MChem or MPhys?

First of all, currently studying Maths, Chemistry, Physics and History at AS at Sixth Form, scoring high A's in Maths, Chemistry and Physics in January and my first History exams in May.

I guess I always thought I was going to end up doing Chemistry at Uni, because I've really enjoyed the topic so far this year, like equilibria, catalysis, thermodynamics, the different types of bonding and reaction mechanisms, but less enjoy remembering conditions for countless reactions and the organicy stuff.

I really dislike Biology and want to keep my involvement with that to a minimum. I've always enjoyed Physics, but less than I have Chemistry. That may be down to a terrible teacher, but hey.

So, is a Chemistry degree really for me? Or would I be better suited for Physics? Any help would be much appreciated.

Thanks!

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Reply 1

Alexandra's Box

Well why would you prefer Physics? You've just mentioned Chemistry...

Reply 2

TheRobotLlama

Hmmm, what I really want to know is that is there much in Chemistry aside from Organic Chemistry? I enjoy a wider range of topics in Physics, but I don't know, it hasn't really clicked this year...

Reply 3

SnoochToTheBooch

I'm gonna vote for MPhys because chemistry is just too narrow. Physics is the daddy of all sciences.

Reply 4

tamimi

90% of chemistry is Organic. If you don't like that, then perhaps you should give some more thought to Physics.

Ed: Guys, please stop negging me. My course is clearly different to the general average. That's been established. :dong:

(edited 11 years ago)

Reply 5

chrisawhitmore

Original post by TheRobotLlama

Hmmm, what I really want to know is that is there much in Chemistry aside from Organic Chemistry? I enjoy a wider range of topics in Physics, but I don't know, it hasn't really clicked this year...

Well, I'm coming to the end of my 1st year on an MChem and Organic accounts for something like 27 of 120 credits (including organic labs) of that year. The organic chemistry we do is also a lot less tedious than at A-level, as the synthesis side focuses less on memorizing the exact temperatures for each reaction and more on building up a set of reactions you can use to create a given molecule from scratch.

On my course we were given 40/120 credits as free choice between physics, forensics, a softer chemistry based transferable skills module and Mathematics (picking 2 of the 4) so you can still tailor your course to pick up bits you find interesting.

Reply 6

mya369

Physics at uni is very different to AS physics. In fact, AS 'physics' isn't really physics at all. At uni you do everything much more thoroughly and end up covering some chemistry as well. My advice is to look at the kind of modules you take in chemistry and physics at uni, try and get your hands on uni textbooks if possible, ask as many people as possible for advice.

Reply 7

wanderlust.xx

Original post by SnoochToTheBooch

I'm gonna vote for MPhys because chemistry is just too narrow. Physics is the daddy of all sciences.

*cough* maths *cough*

Reply 8

vedderfan94

Physics > Chemistry

cue negs from butthurt chemistry students u jelly brah?

Reply 9

k9markiii

Original post by TheRobotLlama

To do physics you have to love maths as that is the language that most of physics is written in. It's quite a big step from A-levels as you have to apply A-level maths to physics problems. Neither are easy.

Reply 10

SnoochToTheBooch

Original post by wanderlust.xx

*cough* maths *cough*

nasty cough you've got there

Reply 11

chrisawhitmore

Original post by vedderfan94

Physics > Chemistry

cue negs from butthurt chemistry students u jelly brah?

One of the great advantages of Chemistry over Physics is that it doesn't turn you into a ridiculous internet cliche.

Oh, and you can set up an experiment in under 5 years.

Reply 12

vedderfan94

Original post by chrisawhitmore

One of the great advantages of Chemistry over Physics is that it doesn't turn you into a ridiculous internet cliche.

Oh, and you can set up an experiment in under 5 years.

Reply 13

EierVonSatan

Tricky, they're both physical sciences and if you enjoy them both maybe you should consider a joint course like natural sciences or chemical physics? There are lots of middle options and not just the chemistry vs. physics line of thinking. Take a good look at the modules of each type of degree and see what appeals to you...

Original post by tamimi

90% of chemistry is Organic. If you don't like that, then perhaps you should give some more thought to Physics.

It's really not.

(edited 11 years ago)

Reply 14

tamimi

Original post by EierVonSatan

It's really not.

It really is. If it wasn't, I wouldn't be studying it.

Nice that you mention that though, it brings to mind that some universities do "Chemistry of Materials"/"Material Chemistry" which is essentially molecular physics. I think it may meet OP's interests :smile:

Reply 15

chrisawhitmore

Original post by tamimi

To be honest, I haven't found that all that much of the degree has been organic so far (Inorganic and Physical are given equal weighting with Organic on my course). Where are you studying?

Reply 16

EierVonSatan

Original post by tamimi

It really is. If it wasn't, I wouldn't be studying it.

Your department/course must be very organic focused then :s-smilie:

It's much more common to hear complaints of students about there being too much physics in the course (at least at the start) :p:

Nice that you mention that though, it brings to mind that some universities do "Chemistry of Materials"/"Material Chemistry" which is essentially molecular physics. I think it may meet OP's interests :smile:

Lot's of options :yes:

Reply 17

Namige

Physics opens doors to more career paths. From accountancy to engineering to economics to ICT!

Reply 18

tamimi

Original post by chrisawhitmore

To be honest, I haven't found that all that much of the degree has been organic so far (Inorganic and Physical are given equal weighting with Organic on my course). Where are you studying?

Original post by EierVonSatan

Your department/course must be very organic focused then :s-smilie:

It's much more common to hear complaints of students about there being too much physics in the course (at least at the start) :p:

Lot's of options :yes:

I guess my course is just.. more organic. I like it though. :smile:

Not sure why I'm getting a lot of negging though :frown:

It's just opinion..

Reply 19

dreamer5757

Original post by TheRobotLlama

because I've really enjoyed the topic so far this year, like equilibria, catalysis, thermodynamics, the different types of bonding and reaction mechanisms

The first couple of years of a Chem degree have a lot of this stuff :tongue:

^^
I disliked learning all the reaction conditions and colours of metal ions etc. when I did Chem A level as well, and the degree is more of a mix of Physical, Inorganic (metals) and Organic. So when you get further on in the degree, you can specialise in Physical Chemistry, there are lots of people working in this field :cool: