Switching from Physics to Maths: 4-Year Undergrad Course

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a participant's decision to switch from studying theoretical physics to mathematics in their upcoming undergraduate program. Participants explore the implications of this shift, the structure of the curriculum, and the necessity of taking physics courses within a mathematics degree.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses a desire to switch from theoretical physics to mathematics, citing a less intense course load and the opportunity for extra study.
  • Another participant humorously suggests taking all available courses while questioning the requirement of physics courses in a mathematics degree.
  • A participant notes that European degrees may align with US standards if required courses are completed, suggesting that students can choose additional courses based on their interests.
  • Some participants discuss the structure of mathematics and physics programs in Europe, indicating that many institutions offer separate degrees in each field rather than combined programs.
  • Concerns are raised about the necessity of physics courses for students pursuing a pure mathematics path, with some arguing that such requirements may not be essential.
  • One participant mentions that the best mathematics programs may be found in engineering schools, which often focus on applied mathematics rather than pure mathematics.
  • There is a suggestion that taking a few physics courses could be beneficial, even for those focused on applied mathematics.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the necessity of taking physics courses within a mathematics degree, with no consensus reached on whether such courses are obligatory or beneficial for students pursuing pure mathematics.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference the differences in educational structures between Europe and the US, highlighting the lack of majors in European programs and the focus on programs instead. There are also mentions of varying quality in mathematics degrees offered by different universities.

Maybe_Memorie
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I'm starting college in October, hopefully, and I was going to study theoretical physics. Now I've realized I don't want to, i just want to study math. The course load is less intense, so I'll have more time on my hands, time which could be used doing extra study. I've included the sylabbi for the 4 years undergrad. Please tell me if there's anything worth studying extra that isn't in the sylabbus.

Thanks! :smile:

JF: http://www.maths.tcd.ie/undergraduate/modules/index.php?file=jfmaths
SF: http://www.maths.tcd.ie/undergraduate/modules/index.php?file=sfmaths
JS: http://www.maths.tcd.ie/undergraduate/modules/index.php?file=jsmaths
SS: http://www.maths.tcd.ie/undergraduate/modules/index.php?file=ssmaths
 
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Take them all... :biggrin:

just kidding, take as much as you can handle.

BTW I don't quite understand, if you learn for a maths bsc degree why are obliged to take physics course, or I might have read wrong, I just skimmed over it.
 
That's my intention. :smile:

I meant I was going to apply for physics, but just want to do math now.
 
Since it is an European degree just doing the required courses should put you at the same level as a normal US graduate, then you got 2 years to just pick extra courses. Also the courses they have suggested covers just about everything for the last 2 years so just pick from those, which courses depends on what you want to do.
MathematicalPhysicist said:
BTW I don't quite understand, if you learn for a maths bsc degree why are obliged to take physics course, or I might have read wrong, I just skimmed over it.
You don't really got majors in Europe like you got in the US, instead you got programs and often the best schools don't provide pure maths programs since they are commonly engineering schools.
 
Maybe_Memorie said:
I'm starting college in October, hopefully, and I was going to study theoretical physics. Now I've realized I don't want to, i just want to study math. The course load is less intense, so I'll have more time on my hands, time which could be used doing extra study. I've included the sylabbi for the 4 years undergrad. Please tell me if there's anything worth studying extra that isn't in the sylabbus.

Thanks! :smile:

JF: http://www.maths.tcd.ie/undergraduate/modules/index.php?file=jfmaths
SF: http://www.maths.tcd.ie/undergraduate/modules/index.php?file=sfmaths
JS: http://www.maths.tcd.ie/undergraduate/modules/index.php?file=jsmaths
SS: http://www.maths.tcd.ie/undergraduate/modules/index.php?file=ssmaths

That is an impressive curriculum. I would not worry too much about how to spend extra time.
 
Klockan3 I am not from the US, but as far as I can tell most places even outside US offer programmes at the BSC level in maths and physics, and they also offer programmes with only maths or only physics.

And unless you enroll in a combined degree in maths and physics, I don't think you should be obliged to take physics courses, more so if you plan the pure math path.
 
MathematicalPhysicist said:
Klockan3 I am not from the US, but as far as I can tell most places even outside US offer programmes at the BSC level in maths and physics, and they also offer programmes with only maths or only physics.

And unless you enroll in a combined degree in maths and physics, I don't think you should be obliged to take physics courses, more so if you plan the pure math path.
But as I said, the best universities are often engineering universities which means that their main focus is applied maths. Maybe it is more so for the German and Scandinavian universities due to a strong engineering history, I don't really know how the higher ed climate is out there. But for example where I go the best maths students don't go to the pure maths degrees since they are given by bad universities and instead takes the most mathematical degree at the engineering university since it gives them both more maths plus everything else contained in that degree.

The engineering universities don't give pure mathematical degrees at the undergrad level since that isn't what they are for. I am quite sure that this is what happened here, also since you apply for programs and not the university itself it doesn't matter that not every university have everything since you just apply to the program you want from the start. It just happens to be in that way that the best mathematical degrees are not the pure ones, even in terms of studying pure maths later.

Edit: Also as you can see that is an applied maths degree in its base, then a few physics courses don't hurt.
 

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