This discussion is now closed.
Check out other Related discussions
- Oxford University for Computer Science
- How to prepare to get into Oxford University?
- Which unis to consider for a student with these predicted grades
- Oxford Economics and Management
- Four Subjects important for Oxford?
- Oxford or Cambridge?
- Do I need to do Maths A-Level for medicine at Oxford?
- Suggested A levels for Cambridge cs?
- Reapplying to Cambridge medicine
- Should I apply?
- Do Oxford maths prefer 4A levels?
- Personal Statement for Mathematics at Oxford
- which Oxford college is best for chemistry?
- should i still apply for oxbridge Maths
- Canadian Intl. Student Help
- Nat 5 for Oxford
- Economics at Oxford: is there enough maths?
- Does econ and management at Oxford involve enough maths?
- Oxford choice - MATHS or MATHS & CS
- Can I sit an A Level in Y12 and two in Y13 and get into Oxford?
Maths at Oxford!
Scroll to see replies
Waldo Dobbs
It's hard choosing now when you're only halfway through your A-levels (one of the worst aspects of the current application system IMO), but you have to choose the subject you love the most. I've known a fair few fourth year physicists and chemists and they loathed their subject by the time they had finished. If you don't live and breathe your subject, don't do it at Oxford is my advice. Don't just pick the subject you're best at - you have to enjoy it.
Speaking as a former chemist who switched to a joint school in maths, I would have to disagree. No practicals (bar the odd Maple session for you straight mathmos), no need to hand in copious amounts of notes for assessment and so forth. The time you are required to spend on the course depends solely on your aptitude. If you're dumb like me, it takes a lot of time. If you're blessed, it doesn't.
Speaking as a former chemist who switched to a joint school in maths, I would have to disagree. No practicals (bar the odd Maple session for you straight mathmos), no need to hand in copious amounts of notes for assessment and so forth. The time you are required to spend on the course depends solely on your aptitude. If you're dumb like me, it takes a lot of time. If you're blessed, it doesn't.
Yeah possibly, but as I do maths and comp sci I have practicals and they take up a whole load of time.
dieeiervonsatan
Yeah possibly, but as I do maths and comp sci I have practicals and they take up a whole load of time.
Amen to that. As an aside for anyone interested in maths and compsci, most compsci practicals involve you coming up with at most about one and a half hundred lines of code - the framework is given and you just have to come up with the implementation of an algorithm. It can take a long time - lots of tutors are terrible at documenting their code or listing the relevant methods.
The two exceptions that I know of are Object Oriented Programming (second year course) and Object Oriented Design (third year) - both of which involve building your own programs from the ground up. Very fun. Lot of work, but you get an amazing buzz when your program works because it is your baby.
seen as i'm at the top of RichE's list of people to ask (nb, prolly because i spend the most time on tsr and definitely not my math prowess) i figure i best say something.
dieeiervonsaton is right - the pure aspect is very interesting but i only really got into it during the last few months (ie, when i was revising) but up until that point i'd be lying if i said i'd given it a chance and worked really hard at it. so if you work at it it does reward you, and how much you work at it will determine how much you enjoy it. but beware, the pure aspect is completely different to anything you've ever done at a-level, and the pace at which your taught it is pretty hectic. to many i think its daunting in the first few weeks, but its definitely not impossible - and once it clicks your away.
the applied side is more my thing - for a long time i was also contemplating doing an engineering degree. if you've done further maths, especially pure and mechanics modules then you'll have a good basis for applied maths at uni, and i found it easier to adapt to applied than pure purely because of said experience. however, after the first few weeks you'll be on completely new material so don't relax!
after i finished my first term i kinda took my foot off the boil. if there is anything i'd say to future students it would be do not take your foot off at all. keep work ticking over and keep on top of it. after the second term finished i had to work solidly until exams, and i did - my friends will tell you the library was almost my second home in the last month but my mark, although better than i expected left my tutors and myself disappointed. i know i could have done better and myself justice if i had worked that second term. if you want to do fulfill your potential you need to work. the workload is nothing fantastic - if you go to the lectures and do the problem sheets and revise thoroughly you'll get a decent second. however, just spending an extra hour or so during the day will make no end of improvement.
forgive my ramble, but my first year maths degree has been an experience i would not like to have missed out on, and if you enjoy it and are willing to work at it, a maths degree at oxford is one of the most rewarding things - not jut your job prospects but you as a person as well - you could do.
