Maths/FM&Physics V Maths/ Physics& Chemistry for Engineering

[Untangl3d]

Ds the scatty engineer type. Has had no doubt from day 1 that that is what he’ll be an engineer from a family of engineers(dad & grandfathers). Good at maths, chemistry and physics but a fly by the seat of your pants type kid who gets good grades without hours of swotting- so far!

Had decided on maths, physics and chemistry for Alevels but has high aspirations, also wants to emigrate eventually, maybe work, study abroad.This all coming out of the woodwork whilst on lockdown.

Alevels are harder and 3 good grades are crucial. He thinks doing maths,FM and physics wouldn’t be as interesting as Maths, Physics and Chemistry. He had picked the latter but we could have time to change.

There is the 4 Alevels option too but not sure he’s the right type of kid for that.

Really don’t know what to advise. Keep reading threads saying FM crucial. Help!

Is the book by Stroud? I’d not that’s another awesome book!

Very very few insist on FM. Just a few at the very top end. Most want A level maths. DH has A level maths back in the 70s. Quite frankly it’s vital these days and best paired with Physics. With a BTec Engineering lots of universities want A level maths too.

Having said all of this, getting Chartered is a bigger slog than it used to be. DH was Civils charted at 24. (23 when completed but had to wait to 24). That’s pretty difficult now. He was then Chartered as a Structural Engineer and was a partner in his own consultancy at 28. That’s also very difficult to do now. Life changes!

Just looked( it’s propping a shelf up somewhere) and it was Stroud!

Actually, yes they do lose good problem solving candidates. However you must remember that not so many from Oxbridge will actually become engineers so it doesn’t matter! They get City jobs. It’s a desirable route to that end.

DH sees lots of applicants who don’t solve problems. He’s had the misfortune to employ a few down the years until they honed their selection tests. This is exactly why I’m saying your DS does not need FM and doesn’t need the top 3-4 ranked universities. It’s just as good to go to somewhere like Sheffield and become a practical engineer. You do not need to be a maths boffin to do that.

I also think engineering solutions cannot always be taught. Universities have not always operated in the real world and often grads cannot think for themselves or work efficiently and effectively even after further training. Some definitely want to be spoon fed and this simply isn’t possible in the commercial world beyond what is reasonable. So designing a steel frame that’s bigger than the proposed building isn’t what’s needed! (Yes, DH had a chartered engineer that did this!) At that level of qualification, a massive mistake like that is unforgivable.

Actually, yes they do lose good problem solving candidates.

Or maybe those unis do manage to get some who have both axes of maths and problem solving ... its kind of what the aptitude tests and interviews are aimed at.

Anecdote about academic engineers ... I don't know if this is true, but the sports centre at one redbrick uni had a lot of pillars on its roof serving no apparent function. The explanation circulating was that it had been supposed to have an Olympic swimming pool on top, innovative in-house design. But before they got beyond that stage of building someone remembered the weight of water.