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Maths, Computing, JMC and general questions!

Hey guys,

When I was applying to Imperial I would have found it very usefully to be able to talk to people easily that were already studying here.

I'm first year JMC here living in Beit Hall, so I can answer questions about anything you have to throw at me!

Don't be afraid to PM me either.

Cheers


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Reply 1
Hi!

Well, I am from Romania and I have applied for Computing BEng at Imperial College. My application has been progressed and I have been invited to the interview on January 30th, so I would like to ask you some questions :biggrin:

First of all, how is the interview ? What should I revise for Maths, for example, or even Computing? Do most students who are invited to interviews get offers? Moreover, I was wondering how different is JMC from Computing, how much Maths is there. Is it as impossible as many students say it is?

Thanks,
Andrei
Learning at Imperial College London
Imperial College London
London
Reply 2
Original post by nclandrei
Hi!

Well, I am from Romania and I have applied for Computing BEng at Imperial College. My application has been progressed and I have been invited to the interview on January 30th, so I would like to ask you some questions :biggrin:

First of all, how is the interview ? What should I revise for Maths, for example, or even Computing? Do most students who are invited to interviews get offers? Moreover, I was wondering how different is JMC from Computing, how much Maths is there. Is it as impossible as many students say it is?

Thanks,
Andrei


Hey Andrei.

The interview are much more informal than people think. You are not required to wear a suit etc and the day will also be treated as orientation, they will show you around the department and college.

I think you will only have a short interview as I did, and they only ask you a few logical questions and maybe a pure mathematics one. More of a problem solving interview where you can get some help.

Most of the people invited for interview are given an offer, I received one a week after mine. It's more to check you can actually talk to people and are quite intelligent. I did quite badly on the three questions they asked me but still got an offer!

JMC is quite different, but we don't have our own modules. We do some with the pure Computing class and some with the pure Maths class. It is a lot of Maths, some not really relating to computing, but manageable.

I wouldn't say that it is impossible, the workload for JMC is quite high though as you do around 60% of the two degrees. This makes it hard!

Tom.


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Reply 3
Do you get a chance to see much of the Students' Union when they give you the tour? or is it just the department they show you ?
Reply 4
Original post by Wiggler
Do you get a chance to see much of the Students' Union when they give you the tour? or is it just the department they show you ?


Not really. Depending on who shows you round you see different things. If all else fails, ask to see the union, it's a 30 second walk from the department.

They show you the department, labs, lecture theatres etc, and a few halls in the surrounding roads.

Btw, the union is on a public walkway so you can come and view it anytime really.


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Reply 5
Original post by tommyth94
Hey guys,

When I was applying to Imperial I would have found it very usefully to be able to talk to people easily that were already studying here.

I'm first year JMC here living in Beit Hall, so I can answer questions about anything you have to throw at me!

Don't be afraid to PM me either.

Cheers


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I'm assuming you did Further Maths, someone else already helped me on here, but....I will be studying Computing. Waiting desperately for Imperial to reply. Predicted A*A*A for Maths Chemistry Physics but no further maths.

1. What is computing like without Further Maths?
2. How much do you generally work a day i.e. what is the step up from A-Levels like?
3. Did you read anything before University or do you think it would be helpful for me to go through like a Chapter of Spirits of Algorithmics or something similar recommended on both Warwick/Cambridge sites before studying computing science/after my January exams?

And finally the bonus question 4. Do you have a social life at all. Just be honest so I can get an idea. By social life I mean sport or alcohol related activities.

Thanks!!!
Reply 6
Original post by Better
I'm assuming you did Further Maths, someone else already helped me on here, but....I will be studying Computing. Waiting desperately for Imperial to reply. Predicted A*A*A for Maths Chemistry Physics but no further maths.

1. What is computing like without Further Maths?
2. How much do you generally work a day i.e. what is the step up from A-Levels like?
3. Did you read anything before University or do you think it would be helpful for me to go through like a Chapter of Spirits of Algorithmics or something similar recommended on both Warwick/Cambridge sites before studying computing science/after my January exams?

