Science (Undenominated)

Hannahlu

Hi, just want to get some views on this course in NUIG.
Is there anyone currently in this course or after finishing it that can give me their perspective, please? Just want an idea of how people find the subjects and what the timetables are like? Oh and if anyone has any advice on good areas to live if you're new to Galway but not 1st year would also be very much appreciated.
Thank you please

kevmy

It's fairly wide ranging and difficult to give a single view on.

Really it all depends on which subject choice you make. There are about 6 different subject groups and the subjects in these don't clash. Some have less hours than others but may not be the subjects you want.

It can also be made easier by picking subjects you have done previously either at LC level or elsewhere.

Thats not really very helpful but I can't give you more info than that. Just don't get fooled by low points = easier course and don't do it if you're not interested in your main subject area.

Hannahlu

Just don't get fooled by low points = easier course and don't do it if you're not interested in your main subject area.

Hi Kevmy, thanks for the reply. I realise that the lower points don't mean it's an easy course, I'm actually worried that I might find some areas too difficult! I didnt have a great grounding in the science subjects at school:(
I'm hoping to specialise in Zoology, it's something which I've being considering for a long time and although I admit Science wouldn't be my first choice, as I've spent my whole life intending to do something in art:rolleyes: but that's just not a realistic option for me right now, so eventhough I'm unsure and anxious about it, i've decided to finally take a chance with another interest and see where that gets me. Plus Science is a good degree to have under your belt apparently.

Maybe you could give me an idea maybe of some of the subjects you did? what did you specialise in?

thanks

Carsinian Thau

I did Physics, Chemistry and Biology of the undenominated first year science course. I didn't do a fourth science subject and went elsewhere instead of 2nd year undenominated science but I may be able to answer some of your questions (if you wouldn't mind being a little more specific).

If you don't mind my asking, why are you doing something like this when there is something else that you'd like to?

And, any degree is a good degree to have under your belt. Science is but one of many courses (even though it is where my interest lies).

Hannahlu

If you don't mind my asking, why are you doing something like this when there is something else that you'd like to?

well its a long complicated story. I'm arty orientated but not the artsy fartsy type, i have no interest in fine art or studying the 'masters', or trying to define it as such. I just i enjoy being creative. I've found it hard to pinpoint what i want to do as a career in art and so finding a course is even harder especially when ireland hasnt a great variety of courses in this area. Anyway one course that stuck out was Make-Up Design for Stage in IADT. I wanted to do this back in 06 when i left school but couldnt afford to, so i did arts in cork, dropped out because i couldnt bare it and ive spent the last 3 years literally in turmoil trying to figure out what to do with my life. i want to go to college but i have to think realistically, the course in iadt is 4 years, i'll have to pay fees, no grant, basically scrimp and save and i know in my heart i wont be able to get a good job, if a job at all, out of it in ireland. i've done the research and spoken to people in the business, if i was to be serious about that careeer, my best shot is to move to london and do a course there. They are very expensive courses.
What it comes down to is, at the moment i can't afford to follow this. I do intend to take a shot at this in the future if i'm in a better position to.

I want to do another course in the meantime cause i'm going crazy, I've always been interested in doing something like Zoology, so why not give it a try.

that was a ramble...........anyway the Zoology path, what kinda subjects would i be taking on?:)

i thought about doing Mathematics and Education too, i dont suppose you have any idea about that?

Carsinian Thau

Hannahlu wrote: »

I want to do another course in the meantime cause i'm going crazy, I've always been interested in doing something like Zoology, so why not give it a try.

that was a ramble...........anyway the Zoology path, what kinda subjects would i be taking on?:)

Well, for first year undenominated science, you'll take one of the following streams:

Group A: Mathematics, Introduction to Mathematical Physics, Chemistry and Physics.
Group B: Mathematics, Introduction to Mathematical Physics, Physics and Computer Science.
Group C: Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics or Introduction to Mathematical Physics.
Group Biology, Chemistry, Introduction to Earth & Ocean Sciences and Mathematics or Introduction to Mathematical Physics.
Group E: Chemistry, Computer Science, Physics, Mathematics or Introduction to Mathematical Physics.
Group F: Introduction to Earth & Ocean Science, Physics, Computer Science, Mathematics or Introduction to Mathematical Physics.

I took Group C (without the mathematics though) and found it quite okay.

They are all manageable and actaully rather nice (I particularly enjoyed the physics).

I'd advise you to work fairly hard and consistently throughout the year so that you get good marks. Then at the end of second year, you'll need to take at least two of the following:

Anatomy, Applied Mathematical Science, Biochemistry, Botany, Chemistry, Computer Science, Earth & Ocean Sciences, Physics, Mathematics, Mathematical Physics, Microbiology, Pharmacology, Physiology, Zoology.

