Posts: 541
From: Missouri-Misery
Registered: Apr 2004

posted June 21, 2005 10:03 AM         

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I'd like to hear to view's on which to major in. I'm thinking biology would be very hard with the chemistry involved. History on the other hand comes naturally to me...can't make my mind up.
If I could specialize in military history that would be very cool.
On the other hand, any kind of science has always deeply satisfied my curiousity, and I think would be more rewarding overall.

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Posts: 4992
From:
Registered: Feb 2002

posted June 21, 2005 10:12 AM         

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Why not do both?

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Posts: 3061
From: King Arthur's Camelot
Registered: Jun 2002

posted June 21, 2005 10:34 AM         

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The best way to find out is to take both classes, it's a requirement anyway, and then figure out which one you can sit through the most. You might even find out you like something different.

-StarLover

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Posts: 2056
From: Colorado, USA
Registered: Nov 2004

posted June 21, 2005 02:43 PM         

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I really considered majoring in history - it's so much fun. That's what I would go for, if I was you.

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Posts: 1107
From: Rochester Hills, MI USA
Registered: May 2004

posted June 21, 2005 02:51 PM         

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Ok practical virgo me says this: History is cool but biology is more of a challenge and will be more lucrative in the world due to all that chemistry stuff.

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Posts: 2056
From: Colorado, USA
Registered: Nov 2004

posted June 21, 2005 02:56 PM         

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Biology probably would pay more, but the very first essential to a good job is to be able to enjoy it. After all, you're going to be doing it a lot! So says Pisces me, anyway.

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Posts: 2056
From: Colorado, USA
Registered: Nov 2004

posted June 21, 2005 02:57 PM         

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So I guess that means I think you should pick whichever one you would enjoy more.

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Posts: 4841
From:
Registered: Jul 2003

posted June 21, 2005 05:37 PM         

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Hey Whalewasp78....

What do you plan on doing with your education after you're done? I did a biology major, but I didn't exactly have clear cut goals before I made the decision. Yet it was still a very rewarding experience. And there is no shortage in the sciences, particularly in research and pharmaceutical industries. I can imagine history would be very rewarding too!! Maybe you could do a double major

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Posts: 3944
From: Calm Blue Ocean, Calm Blue Ocean
Registered: Jun 2003

posted June 21, 2005 05:39 PM         

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Would you rather be a lawyer/teacher or would you rather be a scientist/doctor?

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Posts: 4456
From: Stafford, VA USA
Registered: Feb 2005

posted June 21, 2005 05:41 PM         

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there would be no history with out biology.

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Posts: 541
From: Missouri-Misery
Registered: Apr 2004

posted June 22, 2005 10:01 AM         

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Thanks for the help everyone! With history, I can place myself in whatever time frame to get a feel for it, using imagination based on known facts. I'd rather be a doctor/scientist, rather than teacher/lawyer. I just know biology will be alot harder for me to get through.
No way I could handle a double-major! Ouch! Why not anthropology or archeology? Seems to be a blend of both subjects!

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Posts: 3396
From: Here, there and everywhere.
Registered: Jun 2004

posted June 22, 2005 10:06 AM         

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Well, considering your user name Whale, Wasp, I'd go for the biology! And if you can't make up your mind, do the philosophy thing!

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Posts: 4456
From: Stafford, VA USA
Registered: Feb 2005

posted June 22, 2005 03:00 PM         

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Why not anthropology or archeology? Seems to be a blend of both subjects!

you seem to have answered your own question!!!

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Posts: 3396
From: Here, there and everywhere.
Registered: Jun 2004

posted June 22, 2005 06:37 PM         

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Hubby studied archeology for a bit when he was younger. Now we go rock hounding and have a great time! It's not archeology, but we get to dig in the dirt!!!
(I believe you have to study some biology in that field as well.) Geology? Minerology? It's all dirt!

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Posts: 4841
From:
Registered: Jul 2003

posted June 22, 2005 06:56 PM         

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We seem to have similar tastes...after I did bio, I went into anthropology. I'm such a fruit...I still can't make up my own mind with what I want to do. I really enjoyed biological and evolutionary anthro though!! But it's pretty tough to find a practical job related to that field, unless you specialize afterwards. I'm sure there's something out there, I just don't know about it!

