Maths or Physics: Which Degree is Right for Me?

[Lunct]

I am currently on track to do a degree in Physics and Philosophy next academic year in the UK, but have been recently thinking about switching my application to Mathematics and Philosophy. (I am aware I could switch to a theoretical physics, or a maths and physics degree, but then I couldn't do them with philosophy, and I'm pretty set on the philosophy part.)

I've recently enjoyed mathematics a lot more, and I love the look of the Mathematics and Philosophy course at my first choice uni (Bristol). I know university physics will be very different to A level, but I'm still just far better and more interested at maths at A level. And although I do quite enjoy mechanics, it's the pure and the abstract side of mathematics that has absolutely fascinated me.

If I switch to maths and phil, then I am worried about all the physics I'll miss out on, but then if I stick with physics and phil then I'll miss out on all the maths. Seems like a catch 22.

Ideally, I'd like to do a bachelors in maths and philosophy then a masters in Physics. How easy is it to go from a maths degree to masters in physics?

Has anyone else had to decide between maths and physics? What did you choose and why?

Thanks.

 

[MidgetDwarf]

If you want to do a masters in physics, then complete a bachelors in physics. If you want to do mathematical physics, then dual major, or focus on a math degree and take the core physics courses.

 

[Frabjous]

I believe that there are some graduate school relativity and hep physics theory groups in the UK that require mathematics degrees. So where you plan on ending up also matters In the decision.

 

[vela]

Ideally, I'd like to do a bachelors in maths and philosophy then a masters in Physics. How easy is it to go from a maths degree to masters in physics?

I double majored in math and physics as an undergrad in the US, and math was by far the easier major of the two. I'd expect trying to come up to speed in physics when starting the master's would be quite difficult if you haven't studied classical mechanics, quantum mechanics, electromagnetism, and statistical mechanics beyond introductory physics.

 

[CrysPhys]

OP: Do you have the option of choosing a major in a single subject (e.g., physics) and then choosing electives in the other two (e.g., math and philosophy)?

 

[Lunct]

OP: Do you have the option of choosing a major in a single subject (e.g., physics) and then choosing electives in the other two (e.g., math and philosophy)?

Not really no. In England you pick one degree, but then have choice within that degree to pick modules. As far as I know.

I did look at the theoretical physics course at my first choice university, they do offer an introduction to philosophy module, but it doesn't allow any further specialised modules beyond that.

 

[StatGuy2000]

Not really no. In England you pick one degree, but then have choice within that degree to pick modules. As far as I know.

I did look at the theoretical physics course at my first choice university, they do offer an introduction to philosophy module, but it doesn't allow any further specialised modules beyond that.

@Lunct , are you required to choose a specialized module when you are enrolled in an university in the UK? For example, say that you decide to pursue an undergraduate degree in mathematics. Are you able to take any electives outside of fixed modules? (e.g. computer science, physics, philosophy, English, etc.)

In American and Canadian universities, most students are required to take a series of electives outside of their main major or specialization. Are you only able to take math courses if you are pursuing a math degree, or only physics courses when pursuing a physics degree, unless you enroll in a module?

 

[CrysPhys]

Not really no. In England you pick one degree, but then have choice within that degree to pick modules. As far as I know.

I did look at the theoretical physics course at my first choice university, they do offer an introduction to philosophy module, but it doesn't allow any further specialised modules beyond that.

Then it looks like you should adopt the following philosophical perspective from a Meat Loaf song:

"And all I can do is keep on telling you
I want you (I want you)
I need you (I need you)
There ain't no way I'm ever going to love you
Now don't be sad (don't be sad 'cause)
'Cause two out of three ain't bad
Now don't be sad ('cause)
'Cause two out of three ain't bad"

 

[MathematicalPhysicist]

I don't understand why you cannot study maths, physics and philosophy for BSc.

I faced the same obstacle, but in the end I decided on maths and physics combined. The stuff I needed from Logic courses I took from the maths department.
Anyway, a degree is just requirement for another degree, if you don't intend on continuing with philosophy in Msc or PhD then why bother?

If you want to continue with maths or physics (inclusive or ) do both.

Simple as that.

 

[pbuk]

I know university physics will be very different to A level, but I'm still just far better and more interested at maths at A level.

The main difference between A level and university physics is that there is a lot more maths in it. And university maths is very different from A level maths.

Ideally, I'd like to do a bachelors in maths and philosophy then a masters in Physics. How easy is it to go from a maths degree to masters in physics?

From some maths courses if you take all the appropriate options its possible, but from that maths with philosophy course there is no chance IMHO.

Has anyone else had to decide between maths and physics?

Yes, about 50% of the people I know. Most of them chose physics (I chose maths).

My advice to you is to look carefully at the course structures for the various combinations of maths, physics and philosphy and see how much of each you can actually take: for instance there's four or five third year options in maths with philosophy that are related to physics but you can only do one of them. Also think about the things you might have enjoyed in maths so far and see whether you will miss out on these with philosophy (is there probability or statistics in there?)

