UCD SCIENCE OR TCD SCIENCE?

ya-ba-da-ba-doo

can some people honestly tell me which one is the better course in their opinion? im only doing one science subject in school, biology, but im definitely going down the science route..


any advice/experiences would be great and i will post this in the UCD forum too so as not to be biast! thanks..!

BertrandMeyer

UCD is a nightmare to travel to each morning.

TCD doesn't give a damn about its students.

Choose wisely.

ya-ba-da-ba-doo

im not really worried bout the travelling.. moreso the course.

Señor Juárez

I think that both TCD and UCD will be a nightmare to travel to each morning from Wexford.

ya-ba-da-ba-doo

Señor Juárez wrote: »

I think that both TCD and UCD will be a nightmare to travel to each morning from Wexford.

im hardly gonna be driving up and back every mornin! il be renting or on campus! :pac:

banjopaul

ya-ba-da-ba-doo wrote: »

can some people honestly tell me which one is the better course in their opinion? im only doing one science subject in school, biology, but im definitely going down the science route..

Just out of interest what subject choices are you thinking of for first year TCD science? I'm in the same boat as you, hoping to do science in September and only have Biology as a science subject.

I'm planning on doing Maths Methods, Biology 101 and 102, Chemistry 101 and 102 and, Foundation Physics or Geology.
Has anyone who has done this already got any advice? Was chemistry hard to pick up?
thanks

ya-ba-da-ba-doo

banjopaul wrote: »

Just out of interest what subject choices are you thinking of for first year TCD science? I'm in the same boat as you, hoping to do science in September and only have Biology as a science subject.

I'm planning on doing Maths Methods, Biology 101 and 102, Chemistry 101 and 102 and, Foundation Physics or Geology.
Has anyone who has done this already got any advice? Was chemistry hard to pick up?
thanks

im thinking of maths methods biology 101 and 102, one of the chemistrys, foundation physics and either geology or geography.. probably geography....

still might go ucd though.. havnt decided.

banjopaul

ya-ba-da-ba-doo wrote: »

im thinking of maths methods biology 101 and 102, one of the chemistrys, foundation physics and either geology or geography.. probably geography....

still might go ucd though.. havnt decided.

Don't think you could do geography I'm afraid, from my understanding of the prospectus anyway! Have a look at page 134-136 here:
http://www.tcd.ie/courses/content/pdf/undergraduate-prospectus-2009.pdf
particularly the patterns on page 136, we're pattern 3 cause of maths methods. You'd have to do geology because your not allowed take chemistry 102 without 101, so you'd have ta do 101.

Pet

BertrandMeyer wrote: »

UCD is a nightmare to travel to each morning.

TCD doesn't give a damn about its students.

Choose wisely.

I don't know about your second point. TCD care far more about their students than UCD, at least in my experience.

OP, in what kind of science would you like to specialise? UCD is better for some of the sciences, but Trinity is better for most of them. [THAT point is completely biased, though.]

ApeXaviour

banjopaul wrote: »

I'm planning on doing Maths Methods, Biology 101 and 102, Chemistry 101 and 102 and, Foundation Physics or Geology.
Has anyone who has done this already got any advice? Was chemistry hard to pick up?
thanks

Chemistry is hard to pick up. They do a short catch up course before you start if you haven't studied it for the LC. In saying the above, a friend of mine who started science with me (we both chose phys chem and maths) hadn't done chem for the LC... and for a long time thought he was sh1t at it. He technically failed first year with 37%, but compensated (means you sorta pass) because he did reasonably okay in the other two. In third year he transferred over to physics and chemistry of advanced materials and is now doing (and nearly finished) a Ph.D in inorganic chemistry.

I've been here way too long.

can some people honestly tell me which one is the better course in their opinion?

I can't say I'm afraid, it all depends on what you're looking for. UCD appear to have a better range of subjects in the early years (I think), at least one can do more broad curriculum things. It really comes down to what you want to specialise in. If it's experimental physics, I'd say go for Trinity, otherwise I can't really comment.

