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March 29, 2024, 10:01:30 am

Author Topic: Should I take specialist maths?  (Read 5928 times)  Share 

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helloari226

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Should I take specialist maths?
« on: January 24, 2019, 04:55:46 am »
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I’m an international student currently studying SACE ( year 12 ) at college and I’m pretty stumped about subject choices. I’m currently taking English, mathematical methods, chemistry, information technology and for the last subject I am debating between biology, physics and specialist maths. I’m interested into going into computer science in the future so I heard that specialist maths might be useful to know but everyone around me keeps saying specialist maths is impossible and extremely hard. Im about average, maybe slightly above average at methods level maths, but I’m not that great at it either. I don’t hate maths but I don’t exactly love it as well. I don’t know if taking specialist maths would be dumb and end up pulling down my atar scores. The only reason physics and biology are in my options is Incase computer science doesn’t work out and I have other options at uni to fall back on as there’s wider range of courses because of the pre reqs. I don’t see myself becoming an engineer though. Would it be advisable to take specialist maths or should I chosoe another subject instead and is it doable and the people around me just exaggerating?

Tatlidil

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Re: Should I take specialist maths?
« Reply #1 on: January 24, 2019, 09:01:41 am »
+1
I’m an international student currently studying SACE ( year 12 ) at college and I’m pretty stumped about subject choices. I’m currently taking English, mathematical methods, chemistry, information technology and for the last subject I am debating between biology, physics and specialist maths. I’m interested in going into computer science in the future so I heard that specialist maths might be useful to know but everyone around me keeps saying specialist maths is impossible and extremely hard. I'm about average, maybe slightly above average at methods level maths, but I’m not that great at it either. I don’t hate maths but I don’t exactly love it as well. I don’t know if taking specialist maths would be dumb and end up pulling down my atar scores. The only reason physics and biology are in my options is In case computer science doesn’t work out and I have other options at uni to fall back on as there’s a wider range of courses because of the prereqs. I don’t see myself becoming an engineer though. Would it be advisable to take specialist maths or should I choose another subject instead and is it doable and the people around me just exaggerating?

Hey helloari!

For starters specialist is not impossible, you just need to devote more time into it, the content may be difficult to understand. Also, I thought physics might be a prereq for computer science, anyway...If your school allows you to change your subjects in the first few weeks or so, I'd say to use that time to see how the subjects are and decide which one you enjoy and think you can be good at, or you can check out the curriculums for those subjects. Other than that, it's really up to you which subjects to choose since you know yourself better than any of us, I might say for you not to do biology (because its hard for me) but you could enjoy it and find biology to be easy. What I do recommend (remember, you don't have to go by this) is to do two of those subjects IF you can.
Hope this helps!

helloari226

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Re: Should I take specialist maths?
« Reply #2 on: January 24, 2019, 12:24:08 pm »
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Hey helloari!

For starters specialist is not impossible, you just need to devote more time into it, the content may be difficult to understand. Also, I thought physics might be a prereq for computer science, anyway...If your school allows you to change your subjects in the first few weeks or so, I'd say to use that time to see how the subjects are and decide which one you enjoy and think you can be good at, or you can check out the curriculums for those subjects. Other than that, it's really up to you which subjects to choose since you know yourself better than any of us, I might say for you not to do biology (because its hard for me) but you could enjoy it and find biology to be easy. What I do recommend (remember, you don't have to go by this) is to do two of those subjects IF you can.
Hope this helps!

Hey there!
First of all thank you for your input! I did a bunch of research and found out that physics is not a prereq for computer science, the only prereq is mathematical methods, if it was it would’ve made my life easier haha. My school actually doesn’t allow me to take more than 4 subjects excluding English, so I can’t choose them both. It seems rather likely that I’m going to take specialist maths, what you wrote definitely comforted me, I hope I don’t flunk it!

RuiAce

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Re: Should I take specialist maths?
« Reply #3 on: January 24, 2019, 01:20:45 pm »
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Also, I thought physics might be a prereq for computer science,
Just going to comment - I have not gotten anywhere close to physics in my computer science degree.

TheBigC

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Re: Should I take specialist maths?
« Reply #4 on: January 24, 2019, 03:02:54 pm »
+1
I’m an international student currently studying SACE ( year 12 ) at college and I’m pretty stumped about subject choices. I’m currently taking English, mathematical methods, chemistry, information technology and for the last subject I am debating between biology, physics and specialist maths. I’m interested into going into computer science in the future so I heard that specialist maths might be useful to know but everyone around me keeps saying specialist maths is impossible and extremely hard. Im about average, maybe slightly above average at methods level maths, but I’m not that great at it either. I don’t hate maths but I don’t exactly love it as well. I don’t know if taking specialist maths would be dumb and end up pulling down my atar scores. The only reason physics and biology are in my options is Incase computer science doesn’t work out and I have other options at uni to fall back on as there’s wider range of courses because of the pre reqs. I don’t see myself becoming an engineer though. Would it be advisable to take specialist maths or should I chosoe another subject instead and is it doable and the people around me just exaggerating?

Predicated upon the subjects that you are currently taking, there seems to be a 'technical' bias. From a careers perspective, Biology seems like a great fit (i.e. might open new doors for you), however, I can elucidate that Specialist Math is really not that hard. Myself and many of my friends found it very easy. Many people spread bullshit rumours, and although this might be true for a proportion of students, I am very dubious of this being the case for most. Anyways.

- For greater career opportunity and insight, pick Biology.
- To become more technically immersed, pick Specialist.
- For better reasoning and critical thinking skills, pick Physics.

This is all my own opinion. Good luck!

Tatlidil

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Re: Should I take specialist maths?
« Reply #5 on: January 24, 2019, 03:26:32 pm »
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Just going to comment - I have not gotten anywhere close to physics in my computer science degree.
Oh, really? Haha alright, i didnt know

Aaron

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Re: Should I take specialist maths?
« Reply #6 on: January 24, 2019, 03:39:29 pm »
+1
Just going to comment - I have not gotten anywhere close to physics in my computer science degree.

-- Start reply to Rui's quote
Given I have completed a related degree (more than half of my subjects came from the CS course plan at my uni), i'd say the only time you would see physics in depth is during game development units. In a general sense physics is present in parts elsewhere but it really depends on the design of the course and what the unis want you to get out of the degree itself.
** off the top of my head
-- End reply to Rui's quote

-- General Advice
I personally think specialist would be good for you rather than physics - CS has a very high mathematical requirement and imo the more you do before hand the better as it lays the framework for success early. You're right, you'll barely find physics as a pre-req in any CS course. The main requirement here is mathematics and this usually involves a prereq of methods or higher.

In terms of taking specialist itself - difficulty is subjective and just because one finds it extremely easy/hard, doesn't mean you will. See my comment below but I reckon you should consult somebody who is able to provide you with targeted personal advice before you take it on!

I would advise that you seek course maps etc. of CS degrees for unis you are interested in going to - a quick google search will assist with this. There tends to be advice on ATAR Notes from all areas which are often not fact checked or essentially opinion from those that have never been in your situation... so consulting formal documents along with professional advice will give you the best possible outcome.

Cheers, good luck! Looking forward to seeing another Computing student on here soon.
-- End General Advice
« Last Edit: January 24, 2019, 03:56:24 pm by Aaron »
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