[JBKProductions]

Hi, I'm currently deciding what modules to take for my 3rd year and need a bit of help deciding.
So far I've chosen three mathematical physics modules, differential equations (modelling etc..) basically mostly applied stuff. However I feel that I *should* be taking a few pure modules otherwise it just seems like I'm not doing a maths degree, do most people at university do at least 1 pure maths module? I know this will vary (maybe even by a lot) from different universities, but are there a lot more proofs in pure modules in the third year compared to the second? Thanks.

[ttoby]

I'm in my third year now and I'm doing a mixture of analysis/metric spaces-based modules, combinatorics-based modules and statistics-based modules.

I'd say that the analysis-based modules are certainly hardest at the moment, although this would vary for different people. And there are plenty of proofs there, a similar amount to last year.

My advice would be to go for areas that you have enjoyed in the past, and where you think you will score highest.

[kpwxx]

(Original post by JBKProductions)
Hi, I'm currently deciding what modules to take for my 3rd year and need a bit of help deciding.
So far I've chosen three mathematical physics modules, differential equations (modelling etc..) basically mostly applied stuff. However I feel that I *should* be taking a few pure modules otherwise it just seems like I'm not doing a maths degree, do most people at university do at least 1 pure maths module? I know this will vary (maybe even by a lot) from different universities, but are there a lot more proofs in pure modules in the third year compared to the second? Thanks.

I would say most people tend to stick to the areas they like. By three time you get to this level you have a clear idea about what you like, you can't keep it broad forever... Lecturers for example sometimes have forgotten basic concepts of the 'other half'. Specialising a bit more is not a downfall at this stage. Especially as those modules would be more relevant to a future career if that's what you want to do.

At my uni (UEA) there were probably only a few more proofs than 2nd year, but you are expected to know a lot more of them.

On the other hand if you feel a pure module will help you in some way don't shy away from it. I am very much a pure mathematician but I took a solid mechanics module as I felt I could do well on it and it would stop me drowning in proofs lol.

One final note, make sure you know what a module entails. For example last year we had a quantum mechanics module which, having only done 'stuff rolling down hills' mechanics so far, I was terrified of (my worst subject with diff eqns) but it was actually fun, interesting, and really easy . So speak to the lecturers if you're unsure, to get a better view of what's on offer.

Xxx

posted from the TSR Android app

[JBKProductions]

Thanks for the reply. I'll have to rethink my module choices then, tbh I don't really like pure modules, but I just keep thinking in the back of my head that I need at least 1 pure module, and have chosen number theory since that is the one i hate the least. Maybe I should just forget pure altogether. Although I could get bored doing all applied stuff.
So hard to decide which ones to take, really need to make up my mind soon.

[ben-smith]

(Original post by JBKProductions)
Thanks for the reply. I'll have to rethink my module choices then, tbh I don't really like pure modules, but I just keep thinking in the back of my head that I need at least 1 pure module, and have chosen number theory since that is the one i hate the least. Maybe I should just forget pure altogether. Although I could get bored doing all applied stuff.
So hard to decide which ones to take, really need to make up my mind soon.

What are the mathematical physics courses you mentioned earlier.
Do you have a list of modules that we could look at?

[JBKProductions]

(Original post by ben-smith)
What are the mathematical physics courses you mentioned earlier.
Do you have a list of modules that we could look at?

I have attached a list of all the modules for the third year below.

[Creole]

I think you'll kick yourself if you mess up your exams/average by taking modules that you aren't very good at!

Just so you know, of the modules on that list, I've done DIF,FLU,LNA,TSC,GAM and PJA, so if you have any specific questions regarding those..

[JBKProductions]

(Original post by Creole)
I think you'll kick yourself if you mess up your exams/average by taking modules that you aren't very good at!

Just so you know, of the modules on that list, I've done DIF,FLU,LNA,TSC,GAM and PJA, so if you have any specific questions regarding those..

Hey, how is DIF compared to the rest that you've done? I heard from a 4th year that it's one of the hardest 3rd year modules? A lot more work compared to the others (20 credits ones that is) or about the same?
EDIT: Oh yeah and would you say that PJA is an "easy" credits instead of adding another exam?

[Creole]

(Original post by JBKProductions)
Hey, how is DIF compared to the rest that you've done? I heard from a 4th year that it's one of the hardest 3rd year modules? A lot more work compared to the others (20 credits ones that is) or about the same?
EDIT: Oh yeah and would you say that PJA is an "easy" credits instead of adding another exam?

I would say that DIF was harder than expected, but for me FLU was harder because the notes were poor and the exam format was new. With DIF you will have to remember proofs that are harder than alot of 2nd year pure proofs, so I wouldn't be concerned that applied modules aren't hard enough..

The projects can be easier marks if you are the sort of person that will work consistently throughout the year at your project and be able to write it all up in a timely manner (I struggled with this, I found that I work well under pressure, so when I have a month to write something, i'll leave it to the last week, and sometimes, a week isn't enough!). You'll really feel the benefits of 20 credits less revision at christmas if your project is sorted, but you'll also feel the strain if you burn yourself out doing it..

This is coming from a slightly biased perspective, (I'm revising for LNA which I'm finding incredibly difficult given that I haven't done a pure module in two years) but I feel that it's not worth the feeling of rightousness (or whatever it is you hope to gain from doing more pure modules), if you have to sacrifice marks to do it. Also as the difficulty of the applied modules goes up, the difficulty and amount of pure mathematics goes up as well, in my experience, so you might get your fill of pure that way anyway.

