LC Biology Course

RandomUserName! · 05-07-2009, 21:05

Just did my Leaving Cert, hopefully starting Psychology in September.
I didn't do Biology though, and I wanted to know if that would put me at a disadvantage?
Would it be worth getting a LC book secondhand and going over the stuff a bit?
Thanks

The Black Oil · 06-07-2009, 09:45

Not necessarily, but I understand where you're coming from. One of our neuroscience lecturers said it's like learning a new language and you learn 10 new words per page from the textbook (or some such figure) for different parts of the brain and related systems. Getting an introductory neuro book might help? This was one of the books we used. I recently saw this in the second hand section of Chapters on Parnell St. Avoid buying new if you can. Your Students Union may also have a second hand shop.

I hope you get the course you want.

RandomUserName! · 06-07-2009, 12:42

Brilliant, thanks so much. I'll definitely have a look for that.
I have an introductory Psych textbook already but biological is only one chapter.

**John** · 06-07-2009, 12:45

Any LC book will not prepare you for any university course. Usually the explanations given in LC textbooks are plain wrong (I had to re-learn chemistry despite getting an A at LC when I did my science degree) so no point learning stuff you will have to forget! Plus, all university courses are designed so anyone with no previous knowledge of an area is not at a disadvantage. And to be honest, with the increasing emphasis on biology in psychology, you're probably just as well to have done biology.

**John** · 06-07-2009, 12:47

Oh and that Kolb and Whishaw book is a good intro text. They do another called Fundamentals of Human Neuropsychology or something similar which is IMO better but either is a good book to have to hand in first year.

The Black Oil · 06-07-2009, 15:40

If you're so inclined and have the time try putting 'neuroscience' into the iTunes store and you'll get some podcasts from MIT et al.

Videos such as this might also give you an idea of what to expect.

**eth0_** · 07-07-2009, 21:27

Not doing LC biology won't put you at a disadvantage.
If you want to swot up, start studying statistics for psychology, and get a book on SPSS - I think a lot of people get a shock at the maths/stats involved!

sambuka41 · 08-07-2009, 10:44

You should be fine without biology, i didnt do any science subject in secondary and i got through it not problem. Actually i studied science for 1 month in school and the teacher told my parents that i was a very nice child just not scientifically minded!!!! So goes to show what bloody use secondary school is!!!!!!!!!!!!!

05-07-2009, 21:05	#1
RandomUserName! Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Dublin Posts: 208 Adverts \| Friends	LC Biology Course Just did my Leaving Cert, hopefully starting Psychology in September. I didn't do Biology though, and I wanted to know if that would put me at a disadvantage? Would it be worth getting a LC book secondhand and going over the stuff a bit? Thanks

06-07-2009, 09:45	#2
The Black Oil Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Dublin Posts: 1,508 Adverts \| Friends	Not necessarily, but I understand where you're coming from. One of our neuroscience lecturers said it's like learning a new language and you learn 10 new words per page from the textbook (or some such figure) for different parts of the brain and related systems. Getting an introductory neuro book might help? This was one of the books we used. I recently saw this in the second hand section of Chapters on Parnell St. Avoid buying new if you can. Your Students Union may also have a second hand shop. I hope you get the course you want. __________________ Glowing eyes, cliché behaviour, evilness, that kind of thing. Last edited by The Black Oil; 06-07-2009 at 09:47.

06-07-2009, 12:45	#4
John Moderator Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Dublin Posts: 11,672 Adverts \| Friends Mod: Experimental Music	Any LC book will not prepare you for any university course. Usually the explanations given in LC textbooks are plain wrong (I had to re-learn chemistry despite getting an A at LC when I did my science degree) so no point learning stuff you will have to forget! Plus, all university courses are designed so anyone with no previous knowledge of an area is not at a disadvantage. And to be honest, with the increasing emphasis on biology in psychology, you're probably just as well to have done biology. __________________ brainwashed \| flickr \| twitter The Fury of Tim - Have a listen to our music!

06-07-2009, 12:47	#5
John Moderator Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Dublin Posts: 11,672 Adverts \| Friends Mod: Experimental Music	Oh and that Kolb and Whishaw book is a good intro text. They do another called Fundamentals of Human Neuropsychology or something similar which is IMO better but either is a good book to have to hand in first year. __________________ brainwashed \| flickr \| twitter The Fury of Tim - Have a listen to our music!

06-07-2009, 15:40	#6
The Black Oil Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Dublin Posts: 1,508 Adverts \| Friends	If you're so inclined and have the time try putting 'neuroscience' into the iTunes store and you'll get some podcasts from MIT et al. Videos such as this might also give you an idea of what to expect. __________________ Glowing eyes, cliché behaviour, evilness, that kind of thing.

06-07-2009, 12:42	#3
RandomUserName! Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Dublin Posts: 208 Adverts \| Friends	Brilliant, thanks so much. I'll definitely have a look for that. I have an introductory Psych textbook already but biological is only one chapter.

07-07-2009, 21:27	#7
eth0_ Moderator Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Edinburgh Posts: 9,488 Adverts \| Friends Mod: Mac, Work & Jobs	Not doing LC biology won't put you at a disadvantage. If you want to swot up, start studying statistics for psychology, and get a book on SPSS - I think a lot of people get a shock at the maths/stats involved! __________________ www.oldjockradio.com Thursdays 9pm-11pm

08-07-2009, 10:44	#8
sambuka41 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Rathmines,my spiritual home Posts: 102 Adverts \| Friends	You should be fine without biology, i didnt do any science subject in secondary and i got through it not problem. Actually i studied science for 1 month in school and the teacher told my parents that i was a very nice child just not scientifically minded!!!! So goes to show what bloody use secondary school is!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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