And finally the bonus question 4. Do you have a social life at all. Just be honest so I can get an idea. By social life I mean sport or alcohol related activities.
Thanks!!!


I did further maths, but unfortunately do not take the Mathematical Methods course that the Computer Science students take. From what I hear, further maths is not required, because they teach you basically from scratch. Students with further maths will probably have the advantage of having seen some material before, but you will be taught everything you need to know. You may just have to do a bit more work on your own if you don't understand something.

The step up from A-levels is more the work load steps up. The actual material is harder,cut that is combatted by more contact hours, better resources and better lecturers. Really, you have to learn to work on your own much more than you did at A-Level. You're not just studying to pass exams (like at A-Level), you actually need to understand new concepts. Your timetable will vary so the amount of work a day will be around 4 hours in the college. At home, you will have to do a few problem sheets and a bit of programming for a few more hours. Let's say you work around 7-8 hours a day. This still leaves time for socialising, looking after yourself etc. The step up is entirely manageable.

I did but it's not necessary. Imperial don't even ask for computer science knowledge before you apply so you don't need to read anything like that. However, if you have the time, it would help you greatly to start programming a tiny bit in Java (and start to look at Haskell) to get used to programming, you don't have to spend to much time on it. I didn't read anything and I don't think it has hindered me so far.

Yes, everyone that wants one has a social life :smile: first week is all about socialising and you will find the time. Doing computing, you can expect to go out around twice a week, all around London (probably not with many other computing students). You can find cheap alcohol and drink in kitchens with friends. Sport is easily accessible, with the gym being a 1 minute walk from the South Ken campus. There are also many societies that you can find out about in first week.

Any specific questions, PM me.


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Reply 7
Original post by tommyth94
I did further maths, but unfortunately do not take the Mathematical Methods course that the Computer Science students take. From what I hear, further maths is not required, because they teach you basically from scratch. Students with further maths will probably have the advantage of having seen some material before, but you will be taught everything you need to know. You may just have to do a bit more work on your own if you don't understand something.

The step up from A-levels is more the work load steps up. The actual material is harder,cut that is combatted by more contact hours, better resources and better lecturers. Really, you have to learn to work on your own much more than you did at A-Level. You're not just studying to pass exams (like at A-Level), you actually need to understand new concepts. Your timetable will vary so the amount of work a day will be around 4 hours in the college. At home, you will have to do a few problem sheets and a bit of programming for a few more hours. Let's say you work around 7-8 hours a day. This still leaves time for socialising, looking after yourself etc. The step up is entirely manageable.

I did but it's not necessary. Imperial don't even ask for computer science knowledge before you apply so you don't need to read anything like that. However, if you have the time, it would help you greatly to start programming a tiny bit in Java (and start to look at Haskell) to get used to programming, you don't have to spend to much time on it. I didn't read anything and I don't think it has hindered me so far.

Yes, everyone that wants one has a social life :smile: first week is all about socialising and you will find the time. Doing computing, you can expect to go out around twice a week, all around London (probably not with many other computing students). You can find cheap alcohol and drink in kitchens with friends. Sport is easily accessible, with the gym being a 1 minute walk from the South Ken campus. There are also many societies that you can find out about in first week.

Any specific questions, PM me.


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Thanks alot for that - really enjoyed reading it! Definitely need to step my game up a bit and start working harder then!!

Really want to get into Imperial! Thanks again!
Reply 8
Hi,

I've applied for JMC at Imperial, and got an offer for A*A*AAA. Hopefully I'll get it! :smile:

How much flexibility do you get when it comes to choosing modules for your course?
Do you get any 'tutorials' (time in a small group with someone to go through problem sheets)?
If you do, how much time do you get a week of it?
Do you know on average what the boy/girl ratio is for Computing and for Maths?

Thanks :smile:
Reply 9
Original post by hucki
Hi,

I've applied for JMC at Imperial, and got an offer for A*A*AAA. Hopefully I'll get it! :smile:

How much flexibility do you get when it comes to choosing modules for your course?
Do you get any 'tutorials' (time in a small group with someone to go through problem sheets)?
If you do, how much time do you get a week of it?
Do you know on average what the boy/girl ratio is for Computing and for Maths?

