Physics Finals

thecheese

Hey,

Have my final year physics exams starting this week and was just wondering if anybody knows whether it is necessary to pass all exams to receive a higher degree or whether a passing average is enough? My first exam is Quantum mechanics and particle physics, doubt I'll be passing it, but I'm fairly well set for the other exams..

cheers

Podge_irl

AFAIK you just need a passing average, though I'm not 100% certain.

thecheese

Yeah I'm pretty sure it is myself but freaking myself out at the last minute as per usual :rolleyes: I know it was just a passing average for 3rd year

ZWEI_VIER_ZWEI

I think, but am not certain, that in my course at least (Computer Science), you can pass if you haven't failed more than two subjects.

i.e. If your average is 65% and you failed three exams, you don't get your degree.

If your average is 55% and you failed two exams, you pass.

Not sure if this is in any way applicable to Physics (the fact that your rules for 3rd year are different to ours makes me think not), or if I'm even right about my own course (will look into it) but might be useful.

antiselfdual

I think someone last year in 4th yr Maths got 27% in an exam and still passed (in fact got a first)... which I guess bodes well if it's correct (Podge might remember better?)

Podge_irl

Ultimately, its pretty hard to fail your finals, so I'd try not to worry about it too much.

Podge_irl

antiselfdual wrote: »

I think someone last year in 4th yr Maths got 27% in an exam and still passed (in fact got a first)... which I guess bodes well if it's correct (Podge might remember better?)

I was under the impression that if you failed any exam in maths then you failed overall. I do know some people took extra exams so its possible someone failed one of them and yet still passed overall. Almost certain no one who got a first failed any exam though, but I'm not 100% sure of the maths results.

antiselfdual

Hmm well I think I remember hearing that while talking to you and John in Doyle's last year but anyway that might be why I'm wrong or you don't remember...

Podge_irl

Yeah, its a safe bet that I don't remember any of that conversation. Doyle's + after exams = bit of a blackout.

It does sound vaguely familiar, but I think we might have been talking about one of the TP girls cause they took on solitons and Nanoscience at the last minute cause one of their other exams didn't go well. It certainly didn't happen to anyone who got a first in TP, but I'm not even sure who got firsts in Maths so I can't tell you for sure.

rjt

Podge_irl wrote: »

I was under the impression that if you failed any exam in maths then you failed overall. I do know some people took extra exams so its possible someone failed one of them and yet still passed overall. Almost certain no one who got a first failed any exam though, but I'm not 100% sure of the maths results.

I thought you could compensate a single subject? That is, if you fail a subject but get more than 35%, and a pass average then you pass overall. But I could well be wrong.

dan719

rjt wrote: »

I thought you could compensate a single subject? That is, if you fail a subject but get more than 35%, and a pass average then you pass overall. But I could well be wrong.

This is definately the case for first and second year, but I would be lying if I said that I knew this applied in the Sophister Years. I have heard of people failing one exam in maths and one in physics in TP and being allowed to pass though. Also Josh, I would greatly appreciate your stats notes at some stage!:p


Yes I know you have to do it too!

dabh

For Mathematics and Theoretical Physics, the Calendar entry specifies applicable rules, with regard to compensation etc., and should be consulted:

http://www.tcd.ie/calendar/assets/pdf/faculty_ems.pdf

Podge_irl

rjt wrote: »

I thought you could compensate a single subject? That is, if you fail a subject but get more than 35%, and a pass average then you pass overall. But I could well be wrong.

Its definitely true for freshman years, but I had a nagging feeling that you couldn't fail any exams in sophister years. A cursory glance at the maths website seems to indicate I'm wrong however. It was certainly the impression we all had while doing the exams though!

snappieT

ZWEI_VIER_ZWEI wrote: »

I think, but am not certain, that in my course at least (Computer Science), you can pass if you haven't failed more than two subjects.

One, Mark, you're allowed to fail one subject.

OP: It is part of your course regulations, not the general college regulations.