• Question: If you want to become a scientist, do you have to have an interest in all 3 sciences?

    Asked by niareb to David, Luna, Mark, Melanie, Probash on 14 Mar 2011 in Categories: .
    • Photo: Melanie Stefan

      Melanie Stefan answered on 14 Mar 2011:

      Not necessarily. Although it’s probably useful to have an open mind.

    • Photo: David Pyle

      David Pyle answered on 14 Mar 2011:

      The most important thing is to have an interest in science itself, and a desire to understand things better. At school, science may be taught under the headings of biology, physics and chemistry – but as I am sure that you can already see, science doesn’t just fit into neat boxes. Many of the most interesting problems in science are at the boundaries – between biology and chemistry; between biology and physics, and so on. Of course, the skills you need to be successful in science vary widely – some scientists are good at solving mathematical problems; others are really clever at designing experiments; others are good at story telling, and thinking up fantastic new ideas; others have awe-inspiring abilities to concentrate, and to pay attention to detail.. The trick is to find your niche – where your individual skills match up with the problems you find interesting. Good luck!

    • Photo: Luna Munoz

      Luna Munoz answered on 14 Mar 2011:

      I think some people really specialize. My officemate does not like math or chemistry or physics, but she still has a great deal of interest in biology and psychology. She focuses on what she does like: stress and coping. I had more of an interest in biology, so I focussed on that part. We scientists always seek help with parts of our science that we’re not so good at. I just helped a colleague with some statistics, since I’m so good with numbers.

    • Photo: Probash Chowdhury

      Probash Chowdhury answered on 14 Mar 2011:

      Not at all. However, having an basic understanding of at least 2 science subjects will help. I use a lot of biology and some chemistry in my job. Understanding the physics of how fluids and gases move helps me occasionally in my work. That said – whichever science subject(s) you’re interested in, you should have some maths too (especially for physics).

    • Photo: Mark Vesey

      Mark Vesey answered on 14 Mar 2011:

      I think it might helpp to have some sort of interest but certainly you don’t have to take all of them at school just to study a degree or develop a career in one specific science.

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