Personally, my time as a science undergrad in trinity was bloody fantastic. Socially it was amazing, academically I loved the independence. It may or may not have been much different had i chosen UCD, again I'm sorry, I can't say.

ya-ba-da-ba-doo

oh yeah i get what your sayin.. in that case id pick maths(20), bio 101 + 102,chem101 and foundation physics :-)

banjopaul

ApeXaviour wrote: »

Chemistry is hard to pick up. They do a short catch up course before you start if you haven't studied it for the LC. In saying the above, a friend of mine who started science with me (we both chose phys chem and maths) hadn't done chem for the LC... and for a long time thought he was sh1t at it. He technically failed first year with 37%, but compensated (means you sorta pass) because he did reasonably okay in the other two. In third year he transferred over to physics and chemistry of advanced materials and is now doing (and nearly finished) a Ph.D in inorganic chemistry.

Thanks for the info, something to think about anyway.:) I have an interest in it despite not doing it for the leaving( made stupid subject choices) and I'm definitely willing to work so i think I should be able to get by with it at least.

Jello

ya-ba-da-ba-doo wrote: »

im only doing one science subject in school, biology, but im definitely going down the science route..

banjopaul wrote: »

I'm in the same boat as you, hoping to do science in September and only have Biology as a science subject.

I'm assuming you both do either HL Maths or Geography too? Because you need a HC3 in two Science subjects to get into Science in TCD, and they count Maths and Geography.

ya-ba-da-ba-doo

Chemistry is hard to pick up. They do a short catch up course before you start if you haven't studied it for the LC. In saying the above, a friend of mine who started science with me (we both chose phys chem and maths) hadn't done chem for the LC... and for a long time thought he was sh1t at it. He technically failed first year with 37%, but compensated (means you sorta pass) because he did reasonably okay in the other two. In third year he transferred over to physics and chemistry of advanced materials and is now doing (and nearly finished) a Ph.D in inorganic chemistry.

I've been here way too long

I can't say I'm afraid, it all depends on what you're looking for. UCD appear to have a better range of subjects in the early years (I think), at least one can do more broad curriculum things. It really comes down to what you want to specialise in. If it's experimental physics, I'd say go for Trinity, otherwise I can't really comment.

Personally, my time as a science undergrad in trinity was bloody fantastic. Socially it was amazing, academically I loved the independence. It may or may not have been much different had i chosen UCD, again I'm sorry, I can't say.

thanks a mill. i want to study something in biology.. maybe physiology. i find the anatomy and all that jass really interesting. my friends doing science in ucd but shes more into chemistry..


i also hear the hours are longer in tcd.. that actually kind of attracts me more to it as i learn hardly anything rying to study on my own.

ya-ba-da-ba-doo

Jello wrote: »

I'm assuming you both do either HL Maths or Geography too? Because you need a HC3 in two Science subjects to get into Science in TCD, and they count Maths and Geography.

im doing higher maths.. dont even do geography but find it interesting all the same.. again, stupid subject choices.

fr larry duff

I didn't do Chemistry for the leaving cert either, and found it VERY tough in first year. However there are extra tutorials for students who have never done it before, and I found those really helpful. It was the complete basics of Chemistry, and I would have been totally lost without it. I failed Chemistry pretty badly in first year and scraped a pass in the September repeats. Have to say though I was pretty bad at giving a sh1t about exams in general in first year, and I could have tried a lot harder. I found though that the course completely switches gears very fast between first and second year, where I found it absolutely impossible. However, you only have to do it in first year for most courses, unless they are Chemistry-orientated in third year. It's worth taking note of the course requirements for whichever discipline you're interested in pursuing, I knew a lot of people who screwed themselves over by not taking Chemistry in first year, leaving themselves with few options in third year, none of which they had really wanted to do.

ya-ba-da-ba-doo

fr larry duff wrote: »

