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physics or geology?

I am a current year 12 student looking at my options for university, I love physics and have completely immersed myself in its concepts and dream of becoming an astrophysicist, but I am scared that the mathematics at degree level will be too hard. I'm also considering geology as it is interesting to me and seemingly a bit easier. I really love physics but I am just afraid that I will get there and crumble. if anyone has any advice that would be appreciate it
Reply 1
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M4cc4n4
20
Original post by stronkshib
I am a current year 12 student looking at my options for university, I love physics and have completely immersed myself in its concepts and dream of becoming an astrophysicist, but I am scared that the mathematics at degree level will be too hard. I'm also considering geology as it is interesting to me and seemingly a bit easier. I really love physics but I am just afraid that I will get there and crumble. if anyone has any advice that would be appreciate it

Math in Physics hasnt been much harder than A Level in my opinion as you get alot of the ground work in A Level and then build on that in your first and second year, I think perspective can sometimes trick people into thinking things are too difficult, if you can get the grades in A Level Maths then you can certainly excel in Maths in Physics, and I personally never took Further Maths at GCSE or A Level. I wouldnt let fears make you second guess what you want to do, and if anything theres some very exciting stuff in the next few years in Astrophysics with some nice new telescopes going go space or going into operation, anyway good luck with next year
Original post by stronkshib
I am a current year 12 student looking at my options for university, I love physics and have completely immersed myself in its concepts and dream of becoming an astrophysicist, but I am scared that the mathematics at degree level will be too hard. I'm also considering geology as it is interesting to me and seemingly a bit easier. I really love physics but I am just afraid that I will get there and crumble. if anyone has any advice that would be appreciate it

Have you considered a Natural Sciences degree? Many universities now offer the chance to study 2 or 3 disciplines in the first year or two of the degree programme. This allows you to see where your academic strengths lie before focusing on your major subject in the third (and potentially fourth) year.

Do some research on the unis which would enable you to do both Physics and Geology (Earth Sciences) in years one and two.
Original post by stronkshib
I am a current year 12 student looking at my options for university, I love physics and have completely immersed myself in its concepts and dream of becoming an astrophysicist, but I am scared that the mathematics at degree level will be too hard. I'm also considering geology as it is interesting to me and seemingly a bit easier. I really love physics but I am just afraid that I will get there and crumble. if anyone has any advice that would be appreciate it

I wouldn't say that geology is "easier" than physics (as someone who has done a lot of both, I'd personally say the opposite) but yes, it is easier to do less maths in geology than physics (the latter of which is basically applied maths). One possibility is @学生の父's suggestion of applying for a Natural Sciences degree if you don't feel like you're able to make a decision on this (the only issue is that there is a limited number of Natural Sciences degrees that offer geology). Another option is to apply to Earth Sciences degrees with a heavy quantitative element. Earth Sciences is an extremely broad subject and if you end up enjoying the physics aspect the most, it is very easy to specialise in the physical aspects.
Original post by stronkshib
I am a current year 12 student looking at my options for university, I love physics and have completely immersed myself in its concepts and dream of becoming an astrophysicist, but I am scared that the mathematics at degree level will be too hard. I'm also considering geology as it is interesting to me and seemingly a bit easier. I really love physics but I am just afraid that I will get there and crumble. if anyone has any advice that would be appreciate it

Hi there,

Great to hear you're interested in physics! I studied physics and philosophy at the university of Sheffield, and am now doing a masters degree there in Science Communication.

I think the maths is something that everyone worries about when going into a physics degree (I know I was worried!) but it isn't as bad as you think! Of course there is a lot of maths to get you head around and it sometimes can be challenging, but that's the nature of problem solving in physics right?

I found that Sheffield did a really good job to make sure we were all up to the same level with maths. Some people come excelling in further maths and others, like me, just did maths a-level and weren't very confident in it. We had a specific maths module that started from the beginning to make sure we all understood and a lot of what we started with was from A-level. It also becomes easier when you do it both in the maths module and in the context of another physics module. The other thing is that lecturers are always there to help if you have more questions about the maths.

At the end of the day it is important to do what you love so I hope that helps with the decision. Let me know if you have any questions.

Sarah
BSc Physics and Philosophy, MSc Science Communication
Reply 5
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stronkshib
OP
5
Thank you! yes im very exited about the james webb telescope! im planning on going into astrophys eventually if i pick physics which I suspect I will
Reply 6
Avatar for stronkshib
stronkshib
OP
5
Original post by 学生の父
Have you considered a Natural Sciences degree? Many universities now offer the chance to study 2 or 3 disciplines in the first year or two of the degree programme. This allows you to see where your academic strengths lie before focusing on your major subject in the third (and potentially fourth) year.

Do some research on the unis which would enable you to do both Physics and Geology (Earth Sciences) in years one and two.

thank you i will!
Reply 7
Avatar for stronkshib
stronkshib
OP
5
Original post by University of Sheffield Students
Hi there,

Great to hear you're interested in physics! I studied physics and philosophy at the university of Sheffield, and am now doing a masters degree there in Science Communication.

I think the maths is something that everyone worries about when going into a physics degree (I know I was worried!) but it isn't as bad as you think! Of course there is a lot of maths to get you head around and it sometimes can be challenging, but that's the nature of problem solving in physics right?

I found that Sheffield did a really good job to make sure we were all up to the same level with maths. Some people come excelling in further maths and others, like me, just did maths a-level and weren't very confident in it. We had a specific maths module that started from the beginning to make sure we all understood and a lot of what we started with was from A-level. It also becomes easier when you do it both in the maths module and in the context of another physics module. The other thing is that lecturers are always there to help if you have more questions about the maths.

At the end of the day it is important to do what you love so I hope that helps with the decision. Let me know if you have any questions.

Sarah
BSc Physics and Philosophy, MSc Science Communication

thank you I think I have to apply to do it its all I can see myself doing in the long term

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