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physics degree
hey, i was jst wondering how hard the transition is from a level to degree level
are the first few months started with a level topics and then a smooth progression to higher level?
are the first few months started with a level topics and then a smooth progression to higher level?
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You won't get a useful answer to this, really. What I can say is that if you enjoy it at A-level, you will enjoy it at university.
And the topics you meet in your first year will be related to things at A-level, yes. Fundamental ideas in mechanics, electromagnetism and mathematics, probably.
And the topics you meet in your first year will be related to things at A-level, yes. Fundamental ideas in mechanics, electromagnetism and mathematics, probably.
It seems to me that the first year in most universities is to reintroduce the key topics met at A-level in a way that will (i) teach you the material properly for further years; (ii) teach it in a way which is more akin to undergraduate physics. In both cases, that means treating the material with more maths.
I think it's in your second year that you start getting down to the real nitty-gritty, when areas such as QM, thermodynamics and statistical mechanics and Maxwell's equations are taught. So I guess you could think of your first year almost as the transition.
I hope that helps. There's (possibly) more I could say but it's quite hard to be any more general than that. Just post if you have any more questions.
I think it's in your second year that you start getting down to the real nitty-gritty, when areas such as QM, thermodynamics and statistical mechanics and Maxwell's equations are taught. So I guess you could think of your first year almost as the transition.
I hope that helps. There's (possibly) more I could say but it's quite hard to be any more general than that. Just post if you have any more questions.
Morbo is right, if you think there is a smooth transition from A' level to degree level physics, think again. But it depends on the student. If you're worried start looking into the sorts of things you will learn now. Maths is the same, GCSE to A' level is a quantum leap, A' level to degree level likewise, be prepared. I am and crap it aint going to be easy, in fact it's going to be a beyatch.
Morbo
You won't get a useful answer to this, really. What I can say is that if you enjoy it at A-level, you will enjoy it at university.
And the topics you meet in your first year will be related to things at A-level, yes. Fundamental ideas in mechanics, electromagnetism and mathematics, probably.
And the topics you meet in your first year will be related to things at A-level, yes. Fundamental ideas in mechanics, electromagnetism and mathematics, probably.
I disagree totally here, you can enjoy it at A-level and loathe it at uni. It is a totally different ball game.
Morbo
Well all the people I know on my course enjoy it and enjoyed it at A-level. So 
Lol, I admit my course is a bit crap but then I am out of physics for good at the end of the year, so not too much of a problem.
If you like Physics and don't mind using/like maths then university level physics is probably a good thing to do. If your near the top of your class then the first 3-6 months will be painfully slow while they teach the "A level revision stage" but after that things get much better.
Could anyone tell me how optics and thermodynamics look like at university level? I'm curious because it's what I'm possibly taking in the second semester of my degree and was hoping it wouldn't be too mind boggling.
Also, how difficult is mechanics and dynamics? I love most areas of physics and generally feel quite confident with them but I'm a little apprehensive about mechanics and dynamics (a first semester module).
Also, how difficult is mechanics and dynamics? I love most areas of physics and generally feel quite confident with them but I'm a little apprehensive about mechanics and dynamics (a first semester module).
Hopping Mad Kangaroo
I disagree totally here, you can enjoy it at A-level and loathe it at uni. It is a totally different ball game.
I agree, around 8 or so people in my college in first year were planning on specialising in physics, now there are only two of us and to be honest I'm only doing it because I can.
0 div curl F
If you like Physics and don't mind using/like maths then university level physics is probably a good thing to do. If your near the top of your class then the first 3-6 months will be painfully slow while they teach the "A level revision stage" but after that things get much better.
We didn't really do much A-level revsion, maybe the first lecture or so on a new course, but most of it was fairly new.
Although the first term of maths was mainly A-level further maths in a bit more detail.
Robob
We didn't really do much A-level revsion, maybe the first lecture or so on a new course, but most of it was fairly new.
Although the first term of maths was mainly A-level further maths in a bit more detail.
Although the first term of maths was mainly A-level further maths in a bit more detail.
what uni do you go to?
Sidhe
Morbo is right, if you think there is a smooth transition from A' level to degree level physics, think again. But it depends on the student. If you're worried start looking into the sorts of things you will learn now. Maths is the same, GCSE to A' level is a quantum leap, A' level to degree level likewise, be prepared. I am and crap it aint going to be easy, in fact it's going to be a beyatch.
Just a pet peeve of mine: as the Physicist I assume you are, please don't use the expression "quantum leap"!
As others have said, first year is the way they make the transition as smooth as possible. I suppose it depends on the course structure and the university (some universities are more maths intensive than others, for example).
I don't remember much in the way of re-hashing A level stuff in the first year, it was just assumed that we knew it all. We built upon A level really, but it wasn't to a scary level. Second year onwards is the more sophisticated stuff (QM, statistical physics etc)
ashy
Just a pet peeve of mine: as the Physicist I assume you are, please don't use the expression "quantum leap"!
As others have said, first year is the way they make the transition as smooth as possible. I suppose it depends on the course structure and the university (some universities are more maths intensive than others, for example).
I don't remember much in the way of re-hashing A level stuff in the first year, it was just assumed that we knew it all. We built upon A level really, but it wasn't to a scary level. Second year onwards is the more sophisticated stuff (QM, statistical physics etc)
As others have said, first year is the way they make the transition as smooth as possible. I suppose it depends on the course structure and the university (some universities are more maths intensive than others, for example).
I don't remember much in the way of re-hashing A level stuff in the first year, it was just assumed that we knew it all. We built upon A level really, but it wasn't to a scary level. Second year onwards is the more sophisticated stuff (QM, statistical physics etc)
My university has totally failed on that one. There is no real transition, they just shove you in the deep end with the worst lecturers...
Related discussions
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- math or physics degree?
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