chemistry but doesn't mind taking up Biology if necessary.

If your daughter hasn't targeted Medicine as her course of choice, does it really matter? I don't think it can realistically be considered a 2nd choice! Of course, there is the concern that she may change her mind.

I haven't heard, though I haven't really asked around much as my daughter isn't interested in Medicine, that not taking Bio is a definite negative for applying to Medicine. However, if I were interviewing, I would be interested to hear the student's explanation as to why Bio is not one of the subjects. If the student shows a disinterest in Bio, then that may be a negative factor. Maybe others can shed light?

[starlight1968sg]

Putting others aside, if a student can take up 3 Sc, then consider it as an opportunity to learn more things.

[sharonkhoo]

starlight1968sg:

Putting others aside, if a student can take up 3 Sc, then consider it as an opportunity to learn more things.

On the other hand, it does mean fewer humanities subjects, and although I did say that the basics are easy enough to pick up on your own, there is nothing like having class discussions and assigned work to really expose a child to more depth. My daughter, the jack-of-all-trades, complained bitterly when she had to drop Geog and Hist at the end of sec 2, and is complaining again now that she is going to have to further reduce to 4 subjects! We just tell her that she's the odd on out as most people are happy to narrow down to fewer subjects. She knows that she can read up, but given how busy students always seem to be, she won't have much time except possibly during vacations.

[starlight1968sg]

I am not that ‘happy’ with Sc students can take up Humanities later but not the other way round. Well, i cant change the reality

[janet88]

starlight1968sg:

I am not that 'happy' with Sc students can take up Humanities later but not the other way round. Well, i cant change the reality

I thought humanities is compulsory? ie history/ss, or geography/ss or literature/ss.

[sharonkhoo]

janet88:

starlight1968sg:

I am not that 'happy' with Sc students can take up Humanities later but not the other way round. Well, i cant change the reality

I thought humanities is compulsory? ie history/ss, or geography/ss or literature/ss.

I think what she means is that someone who hasn't taken a humanities subject at O level can still (with the school's permission) take it at A level, but that is not the case with sciences. Eg. someone who did not take, say, Geog at O level can take it at A level, but not for, say, Physics.

[starlight1968sg]

slmkhoo:

janet88:

[quote=\"starlight1968sg\"]I am not that 'happy' with Sc students can take up Humanities later but not the other way round. Well, i cant change the reality

I thought humanities is compulsory? ie history/ss, or geography/ss or literature/ss.

I think what she means is that someone who hasn't taken a humanities subject at O level can still (with the school's permission) take it at A level, but that is not the case with sciences. Eg. someone who did not take, say, Geog at O level can take it at A level, but not for, say, Physics.[/quote]Yes, slmkhoo has assisted to explain.

[zbear]

starlight1968sg:

I am not that 'happy' with Sc students can take up Humanities later but not the other way round. Well, i cant change the reality

starlight, this has been the case since day 1. System has never changed all these years.