Advanced Entry / Second Year Science?

Trance

At the moment I'm in first year physics in D.I.T. and was considering applying for advanced entry into second year science in Trinity with the intention of continuing physics.

Was just hoping that someone who might know anything about this could maybe tell me whether it happens often or not? Whether my application would more than likely be accepted or rejected? What the first year drop-out rate in science is?.. As from what I gather the number accepted for entry into subsequent years in a course would depend somewhat on the drop-out rate and available places.

I met the first year matriculation and points requirements for the course. After comparing the 1st year D.I.T. modules and syllabus to the 1st year Trinity science module descriptions, I seem to have done all of the same material if not even more... with the exception of a couple of topics in the maths course.

ApeXaviour

When you say you want to continue physics I assume you mean physics through TR071 Natural Science. You study chemistry correct? If so then I'd say you shouldn't have a problem. I wouldn't worry too much about those specific maths topics you missed out on.

The drop out rate isn't very high, but there will almost definitely be places, esp if you're choosing physical science subjects.

Obviously you have to pass this year in DIT, but I'd be optimistic. I've known people who've done similar without much trouble.

I suppose contact the science course office http://www.tcd.ie/Science/contact/ and admissions http://www.tcd.ie/Admissions/undergraduate/contact-us/



btw I graduated with a physics degree through science and am now doing a phd in it, so if you've any other questions...

Trance

Thank you I'll contact them later.

As for chemistry.. by the end of the year I'll have finished a module worth a total of 10ECTS in organic and inorganic chemistry and modules worth a further 10ECTS in cell biology and Anatomy/Histology/Physiology. After looking back again at TR071's structure, I've noticed that you seem to either take chemistry or biology modules and not both if you intend to do physics and maths? Do you think that would be a problem? My intention would be to continue with biology in the 2nd year.

Also what are the hours and especially the lab hours like? At the moment I'm having to spend 7 hours a week in labs and from what I understand next year it'll be 5-6 hours a week... which I think is a tiny tiny bit very excessive. The 3rd and 4th year students seem to spend their entire life in the labs.

emollett

As far as i remember in second year the most hours of labs i had in a week was 10 i think, doing bio1, bio2 and chemistry. In third year biochemistry the most hours of labs i'll have in a week is 13, although this is just one week, it varies a lot from week to week, and if work is done you can leave obviously..
I wouldn't say that ammount of lab work is excessive at all though, it is what science is about. Of course i am coming at this from a biological viewpoint, may be different for physics.

Which biology would you want to take in second year? There is bio1 which is biochemistry, neurology, microbiology etc and bio2 which is zoology, ecology botany etc. Apart from the term where there are microbiology practicals each have 3 hours labs a week. When you are doing micro there are 4 hours of labs for bio1, split in to two sets of two hours.

Trance

Well I don't actually mind biology labs but I find physics labs very tedious. The less of them I have to do the better.. but anyway that isn't my reason for wanting to change. It's just another thing I was wondering about. I'd choose Bio1. Wouldn't be interested in the other.

Thanks for the info.

ApeXaviour

So Bio1, Physics and Maths? I believe you can do that, though you would be among a very small number of people doing those subject choices. That may allow you to change your mind and specialise in molecular medicine, genetics, microbiology, biochemistry etc in third year (assuming you get a high enough grade, but don't quote me on this, it's changed since I went through the system), as well of course as physics, astrophysics and computational physics. Have a look at the pre-requisites. http://www.tcd.ie/Science/undergraduate/prerequisites/, they go into the ECT stuff at the bottom of that page.

2nd year physics labs will be 3 hours per week, third year will be 6, but at that stage you won't be doing any other (bio etc.) labs. There are no labs in final year, instead you take a few months out pretending to be a phd research student and do a project.

Trance

Haha amongst a very small number of people.. You Trinity students don't know the meaning of a small number of people. In first year there's 4 people in my course.. two of whom I really doubt will make it until the last year if even past this year.

I mailed the course director and the administrator with a brief summary of my leavin cert, college results and modules taken to date and asking for a quick opinion and was told nothing but to just make an application. Such helpful people. :pac: I suppose that's what I'm doing then.