Would it be impossible for me to cope in Physics and astrophysics with only pass math

Jeebus

...?

Hey,

I'm just wondering. I've done pass maths from fifth year since I've always hated maths.

I love physics though, and kind of have my heart set on studying it at third level.

I was thinking of just doing a straight degree in Physics, avoiding as much math as possible !

Would I be at a huge disadvantage, a disadvantage, or would I simply be unable to cope ? Any insight would be greatly appreciated as I have to make my mind up fairly soon !

Thanks a lot

D-Generate

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but I imagine that with pass maths (and more importantly a hatred of maths) that you would not be able to cope with physics or astrophysics. Both these subjects require a pretty in depth knowledge of calculus which you would not develop in the pass Leaving Cert curriculum.
I also think that the minimum requirement is a C1 in Honours Maths for these courses so you are ineligible if you are doing pass maths.

eZe^

Don't think so. The course is basically about learning how the world works using Calculus and Linear Algebra. I think it would be much easier for a student with Honours Maths and Pass Physics to cope in this course as opposed to a student with Honours Physics and Pass Maths. I'm in 2nd year Physics and Astrophysics btw... You'd want to enjoy maths quite a bit to enjoy this course.

KnifeWRENCH

If it was a case of you having difficulty with maths, I'd say you could still do the course because Calculus and Linear Algebra are taught from scratch and if you're willing to work hard at those modules, you'd probably be ok.

However, having a hatred of maths is a different thing. There is a lot of mathematics involved even if you do straight physics. Quantum Physics involves lots of linear algebra, Electromagnetism involves stuff like vector calculus and Legendre polynomials etc. There's no getting away from the fact that Maths and Physics overlap quite a lot. I see this a lot since I'm doing a Joint Hons. degree in both subjects.

You might be able to cope with the course, but I don't think you'd enjoy it very much. And enjoying a course is much more important and fulfilling than coping with a course you don't particularly like.

I also think that the minimum requirement is a C1 in Honours Maths for these courses so you are ineligible if you are doing pass maths.

I think you have to get either a C1 or C3 (can't remember which) but it's at either HL or OL. So the OP wouldn't be ineligible.

D-Generate

Knife-WREEENCH wrote: »

I think you have to get either a C1 or C3 (can't remember which) but it's at either HL or OL. So the OP wouldn't be ineligible.

Are you sure? I am finishing Elec Eng and the requirements were for a C1 Hons or a D1 Hons provided you had a C1 or above in Applied Maths or something like that when I started. Either way it required honours and I imagined that Physics which is also a very quantitative subject requires honours maths. The UCC Physics site didn't really give me an insight in to what was needed.

KnifeWRENCH

D-Generate wrote: »

Are you sure? I am finishing Elec Eng and the requirements were for a C1 Hons or a D1 Hons provided you had a C1 or above in Applied Maths or something like that when I started. Either way it required honours and I imagined that Physics which is also a very quantitative subject requires honours maths. The UCC Physics site didn't really give me an insight in to what was needed.

The UCC Physics site doesn't give very much insight into anything (although it's much better now than it was last year.)

Anyway, you can definitely study Physics with OL Maths because my friend registered for the course the same year as me and he did OL. Although he did drop out after 3 days.....but that's another story! :P

As to whether someone can do well in the course with OL is a different matter. I'd say it's possible but it would be quite challenging.

postalservice

http://www.ucc.ie/calendar/general/info013.html#science

itsallaboutheL

you know the answer yourself.....

Jeebus

Howdy,

Okay, maybe saying I have a hatred of maths is a bit strong, but I would certainly struggle with it. My sister did computer engineering in UL, so I have the Calculus and Linear Algebra books sat next to me right now. Damn, its big. It looks complicated and I know I'd have to work a lot but I think its still something I'd like to go for.

I'd say if I did a bit of study over the Summer from these books, casually getting to grips with Linear Algebra and Calculus, I would be okay ? I don't know, thats the impression I get !

Requirement is only a HC3 in a labratory science or maths or applied maths btw. I do physics, biology and chemistry, so I'd definitely qualify, once I get the points (which is a bit iffy, to be honest).

I'm thinking of this as a general course that is interesting and will keep me busy. Thats kind of what I want. My girlfriend will be studying medicine, so I probably won't be doing much with my free time anyway - I'd like to be kept busy, and getting to grips with maths would be nice (finally, its been my Achilles heels since feckin' 3rd year!).

It seems quite general from the jobs people get afterwards, like I'd love to work in computing, I love computers, but apparently theres people getting jobs in banks and all kinds of places with the degree just because they're good at maths, which means that even should I begin to loathe the programming I'd have somewhere else I can go.

Am I right in the way I'm thinking about this ? Some insight would be invaluable ! Thanks a lot guys!

dudara

TBH, and speaking as a past UCC physics grad and postgrad, you really need a high standard of maths to be able to derive the full benefit from the course.

I'm unaware of what is needed from an astrophysics viewpoint as that was not part of the course while I was a student, but in addition to calculus and linear algebra, you'll need good complex analysis. Tensor calculus is useful but is (or at least was) learned via honours applied maths courses in 2nd and 3rd year.

The one thing I found while an undergrad was that the accompanying maths courses from the maths department did not complement the level required for physics - they lagged behind. In other words, you'd have to be capable going into the degree.

Have you looked into studying Applied Physics and Instrumentation at CIT - it's quite a good degree.

Ally_ally

To be honest i think you would find it very hard, I'm in first year, and i'm not too impressed with it! I loved physics and maths in leaving cert. Got an A2 in maths and i'm struggling my way through the course!
What is it about physics that you like?! Bare in mind that you get very little theory...i.e how things work etc, like in the leaving cert! All the lecturers CONSTANTLY derive formulas, integrating and differentiating (which aren't on the pass maths course i think), and for me, i don't see how we are suposed to understand something fully from just learning a formula!

Good luck with your choice anyway, i'm sure if you work at it, it will be doable....(wish i had taken my own advice!)

TravelGirlCork

Hi, I have to admit you will struggle quite a lot without honours maths in UCC physics. You will have to take 1st year maths/applied maths modules and will need to keep up with these. You mention how the information you need isn't on the physics website - I think there is a link there under "undergraduates" directing you to the relevant information. While nobody would like to discourage a student from doing physics, I haven't yet come across a student in UCC Physics who enters without honours maths. Maybe it happens, but I haven't met them.

Sorry to hear some of you struggle with the first year course - physics is a quantitative subject and it is important to show how all the basic principles can be derived with maths and a few essential equations. You should try to read around each of your modules to see examples and to relate this more directly to what you witness in every day situations. It is a physics degree so the "understanding" that some of you find missing from lectures is easy to find if you just think about what the equations are telling you. Always supplement your coursework with extra reading. Join the Institute of Physics as a student member, read Physics World that comes free with your membership etc.