Letter: Scientific facts

From Dr A. M. Hulme

Sir: Professor Byron (letter, 7 September) seems to have produced a typical arts man's analysis of the state of science; he lays the blame for low application rates for science courses on the alleged tedium of the subject matter, thereby apparently "proving" that science is no harder than arts subjects.

Most undergraduates do not plan an academic career, and as such they choose to study subjects which they can do without too much difficulty and are going to give them opportunities in reasonably well-paid jobs.

As long as arts degrees are acceptable in such high-paying professions as the law, accountancy, marketing etc, and jobs in science and engineering are paid at the present, often pitifully inadequate, rates, undergraduates will elect for arts subjects. The courts are full of professionals disputing cases on the basis that the one who puts the "best" argument has proven his/her assertion. Sadly, history often proves the invalidity of this approach.

Yours sincerely,

A. M. Hulme

Sutton, West Midlands