What does a BSc really get you?

[schnappy]

Hey all,
I'm wanting to do physics at UOM in '11, but I'm wondering if it can actually land you a job anywhere? I was planning on then spending the extra two years to get a Masters in Engineering, but have read here that someone did that and could not get employed as a mechanical engy, which was quite worrying (Due to UoM being largely theory - not practical). Is there anyway to do the BSc at UoM then do BE at Monash, or is that just stupid? I've heard some ill things of Engy at Monash (It being incredibly difficult etc. but I haven't heard much of it)

I've still got more than 12 months to think about it...

Any thoughts?

[Eriny]

Are you interested in physics?

Anyway, a good knowledge of science is useful for careers like Engineering and so forth. You could also get a job in science research (but you would require at least an honours degree, if not masters or higher). There are also heaps of different jobs where the only requirement is a degree, but not any degree in particular, which you would be able to do. I think a science student could answer this question better than me though,

[ninwa]

Why not BSc/BEng at Monash?

[TrueTears]

Don't do physics at Monash, it's shit hole.

[schnappy]

Why not BSc/BEng at Monash?

I'm a bludger - and it seams like a lot of work . And I'm pessisimistic about what my ATAR will be - a sub 90 ENTER requirement in '09 for science at UoM is attractive. Then being able to do ME is good - engineering was my original plan but I do have a particular interest in physics - I'm considering doing UMEP next year.

Doing the BSc then ME is what I was hoping for, but seeing some posts saying the Engineering course at Melbourne is crap (Couldn't get employed even) in a different thread is putting me off. Law is another oppurtunity after BSc since I'd have the BSc to continue on with later on - but then again I don't like to rely on getting into UoM Law afterwards.

I was just curious to see if a BSc by itself will get me anywhere in the long run, and it's looking like it won't.

[mark_alec]

As a general rule, I say you should do something that you like. If you like science and are good at it, you will be able to get a job.

As for not being able to be employed if you do engineering at Melbourne Uni, that is obviously crap.

[schnappy]

Well I enjoy watching all the MIT physics lectures on YouTube, so it is definately something I like. I'm not too shit hot at maths, can anyone describe to me what the UoM subjects Calculus (1 and 2), and Linear Algebra entail? Compared to Methods CAS 3/4?

[TrueTears]

linear alg is very different from methods, haven't personally done cal 1/2 at uom but the calculus would be different than in methods too, but you will need the basics from methods.

watch a few lin alg videos from mit opencourse by gilbert strang, they're legendary

[Gloamglozer]

Well I enjoy watching all the MIT physics lectures on YouTube, so it is definately something I like. I'm not too shit hot at maths, can anyone describe to me what the UoM subjects Calculus (1 and 2), and Linear Algebra entail? Compared to Methods CAS 3/4?

Calculus 1 is simply VCE Specialist Maths in one semester (12 weeks).  The only thing you don't study in Calculus 1 is the kinematics part of Specialist Maths.  Calculus 2 is an extension of Calc 1 and apparently you start to do more proofs and more interesting maths.  As for linear algebra, the only thing that is similar to Methods is matrices.

[appianway]

Can you do Accelerated Maths without VCE Specialist if you've been involved in certified programs that use much higher level mathematics?

[Gloamglozer]

Can you do Accelerated Maths without VCE Specialist if you've been involved in certified programs that use much higher level mathematics?

It is possible.  Nothing is impossible at uni.  But as you don't have the actual academic pre-requisite in VCE (so to speak), you won't be automatically admitted into the subject.  Instead you'd have to get permission from the Director of the Mathematics and Statistics Learning Centre.

[Akirus]

Can you do Accelerated Maths without VCE Specialist if you've been involved in certified programs that use much higher level mathematics?

Can you do Accelerated Maths without VCE Specialist if you've been involved in certified programs that use much higher level mathematics?

It is possible.  Nothing is impossible at uni.  But as you don't have the actual academic pre-requisite in VCE (so to speak), you won't be automatically admitted into the subject.  Instead you'd have to get permission from the Director of the Mathematics and Statistics Learning Centre.

I've contacted Monash about this, since I don't have Specialist either. They said I can skip MTH1020 (first semester maths) if I pass an aptitude test for Specialist-level maths, but not MTH1030 (second semester) as would MUEP/UMEP maths students.