Mathematics: there`s no escaping it, but it doesn`t have to be dreaded
For many people mathematics is simply a loathsome subject. They may have got along fine with it during primary school, but once they got to secondary school, and the teachers started replacing numbers with letters, and introducing bizarre things like cosines and logarithms, they were just done.
That so many pupils feel this way is certainly unfortunate, for the economy of today needs mathematicians, and the economy of tomorrow will need even more. In our `tech infused` world, where computers seem to pervade almost every appliance, (even fridges and doorbells) mathematics is of great importance. It would be hard to think of any industry or profession that doesn`t have a website, or advertise on the internet. Lacking an online presence surely means the incipient demise a business, and every webpage has to be programmed, a task that is highly mathematical.
Even careers that are outside the STEM category will be aided by a good knowledge of mathematics. Finance, business, economics - these are all domains that draw heavily upon mathematics, without specifically demanding any advanced qualifications in the subject.
A 2017 survey conducted by the National Association of Colleges and Employers revealed that more than 82% of employers said problem solving was an attribute they would `Seek on a Candidates Resume.` A good mathematician is naturally a good problem solver, for the subject teaches sound reasoning, and the construction of logical inferences.
Your job prospects will certainly be enriched if you study mathematics to A-level or beyond. Even if you don`t plan to go into a field that specifically makes use of logical reasoning, a maths qualification will always look impressive, and rightfully so. Another reason to continue the subject is that mathematics will very likely help you with your other courses. Physics, chemistry, biology, economics - these subjects are heavily reliant upon mathematics in many areas. You will have an advantage over your peers if have studied, or are currently studying maths as a stand alone subject. Forced to choose between two applicants, admissions boards are likely to select the candidate with A-Levels maths over the one lacking the qualification.
There are a huge number of degrees that insist the student to possess A-Level mathematics. Almost every university will require applicants to posses Maths A-Level if they wish to study one of the following subjects:
- Aeronautical Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Economics
- Electrical/Electronic Engineering
- Engineering (General)
- Mathematics
- Mechanical Engineering
- Physics
- Statistics
While this is not a particularly long list, there are many more subjects where universities state A-Level mathematics will be useful:
- Accountancy
- Architecture
- Biochemistry
- Biology
- Biomedical Sciences (including Medical Science)
- Business Studies
- Chemistry
- Computer Science
- Dentistry
- Dietetics
- Geography some Geography BSc degrees will value individual science qualifications (Biology, Chemistry, or Physics) as much as mathematics.
- Law facilitating subjects at A-level are useful when applying for Law
- Management Studies
- Nursing and Midwifery
- Orthoptics
- Pharmacy
- Philosophy
- Physiotherapy
- Planning
- Psychology
- Surveying
- Teacher Training
The concepts introduced in further mathematics make it vastly more difficult than its lessor A-level - but of course only those students most able in the subject will be granted the opportunity to take it. For anyone considering a degree in mathematics or physics, further maths will certainly be useful, as it will ease the transition between school and university studies. The following degrees will also perhaps be made easier by the techniques acquired in further mathematics A-Level:
- Actuarial Science
- Aeronautical Engineering
- Biochemistry
- Biomedical Sciences (including Medical Science)
- Chemical Engineering
- Chemistry
- Civil Engineering
- Computer Science
- Dentistry
- Electrical/Electronic Engineering
- Engineering (General)
- Law facilitating subjects at A-level are useful when applying for Law
- Materials Science (including Biomedical Materials Science)
- Mathematics
- Mechanical Engineering
- Medicine
- Optometry (Opthalmic Optics)
- Physics
- Veterinary Science
I believe that out of all the subjects, mathematics fares the worst when it comes to teaching, and many pupils have convinced themselves long ago that they are no good at it, and carry a kind of mental-block with them when faced with maths problems. As pupils advance through the year groups, they will find their maths lessons consistently build upon logical principles acquired in earlier lessons. For this reason early misunderstandings can have a profoundly negative effect upon their learning. Here at Tutor Hunt we find that around half of all searches on our site are for maths tutors. For many pupils only a short period of private tuition in maths is needed to set them on the right path. Outside of the classroom they can speak more freely about the parts of the syllabus they are having trouble with; and with a teacher attending to these misunderstandings on a one to one basis, they can soon be back on track.
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