Studying a BSc [mathematics/physics] (Unisa?)

[AntiThesis]

So I've been interested in and have dabbled with all manner of things and I'd now like to formally do a BSc. Catches are:

1) Has to be distance learning as there's no way for me to physically go to lectures etc
2) Preferably with a lean towards the astronomy side of things

Anyone done this through Unisa? I see that they don't offer the BSc (Natural Science, Astronomy Stream) anymore but does anyone know of anything better than the BSc (Maths/Physics) or BSc (Applied Maths/Physics) that would be suitable?

How much of a grounding do I need from my Matric days? I matriculated in 2000 so quite some time ago.

tl;dr: Wanting to study physics/maths with astronomy lean. What do?

 

[BigAl-sa]

Astronomy might be your problem with distance ed. My suggestion would be to look at a general physics degree, once you've passed your second year, you can look towards astronomy - hopefully by then then Karoo thing would have gotten off the ground and all the varsities would be trying to get some of the pie.

 

[AntiThesis]

Yeah - that's what I'm most likely going to do. Either hit up BSc Appl. Maths & Physics or BSc. Maths & Physics.

Unisa have the astronomy lean but they seem to be closing the course down

 

[Mike Hoxbig]

Do you plan on using the astronomy aspect post-qualification? If not then a mathematically-based degree is fine, and you can get astronomy course material online if you're keen to learn about it in a personal capacity.

 

[AntiThesis]

That's a fair point - a lot of the open course stuff is pretty good. I'll consider carrying it to honours level afterwards but not sure yet. That's mainly why I would have liked to have done the course directly involving astronomy. Save time

It's definitely something I'm going to pursue but whether formally or for the hell of it, I don't know.

 

[BigAl-sa]

I have no idea what UNISA's physics courses look like, but see whether they offer cosmology at undergraduate level. If I was going to advise you, I would suggest Physics with cosmology and Maths. With those, with a reasonable pass mark, any university will take you for posrgrad in astronomy.

 

[ponder]

Unisa have the astronomy lean but they seem to be closing the course down

Got a link to where it says that?

 

[AntiThesis]

I have no idea what UNISA's physics courses look like, but see whether they offer cosmology at undergraduate level. If I was going to advise you, I would suggest Physics with cosmology and Maths. With those, with a reasonable pass mark, any university will take you for posrgrad in astronomy.

Looks like it's only available as an Honours subject. The ones I'm looking at at the moment are:

BSc. (Applied Mathematics and Physics Stream)

BSc. (Mathematics and Physics Stream)

Got a link to where it says that?

Bachelor of Science Natural Sciences: Astronomy Stream (02089 - NAS)

Qualification offered until 2015, and ONLY for students previously registered for this qualification.

Thanks for the advice/random chats folks, very handy

 

[ponder]

That sucks.

 

[AntiThesis]

That sucks.

Yep. I would guess that they didn't get very many people taking the qualification so it stopped being viable. Just speculation - I don't know anyone at UNISA to ask

 

[battletoad]

If you could, algebra would be great. Linear algebra will just have to do, although it wouldn't necessarily give you the scope of what algebra really is. Either way, my advice would probably only bode you well if you gravitate toward the theoretical side of things.

For the most part the courses are fine. Comp science for python programming (SKA will generate an ABUNDANCE of information), some statistics for physics, maths and appl maths. A bit disappointing that there isn't a lot of wiggle room for moving between applied- and pure- maths from 2nd year onwards. But if you plan on progressing into postgrad then picking up a book to fill in those gaps, supposing there are any, wouldn't be too much of a bother at that level.

I do believe that astronomy is going to be awfully worthwhile due to the SKA project, plus we need people locally to make sense of the data. Best of luck!

...hopefully by then then Karoo thing would have gotten off the ground and all the varsities would be trying to get some of the pie.

A tentative date of 2019 has been set as the official launch.

 

[Bar0n]

If you're going to do math, be sure to register on a forum like math.stackexchange.com (or math.stackoverflow.com, one of them don't like homework questions) as your lecturers will take roughly a week to reply to your questions.

 

[ponder]

Yep. I would guess that they didn't get very many people taking the qualification so it stopped being viable. Just speculation - I don't know anyone at UNISA to ask

You'll probably find them cutting down on science degrees and increasing bachelor of arts degrees

Don't they have anything in astrophysics etc? Maybe try getting hold of Prof Derck Smits and ask for some advice.
Other contacts http://www.unisa.ac.za/Default.asp?Cmd=ViewContent&ContentID=1641

Edit: Just had a look at the astronomy stream and the math component does not look that heavy, seems less math than a engineering deg but I could be wrong.

