2015 Physics Applicants

OP

I tried reading that book but just couldn't make it through...
Bath is so nice, I just wish they did Astro research ╮(╯▽╰)╭

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(edited 9 years ago)

Reply 22

Planckton

11

Original post by Anaris

I think it leaves me with more options, I'm not to sure on the specifics, I know that if you take a MSci it's an extra year, but I think the content of the first 3 years is the same for BSc and MSci.
I imagine the MSci is more competitive, and seeing as it's probably going to be difficult to get a place anyway I'd rather just get into a university I want to, and go from there

If you apply for MSci and get an offer but miss the grades, most unis will guarantee you a place on the BSc is you meet the offer for that! Much easier to go down to the BSc from the MSci than it is to go up

Reply 23

Anaris

1

Original post by k_slatch

If you apply for MSci and get an offer but miss the grades, most unis will guarantee you a place on the BSc is you meet the offer for that! Much easier to go down to the BSc from the MSci than it is to go up

Thanks!

Original post by k_slatch

Warning: would probably advise against a brief history of time- most tutors recognise that you won't understand the vast majority, therefore no point

I've basically finished reading A Brief History of Time now -_-
Are there any other books which should be avoided?
I just purchased QED by Feynman

Reply 24

OP

Original post by Anaris

Thanks!

I've basically finished reading A Brief History of Time now -_-
Are there any other books which should be avoided?
I just purchased QED by Feynman

I heard QED has a lot of maths in it so I stayed away from it, tell me if it makes any sense!

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Reply 25

Original post by Anaris

Thanks!

I've basically finished reading A Brief History of Time now -_-
Are there any other books which should be avoided?
I just purchased QED by Feynman

QED is quite technical but it's fascinating so I definitely recommend reading it regardless. It's only quite short but I had to re-read a lot of it so it does take a while. I wouldn't recommend reading some of the Brian Greene books if you're aiming to talk about them at an interview, just because they are incredibly long and it would be difficult to remember things, unless you want to make notes of course! :smile:

Reply 26

Hello!

-Liverpool, England
-AS: Physics, Maths, Further Maths, Philosophy & Ethics, General Studies (if that counts, doubt it does), EPQ
-A2: (already done) Physics, Maths, Further Maths
-Achieved AAAAB at AS, EPQ predicted A/A*, A2 predicted A*A*A
-Interested in Cosmology
-Still looking at universities, hopefully somewhere good that is also close to a city with a big heavy metal scene (i.e. London/Manchester)
-Applying for Physics MSci
-Taking a gap year, working as an intern in the University of Liverpool Particle Physics department

Reply 27

OP

Original post by snb1234

Hello!

-Liverpool, England
-AS: Physics, Maths, Further Maths, Philosophy & Ethics, General Studies (if that counts, doubt it does), EPQ
-A2: (already done) Physics, Maths, Further Maths
-Achieved AAAAB at AS, EPQ predicted A/A*, A2 predicted A*A*A
-Interested in Cosmology
-Still looking at universities, hopefully somewhere good that is also close to a city with a big heavy metal scene (i.e. London/Manchester)
-Applying for Physics MSci
-Taking a gap year, working as an intern in the University of Liverpool Particle Physics department

\m/
What do you do as an intern? Seems like awesome experience!

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Reply 28

Planckton

11

Original post by Anaris

Thanks!

I've basically finished reading A Brief History of Time now -_-
Are there any other books which should be avoided?
I just purchased QED by Feynman

A friend is reading Six Easy Pieces and is enjoying it, could try that?
I think the best advice is to find others who have read the book you're interested in, and try and stay within your ability level

Reply 29

Original post by DanRigg96#

\m/
What do you do as an intern? Seems like awesome experience!

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I know! I literally jumped at the opportunity, and it's handy because I actually live in Liverpool, some of the interns are coming from down south... The department is helping build components for a new set of giant telescopes called the Cherenkov Telescope Array, and so I will be helping with the development of those and also helping to develop the software for them. I will also be able to go to undergraduate lectures, us interns will have special lectures on the Standard Model to help us and we can also go to postgraduate lectures on programming which is helpful. But yeah basically I'm very excited!