Thanks :smile:


First year is completely fixed, no choices. Currently, you can choose 2 of a few modules in second year, but this may change for when you come here next year. Not much flexibility in second year either.

3rd and 4th year are almost completely your choice, but you have to do some maths and some computing modules, maybe two of each.

Yes, a logic/reasoning tutorial; a programming tutorial (both going over problem sheets that may be assessed) and a maths tutorial going over any questions you have about maths problem sheets/tests/lectures. These are all in same group. So three hours a week.

Ration for computing is massive, a lot more boys than girls and it is definitely noticeable in lectures. Maybe 20% max girls. (Not that this matters too much.) Maths is better, probably 40% girls and it is much less apparent.

Tom.


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Reply 10
At what level are the interview questions? Ive heard a range of GCSE level to A2 further pure and mathematics questions... Are they particularly different to exam paper questions?
Reply 11
Original post by Dalilsp
At what level are the interview questions? Ive heard a range of GCSE level to A2 further pure and mathematics questions... Are they particularly different to exam paper questions?


Yeah that range is correct. It's more like logic/problem solving based questions (like MENSA questions) with maybe a tough integral thrown in there. Literally only 3 questions, not much prep needs to be done.


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Reply 12
Original post by tommyth94
Yeah that range is correct. It's more like logic/problem solving based questions (like MENSA questions) with maybe a tough integral thrown in there. Literally only 3 questions, not much prep needs to be done.


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Tommy I know you may have answered this but just a question on the style of revision.

How does it compare to revision at A-Level. i.e Lets say for 1 Problem sheet how many books to you generally need if you don't understand something?

Then if you don't understand it, do you just make notes? And throw it in a folder for the exam / or I dunno course work you might have?

A bit confused as to how Science Students structure their revision and how you are assessed at Imperial.
Humanities students talk about this forever (maybe because they have to flip through more material) but I rarely see it done for the sciences.
(edited 11 years ago)
Reply 13
Original post by Better
Tommy I know you may have answered this but just a question on the style of revision.

How does it compare to revision at A-Level. i.e Lets say for 1 Problem sheet how many books to you generally need if you don't understand something?

Then if you don't understand it, do you just make notes? And throw it in a folder for the exam / or I dunno course work you might have?

A bit confused as to how Science Students structure their revision and how you are assessed at Imperial.
Humanities students talk about this forever (maybe because they have to flip through more material) but I rarely see it done for the sciences.


We haven't had many major exams yet, they all come in the May/June so people have only been revising a little for either weekly tests and some progress tests. You don't revise problem sheets really because they aren't done under test conditions.

When it comes to the big exams people will revise a lot, around the same if not more than A-Level modules. If you don't understand something on the problem sheets, you should work at it a bit more. When really stuck, you can ask questions in weekly problem classes or even book an appointment with a lecturer.

Before exams/tests/problem sheets, some people look over lecture notes to help them, different strategies will work for different people.

The way you are assessed depends on your course and lecturers: problem sheets (assessed and not), weekly tests, progress tests, and exams.


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Reply 14
Original post by tommyth94
We haven't had many major exams yet, they all come in the May/June so people have only been revising a little for either weekly tests and some progress tests. You don't revise problem sheets really because they aren't done under test conditions.

When it comes to the big exams people will revise a lot, around the same if not more than A-Level modules. If you don't understand something on the problem sheets, you should work at it a bit more. When really stuck, you can ask questions in weekly problem classes or even book an appointment with a lecturer.

Before exams/tests/problem sheets, some people look over lecture notes to help them, different strategies will work for different people.

The way you are assessed depends on your course and lecturers: problem sheets (assessed and not), weekly tests, progress tests, and exams.


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Thanks so much for this btw, other people are probably reading your posts so its probably helping them to!!

You are a god !
Reply 15
Original post by Better
Thanks so much for this btw, other people are probably reading your posts so its probably helping them to!!

You are a god !


No worries man, I'm just in a good position to answer some questions being here! Would have helped loads when I was applying!


