Aerospace Engineering/Science

[BigAl]

I still have a little chance to get into this course by seas and this course seems satisfying for me because I can study my hobby (astronomy) along with my dream of being a rocket scientist. How does double  degree program work? From what I understood, I could obtain two diplomas and choose whatever I want afterwards. Is that what happens?

[Greatness]

At the end of the course you'll graduate with 2 Bachelor degrees not diplomas. And yeah you can do whatever you want after graduating, work for a RAAF, try getting into an aero program or use your science degree etc.

[DisaFear]

Double check if you can major in any astronomy/astrophysics units with this double degree.

I have a Aero/Sci friend who did first-year Astro this year with me, he says he cannot major in Astro as Aero forces you to major in Math/Physics or something from your Science side

I'm not too sure how it works, but do check.

(To major in Astro areas, you need to pair it up with a major in Math or Physics, I think)

[BigAl]

I checked the units..there are cool concepts of physics including astronomy/astrophysics, quantum mechanics etc. It was a huge disappointment not seeing special and general relativity there but I guess that is included in the course when studying gravity. Specializing in maths or physics will help me anyway in choosing pathways through astronomy/astrophysics I guess. 

[DisaFear]

Have a peek at this thread, seems sort of relevant

http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/1987608

If you do first year Physics, you will cover Special Relativity in first semester, and Quantum Mechanics in second semester
General Relativity, however, is confined to third year, as far as I know.

And yea, Physics is really interesting. But insanely hard

EDIT: Don't expect hardcore QM or relativity in first year astro - the only requirement for the subject is Year 10 science or something - making it a popular Arts elective, just an introduction to astronomy, a fun subject for people who love space. The real astro starts in second year I think.

[Hancock]

It does look like a fantastic course structure, but how much does Astronomy / Astrophysics have to do with Aerospace Eng? I'm not being condescending towards your degree pathway, I'm genuinely curious.

My opinion is that we are a little off combining the two fields (like spaceships and what not) but I do love watching Michio Kaku talk about Dark Matter and black holes.

[BigAl]

Yes Michio Kaku is a great example. As far as I know, he is the leading theorist of string theory and a fan of science fiction. This is what I want to do actually. I have so much interest at stars, galaxies etc..and also space crafts. My family forces me to study aerospace engineering because I will be unemployed in Turkey if I study astronomy/astrophysics. So if I hold two degrees, I can be more flexible in the future. Hope you get what I mean.

[JinXi]

The Aero/Sci double degree structure is somewhat rigid. You are required to have TWO major in your science degree, and one of them HAS to be maths. You are free to choose your other major, and most would opt for either a major in Astronomy, Physics or a double major in maths. Most (if not all) of other major's with maths requires a couple semesters of overloading (which is a nightmarish 30+ contact hour weeks)

Similar to you, I have a strong interest in the field of astronomy, in particular the structure of the universe. I would greatly encourage you to pursue this pathway, as it is by no means easy and you'll probably find yourself in a tight spot on more than a few occasion. However, if you actually DO have a real interest in the field, it is extremely rewarding. You'll basically be able to tell people that you are studying rocket science! 

I wish you the best of luck and hope to see you around Monash next year!

Edit: First year Astronomy is sort of a waste of time, more of an "enjoyment" unit and a free HD. If you have a keen interest in astronomy and had been constantly reading scientific articles etc., I suggest that you skip first year astronomy and go straight into second year. The content in astronomy (2nd year) isn't very hard but will most probably include stuff that you haven't seen before. On the other hand, first year astronomy is more like an introduction to astronomy (I think the unit is called exactly that?) and also the culture of astronomy. If you are already familiar with astronomy, you'll probably find it a little boring and dull (Eg. For ASP1022 - 2nd sem 1st year, we had to watch some documentaries as a lecture and they were examinable. I've already watched all of it before and so it was sort of a waste of money for me). Also, second year astronomy has no pre-reqs so you'll be able to do them in your first year. However, if you're new to astronomy or have an interest in it but not a very broad knowledge in the field, I'd recommend doing first year astronomy.

[DisaFear]

^They do seem to have pre-reqs?

Astronomy

Pre-req: 6 points of first year Physics

Introduction to Astrophysics

Pre-req: MTH1030 or MTH1035 and 6 points of first year Physics

I think only second semester of first-year astro is boring, first sem is good fun

[JinXi]

^They do seem to have pre-reqs?

Astronomy

Pre-req: 6 points of first year Physics

Introduction to Astrophysics

Pre-req: MTH1030 or MTH1035 and 6 points of first year Physics

I think only second semester of first-year astro is boring, first sem is good fun

It's easy to get the 6 points pre-req for ASP2011 waived if you did VCE physics.
Also, you'll probably be doing MTH1030/1035 in first semester, so that satisfies the pre-req for ASP2062. (MTH1030 requires you to have done specialist maths. If you did Uni maths than you'll get credit points for MTH1030)

[TommyLie]

Hey, I will hopefully also be doing Aero/Sci next year as well!! I'll also be relying on SEAS to get me in

With the science bachelor, seeing as I have to have one major in maths, can the other be relativity (general & special) and quantum mechanics? This stuff really interests me and I'm keen to learn it if it is possible

Also, seeing as I meet the requirement from modeling techniques (Adv) and multivariable calculus (adv) in first year I was wondering if anyone can tell me how difficult this is compared to the non-advanced version and the extra work load and if it is even worth doing?

