Official Durham Applicants Thread 2011

Ah great for me then, I have done M1 and M2, S1 and S2, D1, which probably won't be too helpful and FP1,2 and 3, though I imagine I might have to refine some of my methods when I get to uni as I like to take shortcuts, especially when doing first and second order differential equations. I'm hoping physics will be full of the kind of maths I can do well.

And I think there are enough girls in Durham to pick any college, and I have also heard St Marys has the stereotype of being full of lesbians, which I am sure isn't true, but might drive away the boys who ahve heard that.

All accomodation is done after results day I think, so they know exactly who will be living in the college.

Since I'm an international student, I dont know when thats gonna be! Do you know?

Since I'm an international student, I dont know when thats gonna be! Do you know?

I think you'll be well set for first year, and maybe a fair bit of second year too (depending on how much differentials you've done). Taking shortcuts for first and second order differentials probably won't be much of a problem - when we get to more complicated ones (especially partials), it's usually just declaring 'this is the answer' - more so in quantum mechanics with the Schroedinger equation.

Ah yeah, that's a good point. I don't know where I picked up that stereotype, because I don't remember anyone telling me it.

Oh sorry! Its 18th of August, so you will hear from Durham after that, or possibly just after when your results day. Do you have any results pending as part of a conditional offer or do you have an unconditional offer?

I have a conditional offer in hand but the condition has now been fulfilled! I just have to intimate Durham! Also, I was sent a college membership form in when I stated my preferred college (Mildert) but I did not hear back from them. However, in my offer letter it says I'm in Mildert. Is that strange or do they not let students know they've been accepted? :\

I'm not sure. Do Durham know you have fulfilled your offer?

Nope, I don't have a marksheet yet, I just know what my results are because they were posted online!

Congratulations! Did you apply through UCAS?

No I didn't! I applied thru the university website! And, thank you Are you a current student at Durham?

No, we're all applicants =)

Undergrad I'm guessing? Obviously, I haven't come across too many grad students like myself to answer my queries!

Well I'm finding differential equations easy at the moment, so we probably haven't gone that deep into it. There are probably more particular integrals to learn. How did you find the practical physics modules?

No I didn't! I applied thru the university website! And, thank you Are you a current student at Durham?

There are several second order partial differential equations which we're not expected to even know how to solve - just that "the solution to a [insert name of mathematician here] equation is a [another name] function", and not even to know what the function is. It gets pretty hairy.

Practical physics, I assume lab modules? I flit between really enjoying them, and hating their guts. First year, and start of second year, they generally feel quite short and pointless, and not enough time to finish the work required. As you get into second year, they get a lot more enjoyable because they're spread over a longer time period, and there's a lot more help available.

A few people are worried that taking a lab module in 3rd year will drag down their grades (lab reports are our equivalent of essays, and I always get 62-68, no matter how much work I've put into them), but now I feel more reassured that they'll help me get at least a 2:1.

Ah I haven't done partial differential equations yet, that will be something to learn over the summer/first year. You may be surprised that one of the conditions of my offer is an A in A Level further maths which I was surprised at considering you don't even need that for single maths for this year!
I was relieved when I found out I only do the first lab module and your comments are reassuring that I'll get through them. I looked at a thread about university scores, saying over 80 was publishable standard, do you ever get over 70 in any of your pieces of work?