If you take three of the above, then you're set. If you take two of the above, you'll also need to take two of the below:

Algebra/Discrete Mathematics, Aquatic Plant Science I, Calculus, Computers in Chemistry, Crystals, Minerals and Rocks, Evolution of the Earth, French, German, Introduction to Field Techniques in Earth and Ocean Sciences, Introduction to Ocean Science, Mathematical Molecular Biology, Mechanics, Methods of Mathematical Physics, Numerical Analysis, Plants and the Environment, Sediments and Biosphere I, Statistics.

Then you go into third year. Most likely, you'll take two of these:

Physics, Mathematics (Honours), Applied Mathematics (Honours),
Anatomy, Applied Mathematical Science, Biochemistry, Botany, Chemistry, Computing Science, Earth and Ocean Sciences, Mathematical Physics, Microbiology, Pharmacology, Physiology, Zoology.

And one of these:

Advanced Calculus/Complex Variables, Advanced Techniques for Biologists, Analytical & Industrial Chemistry, Aquatic Plant Science II, Astrophysics, Atmospheric Composition and Climate Change, Basic Pharmacology, Cheminformatics and Validation, Computational Physics/Quantum Physics, Electronic Systems and Signals/Thermal Physics and Materials, Environmental Geosciences, Field Techniques and Computing in EOS, French, Genetics, German, Human Body Function, Human Nutrition, Hydrology & Hydrogeology, Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology,I mmunotechnology, Introduction to Ocean Science, Linear Algebra, Marine Ecology, Marine Geoscience, Mathematical Molecular Biology, Methods of Mathematical Physics and Computing, Methods of Mathematical Physics, Modelling, Neuroanatomy/Neuropharmacology, Neuroanatomy/Neurophysiology, Neuropharmacology/Neurophysiology, Numerical Analysis, Occupational Hygiene, Physics of the Environment, Plant Ecology and Palaeoecology, Plate Tectonics and Structural Geology, Quantum Mechanics, Sediments and Biosphere 2, Statistics, Toxicology, Wave Optics/Nuclear and Plasma Physics.

Then comes final year in which you can specialise (depending on what you took up along) in one of the following:
Anatomy, Applied Mathematics, Applied Mathematics and Physics, Applied Physics, Biochemistry, Botany, Chemistry, Computational Science, Earth and Ocean Sciences, Physics, Mathematics, Microbiology, Pharmacology, Physiology, Zoology.

So there you have how to get your degree in zoology.

Hannahlu wrote: »

i thought about doing Mathematics and Education too, i dont suppose you have any idea about that?

Don't really know a lot about this one. Most important question about that course is: do you intend to be a teacher?

Hannahlu

Thank you, you're very good to put this all up :-)

in relation to the group selection in 1st year, do I have to pick one group or a pick like 4 subjects from either?

I like Maths, hmm Biology would probably be a good idea.......I've not really much experience with Chemistry or Physics, will that be a problem for me, i guess just a little extra work. I know you didnt do them but have you any idea what 'introduction to mathematical physics' or 'earth/ocean science' is like?

I've thought about it, I reckon I'd like it if I had the patience, I might kill pupils.

Anatomy Boy

As regards 1st year you have to pick the group. You can't pick and choose individual subjects. Group C is the most popular. It looks difficult, especially if you haven't covered many Science subjects in school but it's definatly do-able.
Most 1st years hate the idea of doing Physics but without it, you cannot choose a lot of the 2nd Year courses (Anatomy, Physiology, Pharmacology etc.) I'd recommend doing Group C, just in case you find something more interesting than Zoology.

I chose Group C: Biology, Chemistry, Maths & Experimental Physics
( I had Biology Chemistry and Maths done in School and they are at the same and slightly higher level than Leaving Cert.)

I thought I wanted to do Zoology too but found it quite boring in the end

I chose Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry in 2nd Yr.

And am just finishing my 3rd yr. of Anatomy, Physiology and Human Nurtition (which I should be studying for since it's on Monday )

Next yr. i'll specialise in Anatomy.


Bear in mind that there are quotas for each course in 2nd Yr. Some courses accept large numbers (Microbiology(200), Zoology (175)) while some take very few (Anatomy (25) , Pharmacology (25)). You make a list of your top choices at the end of 1st year and the subjects are awards on your end of year results. (Those numbers are for Undenominated students, Biomedical students get into the subjects they choose regardless of results)


Hope this helps. It's a great course. It can be tough, but it's very interesting and there's something for everyone!!

Hannahlu

As regards 1st year you have to pick the group. You can't pick and choose individual subjects. Group C is the most popular.

...oh right, so if you don't do physics you can't do anatomy, physiology etc...
where do they start in chemistry and physics, say you don't have L.C level would you be screwed?

I'd recommend doing Group C, just in case you find something more interesting than Zoology.

I chose Group C: Biology, Chemistry, Maths & Experimental Physics
( I had Biology Chemistry and Maths done in School and they are at the same and slightly higher level than Leaving Cert.)

I thought I wanted to do Zoology too but found it quite boring in the end

...don't say that!:eek:.........i know though, i have that worry myself. But I'm only interested in Science to get into studying animals, I like science but i wouldnt say im passionate about it, theres a reason i only kept on 1 science subject for L.C. ( apart from my crappy teachers:mad:).

KittyeeTrix

Hi OP,

I'm just finishing up 1st year undenominated science.
As a mature student I hadn't done chemistry or physics for 20 years and have absolutely no interest in them whatsoever. I only had biology to Leaving Cert standard.
They are kinda tough but let me put it this way, if I could and I feel I have passed my 1st year exams, well then anyone can if they just go to most of the lectures and do a bit along the way......
I hated the physics and chemistry labs but got through them. Funnily enough the lab exams for chem and phys were not as bad as I thought they would be:)
The botany and zoology labs however, were really good. I suppose it really depends where your interests lie and I love the biology side of science.
I too did Group C (biology, physics, chemistry and maths) because I had thought of doing something in anatomy and physiology but have changed my mind now as I am loath to do anything that is connected heavily to physics.
A friend of mine took the earth and ocean science group instead of physics and she loved it, god, I was soooooo annoyed with myself that I hadn't done the same.
Think carefully but don't worry as it not as bad as some people make out, seriously:D

Maths is very hard if like me you only attained a D in pass Maths for the Leaving Cert but it is set up in such a way to almost guarantee a pass at the end of 1st year. Most people do not keep any maths subjects going forward into 2nd year.
There is a maths exam at Xmas which is weighted at 30%. The same three questions come up every year, so do well in this and basically, your laughing:)

Weidii

Hannahlu wrote: »

I didnt have a great grounding in the science subjects at school:(


I'm hoping to specialise in Zoology, it's something which I've being considering for a long time and although I admit Science wouldn't be my first choice, as I've spent my whole life intending to do something in art:rolleyes:

thanks

Hi Hannahlu, I'm replying to this because I was in a similar position to you when I was going into college (in fact I actually did a day of art college before I knew that it wasn't for me)

My first bit of advice is to be careful with science seeing that you have a bad grounding. I had basically no chemistry or physics, bad enough biology and terrible Maths going into first year and I ended up repeating a year to get through the maths. Bare in mind that you'll have to choose some sort of maths subject in first year as it's very general. (I'd recommend choosing the Earth and Ocean group if you're into Zoology, in second year you start into Palaeontology and that's really interesting). The tutorials are generally good and plentiful for the difficult subjects, but you might end up having to get grinds in something you're not so good at.

Secondly, as I've just finished second year Zoology, I'd say go for it! Don't expect it to be exactly like a nature show you see on tv, it's more concerned with the taxonomy and biology of the animals than the behaviour, but I found it really interesting. The labs involve alot of drawing, which is great if you're at all artistic, I found them really enjoyable and relaxing.

As far as I know third year Zoology involves alot more biochemistry than second year, just something to be aware of too.

If you want any info don't be afraid to PM me.

Hannahlu

Hi Weidii

Hi Hannahlu, I'm replying to this because I was in a similar position to you when I was going into college (in fact I actually did a day of art college before I knew that it wasn't for me)

Thanks its good to hear from someone who was in a similiar position, i know i still want to do something with art but maybe i don't have to do it right now.

My first bit of advice is to be careful with science seeing that you have a bad grounding. I had basically no chemistry or physics, bad enough biology and terrible Maths going into first year and I ended up repeating a year to get through the maths. Bare in mind that you'll have to choose some sort of maths subject in first year as it's very general. (I'd recommend choosing the Earth and Ocean group if you're into Zoology, in second year you start into Palaeontology and that's really interesting). The tutorials are generally good and plentiful for the difficult subjects, but you might end up having to get grinds in something you're not so good at.

.......I know it's gonna be extra work on my part, i actually really like maths and had a great teacher so i'm hoping maths will be my stronger area. Chemistry and Physics is a little worry and i am worried about getting through them.

Secondly, as I've just finished second year Zoology, I'd say go for it! Don't expect it to be exactly like a nature show you see on tv, it's more concerned with the taxonomy and biology of the animals than the behaviour, but I found it really interesting. The labs involve alot of drawing, which is great if you're at all artistic, I found them really enjoyable and relaxing.

............thanks, i think i will give it a shot....and yes the drawing work in the labs sounds good, it'll be nice to keep up and include my drawing.

thank you so much, its so good to hear from someone doing the course.:)