I didn't do Chemistry for the leaving cert either, and found it VERY tough in first year. However there are extra tutorials for students who have never done it before, and I found those really helpful. It was the complete basics of Chemistry, and I would have been totally lost without it. I failed Chemistry pretty badly in first year and scraped a pass in the September repeats. Have to say though I was pretty bad at giving a sh1t about exams in general in first year, and I could have tried a lot harder. I found though that the course completely switches gears very fast between first and second year, where I found it absolutely impossible. However, you only have to do it in first year for most courses, unless they are Chemistry-orientated in third year. It's worth taking note of the course requirements for whichever discipline you're interested in pursuing, I knew a lot of people who screwed themselves over by not taking Chemistry in first year, leaving themselves with few options in third year, none of which they had really wanted to do.

yeah im kinda tryin to stay clear of chem too.. i would only really doing it for later choices as u say..:cool:

Hamiltonion

I'm 1st year in TCD doing chem 101 + 102, bio 101 + 102, geology and maths methods.
Chemistry is v difficult and I'v done it before, friends who have'nt are having a v tough time. Also full maths is not for the fainthearted, methods is more than manageable.
In regards the college the departments are poorly organised by times and like everywhere else the college is more interested in the comfort of its postgrads. However the course is well taught and v interesting with a great array of options in 3rd year.
In regards UCD a science degree from there is'nt worth the paper is printed on. Have better physics facilities but a poor standard of teacing and UCD science is treated like UCD arts. a dumping ground. Not wanting to sound anti UCD but as I'v many friends doing science there thats what Ive heard and seen. At the end of the day if 2 people have a 1st class honours science degree from UCD and Trinity the employer will pickk trinity. Ucd award a Bsc and TCD a BA but Trinities masters program is shorter making up for this afaik. Any quesions bout the course or the college feel free to PM me

ya-ba-da-ba-doo

Hamiltonion wrote: »

I'm 1st year in TCD doing chem 101 + 102, bio 101 + 102, geology and maths methods.
Chemistry is v difficult and I'v done it before, friends who have'nt are having a v tough time. Also full maths is not for the fainthearted, methods is more than manageable.
In regards the college the departments are poorly organised by times and like everywhere else the college is more interested in the comfort of its postgrads. However the course is well taught and v interesting with a great array of options in 3rd year.
In regards UCD a science degree from there is'nt worth the paper is printed on. Have better physics facilities but a poor standard of teacing and UCD science is treated like UCD arts. a dumping ground. Not wanting to sound anti UCD but as I'v many friends doing science there thats what Ive heard and seen. At the end of the day if 2 people have a 1st class honours science degree from UCD and Trinity the employer will pickk trinity. Ucd award a Bsc and TCD a BA but Trinities masters program is shorter making up for this afaik. Any quesions bout the course or the college feel free to PM me

come on now.. thats being completely unfair, untrue and biast. if its not worth the paper its written on why are they going to 'waste' 4 years of their life doing it?

Prof.Badass

If you do maths methods and foundation physics you're in for an easy 1st year (in terms of messing and fun maths methods was awesome- as well as being the perfect opportunity for su doku/ catching up on the latest wacky stories in the metro/herald am).

however, as neither of them are proper subjects, you'll be stuck doing chemistry in 2nd year .

As was said before, the course completely changes gear in 2nd year, and coming from someone who liked chemistry in school, it's really hard. I'm probably gonna fail. Don't say i didn't warn you.

One negative thing i can say about tcd science is the course is all over the place. Finding out information about marks, assignments, the percentages going for various things, how to access lecture notes ect. is impossible (although i heard that ucd doesn't even have online lecture notes) and you'll be suprised at the amount the science office don't know.

For example; in maths methods we had computer labs every week in hillary term, they were worth 10% of our final grade. We got no warnings or emails or anything (the lecturer may have mentioned it once during a lecture but lectures are optional, and let's be honest, maths methods- you've more fun/interesting things to do than listen to the lecturer). I only found this out half way through hillary term (i managed to overhear some people taking about it) and thus threw away 5%. I was far from alone and would not be suprised if people missed out on the entire 10%.

