r/astrophysics • u/Emrozial • 1d ago

I have a problem..

So, not really related to astrophysics, I wanna become an astrobiologist.

BUT, I do not excel in math, i’m below average.
And math is really important for the job…
I do really good in science and english, I got a grade 8 & 9 for them in that order, my geography’s also pretty good but my test results were bad which doesn’t line up with my progress.

I just wanna know, can I still pursue becoming an astrobiologist even when my math isn’t that good???

9 Upvotes

74% Upvoted

7 comments sorted by

9

u/Sanchez_U-SOB 1d ago

I mean, you can try and work on your math in the mean time. Theres always room for improvement. Start with being more comfortable with algebra

1

u/Emrozial 1d ago

I’m interested in biochemistry and LAWDKI, the math I know should be good enough for that, I think-

6

u/Bipogram 1d ago

LAWDKI plants you in the field of astrobiology, and speaking as one whose first post-doc was in such a laboratory, I can guarantee you that can perform useful research without having to once look at and evaluate an intergral over a surface.

Basic algebra, a passing familiarity with differential calculus, and a willingness to debug HPLC systems and centrifuges can get you a long way.

4

u/Emrozial 1d ago

Still got a few more years in school, I can 100% do those by the end of it and probably more

7

u/Mr_Norv 1d ago

Mathematics is a language like French, English or Greek etc.. It requires practise and repetition. Keep practising and you’ll get there. If you struggle with it put more effort into it than you do with your English or science. You’ll get there

1

u/Redlich-Kwong 13h ago

If your interested in chemistry, look into cosmochemisty - it overlaps with astrobiology as much as astrophysics does.