dieeiervonsaton is right - the pure aspect is very interesting but i only really got into it during the last few months (ie, when i was revising) but up until that point i'd be lying if i said i'd given it a chance and worked really hard at it. so if you work at it it does reward you, and how much you work at it will determine how much you enjoy it. but beware, the pure aspect is completely different to anything you've ever done at a-level, and the pace at which your taught it is pretty hectic. to many i think its daunting in the first few weeks, but its definitely not impossible - and once it clicks your away.
the applied side is more my thing - for a long time i was also contemplating doing an engineering degree. if you've done further maths, especially pure and mechanics modules then you'll have a good basis for applied maths at uni, and i found it easier to adapt to applied than pure purely because of said experience. however, after the first few weeks you'll be on completely new material so don't relax!
after i finished my first term i kinda took my foot off the boil. if there is anything i'd say to future students it would be do not take your foot off at all. keep work ticking over and keep on top of it. after the second term finished i had to work solidly until exams, and i did - my friends will tell you the library was almost my second home in the last month but my mark, although better than i expected left my tutors and myself disappointed. i know i could have done better and myself justice if i had worked that second term. if you want to do fulfill your potential you need to work. the workload is nothing fantastic - if you go to the lectures and do the problem sheets and revise thoroughly you'll get a decent second. however, just spending an extra hour or so during the day will make no end of improvement.
forgive my ramble, but my first year maths degree has been an experience i would not like to have missed out on, and if you enjoy it and are willing to work at it, a maths degree at oxford is one of the most rewarding things - not jut your job prospects but you as a person as well - you could do.
El Chueco
seen as i'm at the top of RichE's list of people to ask (nb, prolly because i spend the most time on tsr and definitely not my math prowess) i figure i best say something.
dieeiervonsaton is right - the pure aspect is very interesting but i only really got into it during the last few months (ie, when i was revising) but up until that point i'd be lying if i said i'd given it a chance and worked really hard at it. so if you work at it it does reward you, and how much you work at it will determine how much you enjoy it. but beware, the pure aspect is completely different to anything you've ever done at a-level, and the pace at which your taught it is pretty hectic. to many i think its daunting in the first few weeks, but its definitely not impossible - and once it clicks your away.
the applied side is more my thing - for a long time i was also contemplating doing an engineering degree. if you've done further maths, especially pure and mechanics modules then you'll have a good basis for applied maths at uni, and i found it easier to adapt to applied than pure purely because of said experience. however, after the first few weeks you'll be on completely new material so don't relax!
after i finished my first term i kinda took my foot off the boil. if there is anything i'd say to future students it would be do not take your foot off at all. keep work ticking over and keep on top of it. after the second term finished i had to work solidly until exams, and i did - my friends will tell you the library was almost my second home in the last month but my mark, although better than i expected left my tutors and myself disappointed. i know i could have done better and myself justice if i had worked that second term. if you want to do fulfill your potential you need to work. the workload is nothing fantastic - if you go to the lectures and do the problem sheets and revise thoroughly you'll get a decent second. however, just spending an extra hour or so during the day will make no end of improvement.
forgive my ramble, but my first year maths degree has been an experience i would not like to have missed out on, and if you enjoy it and are willing to work at it, a maths degree at oxford is one of the most rewarding things - not jut your job prospects but you as a person as well - you could do.
dieeiervonsaton is right - the pure aspect is very interesting but i only really got into it during the last few months (ie, when i was revising) but up until that point i'd be lying if i said i'd given it a chance and worked really hard at it. so if you work at it it does reward you, and how much you work at it will determine how much you enjoy it. but beware, the pure aspect is completely different to anything you've ever done at a-level, and the pace at which your taught it is pretty hectic. to many i think its daunting in the first few weeks, but its definitely not impossible - and once it clicks your away.
the applied side is more my thing - for a long time i was also contemplating doing an engineering degree. if you've done further maths, especially pure and mechanics modules then you'll have a good basis for applied maths at uni, and i found it easier to adapt to applied than pure purely because of said experience. however, after the first few weeks you'll be on completely new material so don't relax!