Bajingo

From what ive heard from my mate in UCD their sceince course doesnt seem as focused on science as TCD is I mean he is doing philosophy as a module!
On the other hand the TCD course is way more focused(less broad but then you said you wanted science) and is more difficult but I would say that is going to be the case either way.

I dont know where the Trinity dont care for their students notion came from. The lecturers are always willing to help as are the mentors. In my experience anyway. The Hamilton librarians can be a pain though.

Anyway, pick what you want to pick as long as you have the points you can always switch! Good Luck

Oh yea, im doing both chem and bio modules with maths methods and geology at the moment. The chemistry is tough but as long as you go to most lectures and read up on the difficult stuff it not that bad. There is actually more work in bio I find! Geo is handy and maths methods is as easy LC Higher Maths if not easier.

ya-ba-da-ba-doo

Bajingo wrote: »

From what ive heard from my mate in UCD their sceince course doesnt seem as focused on science as TCD is I mean he is doing philosophy as a module!
On the other hand the TCD course is way more focused(less broad but then you said you wanted science) and is more difficult but I would say that is going to be the case either way.

I dont know where the Trinity dont care for their students notion came from. The lecturers are always willing to help as are the mentors. In my experience anyway. The Hamilton librarians can be a pain though.

Anyway, pick what you want to pick as long as you have the points you can always switch! Good Luck

Oh yea, im doing both chem and bio modules with maths methods and geology at the moment. The chemistry is tough but as long as you go to most lectures and read up on the difficult stuff it not that bad. There is actually more work in bio I find! Geo is handy and maths methods is as easy LC Higher Maths if not easier.

yeah ucd does seem to be broader alright. and i think you can pick two completely unrelated modules if you wish to do so! there is an attraction to tcd though.. maths will be grand and so will bio and probably the foundation phys.. its the chemistry thats the worry.. and u really kind of need to be doing chem cause i was looking at the prospectus and if i dont do chem it leaves me with f all choice in 3rd year..


i find it pretty crap that you cant do the physics module on its own you have to do it with maths.. :mad:

Hamiltonion

ya-ba-da-ba-doo wrote: »

come on now.. thats being completely unfair, untrue and biast. if its not worth the paper its written on why are they going to 'waste' 4 years of their life doing it?

SP *biased* Well I wouldnt say its biased, as i mentioned I've friends there and one recently finished and their outlook is grim.
Like UCD have better medicine and Physics programs, but in regards general science, esp biological sciences, and the arts, Trinity are streets ahead. And many people effectively waste many years doing irrelevent or substandard courses, I'm just trying to inform the kid that in employers eyes and in regards further education (masters etc) TCD is the better option

Podge_irl

ya-ba-da-ba-doo wrote: »

i find it pretty crap that you cant do the physics module on its own you have to do it with maths.. :mad:

There is a reason for that you know. You need a decent level of maths to be able to do physics

fillmore jive

Hamiltonion wrote: »

In regards UCD a science degree from there is'nt worth the paper is printed on. Have better physics facilities but a poor standard of teacing and UCD science is treated like UCD arts. a dumping ground. Not wanting to sound anti UCD but as I'v many friends doing science there thats what Ive heard and seen. At the end of the day if 2 people have a 1st class honours science degree from UCD and Trinity the employer will pickk trinity.

At the end of the day, a decent degree is a decent degree, regardless of whether you went to Tcd or Ucd.

Hamiltonion wrote: »

Ucd award a Bsc and TCD a BA but Trinities masters program is shorter making up for this afaik.

Surely you are talking about a taught masters? Which of course is worth sweet f-all compared to a research masters, especially in science.

Bajingo wrote: »

From what ive heard from my mate in UCD their sceince course doesnt seem as focused on science as TCD is I mean he is doing philosophy as a module!
On the other hand the TCD course is way more focused(less broad but then you said you wanted science) and is more difficult but I would say that is going to be the case either way.

