From Further Maths A2 to Degree Level Maths . an OK transition?
I'm hoping to go on to do a degree in maths and am really worried about the jump from A2 to degree, I take further maths, but it still worries me. Anyone been there done that who could give me a little help?
Thanks in advance.
Answers:
Hi there!
There is quite a change between A2 level and degree level maths, but please don't let it put you off! The main difference I found between A level and uni level maths was the need to prove things, especially in pure maths. I'm currently studying maths and philosophy, and most of the questions on my problem sheets are along the lines of "Prove this.; show this..; demonstrate that.." and whilst at first it can seem rather daunting, you soon get the hang of it!
I think that the pure maths is found to be more difficult to get used to than the applied maths, because you in pure maths, for example, you analyse the conditions for a function to be differentiable, or integrable, and you prove lots of theoretical results which you aren't generally taught at school. However, in the little applied maths that I did, it seemed just like an extension of A-level maths. So for example, in A-level, you learn about differentiation, and one of the first courses in my first year was learning about partial differentiation, and the transition there was very natural.
However, if you are doing further maths, then I think you are in a very, very good position because you will already be learning about some more advanced methods of proof (proof by induction, for instance, which is used quite a lot at uni level), and you'll also have had an introduction to matrices, vectors etc, which again is very helpful (matrices, vectors etc comes up in "linear algebra" courses at uni).
If you are interested in doing a little reading, see if the uni you are interested in attending has a recommended reading list, and just have a look at some of the more basic stuff. However, if you don't understand it, don't panic! Perhaps start looking at a little of linear algebra, or maybe some more things on differentiation and differential equations, as these topics should be more familiar than subjects like analysis.
There was quite a nice book entitled "Complex Numbers ad Geometry" that was used a lot for my second geometry course in my first year. It ties in complex numbers and geometry in a very nice way, and includes some more formal proofs, so you can have a look at the way mathematicians go about proving things.
Good luck with everything!
(P.S.-I absolutely love studyig maths!)
It's the normal route into a maths degree, isn't it? So I am sure it is OK!
I agree with the other comment, im pretty sure that is the normal route. Why do you not go and see your tutor who teaches you A2 level of ur careers advisor for some further information. If not why not go along to an open day at a local university and discuss it with one of their lecturers (in that specific department of course)
It is a normal route, and beside you will be doing a bit of revision to refresh your memory in the first year of a maths degree course any way. So don't worry. Be confident.
It does depend an awful lot on where you will be studying maths at uni. Some courses are REALLY high powered, deliberately making the transition seem much larger than it need seem.
It IS best to be forewarned that degree-level maths is a different kettle of fish from school maths (more so than in most subjects, at a guess). However, having said that:
1 Yes, be confident. If you are doing FM then (depending on where you are going) you are likely to be ahead of most of your peers.
2 Find out beforehand what kind of course you are embarking on and perhaps ask your school teachers if they can help you to prepare.
3 Be ready to do some reading round the subject over the summer (hard I know) and hit the ground running in October.
If you are diligent you will be fine!
Best of luck
I am in my first year at Warwick doing maths, the transition at first was pretty bad. There wasn't that much more material but it was just a different approach of thinking about things, it's all proofs and things and now it's becoming very interesting. Definately do a Maths degree, it is fantastic so far, more work than I'd like, but it's great. If you are very worried about the jump then Warwick may not be the place for you because it is near top for maths, but give it a go, if you don't like your degree you can always change your course.
Of course it's ok! Your first year will be a lot less mathematically taxing than you think. You will be introduced to areas of mathematics you have not yet seen and mostly you will be studying theorem, proof, theorem, proof, etc. You will not come across many numbers or calculations! But it's fascinating and exciting and if you are doing A2 FM then you are most probably an able mathematician and you will not struggle with the transition to degree level. Good luck and enjoy it!
Infact I think you will be more qualified than others, a lot of people going into maths only have maths A2 and further AS.
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Thanks in advance.
Answers:
Hi there!
There is quite a change between A2 level and degree level maths, but please don't let it put you off! The main difference I found between A level and uni level maths was the need to prove things, especially in pure maths. I'm currently studying maths and philosophy, and most of the questions on my problem sheets are along the lines of "Prove this.; show this..; demonstrate that.." and whilst at first it can seem rather daunting, you soon get the hang of it!
I think that the pure maths is found to be more difficult to get used to than the applied maths, because you in pure maths, for example, you analyse the conditions for a function to be differentiable, or integrable, and you prove lots of theoretical results which you aren't generally taught at school. However, in the little applied maths that I did, it seemed just like an extension of A-level maths. So for example, in A-level, you learn about differentiation, and one of the first courses in my first year was learning about partial differentiation, and the transition there was very natural.
However, if you are doing further maths, then I think you are in a very, very good position because you will already be learning about some more advanced methods of proof (proof by induction, for instance, which is used quite a lot at uni level), and you'll also have had an introduction to matrices, vectors etc, which again is very helpful (matrices, vectors etc comes up in "linear algebra" courses at uni).
If you are interested in doing a little reading, see if the uni you are interested in attending has a recommended reading list, and just have a look at some of the more basic stuff. However, if you don't understand it, don't panic! Perhaps start looking at a little of linear algebra, or maybe some more things on differentiation and differential equations, as these topics should be more familiar than subjects like analysis.
There was quite a nice book entitled "Complex Numbers ad Geometry" that was used a lot for my second geometry course in my first year. It ties in complex numbers and geometry in a very nice way, and includes some more formal proofs, so you can have a look at the way mathematicians go about proving things.
Good luck with everything!
(P.S.-I absolutely love studyig maths!)
It's the normal route into a maths degree, isn't it? So I am sure it is OK!
I agree with the other comment, im pretty sure that is the normal route. Why do you not go and see your tutor who teaches you A2 level of ur careers advisor for some further information. If not why not go along to an open day at a local university and discuss it with one of their lecturers (in that specific department of course)
It is a normal route, and beside you will be doing a bit of revision to refresh your memory in the first year of a maths degree course any way. So don't worry. Be confident.
It does depend an awful lot on where you will be studying maths at uni. Some courses are REALLY high powered, deliberately making the transition seem much larger than it need seem.
It IS best to be forewarned that degree-level maths is a different kettle of fish from school maths (more so than in most subjects, at a guess). However, having said that:
1 Yes, be confident. If you are doing FM then (depending on where you are going) you are likely to be ahead of most of your peers.
2 Find out beforehand what kind of course you are embarking on and perhaps ask your school teachers if they can help you to prepare.
3 Be ready to do some reading round the subject over the summer (hard I know) and hit the ground running in October.
If you are diligent you will be fine!
Best of luck
I am in my first year at Warwick doing maths, the transition at first was pretty bad. There wasn't that much more material but it was just a different approach of thinking about things, it's all proofs and things and now it's becoming very interesting. Definately do a Maths degree, it is fantastic so far, more work than I'd like, but it's great. If you are very worried about the jump then Warwick may not be the place for you because it is near top for maths, but give it a go, if you don't like your degree you can always change your course.
Of course it's ok! Your first year will be a lot less mathematically taxing than you think. You will be introduced to areas of mathematics you have not yet seen and mostly you will be studying theorem, proof, theorem, proof, etc. You will not come across many numbers or calculations! But it's fascinating and exciting and if you are doing A2 FM then you are most probably an able mathematician and you will not struggle with the transition to degree level. Good luck and enjoy it!
Infact I think you will be more qualified than others, a lot of people going into maths only have maths A2 and further AS.
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