Maths with Physics or NatSci

I'm not applying until next year, but I'm looking at my options. Basically, I've been looking at Maths and Physics courses, and Theoretical Physics. I looked at the Cambridge courses, and it seems to me you can do Maths and Physics both by applying to Maths and to Natural Sciences. Is there any reason why you should apply to one instead of the other?

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Reply 1

LadyJaneGrey

Yeah...I was in your position last year and went for Maths with Physics.

My reason was that although I want to end up with a Physics degree, I don't want to give up Pure Paths yet and I quite like the sound of the first year Maths course, so I went for Maths and Physics and if I get in (lol, big if there) I'll choose to do just Physics at the end of the first year (although I could change my mind and choose to do just Maths).

Also bear in mind that if you do NatSci you'll have to take at least one course in Chemistry in the first year because there aren't enough Maths and Physics modules availible in the first year to do just Maths and Physics.

So yeah, in the end, I choose Maths and Physics because I wanted to do Pure Maths at uni more than I wanted to do Chemistry.

Reply 2

Agneisse

Draconis

For NatSci (Physical) only half your first year is Physicky (Physics + Maths A/B) and the other half is two options from computers, materials or geology (or chemistry/some of 3 biology papers), but in Maths/Physics it's 3/4 Maths and 1/4 Physics so no extra fluff. Maths w/ Physics offers almost always have STEP though, and NatSci rarely/never.

So I think, if you're not sure you want to do physics or if you want to do some other science subjects outside physics, NatSci is nice, but if you're dead set on Physics and don't want to do anything else than Maths w/ Phys seems like a better option.

Reply 3

Draconis

If I applied for NatSci with a personal statement on only Maths and Physics (no chemistry), would I be at a disadvantage?

Reply 4

Draconis

Oh, and if you apply for Maths with Physics, would the mathematical part of your interview be mainly mechanics related?

Reply 5

LadyJaneGrey

No, I don't think so because you get to write in your SAQ (the additional form you fill out online for Cambridge) about why you like/want to study Chemistry. I think Cambridge get that not all universities to Natural Sciences.

About the interview - I think a lot depends on your college, but it said somewhere online that when you apply for Maths and Physics, you have to be as good at Maths as a straight mathematician and be good at Physics...so you'd still have a fairly pure interview.

Reply 6

Scipio90

Don't go for maths and physics if you're sure you want to do physics and just want to avoid chemistry IMO. If that's the case, you'd probably be better off doing straight physics elsewhere.

They expect the same level of maths as for pure maths, and you'll have to have a strong interest and commitment for the subject to get through the maths you do. Have a look at the options you'll be doing in maths and physics, and if they interest you for their own sake, consider it, but if you'll only end up switching to Natsci 1B, it's probably not worth it IMO, especially considering you'll have a lot more stress/work in exam time for STEP.

LadyJaneGrey

Also bear in mind that if you do NatSci you'll have to take at least one course in Chemistry in the first year

No.

Draconis

If I applied for NatSci with a personal statement on only Maths and Physics (no chemistry), would I be at a disadvantage?

No, mine just mentioned maths and physics.

Draconis

Oh, and if you apply for Maths with Physics, would the mathematical part of your interview be mainly mechanics related?

I would imagine not, since you do a substantial amount of pure as well.

Reply 7

Vivisteiner

Bear in mind also that Maths with Physics means 2/3 Maths, 1/3 Physics. If you're more Physics oriented it would probably be better to do Natural Sciences.

I vaguely remember hearing that the Maths with Physics course is extremely tough (even when compared to Nat Sci) Can anyone verify that?

Reply 8

LadyJaneGrey

Scipio90

No.

Sorry, yeah, I meant something other than just Maths and Physics and that for me would only ever have been something Chemistry related, if I ended up applying and getting for NatSci.

And sorry to OP for any confusion!

Reply 9

Scipio90

Vivisteiner

Bear in mind also that Maths with Physics means 2/3 Maths, 1/3 Physics.

3/4, 1/4.

Reply 10

Zhen Lin

Although some of them turn up for Numbers and Sets lectures anyway. Not sure if they do the supervisions though...

Reply 11

smilepea

Zhen Lin

Although some of them turn up for Numbers and Sets lectures anyway. Not sure if they do the supervisions though...

It depends on the college, at Caius they do, so you basically do 125% of the work for the first year, this is the reason why I didn't swap to maths with physics even though I miss physics soooo much :frown:

Reply 12

KwungSun

Maybe if you already know which areas of physics interest you more you could let that factor into your decision? If you're more into theoretical you probably want all the maths you can get, if you're more into applied (especially stuff like semi-conductor or biological) those chemistry/bio/materials classes in first year Natsci might be useful.

Also Natsci has a less cumbersome admissions process in that you're not required to take STEP and don't have to get 99% on all your maths UMS modules (I know that is not really a requirement, but they look very closely at your maths UMS when applying for maths afaik).

Reply 13

Draconis

Hmm.. I think I would be better in a NatSci interview, but eventually I'd like to specialise in Mathematical Physics/Theoretical Physics. And the STEP scares me. :p:

I don't mind doing Chemistry, so I think I should apply for NatSci. Thanks for all the help :biggrin:

Reply 14

Swayum

Vivisteiner

Bear in mind also that Maths with Physics means 2/3 Maths, 1/3 Physics. If you're more Physics oriented it would probably be better to do Natural Sciences.

Scipio90

3/4, 1/4.

The St. John's admissions tutor said it's split more like 75%-75% (so it's like you're doing one and a half degrees because the work load is so much).

Reply 15

TableChair

Swayum

The St. John's admissions tutor said it's split more like 75%-75% (so it's like you're doing one and a half degrees because the work load is so much).

Well given that the physics course is only 25% of first year natsci, surely the maximum it could be is 125%...

Reply 16

Swayum

TableChair

Well given that the physics course is only 25% of first year natsci, surely the maximum it could be is 125%...

We were talking about the Maths and Physics course...

Reply 17

TableChair

Swayum

We were talking about the Maths and Physics course...

I thought first year maths and physics students did maths 1A and the physics part of 1A natsci?

Reply 18

MC REN

For what it is worth, Materials would be taught under Physics in many places so is really just another Physics option

Reply 19

MC REN

TableChair

I thought first year maths and physics students did maths 1A and the physics part of 1A natsci?

Yer that's right, you aren't doing 1 and a half degree courses - you're doing 1, like 75% of the maths (presumably, it might be closer to 67% or whatever for all I know) and then 25% of natsci