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Should I choose to do a further maths a-level or a biology a-level?

I've just finished my GCSEs and achieved 6a*'s,3a's,2b's and a distinction in additional maths.
I was previously considering a career in medicine but I am currently more inclined to follow a career in physics, I would however like to leave my options open should I change my mind.
My question is whether I need Further Maths at A-level to follow a career in physics? I have currently chosen to take Maths,Physics, Chemistry and Biology but I'm wondering whether I should change biology to further maths. I have enjoyed both maths and biology at GCSE so I do not have a preference of subject in terms of enjoyment.
Can someone help me choose between these subjects?
(edited 8 years ago)
Reply 1
Original post by FoolHardyOwl
I've just finished my GCSEs and achieved 6a*'s,3a's,2b's and a distinction in additional maths.
I was previously considering a career in medicine but I am currently more inclined to follow a career in physics, I would however like to leave my options open should I change my mind.
My question is whether I need Further Maths at A-level to follow a career in physics? I have currently chosen to take Maths,Physics, Chemistry and Biology but I'm wondering whether I should change biology to further maths. I have enjoyed both maths and biology at GCSE so I do not have a preference of subject in terms of enjoyment.
Can someone help me choose between these subjects?


I you going to read Physics in a top University my advice is to do Further maths, without mickey mouse modules such as D1 /D2
Reply 2
Original post by TeeEm
I you going to read Physics in a top University my advice is to do Further maths, without mickey mouse modules such as D1 /D2


What would be the minimum number of mechanics modules (for Maths+Further Maths) that the top universities expect for a physics degree? (the information might be useful to the OP).
(edited 8 years ago)
Reply 3
Original post by flibber
What would be the minimum number of mechanics modules (for Maths+Further Maths) that the top universities expect for a Physics degree? (the information might be useful to the OP).


they do not expect, given you have done physics.
But my advice is FP1 to FP3 with all M modules (2 in straight and 3 in further)
Original post by TeeEm
they do not expect, given you have done physics.
But my advice is FP1 to FP3 with all M modules (2 in straight and 3 in further)


To be frank not many take m5 and I am sure top uni are aware of that 😅

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Reply 5
Original post by Duke Glacia
To be frank not many take m5 and I am sure top uni are aware of that 😅

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I am aware of that but this would be my advice
Reply 6
Original post by TeeEm
I am aware of that but this would be my advice


Would statistics ever come in handy for a physics degree?
Original post by flibber
Would statistics ever come in handy for a physics degree?


More useful than d modules but not as m modules.

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Reply 8
Original post by flibber
Would statistics ever come in handy for a physics degree?


they would but either you teach yourself or you do more modules
Original post by TeeEm
they would but either you teach yourself or you do more modules


Btw I have a question.

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Original post by TeeEm
they would but either you teach yourself or you do more modules


Was a levels tougher in your days?

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Reply 11
Original post by Duke Glacia
Was a levels tougher in your days?

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Definitely harder but the real difference they were broader.
If you had done Maths/Further Maths 30 years ago you probably would have covered 50% more material than what you cover today.
Original post by TeeEm
Definitely harder but the real difference they were broader.
If you had done Maths/Further Maths 30 years ago you probably would have covered 50% more material than what you cover today.


So I guess M5 was like c2. Those days. Btw do you know the book (classical mechanics by qualding and Ramsay)

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Reply 13
Original post by Duke Glacia
So I guess M5 was like c2. Those days. Btw do you know the book (classical mechanics by qualding and Ramsay)

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that is probably an exaggeration ...
yes I own the book
Original post by TeeEm
that is probably an exaggeration ...
yes I own the book


My dad had the book. And I saw few topics about moment of inertia and at the end of the book there were few pp for Cambridge Bristol etc. So I thought high schoolers 30 years back did study something like M5

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Reply 15
Original post by Duke Glacia
My dad had the book. And I saw few topics about moment of inertia and at the end of the book there were few pp for Cambridge Bristol etc. So I thought high schoolers 30 years back did study something like M5

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there was more mechanics until 10 years ago.
There was an M6 which is now obsolete.
Original post by TeeEm
there was more mechanics until 10 years ago.
There was an M6 which is now obsolete.


What topics were covered? Would have loved it!

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Reply 17
Unconstrained motion with 2 degrees of freedom
(such advanced projectiles on inclines, motion described in polar coordinates)


Constrained motion with 1 degree of freedom
(intrinsic coordinates)

Unconstrained rotational motion with 1/2 degrees of freedom
(rolling hoops, unconstrained rods freely moving etc)
Reply 18
Original post by Duke Glacia
What topics were covered? Would have loved it!

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Unconstrained motion with 2 degrees of freedom
(such advanced projectiles on inclines, motion described in polar coordinates)


Constrained motion with 1 degree of freedom
(intrinsic coordinates)

Unconstrained rotational motion with 1/2 degrees of freedom
(rolling hoops, unconstrained rods freely moving etc)

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