 

[pbuk]

For example, say that you decide to pursue an undergraduate degree in mathematics. Are you able to take any electives outside of fixed modules? (e.g. computer science, physics, philosophy, English, etc.)

You can usually choose one or two in your third (and possibly second) year of a single honours course, and on a maths degree things like QM, GR and fluid dynamics are often mainstream options but there isn't usually space outside the two subjects in a joint honours course.

 

[jnewman06]

What did you decide? I'm having the exact same dilemma, but currently applying for Maths and Philosophy at Bristol

 

[Vanadium 50]

What did you decide?

Sadly, his last visit was 2 days after posting the question.

 

[symbolipoint]

@ Lunct,

One could ask oneself of the practical purposes for studying for degree in Mathematics; one can ask oneself of the practical purposes for studying Physics. Understandable answers would be found. Those may go like this, very generally:

Mathematics - computer uses. computer programming, statistics, help to business and industry for quantitative problems or trackings, information or data handling, assistance to scientists and engineers

Physics - computer uses, computer programming, augmenting the work of scientists and engineers, sometimes work AS engineers, ... and maybe I left out some things.

Degree in Philosophy - but Why? While being unsure myself of any practical value, you might have some special reason to insist on your including a degree in Philosophy, and justifying your including this.

 

[symbolipoint]

Lunct,
If you are still around, what's been happening? Time has been about a year and a half.

 

[CrysPhys]

@ Lunct,

One could ask oneself of the practical purposes for studying for degree in Mathematics; one can ask oneself of the practical purposes for studying Physics. Understandable answers would be found. Those may go like this, very generally:

Mathematics - computer uses. computer programming, statistics, help to business and industry for quantitative problems or trackings, information or data handling, assistance to scientists and engineers

Physics - computer uses, computer programming, augmenting the work of scientists and engineers, sometimes work AS engineers, ... and maybe I left out some things.

Degree in Philosophy - but Why? While being unsure myself of any practical value, you might have some special reason to insist on your including a degree in Philosophy, and justifying your including this.

Have you read Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand? The philosopher thrives. The physicist is fried to bits.

 

[symbolipoint]

Have you read Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand? The philosopher thrives. The physicist is fried to bits.

Not have I read it. Too many books out there been published. I will briefly look for a bit of information about the book and the author. I would guess that the physicist might have had something wrong in his judgement or temperament or impulses and that the philosopher might have had some important bit of not-necessarily-scientific wisdom or better personal or some kind of judgement which was beneficial, and which physicist lacked.

 

[symbolipoint]

Have you read Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand? The philosopher thrives. The physicist is fried to bits.

I am checking right now, a wikipedia article on the book. The novel seems to treat a fictional example of social order and leadership. This looks complicated.... I will continue reading the wikipedia article....

 

[symbolipoint]

Have you read Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand? The philosopher thrives. The physicist is fried to bits.

I am looking at the section: History, Context and Writing.

A philosopher can have a lesson to show, and if is capable of creating a story for the lesson, then could write the story into the form of a novel.

Note attentively, I did not tell @Lunct to not study Philosophy. I ask and suggest to him to be sure he knows WHY he study Philosophy. I previous to that tried to give practical reasons (meaning employability reasons) why Mathematics and or Physics can be good choices. Truthfully, I knew someone with an undergraduate degree in Philosophy and a Master's in Education in Mathematics, (or was it the other way around?) who was a good or very good secondary education level Mathematics teacher.

 

[Vanadium 50]

I'm not sure why this thread took off after a year and a half, especially since the OP vanished after two days. But, sice we are discussing Physics and Philosophy, I can state that just about everybody who wants to study both has been disappointed in the physics aspects. They thought they'd be Unlocking The Secrets Of The Universe, when in fact they found themselves solving magnetostatic boundary value problems.

 

[CrysPhys]

I am looking at the section: History, Context and Writing.

A philosopher can have a lesson to show, and if is capable of creating a story for the lesson, then could write the story into the form of a novel.

Note attentively, I did not tell @Lunct to not study Philosophy. I ask and suggest to him to be sure he knows WHY he study Philosophy. I previous to that tried to give practical reasons (meaning employability reasons) why Mathematics and or Physics can be good choices. Truthfully, I knew someone with an undergraduate degree in Philosophy and a Master's in Education in Mathematics, (or was it the other way around?) who was a good or very good secondary education level Mathematics teacher.

I skimmed through the Wikipedia entry. It's atrociously written; besides, it doesn't include a summary of the material relevant to your post (which I did read carefully). In a central backstory, three extra-ordinary classmates at a top university decide to double major in physics and philosophy. There is a discussion of why that combination. The three are initially closely mentored by both a leading physics professor and a leading philosophy professor. As developments unfold, however, the three all sever further ties with the physics professor and loyally follow the teachings of the philosophy professor. As it turns out in the end ... a wise choice.

No need to delve into this any further. The novel is roughly a thousand pages.