Reply 30

OP

Original post by snb1234

I know! I literally jumped at the opportunity, and it's handy because I actually live in Liverpool, some of the interns are coming from down south... The department is helping build components for a new set of giant telescopes called the Cherenkov Telescope Array, and so I will be helping with the development of those and also helping to develop the software for them. I will also be able to go to undergraduate lectures, us interns will have special lectures on the Standard Model to help us and we can also go to postgraduate lectures on programming which is helpful. But yeah basically I'm very excited!

Lucky sod! Haha
I hope you enjoy it!

Reply 31

JackRowbotham

Original post by Anaris

I thought that you can complete a BSc then apply to continue with an MSci?
I'm doing a Nuffield Research Placement at Cardiff Uni and a Sutton Trust Summer School in Physics at Imperial

When are you doing your Nuffeild placement? Im doing it right now :smile:

have you had any problems with it?

Reply 32

MangoFreak

17

-Norfolk
-I'll have AS Latin, Creative Writing and Psychology, and am taking Physics, Chemistry, Maths, and Further Maths to A2 (I might continue with Creative Writing).
-I find it difficult to be uninterested in most areas of Physics, I can be interested in everything from quantum to relativity; probably leaning towards relativity.
-I'm probably applying to Cambridge (my UMS might **** me), York, UCL, Manchester and Bath.
-I'll probably go for Physics MPhys (or NatSci if Cambridge) since I'm not really ready to specialise yet.

Oh my god I have no idea what books to read help :colonhash:

Reply 33

JackRowbotham

1. Great Casterton, Rutland
2.AS Physics (obviously) Maths Chemistry Geography(dropping at A2)
(no idea what grades i'll get, had the potential but didn't put enough work in)
3. Particle, Nano, Astro, Cosmology, Theoretical, Quantum (pretty much everything but mechanics/materials)
4. Nottingham, Durham, Surrey, UCL (not sure about London)
5. Not sure yet, maybe Theoretical but want to do MSci

Doing a Nuffeild Research placement also this summer at Nottingham uni in the Magnetic Resonance centre, and I applied for a Sutton trust summer school and got rejected, makes me wonder what they make their decision on seeing as their were no questions or tests... *cough*income*cough*

(not that that's a bad thing, less well off kids do deserve good opportunities, equal rights and all)

Reply 34

OP

Original post by MangoFreak

-Norfolk
-I'll have AS Latin, Creative Writing and Psychology, and am taking Physics, Chemistry, Maths, and Further Maths to A2 (I might continue with Creative Writing).
-I find it difficult to be uninterested in most areas of Physics, I can be interested in everything from quantum to relativity; probably leaning towards relativity.
-I'm probably applying to Cambridge (my UMS might **** me), York, UCL, Manchester and Bath.
-I'll probably go for Physics MPhys (or NatSci if Cambridge) since I'm not really ready to specialise yet.

Oh my god I have no idea what books to read help :colonhash:

That's a lot of subjects!
Can't recommend these books enough

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Reply 35

MangoFreak

17

Original post by DanRigg96#

That's a lot of subjects!
Can't recommend these books enough

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Oh those look cool. I have a book written by Lorentz on relativity, it will be interesting to read another take on it.

Reply 36

If any of you guys like Particle Physics, I spotted a new book which looks really good. Most of the Particle Physics books out there are pre-higgs discovery so this is just something new, I'm going to be buying it myself...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Smashing-Physics-Jon-Butterworth-ebook/dp/B00IJZRUMO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1404492981&sr=8-1&keywords=smashing+physics

Reply 37

Anaris

1

Original post by JackRowbotham

When are you doing your Nuffeild placement? Im doing it right now :smile:

have you had any problems with it?

I don't start mine until late July, how are you finding it?
Mine takes place over 4 weeks and my Sutton Trust Summer School takes place in the middle, so I will have to stop and come back to it :/

(edited 9 years ago)

Reply 38

JackRowbotham

Original post by Anaris

I don't start mine until late July, how are you finding it?
Mine takes place over 4 weeks and my Sutton Trust Summer School takes place in the middle, so I will have to stop and come back to it :/

It's definitely interesting, but it's hard work. I'm working in the Sir Peter Mansfield magnetic resonance centre at Nottingham uni and the Professor who's supervising me is making it really hard and I'm only one week in, but I think that's a good thing, would prefer to be mentally challenged rather than do easy things! Where are you doing yours? That's some serious commitment haha, 6 weeks of your summer, but uni's will find it hard to say no to you!

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Reply 39

Fred Cantoni