Maths & Physics or Maths & Theoretical Physics

I did a BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Engineering along with A-level Maths and an EPQ. The BTEC gave me a really good understanding of how things work, but now I want to understand the why behind it, such as the mathematical and physical principles underneath.

So I’m planning to do a BSc in Maths & Theoretical Physics possibly at Plymouth, and then later a Master’s in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering.

I just want to know if this sounds like a solid route, and if it makes more sense to do Maths & Physics or Maths & Theoretical Physics for someone who wants a strong foundation in the underlying maths and physics before moving into advanced engineering later on.

Reply 1

Nitrotoluene

Original post

by iambenji

I did a BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Engineering along with A-level Maths and an EPQ. The BTEC gave me a really good understanding of how things work, but now I want to understand the why behind it, such as the mathematical and physical principles underneath.
So I’m planning to do a BSc in Maths & Theoretical Physics possibly at Plymouth, and then later a Master’s in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering.
I just want to know if this sounds like a solid route, and if it makes more sense to do Maths & Physics or Maths & Theoretical Physics for someone who wants a strong foundation in the underlying maths and physics before moving into advanced engineering later on.

If you enjoy complicated engineering challenges, particularly the behavior of fluids, the principles of buoyancy, and aerodynamics, then you should focus on mathematics and theoretical physics. You will learn the mathematics required along the way, although, be prepared, theoretical physics will present challenging mathematics. Overall, a degree in mathematics and physics will expose you to numerous fields, yet it will not provide you with an in-depth understanding of mechanics.

Regards,
Sandro

Reply 2

ESchild

Maths no longer has enough lecturers. One of the second year modules just isn't being taught. Students are still expected to hand in coursework, but there's not an actual lecturer available, and it will only get worse. Last I checked, they didn't even have stalls at open days.

Reply 3

University of Plymouth Undergraduate Student Rep

Official Rep

Original post

by iambenji

I did a BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Engineering along with A-level Maths and an EPQ. The BTEC gave me a really good understanding of how things work, but now I want to understand the why behind it, such as the mathematical and physical principles underneath.
So I’m planning to do a BSc in Maths & Theoretical Physics possibly at Plymouth, and then later a Master’s in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering.
I just want to know if this sounds like a solid route, and if it makes more sense to do Maths & Physics or Maths & Theoretical Physics for someone who wants a strong foundation in the underlying maths and physics before moving into advanced engineering later on.

Hi there! Although I don't study this course, so wouldn't be able to advise much specifically, if you have any questions about Plymouth as a university or need to know any specific answers, feel free to let me know and I'll do my best to help!

Best of luck! 🙂

-Alfie, University of Plymouth Undergraduate Student Rep

Reply 4

artful_lounger

Universities Forum Helper

Original post

by iambenji

Honestly this doesn't make sense as a plan, you would be better off doing a relevant accredited engineering degree if your goal is to go into engineering. You will learn the maths and physics behind engineering principles in an engineering degree - that's the point. I would wager degree level engineering is quite different to the BTEC - an engineering degree is fundamentally a degree in applied maths.

Doing a joint honours in maths and physics would actually likely make you a less effective engineer as you'd spend much more time learning the derivations of general equations and abstract cases (e.g. "assume all projectiles are massless points" or something) which is kind of the opposite of what engineering aims to do which is to obtain analytical and numerical results for specific cases for the specific engineering system in question.

Even more so on the maths side - proving some theorems about abstract metric spaces or algebraic structures or similar is really so far removed from what engineers do and need i.e. actually setting up and then crunching through specific cases of differential equations to obtain the relevant numerical and analytical results.

I see the logic of what you're trying to do but I think you're making it more complicated and actually moving further away from what you are actually hoping to achieve. Engineering at degree level will be very much in the vein of A-level Maths you've done - lots of calculus and the mechanics type content will be more similar to the A-level Maths mechanics content. The engineering degree, as stated, is learning about the maths and physics behind things, not just "how they work" :smile: