Article: I want to study science, maths or social science at university… what maths options should I take?

Decision Maths is being abolished

:yay:

Reply 3

the bear

Decision Maths is being abolished

:danceboy:

Reply 4

LifeIsFine

Original post by the bear

Decision Maths is being abolished

:danceboy:

Dont worry; it's still an option in further maths :wink:

Reply 5

minjinoor

10

TAKE STATS

i did both stats and mechanics and i can tell you, mech is only useful to those doing physics long term, you can do better in STATS

Reply 6

Athematica

18

Mathematics courses seem to prefer Mechanics modules to Stats ones - Cambridge explicitly state so on their website but others have said so in email correspondence with me.

Computer science courses prefer Physics as one of a candidates A Level options and say that while both probability and mechanics courses would be useful that they do like to see advanced mechanics studied under further maths.

In general, it seems Pure > Mechanics > Stats is how courses in the 'hard' sciences prefer a candidate to load up in mathematics courses at A Level.

Reply 7

Zacken

22

In practice, however, if you're going to a good uni to do maths - your modules aren't going to matter at all. You'll be taught everything properly from scratch anyway and almost all of the content is different from A-Level maths, so pick whatever modules you want - it's not going to matter.

Reply 8

LifeIsFine

Original post by Zacken

In practice, however, if you're going to a good uni to do maths - your modules aren't going to matter at all. You'll be taught everything properly from scratch anyway and almost all of the content is different from A-Level maths, so pick whatever modules you want - it's not going to matter.

Even for STEP?
(btw what would you say are the best modules for this if one was just doing maths and further maths?)

Reply 9

Zacken

22

Original post by LifeIsFine

Even for STEP?
(btw what would you say are the best modules for this if one was just doing maths and further maths?)

As much pure as possible, and no decision. Then whatever else you want.

Reply 10

LifeIsFine

Original post by Zacken

As much pure as possible, and no decision. Then whatever else you want.

Thanks for the advice, Zacken :biggrin:

Reply 11

AAls

15

Engineering (especially civil and mechanical) - Mechanics

Computer Science - Mechanics/Statistics (I don't see what skills you gain from the decision modules. They're uselsss. )

Economics/Medicine/Chem - Statistics is the most relevant but I'd say pick whatever module you think you'd enjoy the most

Mathematics- Further Pure modules and then mechanics

Physics - Mechanics

For non-stem, it's irrelevant what you pick.

Reply 12

Original post by Zacken

As much pure as possible, and no decision. Then whatever else you want.

Zacken what's wrong with Decision Maths.

I've never looked at Decision maths since I don't do ComputerScience and WJEC board don't offer Decision modules.

This year I'm taking M2,M3,S2

Reply 13

Zacken

22

Original post by Maths is Life

Zacken what's wrong with Decision Maths.

I've never looked at Decision maths since I don't do ComputerScience and WJEC board don't offer Decision modules.

This year I'm taking M2,M3,S2

It's mind-bogglingly dull and useless for anything you could possibly think of.

Reply 14

Original post by AAls

Engineering (especially civil and mechanical) - Mechanics

Computer Science - Mechanics/Statistics (I don't see what skills you gain from the decision modules. They're uselsss. )

Economics/Medicine/Chem - Statistics is the most relevant but I'd say pick whatever module you think you'd enjoy the most

Mathematics- Further Pure modules and then mechanics

Physics - Mechanics

For non-stem, it's irrelevant what you pick.

Although Economics is a social science would you consider it to be a 'proper' STEM?
Theres alot of support for Economics even on PhysicsMaths website but I never could be bothered with the essays and overly tedious theory.

I thought I failed it but I dropped it with a B at AS. I'm happy I didn't fail but the A2 exams look demanding...(specimens)

(edited 7 years ago)

Reply 15

Original post by Zacken

It's mind-bogglingly dull and useless for anything you could possibly think of.

If you took you A levels in the usual 2 years would you do Computer Science?

I really want to do A-level Statistics as I want 4 quals but there are 6 EXAMS!

I mean whats more difficult;
S3/4 or Last A-level stats unit?

(edited 7 years ago)

Reply 16

AAls

15

Original post by Maths is Life

Although Economics is a social science would you consider it to be a 'proper' STEM?
Theres alot of support for Economics even on PhysicsMaths website but I never could be bothered with the essays and overly tedious theory.

I thought I failed it but I dropped it with a B at AS. I'm happy I didn't fail but the A2 exams look demanding...(specimens)

Definitely wouldn't class Economics at that category at A level but at uni level there's a lot of maths involved so I put it alongside the stem subjects.

I didn't pick it at a level for that reason.

Reply 17