Warwick Maths Chat

In this case, the specific problem is that his exam papers are (a) full of mistakes; (b) so weirdly worded it takes longer to work out what the question is asking you to do than to actually answer the question; and (c) absurdly easy (parameterise straight line: 5 marks).

He also can't lecture worth a damn, his exercise sheets are still full of errors that were reported two years ago, and his solutions to the exam papers are equally wrong.

Thankfully, Numerical Analysis is the only second year module he's teaching next year, and that's not core.

To be honest, the idea of markus lecturing numerical analysis also seems like a sad joke to play on second years. That module is very hard!

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Is the second year harder than the first year? If so, which parts of it make it so hard?

3. The modules in other departments are not quite as doss. Eg no logic 1, classical mechanics, programming for scientists. Though you can take them as unusual options (very recommended).

Yes it is harder. The average grade drop is around 8% apparently. The reasons are as follows:

1. You probably live off campus. The leamington bus can take upwards of 40 minutes, so you are losing 1h30 out of every day, which sucks ass. Get a car.

2. Most of the results in 1st year are proving things that you already know are true. All of analysis II is more or less stuff you already know, but learning how to prove it. In second year you have to learn new concepts whilst also proving them at the same time. This gives you less time to get to grips with the content.

3. The modules in other departments are not quite as doss. Eg no logic 1, classical mechanics, programming for scientists. Though you can take them as unusual options (very recommended).

4. Certainly in my case, I wanted to get more involved with the non academic side of university. That can eat up your time!

Yes you can take a Max of 30 1st year modules for the rest of your degree. You have to get an unusual option form signed

Ehm so you can take first year modules in second/ third year simply as an unusual option module? And it has a weight of regular 12 or whatever CAT module in second/third year?

Who will be in charge of differentiation then?

Is the second year harder than the first year? If so, which parts of it make it so hard?

Yes you can. But I'm sure that all the people who take Logic I (or similar) in 2nd/3rd year take it because they are generally interested, and not just because it counts for more in their degree

I will be starting first year at Warwick in September. One major question I have is as follows.

Are there any particular areas of maths, techniques or theorems that would be particularly useful to be proficient with before starting? Maybe things that particularly stand out that you guys think would have made your first year easier, or perhaps aided learning and understanding?

(I have copies of Understanding Pure Mathematics (Thorning and Sadler) and Mathematical Techniques (Jordan and Smith) to hand, and I am no stranger to self study.)

ye thanks. It's probably worth saying that I have studied some analysis, linear algebra and group theory already. So I will probably be at an advantage in that respect. I think one of my disadvantages is my lack on experience with mechanics. To help with this I am learning newtonian mechanics and other techniques, for example integrating factor technique for solving first order linear differential equations.

ye thanks. It's probably worth saying that I have studied some analysis, linear algebra and group theory already. So I will probably be at an advantage in that respect. I think one of my disadvantages is my lack on experience with mechanics. To help with this I am learning newtonian mechanics and other techniques, for example integrating factor technique for solving first order linear differential equations.

Thanks you are all really helpful i appreciate it. Differential equations wise I am only familiar with solving certain first orders using separation of variables, direct integration and integrating factor. I think I will start on techniques for certain second order differential equations.

That link is great too thanks again, you are right definitely enough to be keeping busy with.

My physics is very rusty (again A levels were quite a while a go), however I would like to take some physics modules. I am thinking perhaps classical mechanics and special relativity, electricity and magnetism and quantum phenomena. Does anyone have experience with these modules? Were they enjoyable, interesting, useful etc? Also how might someone fair who is quite rusty at physics (although willing to put the work in)?

Avoid quantum phenomena, it's more a history of physics course than an actual physics course. The others are decent (as far as physics modules go), though.