Adventures studying Mathematics and Physics - Stage 1

When I was a young girl, my best subject in school was always math. I liked the preciseness of it. I liked that I didn’t need to memorize anything (terrible memory), and I could just learn to understand it, and the computation pieces just fell into place.
I thought maybe I’d go to university and major in it.

I also enjoyed physics, especially the applied mathematics of it. The problem-solving aspects of it were quite enjoyable, but I had a harder time understanding the conceptual foundations. Still, the more theoretical parts of physics were fascinating, especially the deep dive into quantum physics.
I thought maybe I’d go to university and major in it.

I definitely did not want to go into something as unusual as computer programming. That seemed a tad boring to me.
Alas. Plans are plans, and life is life.
Here I am working and enjoying my life as a Software Engineer. 🙂

However, the curiosity about math and physics never really went away, and I decided to do something about it.
A few years ago, I started to take some courses as part of the BSc Honours program in Mathematics and Physics at the Open University in the UK.

---

How it works

Open University’s programs are entirely online/print. You study on your own from the materials given to you. Each degree is composed of 360 credits, each stage being 120. There is no semester system, and almost all of the courses run over a period of 9 months starting in October.

There are either 30-credit courses (8-10 hours of study per week) or 60-credit courses (16-20 hours of study per week).
Along the way, there are some TMAs (Teacher Marked Assignments) and sometimes iCMAs (Interactive Computer Marked Assignments) and the final exam.
So far, it’s been pretty typical to have the final exam be worth 80-100% of the final mark.
The ones I’ve had were remote exams at home. They were open-book, but you have so little time that you don’t really have time to open the actual books.

---

Stage 1

Essential Mathematics 124 (MST 124)

Dates: Jan 2022 - Sep 2022

This first math course is considered a leveling course; all students funnel through this course, even people like me who have not studied in a while. The topics start with a review to get everyone on the same page and then dive into some calculus and a peek into linear algebra.

Topics:

• Algebra
• Graphs and equations
• Functions
• Trigonometry
• Coordinate geometry and vectors
• Differentiation
• Integration
• Matrices
  • Manipulation and operations, networks, inverses, solving simultaneous equations
• Sequences and series
  • Binomial theorem
• Taylor Polynomials
• Complex Numbers
  • Complex plane, polar form, De Moivre’s formula, Euler’s formula, roots of complex numbers, fundamental theorem of algebra

I enjoyed calculus in my high school days, so I was familiar with the concepts.
It was a lot of review and practice.
The teachers demand very detailed answers in their TMAs.
Unlike high school mathematics, where you can get away with some sloppiness and fast work, the people marking the TMAs require you to illustrate every step and assumption. That was the biggest adjustment for me.

The fun parts were definitely matrices and the topics on complex numbers.

✅ I got a Distinction grade in this course.

---

Essential Mathematics 125 (MST 125)

Dates: Jan 2023 - Sep 2023

This is the “second semester” math. It follows from MST 124.

Topics:

• Key Techniques (review)
• Mathematical Typesetting (LaTeX)
• Conics
  • Parabolas, ellipses, hyperbolas, parametric equations
• Statics
  • Weights, tensions, frictions, equilibrium, pulley systems
• Geometric Transformations
  • Isometries, linear/inverse/composite/affine transformations
• Topics in Calculus
  • Partial fractions, rational functions, integration via trig expressions, hyperbolic functions
• Differential Equations
  • Direct integration, separation of variables, population modeling, radioactive decay, Newton’s laws of cooling, linear differential equations
• Mathematical Proofs
  • Direct proofs, deduction, induction, indirect proofs, Fermat’s Little Theorem
• Dynamics
  • Position, velocity, and acceleration in 3D space, projectiles
• Eigenvalues
  • Eigenvalues and eigenvectors, flattenings, rotations, reflections, diagonalization
• Combinatorics
  • Counting principles, sequences, recurrence systems, Fibonacci sequence

I enjoyed differential equations, the applied mathematics on statics and dynamics, and more linear algebra.
The proof section was very challenging, and it took me a lot of practice and review to get the basics.
I’m much more familiar with the computational/applied side of mathematics than the pure side.
The geometric transformations slowed me down as well.

✅ I got a Distinction grade in this course.

---

Questions in Science (S111) - Oct 2023

Dates: Oct 2023 - Jun 2024

This is an introductory science module that covers:

• Astronomy
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Earth and Environmental Sciences
• Physics

Each section starts with a high-level question and runs through interdisciplinary content for each.

The list of questions:

1. Can you make a hole in water?
2. How do you know what is alive?
3. Why does it snow in winter?
4. Is there life on Mars?
5. Why do metals corrode?
6. How similar am I to a plant?
7. Does the earth move under your feet?
8. Are waves everywhere?
9. Can we lead a chemical-free life?
10. Why does the sun shine?
11. What is ‘Bad Science’?

There were a lot of labs in this course, and I wasn’t sure if I would enjoy it since it had less math/physics.
However, the interdisciplinary approach really tied everything together in an unexpected way.
I still remember fascinating bits about Mars, the death of stars, and the formation of snow.

This course felt a lot more relaxed, and I suspect it’s designed to ease people back into studying.

✅ I got a Distinction grade in this course.

What’s next?

This year, I took a break from university to do some traveling, job interviews, and outdoor adventures. My next course will start in October 2025. The next two courses are both 60 credits — one in math and the other in physics. The latter just got a rewrite, so I’m thinking it’s best to take the math course this year. I work full-time, so committing 16-20 hours on top of my job for the next two years is going to be a lot.