Which physics/engineering course to pick and where?

JamesFitz · 01-04-2014 12:13am #1

Alright, lads.

I'm doing the leaving in June and I currently have engineering choice in UL as first choice on my CAO. It's around 400 points but I'm capable of 550+. Would I be limiting myself by doing this course?

I've recently become interested with the whole concept of astrophysics and space sciences and the closest thing to that in UL would be Mathematics and Physics.

However, the Astrophysics course in UCD has caught my eye recently and I was wondering if it would be worth the hassle over moving up to Dublin for it?

Any input at all would be greatly appreciated.

sibby · 01-04-2014 10:36am

I can't tell you much about engineering here in UL but the Maths and Physics course doesn't cover any modules in astrophysics, neither does applied physics. If you were thinking of going down the road of astrophysics you'd need to do a masters or grad dip after the maths and physics undergrad afaik.

Chimaera · 01-04-2014 10:51am

CAO points bear no relationship to the difficulty of a course. They're determined based on supply and demand, nothing more.

On a lot of engineering courses, if you get in on the minimum points, you're going to have a lot of work to do. 550+ will make life easier for you, but you'll still need to work hard to get a first class honours degree at the end of it.

Beyond that, you have to decide what you really want to do and where you want to do it. Jobs in astrophysics or space science may be a little hard to find in Ireland, so if you go down that path, emigration is going to be a likely option when you complete your studies. Is this something you're ok with? I know it's a bit difficult to even think that far ahead now, but you should keep it in the back of your mind.

Ultimately, you're better off choosing a course in an area you like as you'll have a better chance of completing it well. Attend the open days for the courses you're interested in, ask lots of questions. If possible try and talk to postgrads too as well as lecturers.

NeirBot · 01-04-2014 12:46pm

Firstly if you do decide on engineering choice don't easy off for the LC, as if you hate it and want to change next year to something else you'd kick yourself if you didn't have the points needed to change (I did that and would have cost me a place if I wasn't a mature student now and points aren't needed!)

Secondly on what course to choose, do what others have said, look for advice on what is involved in a course, try to talk to those that have done it before or are doing the courses. Eng choice is good for engineering as you can get a taste of them all, reduces the risk, gives you a year to settle on what is the best fit. (I've no knowledge on anything physics)

Don't worry too much about making the "wrong" choice, changing course after a year won't kill you and whether you spend 4 or 5 years in college (if you don't become a serial student!) is a drop in the ocean compared to 40 years working!! :eek:

MajesticDonkey · 01-04-2014 4:44pm

Chimaera wrote: »

CAO points bear no relationship to the difficulty of a course. They're determined based on supply and demand, nothing more.

This is the most important point. The amount of points you need for a particular course has nothing to do with how easy or hard a course is. Don't make your choice based on the points required.

JamesFitz · 01-04-2014 7:54pm

I think I'd be ok with emigrating (at least while I'm young), it's something I've thought about a few times.

I think now it's just a mater of finding which course would be most suitable for me irrespective of points.

Owen_S · 01-04-2014 10:39pm

MajesticDonkey wrote: »

This is the most important point. The amount of points you need for a particular course has nothing to do with how easy or hard a course is. Don't make your choice based on the points required.

From talking to classmates, almost all engineering students seem to have 500+ points.

NUIG has a good astrophysics course from what I hear, but Engineering Choice gives you a good few options and another 1-2 years to think about what you want to do.

Chavways · 04-04-2014 4:12pm

Hey I'm 2nd year Applied Physics in UL and we share a lot of modules with Maths and Physics(for the first 2 years anyway).

Up to now we have covered nothing to do with astrophysics. Both courses are mainly based on mechanics and every day applications of physics. I think if you have your heart set on Astrophysics, you'd be wasting your time coming to UL to be honest.

Beargrylls01 · 07-04-2014 11:00pm

I don't really like the idea of EngChoice in UL, I feel it works better in other colleges because they don't have the long co op that we have (unless you are Queens, I suppose), but hopefully someone with experience with the course will come and tell me they weren't at a disadvantage to others when they chose their path.

I am in Chemical & Biochemical, so if you have any questions about that course feel free to send a Pm. I actually like trying to convince people to come do our course, it's good for the college and good for the course.