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Reply 16
I'm currently holding an offer for JMC for entry in October 2013 and will be firming it soon.
My offer is A*A*AA with the A* grades in Maths and Further Maths.

I am also planning on taking AEA and perhaps Step I & II. My question is that would Imperial consider a good grade in any of these papers in lieu of the A* in Further Maths.

Secondly, would doing all of the Further Pure modules help for the maths in the first year. I did FP1 last year and am being taught FP2 this year in school, but I am planning on taking FP3 privately - would this be useful? I am on the OCR board btw.

Also, you mentioned above that JMC students do not take the Mathematical Methods module but according to this link we do. I did see that those course options were for student in the first year studying from 2011 to 2012, and modules do change regularly so perhaps this has been removed. Can you clarify this.

Lastly, what is JMC actually like? Do you feel like you are doing an equal amount of Maths and Computing or is one of the strands slightly more weighted in terms of workload. Although maths has always been my strongest subject academically, my passion and interest is in Computing which is why I will probably specialise into Computing in the 3rd and 4th years.

Sorry if this seems like a lengthy post, I really appreciate your support.
Reply 17
Will you be able to get a spot in any hall or are some very popular?
Reply 18
Original post by tom95
I'm currently holding an offer for JMC for entry in October 2013 and will be firming it soon.
My offer is A*A*AA with the A* grades in Maths and Further Maths.

I am also planning on taking AEA and perhaps Step I & II. My question is that would Imperial consider a good grade in any of these papers in lieu of the A* in Further Maths.

Secondly, would doing all of the Further Pure modules help for the maths in the first year. I did FP1 last year and am being taught FP2 this year in school, but I am planning on taking FP3 privately - would this be useful? I am on the OCR board btw.

Also, you mentioned above that JMC students do not take the Mathematical Methods module but according to this link we do. I did see that those course options were for student in the first year studying from 2011 to 2012, and modules do change regularly so perhaps this has been removed. Can you clarify this.

Lastly, what is JMC actually like? Do you feel like you are doing an equal amount of Maths and Computing or is one of the strands slightly more weighted in terms of workload. Although maths has always been my strongest subject academically, my passion and interest is in Computing which is why I will probably specialise into Computing in the 3rd and 4th years.

Sorry if this seems like a lengthy post, I really appreciate your support.


I would say that phoning Imperial's undergraduate admissions is your best bet to answer the first question, but my guess would probably be yes. Even if you missed the A* on F. Maths you would still be considered to get in. The problem is, don't do AEA and STEP if it will take up the time you could spend bettering yourself at further maths. I'd focus on getting the A* as I reckon that is easier that the good grades in the additional exams.

I did FP3 on the Edexcel board and as it turns out a lot of material has come up in lectures. However, Imperial state that further maths is not required if you're school do not offer it, so you are taught what you need to know from scratch. I'd say that it would be useful to teach yourself FP3 so that you are used to some of the concepts in the first year, but it is not necessary at all.

JMC students (currently) do M1M1 Mathematical Methods in the first term (alongside other modules). This is not the same as M1C Mathematical Methods (I think that's the code) that is taken by computing students. Material may be similar. My point in the previous post is that computing students still do maths but are not assessed the same way JMC students are.

I fell that it is balanced at the moment in terms of quantity and content. However, the Maths feels like a building basis for the coming modules in the next few years. Maths students have a MATLAB project but we don't. So I feel like we're just learning new techniques etc. We have around the same modules in computing, but it feels slightly more weighted towards it in terms of workloads as we have weekly programming assignments that act as unofficial tests of coding skills. In reality, if you really hate one of the two it's not like you will hate your course (although I would ask to why you applied for JMC). In the third year you can tailor the course to around 80% of your desired path. (Don't hold me to that though.)

No worries about long post.


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Reply 19
Original post by dontbtz
Will you be able to get a spot in any hall or are some very popular?


Imperial guarantee a spot halls for all undergraduates that make them their FIRM choice via UCAS. This does not mean you will get you your first choice hall when it comes to applying for them, though.


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