This is called the Horizons programme, which lets you select a maximum of 2 modules a year that don't have to be related to your area of study. The whole idea of it is to broaden your horizons, so you are not constantly learning about the same thing over and over. This happens for all courses in Ucd, not just science.

Hamiltonion wrote: »

SP *biased* Well I wouldnt say its biased, as i mentioned I've friends there and one recently finished and their outlook is grim.

That's because we're in the middle of a global recession.

vinylmesh wrote: »

One negative thing i can say about tcd science is the course is all over the place. Finding out information about marks, assignments, the percentages going for various things, how to access lecture notes ect. is impossible (although i heard that ucd doesn't even have online lecture notes) and you'll be suprised at the amount the science office don't know.

No, you are wrong.

Podge_irl

Hamiltonion wrote: »

Ucd award a Bsc and TCD a BA but Trinities masters program is shorter making up for this afaik.

Whether you get a BA or a BSc doesn't make the slightest bit of difference, there is nothing to "make up". I have a BA from Trinity and I did an exceptionally sciency course.

Pooh-bah

http://www.decisionmaking.org/booklet/bigpicture.html
Im in a similar situation,this may help!Good luck deciding..

Prof.Badass

fillmore jive wrote: »

No, you are wrong.

No, I'm not.

I did hear that ucd don't have online lecture notes. Now, obviously that information was wrong, but the fact that i heard it isn't wrong.

I was sceptical over the accuracy of this information and that is why i said "i heard ucd don't have online lecture notes" rather than "ucd don't have online lecture notes". This removes personal resposibility for the information and allows room for correction without calling anyone wrong.

fillmore jive

vinylmesh wrote: »

No, I'm not.

I did hear that ucd don't have online lecture notes. Now, obviously that information was wrong, but the fact that i heard it isn't wrong.

I was sceptical over the accuracy of this information and that is why i said "i heard ucd don't have online lecture notes" rather than "ucd don't have online lecture notes". This removes personal resposibility for the information and allows room for correction without calling anyone wrong.

Yet you obviously believed that statement, otherwise you wouldn't have bothered posting it up here for everyone to see? Absolute bollox, check how accurate it is before you bother posting, because all the OP wants is honest, unbiased opinions about your experiences with TCD science so that he/she can make the best chocie for college. Posting stuff like that isn't going to help, even if you think it's supposedly true just because you 'heard' it.

ya-ba-da-ba-doo

im kind of getting the feeling i might chose the tcd course.. still have 2 months to decide but i think i miht go for it.

if i am to pick it i will probably choose

M.METHODS, BIO 101, BIO 102, CHEM 101, CHEM 102 and FOUNDATION PHYSICS



would any current students be able to give a bitta advice cause im not doin chem in LC but am thinking of taking the two modules on.. is this too big of a task?

im willing to work hard for it and all but it could be just that bit too difficult..

PurpleFistMixer

A friend of mine is doing what you've outlined above (from what I can gather.. she's doing Chemistry, Biology, Maths Methods and Foundation Physics anyway), and she found Chemistry pretty hard going at first because she didn't do it for the LC. She's getting on better now... I think it just takes some time getting used to it, so yeah it'll be extra work but not impossible.

Bajingo

ya-ba-da-ba-doo wrote: »

im kind of getting the feeling i might chose the tcd course.. still have 2 months to decide but i think i miht go for it.

if i am to pick it i will probably choose

M.METHODS, BIO 101, BIO 102, CHEM 101, CHEM 102 and FOUNDATION PHYSICS



would any current students be able to give a bitta advice cause im not doin chem in LC but am thinking of taking the two modules on.. is this too big of a task?



im willing to work hard for it and all but it could be just that bit too difficult..

If you're willing to work hard for it then your sorted really as long as you do the work..there will be plenty of help for you out there from your lecturers, mentors(that will be me next year:D so i'll be around to give you a hand) and also there are plenty of other students offering 1 to 1 lessons if you want them I know ive already said this in my previous post..but all the same...

