Science TR071

I had the MCQ the second session today. From what i've heard each session has a different set of questions. That's just hearsay though, I only know about eight people from the science class and two of them did the same MCQ as me and the other six are doing theirs tomorrow.

As for what to study... leave nothing out. They asked something about every experiment. Make sure you know what you did, how you did it and what you saw during the experiment.

Dubs wrote: »

Don't expect too much from the BTC, you'll live in disappointment if you do :P

That's a nice way of saying the BTC couldn't find their arse with both hands. Actually since we're talking about BTC, can they be contacted about moving the moderatorship fair? They've scheduled it at the same time as the micro lab and I want to go!

Scoobydooo wrote: »

Anyone able to give any advice for the SF Microbiology MCQ?

There's just so much to study, what sort of questions came up last year??

A lot of people failed that one, with very few people getting firsts. The average seemed to be a pass or low 2:2 in it (Probably due to the negative marking). Make sure you know the stains described, the experiments inside out with emphasis on what you actually observed during the experiments. This can be a tricky one for some people because the labs were a bit lax when it came to actual results and I know many people didn't have much written in their lab books.

It is worth a hefty amount of marks for the year and microbiology does have one of the highest fail rates so doing well in it can secure you a pass in the summer. Good luck though and I'm sure you'll do fine

dynamot wrote: »

I can't make the talk on module choices for the rising JF this Friday, so could someone please confirm this statement: If I do not choose CH2201 and CH2202, the only course I cannot apply for in JS is Chemistry.

Thanks

Last year, CH2201 and CH2202 were required only for JS Chemistry. However with the merger of Structural and Cell Biology into the one Biochemistry degree, I am unsure if the subject requirements also changed for that. Refer to the JS Subject Choice booklet!

I was wondering if anyone knows how much it will cost to take the repeat exams if you fail? How much is it per exam? Can't seem to see a price on the tcd website that refers to science students.

Thanks!

Jammyc wrote: »

Supplemenals don't cost anything in Trinity, unlike other colleges. You should just be sure that you would be eligible to repeat, i.e. fail within a certain range etc.

Thanks! I'm quite surprised they don't cost anything, considering UCD is like €270 per exam.

I don't suppose you know where I could read about rules about being eligible to repeat? thank again!

It depends on the year you're in.

Exam regulations for science are here.

partyatmygaff wrote: »

For anyone else who took/is currently taking BY1101... is there any point in giving more than a glance at all the different families of fungi and Eukaryotic Organisms in Microbiology? Are they expecting us to know the names and characteristics of all the families?

In theory yes, in practice it's usually just a short answer question. You'd be in the minority to answer that question as an essay anyway, most opt for developmental biology as it's a bit more accessible. Not that'd I'd advocate cutting it out though.

Conorv wrote: »

Does anybody know if I'll need LC honors maths to do the maths required for Physics and Astrophysics?

It isn't a requirement. It does help to have sat HL because in 1st Year there are some things which pop up early on in the course which OL Maths people wouldn't have covered. It isn't a huge issue, it just means that some people are recapping some elements of the course whilst others will be learning them for the first time.

If there's anyone on here from first year science who studies physics or geography could you send me a PM.

Trying to make sure I have the entirety of the notes/lecture slides for both subjects.

Dwellingdweller wrote: »

Hey guys I was thinking about going to TCD in September to study this very course Had a few questions if yous could answer them!

what's the workload like?

It really is just as much as you want it to be. A lot of people (myself included) tend to leave all of the work til the last minute and then it can pile up, but usually you're given more than enough time to get everything done.
As far as exams go, so long as you do your bit of work throughout the year and attend the lectures then they'll be no bother!

what are the lecture sizes like?

For the first 2 years it's about 150+ per lecture. The tutorials you have are a bit smaller but on a day to day basis that's the size you're looking at. It's quite big at first but you get used to it.

how much do yous reckon the points for the course will go up by?
thanks

Couldn't tell you! :P It's been going up steadily the past few years. Could hit 490 this year maybe but don't be put off at all by points! Put what you want first on the CAO, regardless of points!

elsewhere wrote: »

I'm hoping to do this course next year but I was just curious about what happens at the end of 2nd year... are there a limited number of spaces for each area or can you chose whatever you like the most. How exactly does it work?

Just slightly worried that I'll end up being stuck doing something I don't enjoy!

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated

There are 20 ish different moderatorships to specialise in in 3rd year, ranging from neuroscience, genetics, zoology, geology, geography, astrophysics, chemistry... There is a lot to choose from.

To be eligible for the different moderatorships you have to do certain modules in 1st and 2nd year. For example, to do Chemistry in 3rd year, you have to do the Chemistry modules in 1st and 2nd year.

There are a limited number of places in each moderatorship. The average is 16ish I think. It basically works just like the CAO. Everyone is ranked by their overall grade from 2nd year exams and allocated places according to that. So top of the list gets their first choice and they go down the list. When they get to someone who's first choice is full up, they're given their second choice, assuming there are still spaces.

As long as you put in the work though there should be very little problem getting into a moderatorship that you like in 3rd year. There is plenty to choose from as well!

elsewhere wrote: »

^ Thanks so much for all the answers!

Also do you know what maths methods is like? I'm doing OL maths for the leaving so just wondering what it's like..

Oh don't worry about only having done OL maths, you'll be well capable for it. About half the year did maths methods, a mix of people who did OL and HL maths and they take you through it at a good pace.

Tutorials are once a week and based on the things covered that week in lectures. It's in a class of about 30 and run by a PhD student normally and great for asking them questions one on one if you're having problems with anything. Continuous assessment is worth 20% overall in maths methods I think. It kind of takes you into a few things that HL maths did in the leaving cert along with other things, but honestly, do the work and you'll be graaaaaaand!

Hey guys,
I have a quick question..for the first year exams do we need to pass the paper to pass the module, or can we get say 20% from cont. assessment and 20% from the paper to pass?
Thanks!

To those who got 2.1s, 1.1s in BY1101...

How long and how detailed were your essays? Say if you were writing an essay on the "Experiments that helped define the chemical nature of the gene" did you you give the years of the experiments and all the names of the scientists involved or did you just describe the experiments and their significance and leave it at that?