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A level choices (poss looking to physics at uni)

37 replies

Sadik · 11/01/2018 18:50

Firstly, we're in Wales, & still have the AS / A2 system, & it remains common to at least start with 4 subjects. College will definitely be happy for dd to do this.

DD is trying to figure out whether to take Physics / Chemistry / Maths / Further maths, or whether to go for Physics / Chem / Biology / Maths.

At the moment, she thinks it most likely that she'll want to study physics at uni, but until recently she was very undecided between physics and biology/life sciences. Obviously the 3 sciences choice keeps that option open. So the question is, how important is further maths if you want to study physics? (She's very much a straight A* student in science/maths subjects, and I imagine will be looking at Cambridge natsci / Imperial / Warwick sort of level as an aspirational choice at least.)

OP posts:
Sadik · 14/01/2018 15:24

Oops, sorry for double post

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roguedad · 15/01/2018 13:59

I recall Cambridge natural scientists who had not done double maths to full A level were at a serious disadvantage. You should advise to do Further Maths if at all possible especially given how Noddy single maths has become.

raspberryrippleicecream · 16/01/2018 20:35

DS1 is currently in his second year studying MPhys in Theoretical Physics. He did Maths/FM/Physics/Geology/Philosophy to AS, then dropped Philosophy.

The Maths/FM/Physics is less of a workload than 3 completely different subjects so I'm told. And it gave him a headstart at uni..

Sadik · 17/01/2018 20:33

I think you're right raspberryripple - there's going to be a fair bit of x-over in the maths content between the three subjects. Ex-H says chemistry is pretty maths heavy too (or used to be 30 years ago!)

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Sadik · 17/01/2018 20:34

Is your DS enjoying the theoretical physics course btw?

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RandomUsernameHere · 17/01/2018 20:54

Further maths is really useful if doing physics, I did physics at uni without doing further maths and it was a big jump. Chemistry is generally more useful than biology, or at least it used to be.

raspberryrippleicecream · 02/04/2018 11:33

Months too late, but yes, he loves his course

hellsbells99 · 02/04/2018 11:56

DD didn't have the option of FM, so took the 3 sciences and maths to AS level. She then dropped the biology and a small group of them self studied FM at AS level in year 13 with some group private tuition. DD is now doing engineering and said the FM maths helped a lot in 1st year (they concentrated on mechanic modules). 2 of the group are doing Physics at uni and 1 is doing natural sciences at Cambridge.

BringOnTheScience · 03/04/2018 09:19

Cambridge
www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses/natural-sciences

Imperial
www.imperial.ac.uk/study/ug/courses/physics-department/physics-bsc/#entry-requirements

Warwick
warwick.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses-2018/physicsbsc/

They all stress the need for maths. I'd favour Further Maths over Biology.

noblegiraffe · 03/04/2018 11:12

A lot of content in the current A level further maths used to be in A level maths 30+ years ago.

And even more recently than that. The content was shuffled from Maths to Further Maths in about 2004 to improve uptake of Maths A-level which was seen to be too difficult. Universities still haven’t really caught up with the changes and while it might be tempting not to take Further Maths because it’s not required by universities for Physics, and even for many maths degrees, it’s still a really good idea.

catsharingmychair · 03/04/2018 11:30

Everyone has offered great ideas above. I'm a 'yes' for Further Maths also if Oxbridge is involved and, even more importantly, if she would enjoy it! Why not review the syllabuses online for each - Maths and Further Maths? They are easily found via Google. Which is more stimulating?

NB it's not just what Universities list publicly as requirements that needs to guide students (in relation to A levels) - but also what their competitors/peers will have - for Oxbridge, many will have plumped for Further Maths as it is well respected. I'd ask Admissions what percentage of students had Further Maths that applied last year for any key universities you are interested in.

Please also see the following which advocates Computer Science ...depends on which area she is interested in, clearly! Essential =Maths, Physics but also valuable = Further Mathematics, Chemistry, Computing/Computer Science ...see
russellgroup.ac.uk/media/5686/informed-choices-2018-1-6th-edition-final.pdf

I'd ask her to perhaps consider her future careers thoughts a little more closely...(any research and time she spends doing this will always yield fruit!)....

To look at Physics linked careers more closely - see www.prospects.ac.uk and go to 'careers advice' then 'what can I do with my degree' and select Physics and other STEM degrees - which roles seem interesting? Which companies offer roles in these fields?

Then go to Linked In and look up current professionals in these roles - which degree did they do (placement year? Where? Which country did they study in that had money (especially post Brexit) for this area of research- US or elsewhere?).

I'd then look at work experience - which organisations would be her top ten (based on jobs she's interested in- where are they based geographically - can she reach any easily)? If yes, could she gain some work experience over the summer holidays with them? This could help her to identify areas of interest career-wise also.

Perhaps consider gaining a STEM mentor - physics linked obviously- there are hundreds of STEM experts that give time to mentor - she'll need to understand which overall areas of physics interest her and then find someone (through LI or via Google) whom will help her to explore areas and perhaps open work experience or internship doors for her.

Doing this research and work experience might help her to fine tune A levels but more importantly, it will help her to get excited about ideas for the future, which helps motivate during hard study!
Good luck!

CharltonLido73 · 04/04/2018 08:16

My younger daughter graduated in Physics and is now working in Medical Physics.
I remember in her first year that she felt at a disadvantage in not having studied Further Maths at A Level. In the long run it was not an obstacle, but at the time she felt she was having to run to keep up with those who had done it. She also found the Maths content far more demanding than the actual Physics content in the first two years.
She had a placement in nuclear fusion research as part of her MSc year, and taught herself coding at that point, as a prerequisite for what she was doing. Again, one of the things she learnt as part of her university experience was how essential computing was in Physics.

So, yes - Further Maths is the way to go, definitely.

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