Id say most of the first years doing chemistry now in first year didnt do it for the leaving and ye they find it tough but the ones that care get it done..dont skip over a course because one aspect of it is a bit daunting! The labs are actually good laugh especially compared to the bio ones...

I know this is a biased(my first biased statement you'll find) but as someone else already said I think the average employer will look at a TCD degree better than UCD one..
But that shouldnt be your only reason going to TCD..its also the best craic around!!

Prof.Badass

fillmore jive wrote: »

Yet you obviously believed that statement, otherwise you wouldn't have bothered posting it up here for everyone to see? Absolute bollox, check how accurate it is before you bother posting, because all the OP wants is honest, unbiased opinions about your experiences with TCD science so that he/she can make the best chocie for college. Posting stuff like that isn't going to help, even if you think it's supposedly true just because you 'heard' it.

You're talking out your hole.

Posting stuff like that is a massive help. It was clear i wasn't sure, so someone would need to clarify the issue (or the op would need to research it themselves), but if i didn't make my post the whole issue of online lecture notes could have easily been overlooked.

As it turns out someone (you) did clarify the issue, and it turns out UCD do have online lecture notes. So no need to worry.

However if it had have turned out that ucd indeed doesn't have online lecture notes, then that should have been a massive plus for trinity in the OP's decision making process.

I wasn't being biased at all, i was just trying to help. If you look at my post you'll see the vast majority of it is about the negative aspects of tcd science.

Hamiltonion

Congratulations! Good choice of courses, if you do 1st yr bio and chem you can drop chem in 2nd year when it gets v v tough and still do most options in 3rd year. Chem 101 and 102 are quite difficult, esp 102 if you've never done it before. Its possible but be prepared to put in twice as much work as you do for every other subject. Beware foundation physics, friends doing it seem to get a lot of time consuming projects at the minute and in the run up to exams this is no help

red_card82

Hey,

So i was the same as you, had to choose between UCD and TCD and choose TCD in the end and am very happy with it - stayed on after my degree and am just finishing up my PhD now.
First and foremost, LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION - its second to none, you will take it for granted so much after a while but its so handy.
The courses are great, they were more bio based i found when i was choosing as opposed to math based in UCD, which is a reason i chose TCD in the end.
Also, its a BA from TCD because Science used to be an 'art', the only other universities in the world that do that are Oxford and Cambridge, so hardly shabby. All the new science subjects (outside of Natural Sciences) like Med Chem are BSc's.
Chemistry in first year is a b**ch if u hadn't done it for LC, i had and did well in the LC and STILL failed but that was more because i drank that yr away - lol.
All in all, i think TCD, although not that much better, still is better than UCD wrt reputation, location, courses and probably level of staff, ie prof's and lecturers.

Good luck with your choice.

Hamiltonion

Redcard, What option did you pick in 3rd year and what grade had you to get in 2nd to get it? Also has anyone gone on from TCD for a masters/phd in Oxbridge?

piby

I'm generalising quite a bit and this is based on what I was told when I was doing the LC

UCD science is slightly more industry leaning

TCD is more natural science based (obviously it's the name of the course!)

I'm in TCD so I'm biased but just look at both prospectuses, they both offer some different specialities etc.

Colli_Flower86

IMHO UCD lets you specialise much more quickly than TCD. It seems that you have already chosen to persue Biology, so I reckon, in terms of choice, UCD might be better suited to you. If you do decide to go with Trinity I'd stay steer clear of Chemistry if you haven't done it before.

Posting here is bound to get you a biased opinion though as most of us have only studied Science in Trinity...

Podge_irl

Hamiltonion wrote: »

Also has anyone gone on from TCD for a masters/phd in Oxbridge?

