Maths Methods for future herpetological studies?

[vicherps]

Hi, I just want to ask people their opinions in regards to maths for future herpetological studies. I'm in year 10 and am currently doing general maths that will lead to further maths in VCE should I try harder to get into the preparation for maths methods.

Interms of herpetology I am mainly interested in the natural history of reptiles and amphibians and I understand you would need to know about stuff like statistics for surveys and all. But do you reckon I need maths methods or if I do general maths would it close doors for me in the future?

[junglepython2]

Check the prerequisites for bach of science, I doubt you will need methods but it does help.

[vicherps]

oh kk thanks

[saximus]

Up here pretty much all science courses recommend advanced maths but will accept general if your HSC/ATAR/Whatever they call is now marks are good enough. I don't know how your high school maths classes are structured in Vic but yeah if you stick with general you might struggle through first year at uni until you pick up the stuff that you haven't learnt.

[meaghan]

I did methods in yr 12 and am now in my 3rd year BSc at Monash, Clayton. In 1st year you have to do a compulsary maths unit. Even though I had methods, I did the easier one that was meant for people with further or no maths, basic stats. If you do methods you can also get into the harder stats. But its up to you - I haven't found any issues with only doing the easy one (for which methods is not a prerequisite.

I am now doing advanced bio research methods which is heavily stats based, yet the easier stats was still adequate to get into it.

Really it's up to you. Methods is not necessary but might provide a bit of extra understanding along the way

[Red-Ink]

Yep needed Maths for my BSc as well as taking up 1st year basic physics at Uni...

[meaghan]

But then again, depends on which uni you are wanting to go to. Apparently I didn't need methods for Monash BSc. Check out the prereqs.

[vicherps]

I did methods in yr 12 and am now in my 3rd year BSc at Monash, Clayton. In 1st year you have to do a compulsary maths unit. Even though I had methods, I did the easier one that was meant for people with further or no maths, basic stats. If you do methods you can also get into the harder stats. But its up to you - I haven't found any issues with only doing the easy one (for which methods is not a prerequisite.

I am now doing advanced bio research methods which is heavily stats based, yet the easier stats was still adequate to get into it.

Really it's up to you. Methods is not necessary but might provide a bit of extra understanding along the way

Thanks for your help.

[pseudechis4740]

My advice is to do all the math studies you can because a sound mathematics understanding opens up a whole new world of career opportunities. Once you see the practical aspects of algebra and trigonometry for example they are really useful skills to have.

[Dinoboy]

Hey there,
I'm also in year 10 down in vic and I'm definitely heading towards the same field in my career. but i'm more interested in the behavioural studies rather than the history.
I have spoken to many career councillors, science teachers, and even some people in the melbourne zoo reptile house, and all of which have told me that I will only need general but methods is preferred. I'm currently doing general now, however I'm planning on moving up to methods in year 11 and 12.
Hope this helps and best of luck.
-Nathan.

[moussaka]

I would definitely recommend maths methods, for both of you. While a high level of maths is not essential, it's very, very useful to understand it at the level taught in methods, especially for behavioural ecology. Behavioural ecology is actually a much more maths-y, quantitative field than you might imagine - while talking about cool behaviours is all well and good, it means a lot more if you can quantify it, which means graphs and models and statistics.

Maths is something I think that anyone who wants a career in science should have as strong a foundation in as possible!

[Revell13]

Im just starting at Uni of Wollongong, and for all the science degrees (I'm doing B Computer Science) you need stream 2/3 maths (harder than general). I agree with Pseudechis4740 in that the more maths knowledge you have, the easier anything math related will be.

[James_Scott]

Personally, I found the more complicated the math the easier it was to understand. I struggled at High School with even basic maths, but later in life did physics at Uni and ended up doing equations that I could never of imagined in high school. If you are determined to do well in sciences, then take on the advanced math. You may find it makes more sense then basic math.

[DanN]

Hi Vicherps,

Maths (in particular statistics) are an important part of being a herpetologist. Although you may not like maths now (or don't think you need it) your interest in reptilian natural history will require you to use maths somewhere along the line. IMO when you study something you shouldn't necessarily do it because you know you need it, but because it may be a useful skill to have in later life. Therefore, if you have a sound understanding of mathematical principles already, then you may be able to pick up statistics later when they become more applicable to your future studies. If, however, you struggle with maths at the moment then you should seriously consider doing extra maths to become proficient. Whether we like it or not, maths is a part of life and you find that some of the most interesting questions to be asked about reptile biology may require maths to help unravel the answer.

I hated maths when I was young, but I stuck it out (although I didn't understand much of what the guy next to me was writing at the time...). I'm glad I stuck it out because even the small base I gained allowed me to better understand much of what I do now - in fact, you might find you actually begin to enjoy maths when you're using it to study reptiles.

All the best,
Dan

[cheekabee]

I'm also in year 10 and I'm currently doing work experience at the Melbourne zoo in the invertebrates section, I asked if I could work in the reptile house but they don't offer anything like that so I don't know what you need to work with reptiles at this level. One of the invertebrate keepers told me that he studied animal science in uni and you don't need to have any qualifications/degrees to be a keeper but it would increase your chances. And you do need maths methods for animal science. I did get to go to the reptile office and didn't get the chance to ask the reptile keepers how they got the job but I didget to pat a giant tortoise.Attachment 256714