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Asked by 959cara48 to Jonathan, Ian on 19 Jan 2018.
Question: Would Further Maths in A-level and GCSE help me in science careers please, and when analyzing statistics, what skills will you need?
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Jonathan Kay answered on 19 Jan 2018:
What follows is about careers (as asked) rather than specifically about University entrance.
Yes, the more maths the better for just about any career in science.
Statistics is particularly helpful. In addition to what you get in most curricula I’d add the importance of statistics in everyday life and in politics. Listen to More or Less on Radio 4 and browse FullFact.org. Those will give you lots on how to think numerately, which is rather different from cookbook statistical exercises.
I’d also encourage you to do mathematical puzzles. Anything by Martin Gardner or Alex Bellos, who runs a series in The Guardian. If you attempt them working in groups they’ll also help with collaboration.
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anon answered on 19 Jan 2018:
I am a statistician – the more mathematical skills you can gain the better. I work in applied areas – estimating parameters from datasets (on Ebola in West Africa, for example). Mathematical skills underpin understanding statistical methods and computer coding helps turn that understanding into results.
Comments
Greg commented on :
As Jonathan says, the more maths the better. I struggled with the maths when I first started at uni, because it was quite a lot harder than what I’d done at A level. I coped (hey, I still work for a uni so I must have done something right) but at that point I really wished I’d done further maths, which would have made the transition quite a lot smoother.
959cara48 commented on :
Thank you, this is so useful.
959cara48 commented on :
Thank you so much, and I felt really grateful, and I think if I tried hard on this subject, then it will really help me in the science careers.