after i finished my first term i kinda took my foot off the boil. if there is anything i'd say to future students it would be do not take your foot off at all. keep work ticking over and keep on top of it. after the second term finished i had to work solidly until exams, and i did - my friends will tell you the library was almost my second home in the last month but my mark, although better than i expected left my tutors and myself disappointed. i know i could have done better and myself justice if i had worked that second term. if you want to do fulfill your potential you need to work. the workload is nothing fantastic - if you go to the lectures and do the problem sheets and revise thoroughly you'll get a decent second. however, just spending an extra hour or so during the day will make no end of improvement.
forgive my ramble, but my first year maths degree has been an experience i would not like to have missed out on, and if you enjoy it and are willing to work at it, a maths degree at oxford is one of the most rewarding things - not jut your job prospects but you as a person as well - you could do.
Lol Steve..
I now take back everything I said about maths being good as I only got a 2:1 hehe ..
only joking.. sort of. Meh.
hehe. amazing what marks do to opinions maria huh? lol.
just to clarify my last post - i think its a pretty accurate sum of my first year. may or may not be of any use to you henryt, but twas useful for me thinkin about it. i hadn't really reflected on it much until i saw the thread, so cheers. and while i was relieved with my mark, i'm not gonna pretend its good
just to clarify my last post - i think its a pretty accurate sum of my first year. may or may not be of any use to you henryt, but twas useful for me thinkin about it. i hadn't really reflected on it much until i saw the thread, so cheers. and while i was relieved with my mark, i'm not gonna pretend its good
RichE
I think Maria is having trouble rationalising getting the same class as you - but I will recommend a good shrink to her
I'll get over it... eventually ..hehe.
Sorry I've neglected this thread!! I've been doing Charity work etc.! Now that I've pretty much been sold Oxford for Maths, could I ask about Merton, ChCh and Worcester tutors - these were my favourite colleges... I've been given numerous different accounts of these tutors from somewhat unreliable sources, but if any of you could (unbiasedly!) shed some light on them, it would be wonderful!
Thanks,
henryt
Thanks,
henryt
henryt
Sorry I've neglected this thread!! I've been doing Charity work etc.! Now that I've pretty much been sold Oxford for Maths, could I ask about Merton, ChCh and Worcester tutors - these were my favourite colleges... I've been given numerous different accounts of these tutors from somewhat unreliable sources, but if any of you could (unbiasedly!) shed some light on them, it would be wonderful!
Thanks,
henryt
Thanks,
henryt
Maths from college to college doesn't vary hugely in your experiences, nor on the quality of the student you'll meet. If you've found some other qualities of the colleges you like I'd go with that - cliche though it is, you pretty much get out of the system what you put into it.
RichE
Maths from college to college doesn't vary hugely in your experiences, nor on the quality of the student you'll meet. If you've found some other qualities of the colleges you like I'd go with that - cliche though it is, you pretty much get out of the system what you put into it.
Well, that is reassuring, given that I'm a chronic workaholic at times!! But even so, surely some colleges have better tutors? I'm just curious - I don't think it will help me, particularly, in choosing which I'd like to go to, but obviously, it would be a minor plus point if, say, all the tutors at Worcester were absolutely amazing!
Other people can also give their input...
henryt
Well, that is reassuring, given that I'm a chronic workaholic at times!! But even so, surely some colleges have better tutors? I'm just curious - I don't think it will help me, particularly, in choosing which I'd like to go to, but obviously, it would be a minor plus point if, say, all the tutors at Worcester were absolutely amazing!
Other people can also give their input...
Other people can also give their input...
People seem to put too much importance in tutors at any college. Frankly, a large amount of the quality of your education is out of your hands already. You'll have intercollegiate classes in many things from the second year onwards, and the specialisation means tutors at your college may not be a huge help as you think. Also, the teaching quality of the lecturer and the notes and problems they set can be a far bigger factor in how you'll do on a course.
Not to mention sabbaticals, not knowing which fellow you will get for what course beforehand, some courses only running every other year, etc. etc.
It's going to be hard to build a consensus on a tutor's ability to teach, simply because different people will respond to (or require) different teaching styles. Some people will be whizzing on to further reading, others will need walking through the 'basics'.
If I give you one tip, it is this: Don't take Multivariable Calculus, especially if Dr Glenys Luke is involved at any stage.
)Waldo Dobbs
If I give you one tip, it is this: Don't take Multivariable Calculus, especially if Dr Glenys Luke is involved at any stage.