 

[AntiThesis]

You'll probably find them cutting down on science degrees and increasing bachelor of arts degrees

Don't they have anything in astrophysics etc? Maybe try getting hold of Prof Derck Smits and ask for some advice.
Other contacts http://www.unisa.ac.za/Default.asp?Cmd=ViewContent&ContentID=1641

Edit: Just had a look at the astronomy stream and the math component does not look that heavy, seems less math than a engineering deg but I could be wrong.

Woot! Thanks for the dude's email, that helped

The astronomy stream is no longer offered, and we do not offer a BSc major in astronomy. However, you can still do a BSc in physics, maths or applied maths and take our astronomy modules as part of your curriculum. My recommendation if you are interested in astronomy, particularly at the postgraduate level, is to do a BSc majoring in physics and include the astronomy modules in your programme. We currently offer 7 undergrad modules but you might not be able to fit all of them into a physics curriculum. If you can do the Spherical Astronomy (AST1534) and the three 2nd level modules (AST2651, AST2652 and AST2655) then you will be in a good position to continue with an Hons in astrophysics. The general introduction to astronomy module AST1631 is a descriptive course with no mathematics but provides a useful background over a broad range of topics.

Next hurdle... there's a compulsory 2 week (mon-fri) practical that HAS to be done in JHB or Pretoria. Hmm. Time to head into UNISA and talk to someone I think

 

[Mike Hoxbig]

Honours in Astrophysics - for some reason that title sounds so awesome

 

[ponder]

Woot! Thanks for the dude's email, that helped

Let us know what he said

Honours in Astrophysics - for some reason that title sounds so awesome

Yeah, I have visions of Sheldon but he's probably got a Ph.D or more

 

[Humberto]

You can also do a bachelors degree focusing on mathematics and physics and then go to the National Astrophysics and Space Science Programme (http://www.star.ac.za/) for postgraduate studies in astronomy.

 

[AntiThesis]

Yeah, I have visions of Sheldon but he's probably got a Ph.D or more

M.A., Ph.D., Sc.D

You can also do a bachelors degree focusing on mathematics and physics and then go to the National Astrophysics and Space Science Programme (http://www.star.ac.za/) for postgraduate studies in astronomy.

Aah thanks for that link Heading in to UNISA today to ask all the questions. Hopefully they can actually answer them

 

[Polk]

M.A., Ph.D., Sc.D



Aah thanks for that link Heading in to UNISA today to ask all the questions. Hopefully they can actually answer them

Did you have any success with your queries? Read through your post, interesting.

Have you considered double majoring comp sci and physics? It will include basic math courses up to 2nd lvl but you would be sacrificing 3rd lvl math courses for CS courses. Not too sure which would be more beneficial. By structuring your own double major you may have more flexibility to take on 1st and 2nd lvl astronomy courses (although not 3rd lvl). Double major will require 5 CS 3rd year and 5 physics 3rd year, but you will have free 1st and 2nd year modules after you have satisfied the prereqs.

 

[AntiThesis]

Kinda

Some very useful people at UNISA here. Astronomy is no longer offered as a Major but the central folks haven't yet told anyone else about it so had some very interesting conversations

Anyway, it basically breaks down that the best thing to go for is a BSc. General with:

1st Year (8 modules):

AST1631 - GENERAL INTROD TO ASTRONOMY
AST1534 - SPHER ASTRON AND KEPL ORBITS
(1) PHY1506 - ELECTROMAGNETISM & HEAT
(2) PHY1505 - MECHANICS
(3) MAT1512 - CALCULUS A
(4) PHY1604 - MODERN PHYSICS
(5) MAT1613 - CALCULUS B
(6) PHY1503 - PHYSICS PRACTICAL WORK I

2nd Year (12 Modules):
3 Maths
4 Physics
AST2651 (PR: 1,2,3)
AST2652 (PR: 1,2,3,4,5)
AST2655 (PR: 6,7)

3rd Year (10 modules)
5 Maths
5 Physics

(7) PHY1038 which is a prereq for AST2655 is the only mystery. It's listed as a prereq but not listed at all in the current list of modules so have to phone and ask them about that

Besides that, it shooould all work out and let me carry on Astonomy at a postgrad level. *phew*