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Posts: 541
From: Missouri-Misery
Registered: Apr 2004

posted June 23, 2005 01:17 AM         

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I think I'd have a heyday during a dig. Sifting dirt, and finding artifacts that haven't been touched for ages. I collect military artifacts, and my hands tremble sometimes looking over an artifact when I realize the history it's seen.
If archeology allowed me to come into contact with even rarer, older artifacts, I'd instantly do it.
Seems in that field, you have to know your geology, to date artifacts according to strata layers, chemistry for carbon dating, and alot of other applied sciences. History and science are two things that I've always enjoyed. I'd better start doing some research on anthro/archeology. Two very intertwined fields.

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Posts: 3800
From: California
Registered: Oct 2001

posted June 23, 2005 10:13 AM         

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I am a Biology major!!! I want to be a Wildlife/Animal Biologist so that is what I am working towards!!!

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Posts: 541
From: Missouri-Misery
Registered: Apr 2004

posted June 23, 2005 01:19 PM         

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Way cool neph! I've been on the phone all morning, trying to get the ball rolling. Calling different colleges on admissions, taking an ACT and all that good stuff. Not exactly exciting, but necessary.
If I can get a 24 on the ACT, I don't have to make up any classes, but I have my doubts being out of high school for 9 years.

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Posts: 3800
From: California
Registered: Oct 2001

posted June 23, 2005 02:49 PM         

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Is the ACT like the SAT? I never took the SAT. I guess I don't have to. I am currently enrolled in a Junior college as a Science/Biology Major, then after 1-2 more years I'll transfer to a University. My first choice is to go to UCD and do their Wildlife, Fish & Conservation Biology program.

I haven't taken Chemistry yet; I know I have to take Chem 114, 131, 132, and they are supposed to be hard. But I have the desire, passion and WILL. I also have to take Physics, etc.

I just turned 40 this year and I am not letting my age stop me. I got an "A" in all of my classes from the last 2 semesters.

I rather spend the rest of my life doing what I love, what my passion is, than sitting in an office being miserable, being a slave to low pay, boring sorry-ass cubicles, and gossipy people, etc. My last job was at a bank and I was miserable.

I am currently volunteering every week at Wildcare, a sanctuary that rescues, rehabilitates and releases wild animals.

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Posts: 541
From: Missouri-Misery
Registered: Apr 2004

posted June 24, 2005 12:55 AM         

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Outstanding neph! While at work, I formed a plan in head. I'll just do the junior college like you are doing. I have a sister I'm sure will let me move into her basement. What's cool is she is a teacher! (Leo of course, know's it all.) Once I get those classes out of the way, I'm sure admittance to a university won't be a problem. Looks like I have to take anthropology, and branch into archeology.
I feel just like you. I don't want do end up in the same environment.

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Posts: 3396
From: Here, there and everywhere.
Registered: Jun 2004

posted June 24, 2005 11:02 AM         

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Nephthys. My brother has a doctorate in biology. He is a wildlife conservationist in alaska trying to protect the areas the government wants to drill for oil. Oddly, he works FOR the government. He has a lot of published work. He has had a very exciting career, especially working with the wildlife directly. Now he's pretty much behind a desk. He does a little field work. I've seen quite a few pictures of him handling hawks, he loved that job!
He workes in Alaska. If you do a search for Jim Zelenak, you'll see some of the papers he has written.

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Posts: 3800
From: California
Registered: Oct 2001

posted June 24, 2005 11:27 AM         

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Whalewasp ~ my college has an agreement with the Universitys of Calif., that Science majors get automatic guaranteed admission if they get a 3.1 GPA in all the Science courses before transfer. Also, we get first priority over regular students who are applying. Right now I'm getting a 3.5 but all the hard classes are coming up that I have to take; Calculus, Bio, Chem, Physics, etc. (so I hope I do okay in those classes) Check to see if your college has the same. Definitely make an appt. with a counselor - make sure you're taking all the right classes, etc. Luckily I got a great counselor.
Philbird - that's really interesting. I know there are a lot of government jobs, because I looked them up when I was researching all of this. My first choice would be to work in animal sanctuaries doing rescue, rehabilitation, education and conservation. Just like I'm doing now at Wildcare, only getting paid to do it. I am hesitant to work for the government, because I am against killing species. For example, there are some big issues where I live, there is a non-native species of deer in the Point Reyes area that have highly reproduced and the (government) wildlife biologists here want to kill them all. I am really against that. Also, there is an owl that has kind of taken over and they want to kill that species too!!

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