If I give you one tip, it is this: Don't take Multivariable Calculus, especially if Dr Glenys Luke is involved at any stage.
I agree with this but it's okay once you've got your head around it. At least its not as bad as the Integration course (easy syllabus but rubbish lecturer).
Waldo Dobbs
If I give you one tip, it is this: Don't take Multivariable Calculus, especially if Dr Glenys Luke is involved at any stage.
But it sounds soooo interesting!!
Oh well - I guess I'll have to map out my future again. Hopefully, the fact that college doesn't really matter is only a good thing. I liked Merton and Worcester. I think the fact that my brother has told me that ChCh is the best for about 4 years now is also getting to me. I think I can at least narrow it down to Merton and Worcester though!! Merton is really pretty, and is supposed to be full of academically strong / sportingly hopeless people, which is sort of me in a nutshell. Having said that, Worcester is really really nice with it's lake and ducks - far better than Magdelen's deer park! Hmm. I think I'll have another think!Thanks everyone. I think I'll go on a rep frenzy with all of you now!
RichE
From the third year onwards surely? Or was this not the case at your college.
I read Mathematics and Computation, so I had classes from the second year. And numerical analysis is taught in classes as well, so even pure mathmos can have classes from the second year.
I agree with this but it's okay once you've got your head around it.
Well getting your head around it is the real trick. Maybe one day I will understand it, but I can't say I'll be hugely bothered if I ever do.
Waldo Dobbs
If I give you one tip, it is this: Don't take Multivariable Calculus, especially if Dr Glenys Luke is involved at any stage.
If I give you one tip, it is this: Don't take Multivariable Calculus, especially if Dr Glenys Luke is involved at any stage.
Oh no, is she really bad? She'll be my analysis lecturer next year. Seems obviously we have no luck with analysis lecturers .. apart from that Lyons guy we had for analysis 3.
She's a phemale, and although she's not the best lecturer, she's extremely energetic, so you'll probably not be bored in her lectures. Not that I went to them, especially the ones at 10am on Friday! Complex analysis is quite ok to teach yourself, and you'll have to anyway, since her problem sheets are *way* ahead of the lectures! Worked out fine though, since the questions that came up in the analysis section of part A this year were gifts!
dieeiervonsatan
Oh no, is she really bad? She'll be my analysis lecturer next year. Seems obviously we have no luck with analysis lecturers .. apart from that Lyons guy we had for analysis 3.
She's actually quite a good lecturer for complex analysis. I might not have really paid attention in the Multivariable calculus lectures because it was in Trinity term and I was more bothered about my lack of revision.
Related discussions
- Oxford University for Computer Science
- How to prepare to get into Oxford University?
- Which unis to consider for a student with these predicted grades
- Oxford Economics and Management
- Four Subjects important for Oxford?
- Oxford or Cambridge?
- Do I need to do Maths A-Level for medicine at Oxford?
- Suggested A levels for Cambridge cs?
- Reapplying to Cambridge medicine
- Should I apply?
- Do Oxford maths prefer 4A levels?
- Personal Statement for Mathematics at Oxford
- which Oxford college is best for chemistry?
- should i still apply for oxbridge Maths
- Canadian Intl. Student Help
- Nat 5 for Oxford
- Economics at Oxford: is there enough maths?
- Does econ and management at Oxford involve enough maths?
- Oxford choice - MATHS or MATHS & CS
- Can I sit an A Level in Y12 and two in Y13 and get into Oxford?
Latest
Trending
Last reply 18 hours ago
Weidenfeld Hoffmann Trust (WHT) Scholarship Notification (2024-2025)Last reply 2 days ago
Oxbridge applicants for modern languages - 2025 entry (applying in 2024)Last reply 1 week ago
Will I get into Oxford with my GCSE results? - EngineeringLast reply 3 weeks ago
will 5 a levels give me a better chance at getting into oxford?Trending
Last reply 18 hours ago
Weidenfeld Hoffmann Trust (WHT) Scholarship Notification (2024-2025)Last reply 2 days ago
Oxbridge applicants for modern languages - 2025 entry (applying in 2024)Last reply 1 week ago
Will I get into Oxford with my GCSE results? - EngineeringLast reply 3 weeks ago
will 5 a levels give me a better chance at getting into oxford?