Delta Kilo · 08-04-2014 1:38pm

Beargrylls01 wrote: »

I don't really like the idea of EngChoice in UL, I feel it works better in other colleges because they don't have the long co op that we have (unless you are Queens, I suppose), but hopefully someone with experience with the course will come and tell me they weren't at a disadvantage to others when they chose their path.

First year is exactly the same as it has been for years, before there was an engineering choice option. All engineers did the same modules in first year regardless of discipline (Aero, Mech, Bio, CAED). You dont do modules for your specific choice until 2nd year.

When I was in first year many people migrated between courses after first year, Aeros switching to Mech, Mechs switching to Bio etc. The "Engineering Choice" course is just a formal structure for this, makes no difference overall. More to do with marketing towards those who are undecided at CAO time

Chimaera · 08-04-2014 2:15pm

Delta Kilo wrote: »

First year is exactly the same as it has been for years, before there was an engineering choice option. All engineers did the same modules in first year regardless of discipline (Aero, Mech, Bio, CAED). You dont do modules for your specific choice until 2nd year.

When I was in first year many people migrated between courses after first year, Aeros switching to Mech, Mechs switching to Bio etc. The "Engineering Choice" course is just a formal structure for this, makes no difference overall. More to do with marketing towards those who are undecided at CAO time

Not quite - Chemical Engineering joined the Engineering Choice programme this year, and it serves that course less well since there are a greater number of unique modules there.

Electronic and Computer Engineering are also part of Engineering Choice and again, they have a greater degree of differentiation from the MABE courses.

ricimaki · 08-04-2014 7:30pm

Electronic and Computer Engineer's (ECE) only share electrical science 1 and engineering maths 1 with the majority of the other engineers, and also physics for engineers 1 with the biomedical engineers (I think, but might have been mechanical, just definitely not aero). Our digital systems and computer software modules were shared with other courses from the Computer Science Department and Electronics Department. In the second semester, it was: Same class for maths as SEM 1, only us for electrical science 2, Computer software 2 was us, computer science and at least one other non-engineering course, Digital systems 2 was ourselves and 1 other person from Engineering Choice, and finally semiconductor analysis, which only us.

Engineering choice and ECE don't really share a lot of modules. The ECE course does not contain a lot of physics in it either, just so you know. Its a good course if you are interested in learning how to write code, build circuits to do anything from turn on an LED, to display how many mili-seconds you take to respond to a light/buzzer turning on. This semester we are programming arduino boards, and learning how to control a mini-submarine!!! (not really, but we were using the programs and maths required to do that, and simulate more simple things). If you have any interests in robotics, programming, circuit design(ranging from the ones in your fridge to those used in cars and aircraft) or a combination of all 3, LM118 is a very good course indeed. If you have any questions about it, fire away.

Ompala · 08-04-2014 10:05pm

ricimaki wrote: »

Electronic and Computer Engineer's (ECE) only share electrical science 1 and engineering maths 1 with the majority of the other engineers, and also physics for engineers 1 with the biomedical engineers (I think, but might have been mechanical, just definitely not aero). Our digital systems and computer software modules were shared with other courses from the Computer Science Department and Electronics Department. In the second semester, it was: Same class for maths as SEM 1, only us for electrical science 2, Computer software 2 was us, computer science and at least one other non-engineering course, Digital systems 2 was ourselves and 1 other person from Engineering Choice, and finally semiconductor analysis, which only us.

Engineering choice and ECE don't really share a lot of modules. The ECE course does not contain a lot of physics in it either, just so you know. Its a good course if you are interested in learning how to write code, build circuits to do anything from turn on an LED, to display how many mili-seconds you take to respond to a light/buzzer turning on. This semester we are programming arduino boards, and learning how to control a mini-submarine!!! (not really, but we were using the programs and maths required to do that, and simulate more simple things). If you have any interests in robotics, programming, circuit design(ranging from the ones in your fridge to those used in cars and aircraft) or a combination of all 3, LM118 is a very good course indeed. If you have any questions about it, fire away.

Ye were in with Civil and Chemical.
And be thankful ye didn't have to go on and do Physics for Engineers 2!

blargh i cant pick a name · 08-04-2014 10:57pm

I'm a second year maths and physics. Great course, and I've really enjoyed it, but as has been said, not too much on astrophysics, nor is there later. That said, I wouldn't focus too much on specialising at this point, its still very possible to go on to start working in astrophysics from it. If your focus is academia, then there might be more of an argument, but you'd have to do a masters first either way.

Which physics/engineering course to pick and where?

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