Can’t choose between chemistry and maths for uni?

Have you looked into joint honours degrees in maths and chemistry?

well there's a lot more maths in chem than there is chem in maths. but i guess it depends on what you'd like to do after uni.

I dont understand it either! I read at least 2 accounts on here of people doing such an option through natural sciences degrees. They explained why they liked it and thought it valuable for looking at areas of chemistry with a more mathematical bias.

There is a really helpful contributor here for the Bath natural sciences courses - perhaps you could ask them for advice?

@University of Bath - any thoughts?

I will try that, thank you!

@University of Bath - any thoughts?

I will try that, thank you!

Hi there!

If you are interested in both Chemistry and Maths, but haven't yet decided yet, then NatSci may indeed be a good option for you.

At Bath, our NatSci course functions basically like a joint honours. You choose a major and a minor subject from Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Physics, Pharmacology and Environmental Science. On top of your major and minor, you also choose an optional module, for example management, maths for life sciences, or psychology. The only exception to this is if you take physics as a major or minor, you cannot choose an optional module as that block is occupied by a compulsory maths module instead. You can find more detailed info about the modules, combinations and contents here.

If you have a stronger interest in maths, then the Bath course may not be the best for you as the maths is pretty minimal. There will obviously be some maths within the science modules, but this is often only what is required. For example, there is a fair bit of statistics in biology and more simple maths in pharmacology and chemistry. The optional maths for life sciences module is mostly statistics as opposed to core/pure maths. If you take physics for A-Level and would be interested in continuing it at uni, a good option would be Chemistry with Physics through NatSci. This way you would get to study chemistry, whilst getting the maths contained in both those modules as well as the extra maths module that physics students need to take.

Essentially, if you are more interested in the sciences but want to do some maths, then NatSci would be an amazing option as it means you can continue both. However, if maths is your main interest, then the Bath NatSci course might not me "maths-y" enough for you and one of our mathematics degrees may be more suitable. It might also be worth looking at a Chemistry degree, as on a regular chemistry degree you will also have computational labs (which NatSci student don't do).

Based on what you've said about enjoying chemistry more, I'd suggest considering Chemistry or NatSci over Maths. A degree is 3-4 years of your life - the more you enjoy the subject, the more enjoyable your degree will be. It's also far easier to get good grades in a degree subject that you enjoy more. That being said, you can always apply for one degree and do it for a year, and then start again on another degree if you decide the first wasn't for you. It's never a dead end

I hope this has helped, and please let me know if you have any more questions!
Jessica, a third year Natural Sciences student

Hey! I'm currently studying for a chemistry degree and I love it! I too was in a similar situation, as I find maths pretty easy but am so glad I went with Chemistry! The practical side with labs is something that you just wouldn't get with Maths. It's the highlight of my week because it is so good for socializing with my course mates. If your good at maths then the maths side of chemistry will be really interesting and also an easier side to the course.
Finally about careers, typical 'maths' careers like accountancy and actuarial are still easy to get into with a chemistry degree because employers value the range of skills a chemistry degree teaches you.

Thankyou so much, that was really helpful!

You can join a graduate training scheme for careers such as actuary and accountancy with any degree

eg to train with PwC as an actuary you need A level maths and a degree in any subject. For accountancy you don't even need A level maths.

KPMG is the same.

If you have degrees in applicable subjects you can sometimes get exemptions from part of the professional exams you have to take, but graduate training programmes are open to anyone with a good degree regardless of the subject. A good graduate programme will support you with taking all the professional qualifications you need to do the job.

I have considered that, however I don’t really seem to understand how they work. Do you just study the maths side of chemistry or would you study sections of both the maths and chemistry degree?

Yc

x!