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Civil engineering Degree with minimal Maths knowledge

I want to enter 2025/26 civil engineering at UCL however my maths knowledge is little to none which I last studied gcse level. I still have nearly one year to improve my knowledge so I can be better equipped for the course. What do I do? Where do I begin? What aspects of maths should I focus on? Is it too late?

Ps, maths modules:

Mathematical Modelling and Analysis 1 (year 1)

Mathematical Modelling and Analysis 2 (year 2)

Reply 1

Original post by Binsummer
I want to enter 2025/26 civil engineering at UCL however my maths knowledge is little to none which I last studied gcse level. I still have nearly one year to improve my knowledge so I can be better equipped for the course. What do I do? Where do I begin? What aspects of maths should I focus on? Is it too late?

Ps, maths modules:

Mathematical Modelling and Analysis 1 (year 1)

Mathematical Modelling and Analysis 2 (year 2)

I think Engineering Mathematics by KA Stroud (not the Advanced version) covers the engineering maths syllabus from step one, i.e. it covers the basics such as calculus right from the beginning, like if you were to do A-levels/highers/IB.

Reply 2

Original post by Smack
I think Engineering Mathematics by KA Stroud (not the Advanced version) covers the engineering maths syllabus from step one, i.e. it covers the basics such as calculus right from the beginning, like if you were to do A-levels/highers/IB.


Thank you very much, what about physics

Reply 3

Original post by Binsummer
Thank you very much, what about physics

I'm not sure if there's a physics equivalent for foundational content. However, at the university level, physics is applied maths, so being good at maths is important (which the Stroud book will help with).

Have you done any physics before?

Reply 4

I think the A-level or international baccalaureate syllabus are generally good preparation material for UK university even if you’re not pursuing the qualification.

UK universities pick up the bulk of their cohort from these backgrounds so they to some extent follow on from each other well.

As above KA Stroud is probably the benchmark preparation material for first year engineering university mathematics.

Reply 5

Original post by Smack
I'm not sure if there's a physics equivalent for foundational content. However, at the university level, physics is applied maths, so being good at maths is important (which the Stroud book will help with).
Have you done any physics before?


Same as maths, at gcse level but that was combined science

Reply 6

Original post by Smack
I'm not sure if there's a physics equivalent for foundational content. However, at the university level, physics is applied maths, so being good at maths is important (which the Stroud book will help with).
Have you done any physics before?


So will I be okay in terms of physics if I consolidate maths via KA Stroud

Reply 7

I think the A-level or international baccalaureate syllabus are generally good preparation material for UK university even if you’re not pursuing the qualification.
UK universities pick up the bulk of their cohort from these backgrounds so they to some extent follow on from each other well.
As above KA Stroud is probably the benchmark preparation material for first year engineering university mathematics.


Thanks

Reply 8

Original post by Binsummer
So will I be okay in terms of physics if I consolidate maths via KA Stroud

Being good at maths will definitely help, though an understanding of the basics that will be utilised during civil engineering, such as forces and moments, and stress and strain, will help enormously in the initial part of the degree, as I don't expect that they will be able to spend too much time on teaching them from scratch.

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