An awful lot of them. Getting into a masters in Oxbridge is not all that difficult, getting into a PhD is a little bit more tricky. There is a steady stream of science students from Trinity (and an admittedly slightly smaller stream from UCD) into Oxbridge every year. I know people in Cambridge at the moment from TCD, UCD, NUIG and UCC. It doesn't so much matter where you go as how well you do while you are there.

Woden

I did science in UCD graduated a few years back joint chemistry/experimental physics.

I cannot comment on TCD but my feeling of UCD was that the chemistry was done well particularly in the organic chemistry area.

The physics department was nice and very friendly but I found the labs rather poor and did not enjoy the format of them in 3/4th year.

On the point of having to do maths with physics it is not always true I was able to obtain an exemption from maths in 2nd year and continue to take maths physics instead.

pisslips

Hamiltonion wrote: »

SP *biased* Well I wouldnt say its biased, as i mentioned I've friends there and one recently finished and their outlook is grim.
Like UCD have better medicine and Physics programs, but in regards general science, esp biological sciences, and the arts, Trinity are streets ahead. And many people effectively waste many years doing irrelevent or substandard courses, I'm just trying to inform the kid that in employers eyes and in regards further education (masters etc) TCD is the better option

I'm not sure about this, I only know of one person who did a Bsc. in UCD. He got a first in Chemistry and basically had a choice of where he wanted to do a Phd, he eventually went to the South of France.It's obviously not that worthless like.

I also know a guy who did engineering in UCD who came to Trinity afterwards and had a Phd by the age of 23.

And I've heard of a guy doing compuational maths Phd in Stanford from UCD.

They can't really be that **** in fairness.

ya-ba-da-ba-doo

yeah i really dont think either courses are shiit but i think ill just stick tcd down ahead of it anyway... if i dont get it, not to worry. ill be happy with either course. :-D

pisslips

Thats exactly what I did to be honest.

I jsut decided,''Not enough information, choose by elimination, left with three choices, randomly pick one''

It's impossible for an pre-undergrad to know which general science, which maths or which theoretical physics course is best. the guy/girl isn't even gonna know what linear algebra is.


Anyway's this year I found out that trinity have this thing called schols, if I'd known that in 6th year I would have gone to Trinity but it was still the right decision based on the information available to me at the time.To choose randomly that is.

cajl2

vinylmesh wrote: »

No, I'm not.

I did hear that ucd don't have online lecture notes. Now, obviously that information was wrong, but the fact that i heard it isn't wrong.

I was sceptical over the accuracy of this information and that is why i said "i heard ucd don't have online lecture notes" rather than "ucd don't have online lecture notes". This removes personal resposibility for the information and allows room for correction without calling anyone wrong.

That's the most petty retort I've ever heard... you're at *university* now.

spudz21

Just to add to all the other posts, I did Chemistry in 1st yr Science having never done it for the LC, it was sooo tough!!I ended up failing it, think I got 36% or something but ended up passing by compensation...phew:D
Just expect to put in loads of time and effort into it and if you dont understand, ask someone who does!!Dont just leave out studying sections like I did:p

On another point...one of my neighbours is asking for advice about the course as they have it down on their CAO, Chemistry wasn't divided up for choice when I did the course?!So Im assuming that Chem 101 and 102 are Inorganic and organic chemistry or something along those lines??

a.j2020

Hey...I also have Science in TCD down as first choice and I have a bit of a dilemma.

I'm not exactly sure whether I wanna specialise in Genetics or Physics...i know a bit of a BIG diference..lol... But the problem is to do Physics I need to do maths(20 credits) and physics(another 20 credits) which leaves me with only 20 which isnt enough to fill my pre-requisite for Genetics which is Chemistry 101+102 and biology 101.

So...i was wondering one of two things...
1. Is it possible to take 10 credits extra as that'll allow me to have both the options open or
2. Is it possible to do physics by doing foundation physics? and now the 20 credits physics?...

If you were to ask me to choose 1 now id be leaning towards genetcis 60-40 but I know things change in Uni.

