Maths & Physics / Chemical Physics

KnifeWRENCH

I'm in 1st Year Physics CK408 and I have to decide in Summer which degree I want to do. I have it narrowed down to eother Chemical Physics or Maths Physics, and I'd love to hear from students who have done either of these degrees : What are they like? How demanding are they? Would you recommend them? etc.

I've always found Maths to be tough, but I like it because it's challenging. I also think maybe I'd have better job prospects with this degree, and I wouldn't have to do a major research project. But i am worried it might be too difficult?

As for Chemical Physics, I seem to be the only person in my year interested in it! I like Chemistry, and this degree definetly sounds like an easier option, but I would have to do a major research project (which I don't think I'd like!) Plus I'm worried that I mightn't have good job prospects.

Anyway what do ye think? Any comments, good or bad, would be appreciated. Thanks

nesf

By finding maths tough, do you mean that you're confused by what you saw this year? Are you comfortable with the idea of vector spaces, calculus etc?

I did the old Physics course and honestly, it gets a lot harder in second year. Your best bet is going and having a chat with one of the Physics lecturers about it, they'll be frank with you. As a department they're a sound bunch and generally very willing to help students.

KnifeWRENCH

I like Calculus. It can be difficult at times but generally it's fine, and we've had too excellent lecturers. I don't know what a vector space is though! I've never come across it...
Linear Algebra is a bit more confusing because I've never understood why matrices are important, and everything seems very abstract. (Plus the lecturers are crap!!)
Whatever degree I choose is gonna involve a lot of physics, so I'm prepared for that. I'm just not sure if I want more mathematics or more chemistry in my degree.

Tree

matrices are important for relativty and quantum afair.

why not do the straight physics? it has all the nessecary maths w/ it. many of my friends have degrees in physics.

i made an attempt at the physics and app maths but i think i shouldnt have done the course in teh first place. the applied maths is fascinating though and useful.

KnifeWRENCH

well I don't want a single honours in physics because I'd rather have a degree with more variety (i.e. with either maths or chemistry) And I won't do Astrophysics because I don't think the job prospects would be good.
Really I suppose it comes down o this: is the maths at 3rd level doable if you work really hard at it? or do have to be naturally brilliant at it? I'm not really a math whiz, but I really like the subject and am prepared to work at it. Is that enough or would I still struggle?

nesf

square_igloo wrote: »

well I don't want a single honours in physics because I'd rather have a degree with more variety (i.e. with either maths or chemistry) And I won't do Astrophysics because I don't think the job prospects would be good.
Really I suppose it comes down o this: is the maths at 3rd level doable if you work really hard at it? or do have to be naturally brilliant at it? I'm not really a math whiz, but I really like the subject and am prepared to work at it. Is that enough or would I still struggle?

a) Any quantitative degree (including Astrophysics) is employable simply because the investment banking industry/consulting industry has many uses for people who are good with maths.

b) Physics/Maths is far harder that straight Physics when maths isn't your strong point. I really don't understand why you'd want to do that option if you know maths isn't something you're good at.

c) Not being a math whiz can mean a load of things. I'm not naturally brilliant at maths, nor am I a math whiz but when I was doing Physics it was never the maths that was the problem for me (it was me not putting in enough work in general that screwed me over for exams). If you find maths hard to understand then you're making your life difficult for yourself doing Physics. This doesn't mean you shouldn't do it but honestly, even if you're good at maths there's still a lot of work that needs to be done in the degree. The material gets far harder after First Year. Just be aware of that.


The thing is, it's very hard to judge whether or not you should do the course. If your maths is poor to the point that you have a lot of difficulty following proofs and the answers to questions then you are making your life very hard by choosing Physics, if on the other hand you only find it hard to remember how to solve maths problems in exams but have no problem understanding the answer to a question if it's in front of you then you should be able to survive once you put enough work in.

KnifeWRENCH

nesf wrote: »

if on the other hand you only find it hard to remember how to solve maths problems in exams but have no problem understanding the answer to a question if it's in front of you then you should be able to survive once you put enough work in.

yeah that would sound a bit like me!! I find linear algebra tougher than calculus, but I'm still passing comfortably! I mean, I am still very good at maths, just not as good as I'd like to be.
Anyway thanks for your replies, I'll keep them in mind. I guess I'll know when I do my math and chemistry exams in May which one I'd rather keep on!!!

nesf

square_igloo wrote: »

yeah that would sound a bit like me!! I find linear algebra tougher than calculus, but I'm still passing comfortably! I mean, I am still very good at maths, just not as good as I'd like to be.

Yeah I know the feeling. Versus the average person in the population I've very good at maths but I had guys in my class at college who made me look like very poor in comparison. My advice, don't get hung up on competing with the guys it comes naturally to and just try and achieve reasonable goals.

square_igloo wrote: »

Anyway thanks for your replies, I'll keep them in mind. I guess I'll know when I do my math and chemistry exams in May which one I'd rather keep on!!!

Yeah, one thing, when I was there (the course has changed) there wasn't a whole lot of difference between the Joint Honours people and the Single Honours people until final year. So don't discount the Single Honours too quickly. Your summer exams should give you a good idea, if you're not getting firsts in the areas you're specialising in then it mightn't be a bad idea taking the more moderate approach and going with a Single Honours.