Programs Has anyone completed degrees without more math?

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The discussion centers on the experiences of students at UC Berkeley regarding the necessity of advanced math courses for completing their degrees, particularly in physics and related fields. Participants share that while additional math beyond calculus is not formally required, it can enhance understanding, especially in abstract disciplines. Some students report successfully navigating upper division courses without further math, relying on the math integrated into their physics curriculum. Others note that their background in physics provides them with practical skills in mathematical modeling, often surpassing peers from pure math backgrounds in applied contexts. The conversation highlights the varying importance of math requirements depending on the degree focus, with a consensus that science degrees typically demand a stronger math foundation than non-science degrees.
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So I'm working on my bachelor's right now, junior at UC Berkeley. I've been wondering if people could share their experiences in completing their degrees without any further math (past differentials, linear, multi variable calc.). I know more math isn't required, and I've been under the impression that the math we would need would be taught along with the physics (so far, I haven't had an issue yet, but I just started my upper divs). I am currently taking upper division linear algebra, but I don't like proofs, nor do I find abstract math particularly interesting. Can anyone elaborate on their experiences without more math please?
 
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I took math papers into my masters year so... but I do know people who did not take maths past their second year. The main difference is the mathematicians have a different take on how maths works which is useful for the more abstract disciplines.
In the upper levels, though, I found I would outstrip the math students in any kind of mathematical modelling. Probably because physics covers that informally much earlier on.
 
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I remember back when working through my BSC in geology at least a couple of 1st year papers were a requirement
my math abilities are dreadful :cry:

a math requirement is obviously more important for a science degree than non -sci onesDave
 
Hey, I am Andreas from Germany. I am currently 35 years old and I want to relearn math and physics. This is not one of these regular questions when it comes to this matter. So... I am very realistic about it. I know that there are severe contraints when it comes to selfstudy compared to a regular school and/or university (structure, peers, teachers, learning groups, tests, access to papers and so on) . I will never get a job in this field and I will never be taken serious by "real"...
Yesterday, 9/5/2025, when I was surfing, I found an article The Schwarzschild solution contains three problems, which can be easily solved - Journal of King Saud University - Science ABUNDANCE ESTIMATION IN AN ARID ENVIRONMENT https://jksus.org/the-schwarzschild-solution-contains-three-problems-which-can-be-easily-solved/ that has the derivation of a line element as a corrected version of the Schwarzschild solution to Einstein’s field equation. This article's date received is 2022-11-15...

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