[JBKProductions]

(Original post by Creole)
I would say that DIF was harder than expected, but for me FLU was harder because the notes were poor and the exam format was new. With DIF you will have to remember proofs that are harder than alot of 2nd year pure proofs, so I wouldn't be concerned that applied modules aren't hard enough..

The projects can be easier marks if you are the sort of person that will work consistently throughout the year at your project and be able to write it all up in a timely manner (I struggled with this, I found that I work well under pressure, so when I have a month to write something, i'll leave it to the last week, and sometimes, a week isn't enough!). You'll really feel the benefits of 20 credits less revision at christmas if your project is sorted, but you'll also feel the strain if you burn yourself out doing it..

This is coming from a slightly biased perspective, (I'm revising for LNA which I'm finding incredibly difficult given that I haven't done a pure module in two years) but I feel that it's not worth the feeling of rightousness (or whatever it is you hope to gain from doing more pure modules), if you have to sacrifice marks to do it. Also as the difficulty of the applied modules goes up, the difficulty and amount of pure mathematics goes up as well, in my experience, so you might get your fill of pure that way anyway.

Thanks, how was GAM? Everyone is going around saying that they hear its a very easy module and should take it for easy marks....are we going to be in for a shock or is it actually quite easy?

[Creole]

(Original post by JBKProductions)
Thanks, how was GAM? Everyone is going around saying that they hear its a very easy module and should take it for easy marks....are we going to be in for a shock or is it actually quite easy?

I got my highest ever mark in GAM, but I took it in the first year it ran, and I know the staff have subsequently made it harder to score ludicrously high marks. I don't know if they have changed the content or just the exam, but I reckon it'll still be a decent source of marks for little work.

[kpwxx]

(Original post by JBKProductions)
Thanks, how was GAM? Everyone is going around saying that they hear its a very easy module and should take it for easy marks....are we going to be in for a shock or is it actually quite easy?

I agree with creole- if you hate pure that much, think how you might feel when it comes to exam time if you don't get it. Now it may feel like it has an advantage but then you could be thinking WHY did I take this module lol.

I find modules on new stuff tend to be easier, as follow ons can just jump straight in to the advanved stuff. Career wise a project is good, that will add a lot more to your CV than pure would- writing skills, timing, self study, organisation etc

Xxx

posted from the TSR Android app

[JBKProductions]

(Original post by kpwxx)
I agree with creole- if you hate pure that much, think how you might feel when it comes to exam time if you don't get it. Now it may feel like it has an advantage but then you could be thinking WHY did I take this module lol.

I find modules on new stuff tend to be easier, as follow ons can just jump straight in to the advanved stuff. Career wise a project is good, that will add a lot more to your CV than pure would- writing skills, timing, self study, organisation etc

Xxx

posted from the TSR Android app

Thanks, only reason I wanted to do it was because I see pure as "proper" maths if you know what I mean, whereas if I just did applied I may as well be doing an engineering degree or something. But I think I have decided not to pick any pure modules now.

[kpwxx]

(Original post by JBKProductions)
Thanks, only reason I wanted to do it was because I see pure as "proper" maths if you know what I mean, whereas if I just did applied I may as well be doing an engineering degree or something. But I think I have decided not to pick any pure modules now.

No, I get what you mean. I feel similar sometimes about some applied especially differential eqns... I feel like I should be able to do it as a maths student. But then pure comes easy for me. I guess you just have to accept that you can't keep up everything. I have applied loving friends who disliked a module because it had a tiny amount of pure in this year, (hopefully) you'll be glad you have chosen your favourites when you get down to it.

Xxx

posted from the TSR Android app

[Carl Sagan]

So much more physics offered than at my uni

[JBKProductions]

Bit off topic but in my exam today there was a printing error on the paper which they didn't tell us until after the exam!, I spent a lot of time on it and couldn't get the final solution due to this misprint!!!
Sorry I just had to say it somewhere to calm me down. Do you think I should just leave it be or talk to the lecturer about it?

[Creole]

(Original post by JBKProductions)
Bit off topic but in my exam today there was a printing error on the paper which they didn't tell us until after the exam!, I spent a lot of time on it and couldn't get the final solution due to this misprint!!!
Sorry I just had to say it somewhere to calm me down. Do you think I should just leave it be or talk to the lecturer about it?

They'll give you marks to make up for it, don't worry. Which exam was it?

[JBKProductions]

(Original post by Creole)
They'll give you marks to make up for it, don't worry. Which exam was it?

It was DEF. You probably know who the lecturer is, so I won't say it since he might not want me to announce his name here.

[Creole]

(Original post by JBKProductions)
It was DEF. You probably know who the lecturer is, so I won't say it since he might not want me to announce his name here.

Probably for the best, he's a nice chap though.

Anyway, I think when there was a mistake on my exam they gave full marks if you attempted the question and were impeded by the mistake, so it may work in your favour somewhat seeing as they are trying to reduce the amount of scaling of marks that they do.

[JBKProductions]

(Original post by Creole)
Probably for the best, he's a nice chap though.

Anyway, I think when there was a mistake on my exam they gave full marks if you attempted the question and were impeded by the mistake, so it may work in your favour somewhat seeing as they are trying to reduce the amount of scaling of marks that they do.

Thanks, I feel much better now. Just have to stop thinking about it and concentrate on my other exams!