Science Question

Fad

em im in fifth year now, and im fairly certain im gonna end up doing science in trinity, but i have one concern.

whats the maths content in 1st year like, (i know theres the 2 options but could some one explain whats involved in both of them please)

europerson

The info about the courses is here, but I'll leave it to some of our beloved scientists to tell you about the courses.

Fad

thanks

also any other info will be apprieciated

Deadevil129

!st year Science student speaking...

From what I gather the course has changed this year, though somebody can correct me on that if I'm wrong. There are two different maths subjects to chose from, Maths and Maths Methods. The general rule of thumb you're given when you go in is if you've done ordinary level maths for LC then you should probably do Maths Methods, and the higher level people will head towards Maths. That said, there's a couple of people who did OL Maths for the leaving cert and are trying their hand at the full Maths course, on the other hand there are plenty of ex-HL Maths people who decided that Maths wasn't for them. I'm in Maths, which is needed if you want to do Physics, so I can't speak for maths methods.

The Maths course I do is divided into two parts, linear algebra and calculus. Linear algebra covers vectors, matrices etc, while calculus covers integration, differentiation and stuff of that nature. You end up with around six lectures a week, two tutorials and an hour long lab. Lectures are a bit of a shock at the start, especially algebra because they tend to cover things in theory in lectures and it's not untill you get to tutorials that you'll actually practise anything. It's hard but not unimaginably so. Tbh, I prefer coping with the more difficult maths then having to deal with maths methods on top of three other subjects.

Anyways... Don't fret about it too much, you can transfer early on in the year from Maths to Maths Methods if you find it too hard going, so best of luck.

Fad

thank you,

also any other info about the content of the various subjects (biology, chemistry and physics in particular), that'd be brilliant

sunnyjim

Dude, if you're worried about maths, I'd get yourself on a pre-science plac course after college.

I wish I had done that. I wasted 3 years in DCU (I know, I know:o) because I was always playing catch up with Maths.

A year spent doing that might save more time?

Just a suggestion. Good luck regardless

Fad

ah no im not worried just curios what the content is

Fad

Sorry to bring this back up, but is the math content in Maths (as a single subject) managable if you did OL(an A i anticipate getting) and work at it a good bit during 1st year?

ApeXaviour

A friend of mine did ordinary level maths and got a B, then graduated advanced materials (same maths as science do the 1st two years) with a II-1. He was probably capable of a bit better in his leavin, but then most of us who go into science probably were.

Then again I know a fella who got an A1 in honours and had a terrible struggle with the maths. You'll be teaching yourself how to integrate mostly I believe. If you do the work, and answer past questions, you'll be grand.

Fad

ApeXaviour wrote: »

A friend of mine did ordinary level maths and got a B, then graduated advanced materials (same maths as science do the 1st two years) with a II-1. He was probably capable of a bit better in his leavin, but then most of us who go into science probably were.

Then again I know a fella who got an A1 in honours and had a terrible struggle with the maths. You'll be teaching yourself how to integrate mostly I believe. If you do the work, and answer past questions, you'll be grand.

thanaks very much,
actually could you explain this 2.1 etc grade sytem thingy please im lost when people mention it

It depends per course/faculty/mega-academic-malarkey but generally a first is 70%+, a II.1 is 60%+, II.2 is 50%+. Note that this also varies depending on what college you go to.

Fad

ok thanks very much, i ll try not to drag this thread back up again:)

No bother. And now for some random information - there's also a 'gold medal' if you achieve over a certain %, generally 75% but above 80% in some other courses. Has a pic of Liz on the back 'n' all.

As with my other posts, my information may be out of date.

Fad

I Want That Damn Medal When My Time Comes

xebec

Myth wrote: »

Has a pic of Liz on the back 'n' all.

Fad wrote: »

I Want That Damn Medal When My Time Comes

The Gold Medal is indeed a sweet number, my flatmate wasn't impressed when I tried biting into his earlier this year It's so think it really could be a chocolate coin! Oh hang on, I don't eat chocolate... Anyways, they're engraved with the individual's name as well as having the picture of Liz on the back.

ApeXaviour

Just bear in mind getting above 70% in college level exams is a little like getting above 98% in school level, i.e. damn hard.

Fad

ApeXaviour wrote: »

Just bear in mind getting above 70% in college level exams is a little like getting above 98% in school level, i.e. damn hard.

oh of course, but all the work would be worth it for that kinda medal

Istrancis

Sorry for dragging this topic up out of the swamps, but could someone please tell me who Liz is?

Also, is it > 75% in one subject or as an average mark?

Finally, does everyone who gets this score get such a medal?

Thanks!

Podge_irl

Queen Elizabeth I presume, the founder of the college. Its an average mark, though I think its 80% in the science end (it is for maths and TP anyway).

Istrancis

Thanks for answering my question, Podge, much appreciated.

80% for science students, blast! Oh well, it just makes the award that much more valuable!!!

ApeXaviour

It's 80% for maths. For the rest of science it's 75%. Can't personally clarify for TP