[DisaFear]

Take a look at this page, scroll down to the subjects, I guess theses are your options

http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/handbooks/aos/physics/

Level One is first-year stuff, Level Three is third year stuff
Since you're doing a double, you probably won't take it in a precise order though.

[JinXi]

Hey, I will hopefully also be doing Aero/Sci next year as well!! I'll also be relying on SEAS to get me in

With the science bachelor, seeing as I have to have one major in maths, can the other be relativity (general & special) and quantum mechanics? This stuff really interests me and I'm keen to learn it if it is possible

Also, seeing as I meet the requirement from modeling techniques (Adv) and multivariable calculus (adv) in first year I was wondering if anyone can tell me how difficult this is compared to the non-advanced version and the extra work load and if it is even worth doing?

With the double degree, as you said, one of your two science major must be in maths. You are free to choose the other two, and judging from the units you listed (relativity/QM), you'll probably be looking at a major in physics. Do note that around 15 of my friends-aero/science, all wanted or was thinking to major in physics before starting second year. At the end of second year, only 2 of them decided to continue with their major in physics. Of course you may be the minority but I just want to give you a warning that the general consensus of uni physics is shit

As for doing the adv. version of MTH1035-modelling techniques and MTH2015- multivariable calc, I personally don't think it's worth it as in the adv. version, all you do is cover all of content that the normal unit covers, and a couple of extra topics and proofs etc.

The reason that I don't see it as beneficial are:
1. In the adv. version, you sit an exam that is slightly harder than the normal version, and you compete against a slightly stronger cohort. (scaling might take effect)
2. Following from above, doing the adv. version may lead to a slightly lower mark compared to the normal version.
3. You can crash the extra tutorial held for the adv. version of the unit. (Adv. students has to attend an hour (or two? I can't remember) of tutorials per week in addition to their normal two hours tutorial)
4. For someone that is really interested in maths, I think it would be better for them to choose what topics of maths they like to learn up on themselves rather than learning the extra stuff in the adv. unit which might not be to the liking of some people. In uni, if you like a particular topic, you should be the one taking the initiative to read up on the unit, contact the relevant lecturers who's research is in that field (You don't need to be enrolled in any of their units. Many of them are happy to talk) etc.etc.

[TommyLie]

Thank you very much for that, that helps a lot

So given you are restricted with what science units you can major in with aero/sci double, those being either physics or math to my understanding, if I decided I didn't like physics then I would basically have to major in maths as my whole science component of the double degree? And do you know exactly why the general consensus is that physics in uni is shit? Just boring? to difficult? to easy?

[JinXi]

Thank you very much for that, that helps a lot

So given you are restricted with what science units you can major in with aero/sci double, those being either physics or math to my understanding, if I decided I didn't like physics then I would basically have to major in maths as my whole science component of the double degree? And do you know exactly why the general consensus is that physics in uni is shit? Just boring? to difficult? to easy?

You'll also be able to major in astronomy & astrophysics in the aero/sci double without needing to overload. Other major combinations with maths is possible, but you just have to overload for them. I got a friend who is majoring in aero/sci who is majoring in chem/maths and he needed to overload for 3 semesters to fulfill the requirements for his chem major.

I'm can't speak for others about physics, but I personally dislike it as alot of the content taught in second year is extremely dry. (Condensed matter and Optics...) It also doesn't help that the lecturers taking those units has a monotonous tone to their voice and literally read off the slides. Also, the content in physics is by no means easy and many of the students struggle with it. Second year physics lab also gets extremely tough compared to first year physics labs. (I got full marks on all my labs throughout the entire 1st year, but got 13/20 on my first 2nd year physics lab)

Also, the workload of physics is quite huge. With 3 hours of lab per week which requires pre-reading to score well in them, a couple of long lab reports to prepare, 3 hours of lectures per week (normally there's 2 different topics being taught at the same time. E.g. 2 lectures of Condensed matter and 1 lecture of QM each week), 2 final exams (2hr-20%, 3hrs-30%), and random quizzes here and there. It's by far the unit with the heaviest workload amongst all the unit I've done.

The content in physics isn't very difficult (compared to units like thermodynamics/aerodynamics). It's just the continuous stream of work that is required for that unit that puts people off. You literally don't get a breather throughout the entire semester if you want to do well in it.

On the plus side of physics, you'll probably get Kevin Pimblett as a lecturer in first year on dyanmics who is amongst the best lecturer in the uni. Also, Michael Morgan is a good lecturer in QM who sometimes gets too excited lecturing... But I guess the cons outweighes the pros for physics for most students and that's the reason why most students decides to not pursue a major in physics.