Physics? Or maths?

[ghostsprite9]

I'm picking my A levels for sixth form, and i'm wondering what is better for me to choose. Maths? or physics?

I'm taking Biology and chemistry definately and while i could do both maths and physics, i don't want it to be too stressful and in the end effect my results.
(e.g. getting 4 B's instead of 3 A's)

I thought i could ask the opinion of the escapist because i thought you might know a bit more about it.

I'm asipiring to be a doctor in my later years. I haven't picked a univerisity (so any thoughts on that would be appreciated) but i know i would need about 3 A's to get to most universities.

Also just to make it a bit harder, i didn't take physics for GCSE so i haven't learnt any of it, and i got an A in maths. But the maths department at the school i want to go to is not exceedingly good,so that is also a negative.

 

[Rylot]

Personally I prefer physics since it's mostly math applied to real situations and I seem to do better than with the abstract concepts in math, but it your life and your choice.

 

[Asturiel]

Do math, it's easier and you'll get your A without nearly as much struggle.

*Wishes he hadn't taken Physics*

 

[dillinger88]

I did my a-levels about 5 years ago now, so I'm not sure how things have changed.

Firstly, I'll ask what do you want to after A-levels?

I did maths and physics, but found that I had much more use for Maths and found it much more enjoyable because I love some of the mind-fuckery that comes out of it. Especially if you do Further maths. I'm not sure what Physics courses some people in this thread did at A-Level, but I found it easy and rather dull.

I've just completed a masters degree in Electronic Engineering, which landed me a PhD at another university. For which I give thanks to what I learnt and the enjoyment I got from Maths A-level.

I wish you the best of luck in your decision.

 

[C95J]

Maths, it gives you more variety with your A levels and is a good subject to know about.
(my maths teacher is always rambling on about how important it is and how everyone uses it in their day to day lives)

 

[jebbo]

I did all 3 sciences at A level a few years ago but didnt take Maths. It depends on how good you are at maths - Physics will take some A level Math concepts and apply them so its useful to understand them. Chemistry at A level will also incorporate a lot more Maths than you may expect. The guys who were doing maths in conjunction definitely 'got' things more quickly but its not a barrier if you're quick with numbers.

My opinion would be choose Physics as having all 3 sciences is a massive plus on your CV and it shows that you can grasp higher level mathematical concepts, however that is from a biased standpoint. If you're really rooting for 3 As for a medical degree then perhaps Maths is the better option because of the lack of Physics grounding you have.

 

[TheRightToArmBears]

Do math, it's easier and you'll get your A without nearly as much struggle.

*Wishes he hadn't taken Physics*

Maths is easier? Woah, I didn't find that. I did maths mechanics, and it was like physics, but much, much harder.

 

[Hoplon]

Maths stands on it's own, physics is best done in conjunction with Maths as a lot of the underlying frame work and tools come from maths.

 

[ghostsprite9]

Well i did well in my maths GSCE I got an A, but i would have got an A* if the teachers hadn't had problems.
(e.g teachers were never there, kept shouting at the students that mis-behaved instead of sending them out and continuing with the lesson... etc)

But what i'm realy wondering is, if i take maths and get an A will universities this higher of that then of physics and i maybe get like a B?

I don't want to take maths and drop physics then next year regret it.

 

[Palademon]

I'm still trying to pick between my 6 choices. I'm wondering whether to swap something out for Physics too, since I'm good at it and it's good for a wide range of things.
I'm currently down for Philosophy, Electronics, Computing and Statistics.
But, I'm also interested in Physics and Psychology, so I guess I'll be there for 2 extra years -_-

 

[DustyDrB]

Physics. It is math, but is an applicable kind. It'll help you prepare for many fields. You need physics for many grad school tests, including the GRE and the MCAT. I think it's easier as well because it builds on and on as you go and involves a lot of pattern recognition.

 

[Nimbus]

IMO, you need to be doing maths to do well in physics.

 

[Rakkana]

If your in the UK maths is always better apparently. I shall quote a teacher from the college I'm heading too "If you have a spare you might as well take maths, Uni's are really looking for that right now."

I took computing instead. A little maths, way more confusing, preparation for the jobs in the future.

 

[Casimir_Effect]

Do maths. Physics courses are all bullshit these days until you get to uni, whereas there's only so much the government can fuck with a maths course so it's always more useful.

I can also see no advantage to be gained from doing physics instead of maths. To do any physics at uni you would need the maths A Level first, and you want to do medicine instead anyway. The only reason to take physics would be if it interests you, and, from what I've seen of that course recently, there is nothing interesting in it.
It's only at uni you get the cool stuff like [link]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quantum_suicide[/link]. (Although you won't be taught stuff like that)

 

[QuantumT]

I would recommend that you not take physics until you've taken calculus. Without calculus, much of physics seems to be arbitrary (because it's based in calculus) and it is of relatively little value to a calculus-based physics course. So my recommendation would probably be maths (man that's weird to say ).

 

[The_root_of_all_evil]

Depends on the sort of Maths you do and what you want later in life.

Pure Mathematics works on actual numbers, Applied Maths is basically Physics without all the machinery, Statistical Maths is a nightmare unless you love Chi Square tests.

Physics is more physically fun but relies on Maths a whole lot. Maths means your brain will be hurting, but you'll see some wonderful things.

Go with what your brain tells you.

Edit: If you're doing Bio/Chem, either will fit in well but Physics will slot into both.

 

[Sevre]

Physics is a lot of fun, I've never been one for Maths since I don't find it that great(and I'm not that great at it) but Pure Maths is quite good.

 

[The Procrastinated End]

Well physics would be better for a medical school and I preferred my physics class to my math classes, mostly due to all the random stuff we did relating to physics.

 

[Midnight Crossroads]

Honestly, if you plan on being a doctor, you'll end up taking both eventually. Try taking math first as physics can make you cry. It's one of those classes that 40 people sign up for and 2 pass with high C's.

Your descriptions don't sound like an American school system, so I'm not sure how med school works where you're from. I know some countries just have Med school after High School instead of going to college first.