Cheers!!

graviton

I'm 1st year in TCD doing chem 101 + 102, bio 101 + 102, geology and maths methods.
Chemistry is v difficult and I'v done it before, friends who have'nt are having a v tough time. Also full maths is not for the fainthearted, methods is more than manageable.
In regards the college the departments are poorly organised by times and like everywhere else the college is more interested in the comfort of its postgrads. However the course is well taught and v interesting with a great array of options in 3rd year.
In regards UCD a science degree from there is'nt worth the paper is printed on. Have better physics facilities but a poor standard of teacing and UCD science is treated like UCD arts. a dumping ground. Not wanting to sound anti UCD but as I'v many friends doing science there thats what Ive heard and seen. At the end of the day if 2 people have a 1st class honours science degree from UCD and Trinity the employer will pickk trinity. Ucd award a Bsc and TCD a BA but Trinities masters program is shorter making up for this afaik. Any quesions bout the course or the college feel free to PM me"



Out of a matter of interest what major are you doing now? The UCD science degree has much better facilities for all science, as well as physics UCD has better facilities for biology, chem, biochem etc... at the end of the day it depends on the person, your post grad interview is based on how much you know all round, how dedicated you are and how much extra material you know... it makes no difference where you get your undergrad.

And by the way Hamiltonion, do you know why the science building in tcd is called the Hamilton? The Hamiltonian is a quantum mechanical operator...shows how much trinity's taught you doesn't it

ya-ba-da-ba-doo

graviton wrote: »

I'm 1st year in TCD doing chem 101 + 102, bio 101 + 102, geology and maths methods.
Chemistry is v difficult and I'v done it before, friends who have'nt are having a v tough time. Also full maths is not for the fainthearted, methods is more than manageable.
In regards the college the departments are poorly organised by times and like everywhere else the college is more interested in the comfort of its postgrads. However the course is well taught and v interesting with a great array of options in 3rd year.
In regards UCD a science degree from there is'nt worth the paper is printed on. Have better physics facilities but a poor standard of teacing and UCD science is treated like UCD arts. a dumping ground. Not wanting to sound anti UCD but as I'v many friends doing science there thats what Ive heard and seen. At the end of the day if 2 people have a 1st class honours science degree from UCD and Trinity the employer will pickk trinity. Ucd award a Bsc and TCD a BA but Trinities masters program is shorter making up for this afaik. Any quesions bout the course or the college feel free to PM me"



Out of a matter of interest what major are you doing now? The UCD science degree has much better facilities for all science, as well as physics UCD has better facilities for biology, chem, biochem etc... at the end of the day it depends on the person, your post grad interview is based on how much you know all round, how dedicated you are and how much extra material you know... it makes no difference where you get your undergrad.

And by the way Hamiltonion, do you know why the science building in tcd is called the Hamilton? The Hamiltonian is a quantum mechanical operator...shows how much trinity's taught you doesn't it

And trinity students wonder why they have a snobby reputation? :rolleyes:

dan719

graviton wrote: »

And by the way Hamiltonion, do you know why the science building in tcd is called the Hamilton? The Hamiltonian is a quantum mechanical operator...shows how much trinity's taught you doesn't it

And there was me thinking it was named after WR Hamilton.....Ireland's most famous mathematician who discovered/invented (depending on your particular flavour of philosophy of mathematics) hamiltonian algebra. He's a pretty well known guy tbh.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Rowan_Hamilton

He was also included in a book (the exact name escapes me now) about nine famous Irish people who "probably" had asperger's syndrome. Dev was in it too IIRC. Glad to see my wiki edit is still there after all these years too.:D

brownacid

graviton wrote: »

And by the way Hamiltonion, do you know why the science building in tcd is called the Hamilton? The Hamiltonian is a quantum mechanical operator...shows how much trinity's taught you doesn't it

I find it interesting that you know about the hamiltonian operator which ws discovered by hamilton and you didn't realise that instead of naming a building after a maths function they may have named the building after a brilliant mathematician who gave his life to trinity?